The newsletter of the Wildlife Preservation Society of Fraser Coast Branch

THIS ISSUE:

•Presidential Ponderings •Branch Activity Report •Walk report •K’gari fires •Koalas at Tandora •Nature Watch •Book reviews

SUMMER 2020-21

Wambaliman since 1967 In the language of the people, who are custodians of land that includes the Fraser Coast, ‘wambaliman’ means ‘to carry’, and refers to the messages that the Newsletter is communicating.

Editor's Note Hi and Happy New Year.

There were so many contributions this edition there is not much room for me to write. I did how- ever add bits and pieces throughout including a commentary on the aftermath of the K’gari fires. WILDLIFE PRESERVATION Summer brings different critters into the yard and SOCIETY OF QUEENSLAND two people have written about visiting birds. Here known informally as at Point Vernon the migratory waders are still WILDLIFE QUEENSLAND prevalent. There’s a plethora of insects with brightly coloured Mallotus and Hibiscus beetles FRASER COAST BRANCH and I witnessed a dozen or so hissing Rhinoceros Beetles emerge to mate and chew on the bark of PO Box 7396 Urangan, 4655 my native frangipani. Carol has written about the President: absence of Christmas Beetles. Jenni Vanessa Elwell-Gavins We Were Wrong 0428 624 366 Vice President: In the last edition of Wambaliman we printed an article on the revamped plaque and celebration of John Williams 0428 980 019 12 years since the planting of a memorial tree for Secretary: Tony Bradbury, located near the Tooan Tooan Kerry Alston 41244194 Creek flying fox colony. In the accompanying pho- Treasurer: to John Parsons was misidentified. We apologise for any confusion caused. Here is the photo again Bruce Dick 41248142 with the correct caption. Ass’t - Jenni Watts Facebook Peter Duck 0432 250 213 Webpage Head Office (contact President) Wildlife Matters articles Carol Bussey: 41173483 Newsletter WAMBALIMAN Publisher: WPSQ Fraser Coast Editor & Production: Jenni Watts 0481 289 521 Proofreading: Andrea Van Kampen Pictured from left, John Parsons, Printing: Peter Duck Dawn Williams, Ross Bradbury, Donna Ebsary, and in front, Denise Young and Carol Bussey. Mailing: Jackie Henrion

Wambaliman SUMMER 2020—2021 2 Notice Board Branch meetings Contents SUMMER 2020-21 Usually - 3rd Sunday of month 2:00pm Halcro St Community Centre, Presidential Ponderings 4 next general meeting—February 21st Quarterly Branch Activity Report 6 Wildlife Talks in the Library EAG report 8 cancelled until further notice Greening the Fraser Coast 9 Nature Walks start February Nature Walks program 10

River Heads Walk 11 FRASER COAST SUMMER BACKYARD BIOBLITZ K’gari fires 12 13-14 February https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/projects/fraser- Nature Watch (5 articles) 14 coast-backyard-bioblitz-summer-2021 crossword 18 Fraser Coast Regional Council (FCRC) Koalas at Tandora 20 Greening the Fraser Coast Strategy Submissions due 15 February Living Dinosaurs 21

Book Reviews 22 FIND A FROG IN FEBRUARY

Workshops, Apps to download Facebook page

Wambaliman for more information e-copy in colour http://mrccc.org.au/frog-in-february/. hardcopy in black and white

Let us know if you want the e-copy only. World Wetlands Day (2 February)

Celebrated all of February

Contributions for Wambaliman Walks and Workshops by FCRC We welcome contributions fromWPSQ members and supporters. Articles can take the form of reports, observations of FCRC—CEP nature, anecdotes, quotes, humour etc. For information [email protected] Send contributions to: [email protected] Don’t forget to LIKE us on

Submissions for the next issue www.facebook.com/ are due by Friday 16 April 2021 WPSQFraserCoast Opinions expressed in Wambaliman are not neces- sarily those endorsed by the Wildlife Preservation Check out our page on Society Queensland, Fraser Coast Branch unless specifically attributed to them. https://wildlife.org.au/fraser-coast/

3 Presidential Ponderings

with Vanessa Elwell-Gavins

Happy New Year to you all! Let's hope that 2021 is less disastrous for our wildlife and the environment in the Fraser Coast, , and our planet than 2020. Somehow, though, I fear things could get rather nastier.

2020 ended as it began, in flames, this At the February meeting we will present time with K'gari on fire. I have heard two exciting proposals for approval for mixed messages as to whether the partnership with the University of the burned. Certainly the Sunshine Coast, to fund two Honours charred vegetation that washed up on students to undertake a couple of Dundowran was identifiable as worthwhile and practical projects. We the leaves of wallum species. Wallum are able to do this because of a gener- is designed to burn. However, no eco- ous bequest we received a year ago. system including wallum should be sub- We are confident this will lead to a ject to the sort of hot burn that ravaged productive relationship with the Univer- K'gari for so many weeks. Our wildlife sity that will benefit our local wildlife. would have had a very mixed survival In 2021 we are looking forward to host pattern, with some species able to es- ing the biennial Central Branches Get- cape, and others undoubtedly broiled. together. Our Nature Walks program How the have fared (and will and our Backyard Bioblitzes are set to continue to fare) as apex predator spe- continue and there are a couple of cies, with much of their food source workshops in the pipeline. We expect gone, is rather tragic to contemplate. to have on-going participation in the With the new virulent UK strain of review of Council's 2014 planning COVID-19 having escaped into the scheme. Working with Council on vari- Queensland community, things are ous matters including trying to prevent unlikely to change any time soon on the environmentally bad developments and COVID-19 front. That is, our COVID-19 get a strategic approach to protecting protocols are more critically important our environment continues to be our than ever and our program will be mod- highest priority. There are also some ified if necessary, to reflect what is safe matters that need to be raised at State for us to do and what is not. Government level, such as weaknesses in State planning legislation, and the Other things being equal, we are plan- dire plight of koalas, not just in South- ning to hold an Executive meeting in East Queensland, but also in all Coun- late January/early February, ahead of cil areas between Gympie and Glad- the first general meeting of the year on stone (we have members spread from Sunday 21 February. Gympie to Agnes Water). Wambaliman SUMMER 2020—2021 4 Our Library talks and Schools programs Facebook page but will happily hand it are unlikely to be returning any time over to any member interested in taking soon, because of COVID-19. over. Another big challenge for us in 2021 is I want to thank both Carol and Peter for to find willing new people to lead or the fantastic contributions they have help coordinate some of our activities both made to the Branch over the and take up some Executive and/or non years, and will hopefully continue to -Executive roles. Quite simply, some of make, albeit perhaps in less formalised us need to retire. Carol Bussey will be ways. The success of the Branch, like stepping back from Wildlife Matters in any community group, is dependent on Autumn, while Peter Duck is taking up a the willingness of competent and knowl- new teaching position at the beginning edgeable people like Carol and Peter to of Term 1 and will step back from much step up and do 'stuff' effectively and (but thankfully not all) of his active in- without generating pressure on others. volvement in Branch activities. He is ⚫ Vanessa, January 2021

