Nature Surveys 2014

To increase my knowledge of the local area as well as my identification skills, I try and head out once a month to a new location to undertake a wildlife survey. Collected and published here are my surveys for 2014, just in case they are of interest to any researchers, surveyors or wildlife enthusiasts.


Location: Squirrel Glider Conservation Area, Alexandra Hills, Redlands
Date: Monday 13th January, 19:30 - 21:00
Habitat: Open forest, permanent fresh water
Weather: Clear skies, 25C, moderate breeze, no rainfall
Focus: Frog survey

Eastern Dwarf Tree Frog (Litoria fallax)

Striped Marsh Frog (Limnodynastes peroni)

Copper-backed Broodfrog (Pseudophryne raveni)

Cane Toad (Rhinella marina)

Total species: 4

Other interesting sightings: 

Common Ringtail Possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus) 

Swamp Wallaby (Wallabia bicolor)

Tawny Frogmouth (Podargus strigoides)
                                                                                                                                                

Location: Lake Somerset, incl. Somerset Dam Park, The Spit, Lake Somerset Holiday Park and Villaneuve, Somerset Region

Date: Friday 14th February, 7:30 - 14:30

Habitat: Lake and farmland

Weather: Partly cloudy, 34C, gentle breeze, no rainfall

Focus: Bird survey

Black Swan (Cygnus atratus)
Cotton Pygmy-Goose (Nettapus coromandelianus)
Australian Wood Duck (Chenonetta jubata)
Pacific Black  (Anas superciliosa)
Grey Teal  (Anas gracilis)
White-eyed Duck (Aythya australis)
Australasian Grebe (Tachybaptus novaehollandiae)
Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus)
Little Black Cormorant (Phalacrocorax sulcirostris)
Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)
Pied Cormorant (Phalacrocorax varius)
Little Pied Cormorant (Microcarbo melanoleucos)
Australasian Darter (Anhinga novaehollandiae)
Australian Pelican (Pelacanus conspicillatus)
Great Egret (Ardea modesta)
Cattle Egret (Ardea ibis)
White-faced Heron (Egretta novaehollandiae)
Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)
Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)
Australian White Ibis (Threskiornis molucca)
Royal Spoonbill (Platalea regia)
Brown Goshawk (Accipter fasciatus)
Whistling Kite (Haliastur sphenurus)
Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio)
Dusky Moorhen (Gallinula tenebrosa)
Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra)
Pied Stilt (Himantopus leucocephalus)
Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles)
Red-kneed Dotterel (Erythrogonus cinctus)
Silver Gull  (Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae)
Gull-billed Tern (Gelochelidon nilotica)
Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia)
Whiskered Tern (Chilidonias hybridus)
Bar-shouldered Dove (Geopelia humeralis)
Fan-tailed Cuckoo (Cacomantis flabelliformis)
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita)
Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus)
Noisy Miner (Manorina melanocephala)
White-throated Gerygone (Gerygone olivacea)
Eastern Whipbird (Psophodes olivaceus)
Grey Butcherbird (Cracticus torquatus)
Australasian Magpie (Cracticus tibicen)
Pied Currawong (Strepera graculina)
Australasian Figbird (Sphecotheres vieilloti)
Spangled Drongo (Dicrurus bracteata)
Willie Wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys)
Torresian Crow (Corvus orru)
Welcome Swallow (Hirundo neoxena)
Silver-eye (Zosterops lateralis)

Total species: 49

Other interesting sightings:
Lace Monitor (Varanus varius)
Snubnose Garfish (Arrhamphus sclerolepis)
Fly-specked Hardyhead (Craterocephalus stercusmuscarum)
Barred Grunter (Amniataba percoides)
Western Carp Gudgeon (Hypseleotris klunzingeri)
Golden Orb-Weaver (Nephila plumipes)
Lesser Wanderer (Danaus petilia)
                                                                                                                                            

Location: Policeman Spur Road, Harper Creek, Sunshine Coast
Date: Saturday 19th April, 6:30 - 11:00
Habitat: Open eucalypt forest, creek gully
Weather: Early fog, clear skies, 25C, calm, no rainfall
Focus: Bird survey

