December 8, 2022
By: Michael Fox
The team from B4C came today to refill our Tree Troff Koala drinkers so it was very exciting to find a Koala Mum and Joey in sitting on a branch above the drinker on Acacia Way.
There was also a Koala in the Queensland Blue Gum Eucalyptus tereticornis above the other Tree Troff at the junction of Federation and Geebung Tracks.
April 14, 2020
By: Michael Fox
I’m lucky to be able to get my exercise exploring the wildlife of Mt Gravatt Conservation Reserve.
Squirrel Gliders Petaurus norfolcensis are good at staying home even if they are not into social isolation. Glider families typically occupy a number of different nest boxes going out at night and sleeping during the day.
White Tangle moth caterpillar
Butterfly and moth caterpillars are typically selective feeders able to digest only a very limited range of plant species.
So I was interested to find the White Tangle moth caterpillar Callopistria maillardi which feeds on ferns like the invasive garden escapee: Fishbone Fern Nephrolepis cordifolia.
Transverse Moth caterpillar
Moths often have to most interesting and colourful caterpillars like this Transverse Moth Xanthodes transversa caterpillar I found feeding on the Native Hibiscus Hibiscus heterophyllus planted by a National Tree Day team.
There are some impressive adult moths Erebus Moth Erebus terminitincta with its 100mm wing span and owl like eyes on the wings.
Domino Coukoo Bee
I also found a new solitary native bee to add to the species list for the Reserve. The well named Domino Coukoo Bee Thyreus lugubris means we have now identified ten species of solitary native bees in the Reserve.
Cute white furry whiskers
Paperbark Sawfly
This Paperbark Sawfly Lophyrotoma zonalis is another new species identified in the Reserve. Adult Sawflies are not often seen as they live only one to two weeks in which time they do not feed but mate and lay their eggs on leaves of Melaleuca species.
Black-faced Cuckoo Shrike
The handsome Black-faced Cuckoo Shrike Coracina novaehollandiae is another addition to the species list.
Finally I found this cute Koala Phascolarctos cinereus watching us install a Koala Drinker on Tallowwood Eucalyptus microcorys.
A lot of walkers are getting their exercise in the Reserve at the moment. Map of walking tracks.
April 24, 2016
By: Michael Fox
Creeping Lantana Lantana montevidenses
Griffith Mates joined me at Fox Gully Bushcare on a beautiful fine Saturday morning to work as Lantana Busters. Creeping Lantana Lantana montevidenses is one of our major weed threats in Mt Gravatt Conservation Reserve. Lantana competes for native plants for scarce water reserves and the chemicals in Lantana have a significant negative effects on native plant species.
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(l-r) Sophie, Lifen, Noe – proud of their work
Removing Creeping Lantana is detailed work requiring team members to get down and pull the roots of individual plants. Fortunately the Griffith Mates team were patient and through leaving the area spotless.
As always, it was fascinating to talk to the students about home towns in Japan and China, catching up with one of my old Management Concepts students or hearing about intern experience with KPMG in Korea.
Koala high in tree on Federation Track
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Outstanding effort deserves a reward, so we headed off down the Federation Track to find a Koala Phascolarctos cinereus in the wild. The track down towards Granby Street is a reliable place to spot Koalas. Sophie was first to spot a Koala high in a Tallowwood Eucalyptus microcorys.
Joseph’s Coat Moth Agarista agricola – Photo: K. Sinigaglia
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We also spotted a brightly coloured Joseph’ Coat Moth Agarista agricola flying around a large clump of Forest Grape Cissus opaca an important caterpillar food plant for this amazing moth.
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Ringlet butterfly
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We also found a Ringlet butterfly Hypocysta sp. which depend on Poaceae (grass) species for caterpillar food.
The work of the Lantana Busters clearing the weeds will allow regeneration of important butterfly caterpillar food like Forest Grape and native grasses.
Every visit of our Griffith Mates partners strengthens the habitat for all our native species.
May 3, 2015
Koala visitor Fox Gully Bushcare – 3 May 2015
By: Michael Fox
We have regular sightings on Koalas Phascolarctos cinereus in the Reserve and we know they have been breeding for several years. See the 2011 report about Sparky and her joey, they live near an Energex sub-station.
What we have not yet been able to do is identify individuals. While we are getting more sightings reported we don’t know how many different individuals live in the Reserve and what area their territory covers.
Is today’s Koala visitor the same one I videoed in March grazing on fresh Tallowwood Eucalyptus microcorys in Fox Gully Bushcare?
…… Female Koala – snowy white chest ……… 28 Mar 2015
One thing we can do is identify that both individuals are females. The pure white chest fur is typical of female Koalas. Males have dirty chests from rubbing their scent glands on tree bark to mark their territory.
Further research is needed to establish ways to identify individuals by differences in facial features and fur patterns.
Report Koala sightings
Sheamus O'Connor - Young Citizen of the Year 2012
Environmental Protection Award - Brisbane's Spotless Suburbs
Mount Gravatt Environment Group 