willing to continue managing the Branch

This comment by by comment This

Carol Bussey Carol

5 Quarterly Branch Activity Report mid October 2020– mid January 2021

We held our end-of-year celebration at Arkarra Tea Gardens on Sunday 6 December. We had a terrific turnout for this relaxed and very enjoyable outing by 20 people. Enjoying some Christmas cheer at the end of year break-up— left: Peter & Carol, and right: John & Bruce

Planning Scheme Review Community Consultations Eight members participated in a very The Branch was invited to send useful meeting with Jasmine Butler representatives to participate in consul- (Senior Strategic Planner in Fraser tations with the environmental consult- Coast Regional Council) to discuss the ants involved with both the big Forest Discussion Paper released as part of Wind wind farm project planned for the the review of the 2014 Planning area west of the Cooloola Coast Road Scheme. Three members met the between Gympie and Maryborough following day to discuss key issues and (three of us attended), and the Tiaro By take home messages that we had -pass (I attended via Zoom). The pro- learned, to inform our submission. We ponents and the consultants are all tak- made a detailed submission by the due ing their responsibilities very seriously date of 13 November. and both projects should have minimal environmental impact. If Council and Possible USC Partnership developers took their statutory obliga- Two days before Christmas, Carol tions and their own planning scheme Bussey, Bruce Dick and I had an even half as seriously, and operated as excellent meeting (via Zoom, which conscientiously to review and mitigate seems to be taking over our lives) with their environmental impact, a whole Dr Bonnie Holmes, from Wildlife aspect of our current workload would Ecology at the University of the Sun- disappear. shine Coast, to discuss the two projects the Branch has authorised us to explore Meetings with the university. We held a general meeting 22 November.

Wambaliman SUMMER 2020—2021 6 Hands-on Activities

Thanks to Charmaine Savage for or- ganising the Spring Backyard Bioblitz over the weekend of 10-11 October. These bioblitzes are a fantastic oppor- tunity to find out about the wealth of wildlife that exists in our own gardens or other spaces that are important to us in our region. John Williams, Frank Ekin and Tina Raveneau hosted the final Nature Walk Above: Sara at the market stall for 2020 at River Heads, with local Below: Winners of the Trash to Seabird identity Lindsay Titmarsh along to talk competition—Shirley Adams with the about the Mary and Susan Rivers. This colourful bottle top picture, Lynn Shaw, walk was very well-attended. winner, with the blue penguin, and Jenny John Williams ran another workshop Kerkvliet with pelican with a fish hook. on controlling Common (Indian) Mynas. This activity was sponsored by Council's Land for Wildlife program. Thanks to Carol Bussey and Sara Gerdsen for running a 'market stall' at on 14 November. This was an awareness-raising exercise, with Carol and Sara running a 'Trash to Seabird' competition. Congratulations to the three winners who included a cur- rent member, Shirley. Other Fundraising Peter Duck and I had a very useful meeting with a 'knowledgeable person' •We encourage you to contribute to our to discuss shortcomings in Council's container deposit fundraiser. current environmental management. •John is also running a raffle at the Beach House Hotel (Scarness) for us I wrote to Council to discuss a number every second Sunday. You are wel- of concerns about in Fra- come to support him. ser Coast lagoon systems. Vanessa Wildlife Matters CONTAINER DEPOSIT SCHEME Articles have continued to be published Code: C10192159 in the local free newspapers. contact Phone: 0428980019

7 FCRC Environment Advisory Group (EAG) The EAG has not met since August but is due to meet in January. I have resigned from the committee because of new work commitments. President Vanessa has dep- utised as the EAG Representative in the past and will assume this acting position for the near future. Following considerable deliberation and community consultation the Council’s Natural Environment section recently erected fencing around an area in Mant St overlooking Gatakers Bay (Point Vernon) which has been subject to chronic episodes of tree poi- soning by some residents seeking unhindered sea views. The fencing has been adorned with educa- tional banners designed to raise aware- ness within the broader community about illegal tree destruction on Council re- serves. The fence is certain to be an effec- tive deterrent against further foreshore vegetation poisoning. Peter Duck

Response to the Koala protection in South East Queensland E-Petition presented to the Queensland Parliament

24 December 2020 ……….The Palaszczuk Government is committed to maintaining a viable and healthy koala population in Queensland. In response to evidence of a decline in the State's koala population, the Government undertook a review of SEQ's koala conservation policies and management actions, led by an independent Koala Expert Panel. The Government committed to implement all of the Panel's recommendations and re- leased the South East Queensland Koala Conservation Strategy 2020-2025 (the Strategy) on 29 August 2020.