Cattle Egret (Ardea ibis)
Straw-necked Ibis (Threskiornis spinicollis)
Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles)
Bar-shouldered Dove (Geopelia humeralis)
Pheasant Coucal (Centropus phasianus)
Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguinae)
Rainbow Bee-eater (Merops ornatus)
Brown Falcon (Falco berigora)
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita)
Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus)
Little Lorikeet (Glossopsitta pusilla)
Crimson Rosella (Platycercus elegans)
Pale-headed Rosella (Platycercus adscitus)
Australian King-Parrot (Alisterus scapularis)
Satin Bowerbird (Ptilonorhynchus violaceus)
White-throated Treecreeper (Cormobates leucophaeus)
Red-backed Fairy-Wren (Malurus melanocephalus)
Lewin's Honeyeater (Meliphaga lewinii)
Yellow-faced Honeyeater (Lichenostomus chrysops)
Bell Miner (Manorina melanophrys)
Noisy Miner (Manorina melanocephala)
Little Wattlebird (Anthochaera chrysoptera)
Scarlet Honeyeater (Myzomela sanguinolenta)
Brown Honeyeater (Lichmera indistincta)
New Holland Honeyeater (Philidonyris novaehollandiae)
White-naped Honeyeater (Melithreptus lunatus)
Blue-faced Honeyeater (Entomyzon cyanotis)
Little Friarbird (Philemon citreogularis)
Noisy Friarbird (Philemon corniculatus)
Striated Pardalote (Pardalotus striatus)
White-browed Scrubwren (Sericornis frontalis)
Brown Thornbill (Acanthiza pusilla)
Eastern Whipbird (Psophodes olivaceus)
Grey Butcherbird (Cracticus torquatus)
Pied Butcherbird (Cracticus nigrogularis)
Pied Currawong (Strepera graculina)
Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike (Coracina novaehollandiae)
Varied Sittella (Daphoenisitta chrysoptera)
Crested Shrike-Tit (Falcunculus frontatus)
Rufous Shrike-Thrush (Colluricincla megarhyncha)
Golden Whistler (Pachycephala pectoralis)
Australasian Figbird (Sphecotheres vieilloti)
Willie Wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys)
Grey Fantail (Rhipidura albiscapa)
Magpie-Lark (Grallina cyanoleuca)
Restless Flycatcher (Myiagra inquieta)
Torresian Crow (Corvus orru)
Rose Robin (Petroica rosea)
Eastern Yellow Robin (Eopsaltria australis)
Golden-headed Cisticola (Cisticola exilis)
Red-browed Firetail (Neochmia temporalis)
Chestnut-breasted Mannikin (Lonchura castaneothorax)

Total species: 52

Other interesting sightings:
Common Brown Ringlet (Hypocysta metirius)
Lesser Wanderer (Danaus petilia)
                                                                                                                                               

Location: Denmark Hill Conservation Estate, Tower Circuit walk, Ipswich
Date: Thursday 15th May, 11:00 - 13:00
Habitat: Deeps sands and shale deposits
Weather: Mostly fine, 24C, 1.8mm rain (outside of survey time), light breeze
Focus: Plant survey

(*) Exotic
(o) Ornamental / Re-vegetation planting only

Grasses, Groundcovers and Herbs
Blue Flax Lily (Dianella caerulea)
Spiny-headed Mat-Rush (Lomandra longifolia)
Mother-of-Millions (Bryophyllum delagoense) (*)
Salvinia (Salvinia molesta) (*)

Vines and Climbers
Wombat Berry (Eustrephus latifolius)
Wild Passionfruit (Passiflora suberosa) (*)
Climbing Asparagus Fern (Asparagus africanus) (*)
Cat's Claw Creeper (Dolichandra unguis-cati) (*)

Shrubs
Coral Berry (Rivina humilis) (*)
Ochna (Ochna serrulata) (*)
Lantana (Lantana camara) (*)
Easter Cassia (Senna pendula) (*)
Black Wattle (Acacia concurrens)
Queensland Silver Wattle (Acacia podalyriifolia)
Dogwood (Jacksonia scoparia)
Hairy Bird's Eye (Alectryon tomentosus)
Plunkett Mallee (Eucalyptus curtisii) 

Trees
Feathery Wattle (Acacia glaucocarpa)
Soap Tree (Alphitonia excelsa)
Black She-Oak (Allocasuarina littoralis)
Weeping Bottlebrush (Callistemon viminalis)
Rusty Gum (Angophora leiocarpa)
Grey Ironbark (Eucalyptus siderophloia)
Narrow-leaved Ironbark (Eucalyptus crebra)
Forest Red Gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis) (o)
Spotted Gum (Corymbia citriodora)
Moreton Bay Ash (Corymbia tessellaris) (o)
Pink Bloodwood (Corymbia intermedia)
Brush Box (Lophostemon confertis)
Macaranga (Macaranga tanarius)

