Wild BNE

Double-barred finches (Taeniopygia bichenovii). Oxley Creek Common is regarded as one of Brisbane’s premier birdwatching locations, with over 200 species recorded at the site. On Saturday 22nd September, I am offering to host a walk for a group of people who would like to spend the afternoon at this beautiful reserve, exploring the wetlands, farm margins and wooded areas for as many fascinating birds, animals and plants as we can find. The pace will be leisurely and along a flat gravel path, but the total distance walked may be as much as five kilometres.

Photo by Trina McLellan; For more of Trina's photography and environmental work, visit Nature Watch - Albany Creek . After 48 hours of torrential rain, I was relieved to be woken by sunlight last Sunday morning, the day of a Wild BNE meet-up that I had been planning for weeks! Seven dedicated wildlife fans came out to join me at North Lakes, where we explored a small lagoon and an adjacent environmental park for an hour-and-a-half.

Dragonflies like the chalky percher  (Diplacodes trivialis)  abound at this location.  Thanks to Narelle Power for the ID. Wombat berry (Eustrephus latifolius). One thing I really believe in when it comes to wildlife and nature is that it isn’t necessary to jump in the car and drive somewhere remote and pristine to connect with it. Some really beautiful and fascinating animals and plants live right here in the suburbs with us, and for this year’s first Wild BNE meet-up, I’m going to host a walk in one of these places: North Lakes!

Southern boobook; Photo by Matteo Grilli . A group of six nature enthusiasts joined me for a walk around Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve last Sunday, where we were met with a wonderful array of wildlife, plants and fungi.

Some of the plants and trees in the reserve — including this wonga vine (Pandorea pandorana) — are ancient. Boardwalk section. In the heat of summer, one of the best places to escape the sun is the rainforest. With this in mind, I’ll be hosting the Wild BNE summer meet-up at Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve in Maleny at the end of this month, where we can have great wildlife sightings and not melt into a puddle of sweat! 😎 Flying-fox camp. It will be an early start to maximise the wildlife sightings, of which we can expect plenty. Mary Cairncross is a great place for mammal viewing, and we will be spending time with red-legged pademelons (Thylogale stigmatica) and black flying-foxes (Pteropus alecto) in particular. Rainforest birds abound— over 100 species of birds have been recorded in the reserve ! Some that I am hoping to see include the Australian king-parrot (Alisterus scapularis) , noisy pitta (Pitta versicolor) and russet-tailed thrush (Zoothera heine...

Green catbird; Photo by Aaron Wiggan . Last Saturday, seven intrepid explorers joined me for a walk around the rainforest circuit at the MacDonald section of Tamborine National Park.

The walking track passes through several piccabeen palm (Archontophoenix cunninghamiana) groves. Strangler fig (Ficus watkinsiana). When I walk into a subtropical rainforest, I always feel like I’m walking into nature’s own version of New York City or some other giant, densely-packed metropolis. Life, colour, movement and activity abounds throughout the forest, from the ground right up to the sky-scraping tree canopy! Such is the case in the MacDonald section of Mount Tamborine National Park, and every visit I make there is utterly thrilling. For my next visit, I’d love for you to join me! Whether your interests include plants, birds, invertebrates, reptiles or fungi, a walk around the rainforest circuit in this National Park is sure to amaze you! Giant land mullets (Bellatorias major) laze about on fallen logs, rare butterflies sail through the air and the amusing calls of green catbirds (Ailuroedus crassirostris) and wompoo fruit-doves (Ptilinopus magnificus) echo off...

A curious golden whistler greets the group; Photo by Matteo Grilli Wild BNE’s winter meet-up was held this past Sunday and it was a great success. A variety of exotic and ornamental plants grow along  the fenceline between the reserve and suburbia; Photo by Aaron Wiggan. I co-hosted a walk through Dawn Road Reserve (which has its very own website ) with local bushcare patron Trina McLellan, whose detailed knowledge of the area was of immense value on the day. Together, we took a group of ten lovely people through the reserve, looking at suburban encroachment, eucalypt woodland and the gorgeous gallery rainforest growing along the creek. Ten highlights from the day included:

Tawny frogmouths (Podargus strigoides) are common in the reserve—maybe you can spot one on the day? Photo by Trina McLellan.  Paperbark sawfly (Lophyrotoma zonalis), Albany Creek. Last year, Wild BNE fan Trina McLellan introduced me to her ‘local patch’, Dawn Road Reserve in Albany Creek. I became instantly infatuated with the place; I had no idea that such a beautiful forest was tucked away in what has become a busy suburb over the years! I will always be grateful to Trina for informing me about this great little ‘secret spot’. Now I want to pass the favour on to you!  Trina and I would like to take you on a walk through the reserve this month, pointing out all the interesting plants , birds and animals we can find, letting you know about the history of this beautiful

Lesser sand plover, Wellington Point; Photo by Matteo Grilli. Wild BNE's first meet-up last Sunday was a success, with a total of eight people heading out onto King Island off the coast of Wellington Point to view the marine life.

King Island Conservation Park, Wellington Point. Eastern curlew (Numenius madagascariensis)  and grey-tailed tattler (Tringa brevipes) , Wellington Point. Last year, one of my favourite places to visit was King Island Conservation Park, off the coast of Wellington Point. It is linked to the mainland at low tide by a sandbar which provides good views of migratory birds, crabs and marine life. The island itself is home to interesting coastal plants , insects and a mysterious skink that I haven't been able to identify yet, and has a fascinating Indigenous and European settler history also.  This month, I'll be leading a meet-up where us members of the Wild BNE community can explore this area