The Strategy contains actions responding to the Panel's recommendations with a pro- gram of 46 actions to be implemented across SEQ that take a coordinated and collab- orative approach to habitat protection, restoration and threat mitigation. It was devel- oped in consultation with the Koala Advisory Council and reflects input from thou- sands of Queenslanders who contributed to the consultation on the draft document. The Strategy is available on the Department of Environment and Science's (DES) website………. Unfortunately the has not implemented all of the Panel's recommendations which clearly recommends that "…... That koala mapping, plan- ning and regulations be expanded to encompass the LGAs of Gladstone, , Fraser Coast, Gympie, North Burnett, and South Burnett, given that these LGAs are experiencing similar development pressures to those within the SEQ Planning Re- gion and the need for protection of existing koala populations that are under threat." We now need to pressure the Queensland Government to implement this recommen- dation to ensure that koala habitat is protected in these six LGAs.

Wambaliman SUMMER 2020—2021 8 FCRC—Greening the Fraser Coast Have your say— comment on the draft Greening the Fraser Coast Strategy by 15 February

From the Council’s website…. The draft Greening the Fraser Coast Strategy has been developed to facilitate the implementation of a range of projects to assist in achieving Council’s aspirational tar- get of planting 100,000 trees by 2030, as well as the inclusion of shade trees within areas of high density development. The strategy document makes up a part of the overall Greening the Fraser Coast Strategy, and is intended to be used as a framework to provide structure and method- ology for the process of tree establishment on Council-managed land. It is intended to be read in conjunction with Council’s Tree Management Policy and other related poli- cy and strategy documents, such as the State mandated Walkable Neighbourhoods provisions and Council’s Active Travel Strategy. The strategy will be used as a model for design and implementation of tree planting projects within the region to create shade to make our built environment more pleas- ant, cooler and more comfortable.

Queensland Government Makes Neighbourhoods Greener

Follow the link above for “Walkable Neighbourhoods” - but in a nutshell………

The Queensland Government has ruled that all residential development applications lodged from 28 September 2020 must do the following: • A maximum street (block) of 250m. • A minimum of one tree per 15m. • Footpaths on at least one side of the street • Parks and open space required within 400m of each part of a block These conditions will make neighbourhoods walkable. The aim is to increase exercise levels and hopefully, less use of motor vehicles. Trees will shade streets and road verges and help soak up CO2 from the atmosphere.

BirdLife Australia’s 2020 Aussie Backyard Bird Count final results 4.6 million birds including over half a million Rainbow Lorikeets, were counted in seven days! Overall, the top ten species recorded in Australia in 2020 was largely the same as last year, with 1.Rainbow Lorikeet, 2.Noisy Miner, 3.Australian Magpie, 4.Sulphur-crested , 5.Galah, 6.House Sparrow, 7.Welcome Swallow 8.Silver Gull, 9.Common (Indian) Myna and 10.Australian White Ibis (the polaris- ing bird also known as the Bin Chicken)

Interesting reading—thanks Tina Amphibian die-offs tied to increased malaria outbreaks anthropocenemagazine.org/2020/12/amphibian-die-offs-can-cause-human-health- problems/ 9 Nature Walks program for 2021

Right: Scott is known to go to great lengths to get a good photo!

Above: the River in flower (taken on the River Heads walk in November) Photos by Helen Cory Welcome to 2021 all those who appre- The Nature Walks program will restart ciate the wild life that is around us. In when the Summer heat abates. We do , and in the Fraser Coast not expect to cover long distances, but Region in general, we have been more, we intend walkers to notice and spared the tragedies some have suf- enquire about plants, animal evidence fered due to Covid 19. Also, we have and bird life. The purpose of the walks been spared the gross inconveniences, is for pleasure, relaxation and to en- financial implications, anxieties and courage awareness, interest and in- social disruptions due to the Covid 19. deed curiosity about wildlife. Our good fortune in this regard should On a regular walk, seven minutes from encourage us to value the natural life home, a White-faced Heron and Beach that is everywhere around us locally. Stone Curlew are seen every time. As development and unwitting human Some of the 35 species of migrating intrusion continue to undermine the waders are feeding in preparation for natural order, we do still have the op- their flight to Siberia and Alaska in the portunity to benefit from and appreciate next couple of months. Soon the East- the natural environment that is on our ern Koels, which have been calling in- doorstep. The Nature Walks program cessantly over the past four months, exists to encourage awareness and will depart northwards. Our local female interest in this natural environment that Koel had the attentions of three gentle- surrounds us. men Koels; we wondered if she was expressing understandable irritation or The rain over the Summer holidays has being flirtatious. given colour and a growth surge to the wild vegetation, bushes and trees eve- The Nature Walks Program will be an- rywhere. This is also reflected in the nounced in February. insect, small animal and bird life too. Frank Ekin Wambaliman SUMMER 2020—2021 10