Total species: 30

Other interesting sightings:
Yellow-faced Honeyeater (Lichenostomus chrysops)
White-throated Honeyeater (Melithreptus albogularis)
                                                                                                                                              

Location: Raysource and Kamp Road, Haigslea, Ipswich
Date: Thursday 12th June, 8:10 - 12:00
Habitat: Dry open woodland near timbered waterholes
Weather: Mostly clear, fine, 22C, light breeze, no rainfall
Focus: Bird survey

Australian Wood Duck (Chenonetta jubata)
Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa)
Great Egret (Ardea modesta)
Cattle Egret (Ardea ibis)
Wedge-tailed Eagle (Aquila audax)
Buff-banded Rail (Gallirallus philippensis)
Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio)
Dusky Moorhen (Gallinula tenebrosa)
Eurasion Coot (Fulica atra)
Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles)
Painted Button-Quail (Turnix varius)
Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes)
Peaceful Dove (Geopelia placida)
Bar-shouldered Dove (Geopelia humeralis)
Fan-tailed Cuckoo (Cacomantis flabelliformis)
Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae)
Rainbow Bee-eater (Merops ornatus)
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita)
Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus)
Scaly-breasted Lorikeet (Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus)
Little Lorikeet (Glossopsitta pusilla)
Pale-headed Rosella (Platycercus adscitus)
Superb Fairy-Wren (Malurus cyaneus)
Red-backed Fairy-Wren (Malurus melanocephalus)
Yellow-faced Honeyeater (Lichenostomus chrysops)
Fuscous Honeyeater (Lichenostomus fuscus)
Noisy Miner (Manorina melanocephala)
Brown Honeyeater (Lichmera indistincta)
Noisy Friarbird (Philemon corniculatus)
Striped Honeyeater (Plectorhyncha lanceolata)
Spotted Pardalote (Pardalotus punctatus)
White-browed Scrubwren (Sericornis frontalis)
Speckled Warbler (Chthonicola sagittata)
Yellow Thornbill (Acanthiza nana)
Weebill (Smicrornis brevirostris)
Grey-crowned Babbler (Pomatostomus temporalis)
Eastern Whipbird (Psophodes olivaceus)
Grey Butcherbird (Cracticus torquatus)
Australasian Magpie (Cracticus tibicen)
Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike (Coracina novaehollandiae)
Varied Sittella (Daphoenisitta chrysoptera)
Grey Shrike-Thrush (Colluricincla harmonica)
Golden Whistler (Pachycephala pectoralis)
Rufous Whistler (Pachycephala rufiventris)
Grey Fantail (Rhipidura albiscapa)
Torresian Crow (Corvus orru)
Rose Robin (Petroica rosea)
Welcome Swallow (Hirundo neoxena)
Silvereye (Zosterops lateralis)
Mistletoebird (Dicaeum hirundinaceum)
Red-browed Firetail (Neochmia temporalis)
Double-barred Finch (Taeniopygia bichenovii)

Total species: 52

Other interesting sightings:
Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus)
Bush Orb-Weaver (Araneus eburnus)
                                                                                                                                             

Location: Logan River
Date: Sunday 20th July, 8:30 - 15:00
Habitat: Creek banks (locations 1-3), saline soil (location 4)
Weather: Fine and sunny, 20C, moderate cold SW breeze, no rainfall
Focus: Plant survey

Exotic (*)

Location 1: Seidenspinner Bridge, Mount Barney, Scenic Rim Region
Water Milfoil (Myriophyllum crispatum)
Triangular Clubrush (Schoenoplectus mucronatus)
Common Rush (Juncus usitatus)
Creek Mat-Rush (Lomandra hystrix)
River She-Oak (Casuarina cunninghamiana)
Weeping Bottlebrush (Callistemon viminalis)
Broad-leaf Apple (Angophora subvelutina)
Forest Red Gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis)

Location 2: Ilbogan Park, Beaudesert, Scenic Rim Region
Common Rush (Juncus usitatus)
Creek Mat-Rush (Lomandra hystrix)
Slender Knotweed (Persicaria decipiens)
Castor Oil Plant (Ricinus communis) (*)
Weeping Bottlebrush (Callistemon viminalis)
Black Tea-Tree (Melaleuca bracteata)
Forest Red Gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis)
White Mulberry (Morus alba) (*)