RIVER HEADS RAIN FOREST TRACK - SUNDAY 8TH NOVEMBER 2020

River Heads was at its best for the The botanists had their intense discus- November Nature Walk. Clear sky with sions as they worked out the identity of a little cloud and a gentle breeze meant so many plants. For the non-botanists it very pleasant conditions. is a lesson on how much there is of plant life and yet so few people learn The first part of the walk illustrated how the skill of plant identification. “transplanted” suburbs do harbour con- siderable wildlife. Birds included a fami- There was an excursion down to the ly of Grey Crowned Babblers and five shore. Some geological features were other bird species. As for trees, some discussed, and the value of a diverse were indigenous and some, the more mangrove shoreline was emphasized. commonly grown native plants. Lindsay Titmarsh shared his enormous experience and study of . The second section of the walk down to The fact that a large number of boats the boat ramp and car park demonstrat- was anchored in the Susan River her- ed the interface between modern road alds the threat of a future marina. and original rain forest. The road and parking spaces being functional and the The bird density was light but the diver- rainforest exhibiting some 60 species of sity was good. As mentioned, habitat plants for those with the skill to identify varied from the suburban to rain forest them. The clash between the brash and woodland, shore-line, mangrove functional road and the vegetation is and maritime. This was rewarded by striking. The richness of the plant life is sighting 25 species and hearing a fur- all there to see if one has the will to ther three species. spend the time. The walk was a celebration of a little pocket of residual rainforest and an We entered the actual rainforest track appreciation to those enlightened and which follows the crest of the escarp- energetic people who have striven for ment that falls down to the mangroves years to protect this remnant forest. and shore of the Susan River estuary. Frank Ekin 11 More than half of K’gari has burned—what now? Despite the environmental devastation on K’gari a google search reveals little about it and more about the heroics of saving a town, the relief that major tourist destinations are unscathed, that tour operations are back on track and even pho- tography of nature’s new shoots purporting that all will be okay.

Following the recent bushfires in late 2020, the world’s largest sand – K’gari (Fraser Island) – is good to go, and welcoming visitors back to paradise.

All resort activities, tours, and cruises have now resumed, and the island's iconic attractions (like McKenzie, Pile Valley, Central Station, and Eli Creek) were well- protected from the fires and remain in pristine condition……

Tour guide and resident island photographer Peter Meyer recently ventured out to take images of the regeneration in the fire-affected areas, and has perfectly cap- tured how this natural wonder comes alive. “Heading out onto the island in late De- cember I was witness to nature’s ability to tolerate, and even thrive after fire,” said Peter. www.queensland.com

But it’s not okay. Nature is not that simple. What is regenerating? Weeds? A few native pioneering species? What will it be like in the future? Where is the wildlife? How much perished and how much was displaced? It’s probably too ear- ly to have much information and it has been a holiday period but an article pub- lished on the 8 December 2020 already highlights some of the issues.

The following are excerpts from an article by Gabriel Conroy, Environmental Management Program Coordinator, University of the Sunshine Coast found at https://theconversation.com/the-kgari-fraser-island-bushfire-is-causing-

K’gari (Fraser Island) has been burning For thousands of years, the Butchulla for more than seven weeks and, so far, traditional owners maintained the island’s the fires have razed half of the World Her- ecosystems with patch mosaic burning. itage-listed island off the coast of Queens- The general principle behind patch mosa- land. The devastation will become more ic burning is that by burning regularly and pronounced in coming weeks, despite strategically, you create habitat niches overnight rain. that cater for a wide variety of generalist and specialist species, which favours Much of the commentary on these fires biodiversity. has focused on how these landscapes are “meant to burn”, and that (luckily) there With an absence of this mode of burning have been no major fires in the fire- during 130 years of logging on the island sensitive, rainforest-style ecosystems in (ending in 1991), today’s environmental the island’s centre. However, the fact managers have faced an uphill battle to remains that a fire of this magnitude will claw back the balance. alter the ecological balance on the island. This — alongside tinder-dry conditions

Wambaliman SUMMER 2020—2021 12 Herbivorous species, including insects, K’gari has burned— are the unheralded heroes that transfer a what now? continued lot of the energy generated by plants up through the food chain, for example, by and large swathes of providing food for predators like dingoes. relatively inaccessible wilderness in the With 50% (and counting) of the island’s north — is why we unfortunately find our- ecosystems already burnt in this fire, the selves in the situation where an incredibly amount of food available for herbivores widespread, intense fire has occurred. has reduced. This means significantly These types of fires can irrevocably alter less energy can be fed back up the food the nature of even fire-adapted ecosys- chain, affecting the entire ecosystem. tems (like in the northern half of K'gari) When there’s nowhere to escape and are likely to become more common- On mainland Australia, birds, bugs and place in our changing climate. fast-moving animals like dingoes and Let’s take two of K'gari’s rare plant spe- wallabies often flee to safe habitats when cies- the tiny wattle Acacia baueri and the fires occur, and then later recolonise fire- much-loved Christmas Bells Blandfordia affected regions. grandiflora -as examples of why the Aus- Although relatively close to the mainland, tralian landscape’s need for fire isn’t K'gari is a very long and narrow island, straightforward. and because the entire northern end of These species rely on low intensity fire the island has burnt, most terrestrial spe- occurring every three to five years to re- cies have only a narrow interface through generate and avoid local extinction. the central part of the island to try to es- However, other fire-adapted species that cape. These lack of escape routes will grow alongside them, such as Banksia likely exacerbate death rates of native robur, would struggle to withstand burning fauna. this frequently. Some may not even be To make matters worse, the ecosystems able to reach reproductive maturity during to the north are markedly different to that kind of time span. those in the centre of the island. So while Invertebrates: we wait to see how the northern regions the island’s unheralded heroes regenerate, the species that depend on them may have moved further south to K'gari is famous for its wild population of find equivalent ecosystems. dingoes, which undoubtedly will have suffered in these fires. We won’t know the Effectively, only 50% of the island now full impact for these and many other spe- provides habitat and food sources for the cies until the dust has settled. entire island’s wildlife, and the remaining habitat is not always a like-for-like re- But one of my greatest concerns is for the placement. largely forgotten species propping up ecosystems: invertebrates. In normal cir- When the fires have extinguished and cumstances, the island is teeming with plants begin to regenerate, a sea of green highly abundant and diverse invertebrate may convince people the ecosystems life if you bother to look for it — and will have bounced back marvellously from the undoubtedly bite you or keep you awake fires. But in actual fact……..  at night even if you don’t.