Location 3: Spearwood Park, Jimboomba, Logan City
Common Rush (Juncus usitatus)
Creek Mat-Rush (Lomandra hystrix)
Castor Oil Plant (Ricinus communis) (*)
Weeping Bottlebrush (Callistemon viminalis)
Black Tea-Tree (Melaleuca bracteata)
Forest Red Gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis)
White Mulberry (Morus alba) (*)
Black Bean (Castanospermum australe)

Location 4: Marks Road boat ramp, Woongoolba, Gold Coast City
Common Couch (Cynodon dactylon) (*)
Common Reed (Phragmites australis)
Swamp Club-Rush (Isolepis inundata)
Sea Blite (Suaeda australis)
Swamp She-Oak (Casuarina glauca)
River Mangrove (Aegiceras corniculatum)
Grey Mangrove (Avicennia marina)
Yellow Mangrove (Ceriops australis)

Total species: 21

Other interesting sightings:
Many birds of prey at location 4, including four immature White-bellied Sea-Eagles (Haliaeetus leucogaster), an Osprey pair (Pandion cristatus), a Whistling Kite pair (Haliastur sphenurus) and two adult and two immature Brahminy Kites (Haliastur indus).
                                                                                                                                                 


Location: Hilliards Creek (Fellmonger Park and Doug Tiller Reserve), Ormiston, Redlands
Date: Thursday 7th August 2014, 12:30 - 14:30
Habitat: Sandy soil along streams
Weather: Fine, clear, 21C, gentle breeze, no rainfall
Focus: Plant survey

(*) Exotic

Grasses, Groundcovers and Herbs
Spiny-headed Mat-Rush (Lomandra longifolia)
Creek Mat-Rush (Lomandra hystrix)
Sword Grass (Gahnia aspera)
Bunchy Sedge (Cyperus polystachyos)
Grey Rush (Lepironia articulata)
Bulrush (Typha orientalis)
Blue Flax-Lily (Dianella caerulea)
Singapore Daisy (Sphagneticola trilobata) (*)
Blady Grass (Imperata cylindrica)
Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra)
Grass Tree (Xanthorrhoea latifolia)

Vines and Climbers
Monkey Rope (Parsonsia straminea)
Scrambling Lily (Geitonoplesium cymosum)
Native Sarsaparilla (Hardenbergia violacea)
White Morning-Glory (Ipomoea alba) (*)
Wombat Berry (Eustrephus latifolius)

Shrubs
Brisbane Golden Wattle (Acacia fimbriata)
Black Wattle (Acacia concurrens)
Maiden Wattle (Acacia maidenii)
Weeping Tea-Tree (Leptospermum brachyandrum)
Dogwood (Jacksonia scoparia)
Ochna (Ochna serrulata) (*)
Easter Cassia (Senna pendula) (*)
Poison Peach (Trema tomentosa)
Forest Hop Bush (Dodonaea triquetra)
Prickly Pine (Bursaria spinosa)

Trees
Alexandra Palm (Archontophoenix alexandriae) (*)
Hickory Wattle (Acacia disparrima)
Pink Bloodwood (Corymbia intermedia)
Brown Bloodwood (Corymbia trachyphloia)
Spotted Gum (Corymbia citriodora)
Scribbly Gum (Eucalyptus racemosa)
Forest Red Gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis)
Narrow-leaved Ironbark (Eucalyptus crebra)
Swamp Box (Lophostemon suaveolens)
Broad-leaved Paperbark (Melaleuca quinquenervia)
Black She-Oak (Allocasuarina littoralis)
Soap Tree (Alphitonia excelsia)
Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina) (*)
Moreton Bay Fig (Ficus macrophylla)
Camphor Laurel (Cinnamomum camphora) (*)
Umbrella Tree (Schefflera actinophylla) (*)
Macaranga (Macaranga tanarius)
Umbrella Cheese Tree (Glochidion sumatranum)
Broad-leaved Pepper-Tree (Schinus terebinthifolius) (*)

Total species: 45

Other interesting sightings:
Eastern Spinebill (Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris)
Yellow-faced Honeyeater (Lichenostomus chrysops)
Eastern Water Dragon (Physignathus lesueruii)
Wall Skink (Cryptoblepharus virgatus)
                                                                                                                                                


Location: Chelsea Street Environmental Reserve, Kippa-Ring, Moreton Bay Shire
Date: Wednesday 17th September 2014, 20:00 - 22:00
Habitat: Sclerophyll woodland, paperbark forest
Weather: Warm and clear night, 22C, light breeze. Thunderstorms on previous night, 10mm rainfall
Focus: Mammal survey

Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)
Squirrel Glider (Petaurus norfolcensis)
Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus)
Swamp Wallaby (Wallabia bicolor)
Black Flying-Fox (Pteropus alecto)

Total species: 5

Other interesting sightings:
Tawny Frogmouth (Podargus strigoides), including a nesting pair and recently killed adult
Ornate Burrowing Frog (Platyplectrum ornatus)
Cane Toad (Rhinella marina)
Brown Huntsman (Heteropoda species)
Grey Huntsman (Holconia immanis)
Slender Orb-Weaver (Larinia phthisica)
Bordered Methana Cockroach (Methana curvigera)
Dusky Owl Moth (Donuca castalia)
Banded Sugar Ant (Camponotus consobrinus)
                                                                                                                                                               


Location: Kev Hopper Memorial Park, Inala, Brisbane
Date: Wednesday 15th October 2014, 10:50 - 12:00
Habitat: Permanent still waters with lightly timbered margins
Weather: Fine and clear, fresh westerly breeze, 23C, no rainfall
Focus: Dragonfly survey

Australian Emperor (Hemianax papuensis)
Australian Emerald (Hemicordulia australiae)
Blue Skimmer (Orthetrum caledonicum)
Wandering Percher (Diplacodes bipunctata)
Scarlet Percher (Diplacodes haematodes)
Common Glider (Tramea loewii)

Total species: 6

Other interesting sightings:
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita)
Little Corella (Cacatua sanguinea)
Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla)
Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus)
Scaly-breasted Lorikeet (Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus)
Little Lorikeet (Glossopsitta pusilla)
Pale-headed Rosella (Platycercus adscitus)
Australian King-Parrot (Alisterus scapularis)
Sacred Kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus)
Eastern Water Dragon (Intellagama lesueurii)
Cane Toad (Rhinella marina)
Green Scarab Beetle (Diphucephala species)
                                                                                                                                                          

Location: Karragarra Island, Redlands
Date: Wednesday 10th December 2014, 6:20 - 9:00
Habitat: Mudflats, woodlands, gardens
Weather: Partly cloudy and very humid, 24C. Much recent storm activity
Focus: Bird survey

Australian White Ibis (Threskiornis molucca)
Whistling Kite (Haliastur sphenurus)
Bush Stone-Curlew (Burhinus grallarius)
Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles)
Eastern Curlew (Numenius madagascariensis)
Gull-billed Tern (Gelochelidon nilotica)
Spotted Turtle-Dove (Streptopelia chinensis)
Peaceful Dove (Geopelia placida)
Bar-shouldered Dove (Geopelia humeralis)
Eastern Koel (Eudynamys orientalis)
White-throated Needletail (Hirundapus caudactus)
Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae)
Sacred Kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus)
Dollarbird (Eurystomus orientalis)
Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla)
Little Corella (Cacatua sanguinea)
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita)
Pale-headed Rosella (Platycercus adscitus)
Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus)
Brown Honeyeater (Lichmera indistincta)
Blue-faced Honeyeater (Entomyzon cyanotis)
Noisy Friarbird (Philemon corniculatus)
Striated Pardalote (Pardalotus striatus)
Mangrove Gerygone (Gerygone levigaster)
Grey Butcherbird (Cracticus torquatus)
Pied Butcherbird (Cracticus nigrogularis)
Australian Magpie (Cracticus tibicen)
Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike (Coracina novaehollandiae)
Grey Shrike-Thrush (Colluricincla harmonica)
Rufous Whistler (Pachycephala rufiventris)
Olive-backed Oriole (Oriolus sagitattus)
Australasian Figbird (Sphecotheres vieilloti)
Spangled Drongo (Dicrurus bracteatus)
Leaden Flycatcher (Myiagra rubecula)
Torresian Crow (Corvus orru)
Welcome Swallow (Hirundo neoxena)
Silvereye (Zosterops lateralis)
Indian Myna (Sturnus tristis)
Mistletoebird (Dicaeum hirundinaceum)

Total species: 39

Other interesting sightings:
Orange-clawed Fiddler Crab (Uca coarctata)
Orange-striped Lynx Spider (Oxyopes quadrifasciatus)
Graceful Paper Wasp (Ropalidia gracilenta)