13 NATURE WATCH—Storm Bird For the past three to four months our sleep has been disturbed before dawn by the mystery bird call. At 4:00am it has been the first bird call in the morning. Its call is clear, slightly ascending note repeated endlessly, from the tallest trees where it is mostly well hidden. The note is nearly a D sharp ascending to E then F, but some recordings, and most of us, simply hear a single note. And so, from the beginning of September this call announces the arrival of the Eastern Koel’s arrival from PNG and Malaysia to breed

female (left) and male Eastern Koel Photos by Belinda Rafton

The Eastern Koel is often referred to as wings and long tail, the face, breast and the “Storm Bird” because it arrives and underneath being a buff with very fine breeds in wet season. Its bars. The male is a splendid black, call does not herald a storm, it simply though depending on reflected light on sings incessantly regardless of the its feathers there are green highlights, weather during its time here. and it has a striking red eye (iris). The song may vary a little, so is de- The Eastern Koel is a “brood parasite,” scribed variously as “kooeel” repeated- that is, it chooses the nest of another ly, but often “quoy-quoy-quoy”or as species, usually the Red Wattlebird, “Quodel-quodel-quodel.” Its alarm call Friarbird, Magpie-lark and Figbird to lay is more of a “wirra-wirra-wirra” On lis- its single egg. It is these birds that then tening to the available recordings there feed the parasitic interloper. The young is some variation. Koel is notoriously demanding for more Variation of bird song with location is and more food, so the surrogate par- common, though this is not mentioned ents, often smaller than the chick, need as a feature of the Eastern Koel, but, to work very hard. would be expected on considering its Many bird species are diminishing in widespread distribution in South East number as their habitat is taken over by Asia and its breeding area covering housing and agriculture with the loss of much of East Australia. mature trees and wetlands. Happily, for The two sexes of the Eastern Koel dif- the Koel it is adapting to cities where its fer, though both are fairly big with long source of food includes the popular fig tails. The female is various shades of trees and other fruiting street and gar- brown with white spots on its back, den trees. Frank Ekin Wambaliman SUMMER 2020—2021 14 NATURE WATCH—Going Cuckoo Spring has sprung the cuckoos out into the Dawson Valley from as far north as Indonesia.

There is the Channel-billed Cuckoo, the Eastern Koel, the Pallid Cuckoo, the Brush Cuckoo, the Fan-tailed Cuckoo and the Black-eared Cuckoo. And then there are the various Bronze-cuckoos - the Horsefield’s Bronze-cuckoo, the Little Bronze-cuckoo and the Shining Bronze-cuckoo. These birds all specialise in interfering in other bird’s homes.

Then there is their close relative, the Pheasant Coucal, who actually makes its own nest. The coucal’s ‘song’ sounds like water gurgling out of a narrow-necked bottle. It is often seen flapping awkwardly off the road or from a branch as though needing some help to navigate life, its dark, semi-articulated dark brown tail not entirely colour coordinated with its lighter motley brown plumage.

The more coordinated cuckoos try to grab our sympathy by wailing piteously, as if abandoned by their mother, which is exactly what has hap- pened. This piece of bluff fools their foster par- This “beautiful baby”, possibly a koel, was being fed by frantic ents who think they are starving and redouble “parents” responding to its inces- their efforts to feed the monster in the nest. sant and penetrating screeching.  Ann Hobson (Upper Dawson Branch)

(Fraser Coast has all the species of birds mentioned except the Black-eared Cuckoo.)

Analysis of the Birdwatchers of Hervey Bay (BWHB) 2020 statistics, has found that the most reported species, during the year, was actually two species, the Rainbow Lorikeet and the Brown Honeyeater. They were identified on every out- ing (53 outings) for the year at over twenty different locations around Fraser Coast. These two were followed closely by the Crested Pigeon, Black-faced Cuckoo- shrike, Australian Magpie and the Torresian Crow. At the bottom end of the list (those species only seen once) were a number of species some of which were the Black-necked Stork (Jabiru), Red-winged Parrot and Barking Owl. 2021 has got off to a good start with 85 species identified on the first outing at Park. And yes, the Rainbow Lorikeet and Brown Honeyeater were sight- ed. Christine Heiser

15 NATURE WATCH— A Spider Story From An Arachnophobe

I am terrified of spiders; even the small- strung across the outside of the lounge est 8-legged creature on the wall or in room window. It’s a huge web and a the bathroom sends me into a hysteri- neat one! I keep checking on her but I cal panic, yet I seem to have developed haven’t seen any evidence of her catch- some sort of affinity with St Andrew’s ing any food. I worry about her and do Cross spiders. my best by keeping the light on in the lounge room to help attract insects. Where I lived previously two of them had spun their giant webs strung along She herself doesn’t appear to have my verandah and I became an observer moved from her position in the center of of their daily activities. Life is certainly her web. Then one evening I witnessed not easy for anyone including spiders. what I later found to be a rarely seen Every morning the webs needed repairs event. from the ravages of the night – wind, I had seen in the outer reaches of her insect and debris strikes tattered the web a tiny, tiny, thing with moving legs webs – and both the spiders worked on and thought, is this the male? But had their webs to repair the damage. It be- not noticed it again. Then on this partic- came obvious that spiders have their ular evening, at dusk, I could see her individual personalities too; one of the silhouetted against the sky and noticed spiders was as neat as can be, her web that her front legs, while still two togeth- was always absolutely geometrically er, were bent instead of straight as usu- perfect; in contrast the other one did a al. I then observed a tiny, tiny thing with rough and ready job, didn’t bother to fill legs moving steadily towards her along in some of the holes and her web was the web. With a slight pause when he always untidy. reached her the tiny, tiny male swiftly I came to have a real fondness for jumped on her body. There was a flurry these two who shared my home. I can’t of moving bent legs – her back legs and remember now what happened to the presumably the males. Her four front untidy one but the tidy one lived for legs were now straightened out and many, many months, every morning spaced even distance apart. This activi- she would dutifully repair her web until ty went on for about 15-20 minutes. one morning I saw her hanging lifeless Then she gave a mighty shake of the on her web. She had worked hard until web and the male promptly fell to the her last breath. ground. She took some time to adjust herself back into the “Cross” position. I am now in a different environment and thankfully not prone to visits from giant The next morning, she was in her usual Huntsman spiders, but I still get an oc- position in the centre of the web with casional small “tarantula-like” shape in still no signs of any food having been the house with the resultant heart- caught. What is going to happen to pounding panic. Recently I noticed a St her? Andrew’s Cross spider in her web continued bottom page 17 Wambaliman SUMMER 2020—2021 16 NATURE WATCH— A Case Of Misidentification

A recent example of species misidentification is the number of Coast Groundsel Senecio pinnatifolius var. pinnatifolius that have been removed from along the boardwalk at Happy Valley, K’gari. Presumably these were thought to be Fire- weed, Senecio madagascariensis, an introduced look-alike which is native to South Africa and Madagascar and has not been recorded on the island. In South- ern Queensland, Fireweed Senecio madagascariensis is a restricted (category 3) invasive plant under the Biosecurity Act 2014. It is toxic to livestock and is most often seen in heavily grazed pasture land and road verges. Senecio pinnatifolius var. pinnatifolius (pictured) is an attractive, long lived native herbaceous ground cover belonging to the Asteraceae family, and com- monly known as , Coast or Variable Groundsel. It has striking small yellow rayed flowers with a deco- rative green foliage. It is a pioneer plant in disturbed areas, salt tolerant, displaces exotic species, acts as a dune stabiliser, native insect attractant and blends in with other dune stabilising native ground covers. A number of these plants have been removed because of misidentification. Native plants are protected and positive identification needs to be undertaken before any plant is removed or damaged on any site. An excellent ID link for this plant is from the Weed Spotters Network Queensland Weed Identification Sheet, Have I got fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis)? https://www.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0030/68493/weed-id-sheet- fireweed.pdf

Bree Jashin, from Happy Valley, K’gari

A Spider Story From An Arachnophobe—continued from page 16

Regarding the fear of spiders – I think it is the 8 legs, e.g. I also don’t like scuttling crabs on the beach rock platforms with their 8 walking legs. The St Andrews Cross spiders look as though they have 4 legs, so I think there is something psychological about the 8 legs. Secondly, for me maybe, there is an affinity with the fact that they are females trying to survive in this difficult world.

image image brisbaneinsects.comfrom Merike Johnson 17 Creature Crossword from Carol

CLUES: DOWN 1. Herbivorous marine mammal ACROSS 2. Nocturnal bird 1. Fishtail bird 3. Snow leopard 4. Large feral herbivore 4. Endangered desert bandicoot 7. Bird of the seashore 5. Extinct NZ bird 8. Swelling caused by plant parasite 6. Colour of green tree snake ventral 9. Male swan scales 10. Not common 10. Friendly curious insectivorous bird 11. Nutritious part of egg 12. Family of long tailed often scavenging 14. Ground dwelling marsupial with long raptors nose 13. Used by fish for locomotion 17. Squirrels store them 15. Bluetongue and pinktongue lizards 19. Large flightless birds are examples 20. First cell of life 16. They migrate through Hervey Bay 21. Protuberance or swelling (eg waters lymph_____) 18. Fish-eating furry swimming mammals 23.Wetland bird, brownish, short wings. 19. White swamp bird with long legs 25. Echidna's defence mechanism. 22. Short for Department of Primary 26. Two of them on the hands of a koala Industries 24. Objective

Wambaliman SUMMER 2020—2021 18 NATURE WATCH—Who stole the Christmas Beetle?

We have all heard about the Grinch that stole Christmas. But who stole the Christmas Beetle? WE did. Well, we did not steal the beetle itself but we have stolen its habitat to build our cities and suburbs converting grassy woodlands to concrete and bitumen. Sur- veys of residents in the Ipswich area show that 50% of people have not seen a Christ- Photo by Cecile Espigole mas beetle recently. There are 36 known species of Christ- on which the adult Christmas beetles mas Beetle and they are part of the feed. scarab family. Scarabs include the hard In northern Queensland where there working dung beetles and the aptly are millions of hectares of grasslands, named rhinoceros beetles. Ancient Christmas beetles can enjoy boom con- Egyptians valued the dung beetle and ditions. Of course, droughts, high tem- used the scarab motif in their amulets peratures and the concomitant loss of and decorations considering it repre- grass cover and topsoil destroy many sented “effectiveness.” forms of wildlife including insects. Female Christmas Beetles lay their Worldwide, insects are undergoing a eggs in grassland where they develop catastrophic decline – an 80 to 90 per- into 25 mm C shaped white curl grubs. cent decrease. The larvae feed on grass roots. (In Tas- mania, the Christmas Beetle larvae The impacts will be felt further up the feed on rotting timber.) When they wildlife food chain as many birds, frogs, reach full size, the larvae pupate deep bats, and lizards live on an insect diet. in the soil and become adult beetles. Also insects are very important pollina- tors of both crops and native plants. The beetles remain in the soil until the weather warms up and spring rains Was your Christmas marked by any of soften the earth enabling them to dig these decorative little creatures? out. This is usually in November- Carol Bussey December (hence the name Christmas Beetle). The spring rains also cause a This article was written for the February

flush of new growth on eucalypt trees edition of the Chatter.

24.Aim. 22.DPI 19.Egret 18.Seals 16.Whales 15.Skinks 13.Egg

DOWN: 1. 2.Owl 3.Ounce 4.Bilby 5.Moa 6.Yellow 10.Robin 12.Kites 12.Kites 10.Robin 6.Yellow 5.Moa 4.Bilby 3.Ounce 2.Owl 1.Dugong DOWN:

26.Thumbs 25.Spine 23.Rail 21.Node 20.Egg 19.Emus 17.Nuts 14.Bandicoot

ACROSS: 1.Drongo 4. 7.Gull 8.Gall 9.Cob 10.Rare 11.Yolk 11.Yolk 10.Rare 9.Cob 8.Gall 7.Gull 4.Brumby 1.Drongo ACROSS:

ANSWERS CROSSWORD CREATURE

19 Koalas at Tandora

Joey "Gordon" - first koala born to Tandora's new colony. the logic of returning “saved” koalas to the same threatening environment at Tinana. Tandora was chosen as a very safe place to re-establish the Tinana colony, as it had been pre-bounty days. Apparently, a relocation was not a new

Photo Lindsay Titmarsh. by idea, with eight koalas brought to Noosa in the 1960s from the destruc- Great things are happening at Tandora. tion of native forests north of For those who do not know where Tan- in preparation for the establishment of dora is, it is a 4400 hectare cattle sta- plantations by Australian Paper Manu- tion bordered by the Mary and Susan facturers Ltd. Rivers between Maryborough and Her- vey Bay. Owned by the Titmarsh family Using the expertise of Dr. Sean FitzGib- since 1907. Its current owner, Lindsay, bon and Dr. Amber Gillett, two koalas, possesses a wealth of knowledge re- Cobber and Chelsea, were released at garding its history, from indigenous Tandora in 2014. Cobber, with tracking habitation to the present day. collar attached decided to search for another home but was “rescued” and In the early twentieth century, there consequently found the property to be were accounts of the property inundat- quite suitable. ed with wildlife, including koalas. In- conceivable for us to imagine, koalas The colony is growing with the addition were hunted for their pelts, the last of joeys. The first one born in 2016, open season beginning in 1927 in was named Gordon after Lindsay’s fa- which nearly one million animals were ther. All of the koalas are given regular killed. health checks with Sean and Amber travelling from Brisbane each quarter. When koala numbers were being signif- Radio transmission collars make loca- icantly reduced by development and tion easy. road kills at Tinana during the last two decades, wildlife carer Natalie Richard- Assisted by Maryborough enthusiasts, son suggested that the vulnerable koa- we can be assured that the Tandora las be relocated to a safe location, an koalas are in very efficient hands. idea thought to be quite impracticable. Diane Christensen

She was successful in convincing fauna Source: Walking with History by Lindsay experts that a “planned transportation” Titmarsh could possibly work. The Richardson An edited version of this article was pub- family, after caring for injured wildlife for lished in The Hervey Bay Advertiser 14 approximately 40 years, could not see January 2021 Wambaliman SUMMER 2020—2021 20 LIVING DINOSAURS

In preparation for my presentation on birds for residents of Waterford Aged Care Centre in Hervey Bay I uncovered fascinating information. Birds belong to the class Aves in the animal world and are warm blooded, lay hard-shelled eggs and have strong lightweight skeletons. Half of them are passerine (perching). They are the only living dinosaurs on earth today and are members of the dinosaur subgroup called Theropoda which evolved over 230 million years ago and were the most diverse group of saurischian (lizard-hipped) dinosaurs which ranged from crow-sized micro raptors to the well-known Tyrannosaurus rex which weighed up to six tons. Birds are Feathered Theropod dinosaurs. Theropod dinosaurs are those which have hollow bones and three-toed limbs. The COVID-19 world meant my presentation at the aged care centre was post- poned twice and when I was finally allowed in late November last year the resi- dents had been in lockdown for months and they packed the theatrette with glee and anticipation, all wide eyes and with smiling faces. It was a fun morning in which one of the staff members who sat in on the talk had a bird app on her phone and played the bird calls to complement some of the slides. When I showed the slide of channel-billed cuckoo (pictured) she played its raucous call and a few in the group excitedly voiced their recogni- tion of that unforgettable call. Photo by Ruby Rosenfield I have been invited to return to present the same talk I gave to them on insects nearly two years ago. Ruby Rosenfield

python’s mouth

wallaby body IF YOU CAN’T CHEW IT, JUST SWALLOW IT! python eats wallaby

Photo Loraine Hellyer 2020 (Upper Dawson Branch)

21 BOOK REVIEW scholarship to University to do an arts degree. For her degree, Rachel was re- A Biography: Rachel Carson. by Arlene R. Quaratiello. 146pp quired to do a science subject, and this published by Prometheus Books 2010. led to a new passion, biology. She changed her degree major to science. At piccaninny dawn at Helidon, lying in The value of a broad-spectrum education! our comfy beds, we enjoy the liquid calls Her studies led to employment in govern- of the Yellow-faced Honeyeaters, the ment fisheries departments and marine peeping calls of the White-naped Hon- science. She developed a great love of eyeaters, the twittering of thornbills and the sea and insight into its ecology. Her the raucous messages from friarbirds. writing ability was much appreciated by Certainly not a silent spring! her employers and she produced bro- Put on your thinking caps. Can you think chures and articles for publication. of a more influential book written in the Her literary and scientific prowess culmi- twentieth century than “Silent Spring”? nated in a trilogy of three books on the “Population Bomb” by Paul Ehrlich sea, the most popular being “The Sea bombed -despite the fact that he was Around Us” which was a long running basically right. Other books on social best seller. Rachel Carson gained nation- issues: “Animal Farm”, “1984”, “Brave al recognition in the United States for her New World” might have been prescient scientific rigour combined with evocative and descriptive but did they change any- writing. thing? In her final years, worrying observations And who was Rachel Carson? Arlene R. by Rachel and other nature lovers led to Quaratiello has written a concise clear the genesis of her most well known lega- account of Carson's life and achieve- cy, “Silent Spring”, a chronicle of man's ments. She draws heavily on previous destruction of nature. works by author, Linda Lear. One important thing to note is that when “Rachel Carson: A Biography” is a short we think of DDT, we think of Rachel Car- book, 146 pages, and chronologically son and “Silent Spring” but there were describes Carson's life and development many concerned people writing and lob- into a major influence in environmental bying about the casual and increasing use conservation. Quaratiello conveys a pic- of pesticides with its apocalyptic impacts. ture of a small serious very capable wom- At that time there was also the great an, hampered in her career by lack of threat of nuclear radiation. money and by demanding family obliga- The massive battles in which environmen- tions – she even adopted a nephew after talists engage, require us all to work to- her diabetic sister died – and in her final gether to battle the overwhelming power years by a series of crippling diseases. of greed and self interest that dominates She died at of 56. our society. Can anyone deny we are As for some other environmentalists, Ra- losing this war? chel Carson had the appreciation of na- Thank goodness, Rachel is not here to ture and respect for all life instilled in her see the current state of the sea! It would by her mother, Maria Carson. Maria and break her heart to see the Great Barrier Rachel also respected a great philoso- Reef now as it has broken David Atten- pher (whom us oldies all know about but borough's heart*. Carol Bussey today's youngsters may not), Albert Schweitzer. *A talk in July 2019 in Britain where Atten- Rachel had the soul of a poet and the borough blasted Australian politicians who writing ability to match. She received a deny climate change. Wambaliman SUMMER 2020—2021 22 BOOK REVIEW per annum – despite moving through a Cane Toad Wars seasonally dry region where they can only by Rick Shine travel cross-country for a few months of Published by University of California the year. Shine and his research team Press, Oakland, California proposed a whole new mechanism of evolution – spatial sorting – a process that I have often pondered what impact the sorts out genes that cause faster disper- cane toad invasion had on the population sal and combines them into the same of the endangered Turtles. individual, thus producing a super- Lace and Yellow-spotted Monitors are disperser (athletic toads interbreeding known predators of turtle eggs. What ef- with each other). Of course, this is just a fect did the Cane Toad have on the moni- titbit. Shine simply discusses the concept tor population and consequently was and explains it in easy-to-understand lan- there a change in turtle recruitment? Did guage. the turtles eat the tadpoles or the eggs Most of us are concerned about the im- and suffer any consequence? These pact of Cane Toads on native wildlife, and questions motivated my purchase of this it is not all as expected. They tested na- book and I’ve found it far more engaging tive Rainbow Fish and found they seized than I imagined a book on toads could be. Cane Toad tadpoles, but instantly spat Brisbane born, Rick Shine is a Professor them out. This led to the question “Do fish of Biology at the University of Sydney and change their feeding behaviour after en- has published more than a thousand sci- countering nasty-tasting toad tadpoles?” entific papers on reptiles and amphibians. Shine goes on to say it is possible the As expected, the book has a scientific/ Cane Toad invasion is creating a race of research bent. Cane Toads took over his brainiac native fish!!! Other wildlife they research world once they arrived in 2005 investigate are parasites, reptiles, am- at his Research site at Fogg Dam in the phibians, mammals and birds. Northern Territory. Shine considers how the ecosystem has True toads (Family Bufonidae) never fought back, how through time native spe- reached our continent, so Australian pred- cies have worked out how to exploit the ators never had the evolutionary oppor- invader, and what has happened to the tunity to adapt to the poison of one of the Cane Toad itself since its introduction. largest and most toxic amphibians in the Lastly, he considers the community quest world. Shine questioned, how could an for taking on control of the toad. animal that evolved in the Amazon, in a Jonathan B. Losos sums this book up warm, wet world – survive and flourish in perfectly, “A remarkable tale of research the harsh Australian outback? Very few discovery and ingenuity. Shine’s writing is amphibians can survive from to engaging and occasionally hilarious, and Kununurra, yet Cane Toads have done it the reader comes away with a newfound in the blink of Charles Darwin’s eye. appreciation for the complexities of biodi- Shine investigated the ecological, cultural, versity conservation.” and political processes underlying this I highly recommend this book. It challeng- alien. For example, early records show es some preconceptions. It was an unex- Cane Toads progressed about 10 to 15 pected enjoyable and informative read on km per year. By the time they got to Kaka- a topic I mistakenly thought was dull and du in 2002, they were moving at 50 km boring. Marilyn Connell 23

The objectives of Wildlife Queensland are to:

(1) preserve the fauna and flora of Australia by all lawful means; (2) educate by all means possible all sections of the community, particularly the young, in understanding the principles of conservation and preservation of the natu- ral environment; (3) discourage by all legal means possible the destruction, exploitation or unneces- sary development of any part of the natural environment; (4) encourage rational land use and proper planning of development and use of the natural environment and management thereof.

Want to join Wildlife Queensland? https://wildlife.org.au/shop/membership/membership-3/ $30 Individual $45 Family / non-profit group $20 Concession $12.50 Youth Once you have joined Wildlife Queensland you may elect to be assigned a Branch such as Fraser Coast.

Wildlife Queensland and its branches are not wildlife rescue or care organizations. However, we thank you for caring for our wildlife and if you wish to report sick, injured or orphaned wildlife contact: RSPCA Qld on 1300 ANIMAL or preferably contact our local rescue service. Our local service has the expertise and will eliminate delays in taking action. WILDLIFE RESCUE FRASER COAST for all species of native wildlife Phone 4121 3146 (backup number 0419988240)

WRFC rescue and care for all species of native fauna - such as injured or unwell koalas, kangaroos and wallabies, micro bats, flying foxes, birds and reptiles.

For marine strandings ring the QLD Government Wildlife Hotline 1300 130 372

Wambaliman SUMMER 2020—2021 24