South East Queensland JULY 2016 Volume 10 Number 3 Newsletter of the Land for Wildlife Program South East Queensland ISSN 1835-3851

CONTENTS 1 Thousands of Honeyeaters Migrate 2 Editorial and Contacts 3 Fauna Vignettes 4 Fauna Profile Golden-tipped Bats 5 Fauna Profile Mammals of Moggill Creek Catchment Two of the autumn migrants, a Yellow- faced Honeyeater (left) and a Scarlet 6 Flora Profile Honeyeater (shown here is a stunning Curtains of Richmond male). Photos by Todd Burrows. Birdwing Vines Thousands of Honeyeaters Migrate 7 Property Profile Magnificent Views and uring April and May, a massive for others. While populations are definitely Dramatic Cliffs Dhoneyeater migration was seen boosted during autumn and winter, some across South East Queensland. Due of these species (e.g. Yellow-faced and 8 Property Profile to the diminutive size of these birds, White-naped Honeyeaters, Silvereyes and Remnant Forest as Refuge their migration could have easily gone pardalotes) are found in SEQ year-round. unnoticed. However, if you tuned your ear Do migrating individuals mingle with the 9 Letter to the Editor in to their calls or looked skywards, it was locals, or do they push our resident birds The Zen of Birdbath Watching truly a remarkable spectacle. further north? We just don’t know. 10 Weed Profile We are not exactly sure how many birds We do know that some individuals travel Castor Oil migrated this autumn, but counters near a long way. Silvereyes migrate from as far Sydney recorded nearly 50,000 individuals. south as Tasmania and, surprisingly, many 11 Weed Profile One afternoon, on my friend’s back deck fly at night. Whereas honeyeaters travel Native Blue Tongue vs at Mt Glorious, we counted 500 individuals from mid-NSW and fly during the day. Exotic Asian Melastome in 20 minutes. That rate continued Land for Wildlife members can help throughout the day. 12 Flora Profile researchers learn more about these Mistletoes: Hanging on despite While there is still much to learn about migrations. Whilst sitting on your deck an unwarranted reputation these fascinating wildlife movements, we having afternoon tea, look up and listen do know that the main species involved for small birds flying over (heading north 13 Book Reviews is the Yellow-faced Honeyeater. While in autumn and south in spring). Often sedentary and feeding, they make a “chuck- they pause on a tree top and this is your 14-15 Property Profile up, chuck-up” call; one of the easier calls time to identify them using binoculars. Pioneering Conservation to remember. When flying, they make a Otherwise, you can simply count numbers, near Childers single note contact call. Other migrants preferably over 20 minutes. Ideally, 16 Colour Me that made the journey from south to north record your observations in eBird – it is include Scarlet Honeyeaters, White-naped an online database that is a pleasure to Published by SEQ Catchments through Honeyeaters, Silvereyes, and Striated and use. An enjoyable database seems like an funding from the Australian Government’s Spotted Pardalotes. oxymoron, but trust me, it isn’t. Happy National Landcare Programme counting. It would seem that SEQ is both a short stop-over for some birds and a terminus Article by Deborah Metters Land for Wildlife Officers editorial South East Queensland s conservation and ecological pgs 14-15), started with a bare paddock City Council Arestoration fields in mature, and have re-created habitat by joining All enquiries, 3403 8888 we should take time to ask ourselves why two patches of bushland together. Other Amanda Maggs Peter Hayes are we doing this, and is it working? Land for Wildlife members such as the Cody Hochen Nick Swanson Stumkats (pg 7) and the Hendersons (pg Catherine Madden Tony Mlynarik Tucked beneath the election and Brexit 8) have encouraged natural regeneration, headlines I came across two interesting controlled weeds and valued nature’s Gold Coast City Council news stories last month, both of which inspiration for over 30 years. Lexie Webster, 5582 8344 move towards answering these questions. Scott Sumner, 5582 8896 Firstly were findings from a six year Ecological restoration is not an easy task, Todd Burrows, 5582 9128 study that found that properties whose but hopefully as our tools to measure owners had joined the Environmental outcomes improve, landholders will not Ipswich City Council Stewardship Program (ESP) had fewer only see first-hand the results of their Stephani Grove, 3810 7173 weeds, more woodland birds and less efforts, but can have them quantified. erodible bare ground. The second was the Lockyer Valley Regional Council In addition to environmental outcomes, unprecedented purchase of a degraded Kaori van Baalen, 5462 0376 grazing property on Cape York by the we must always consider social, health and Queensland Government to curb sediment financial results as well. We recognise that Logan City Council flows into a Great Barrier Reef catchment. programs such as Land for Wildlife and Nicole Walters, 3412 4859 the ESP contribute positively to the well- Peter Copping, 3412 5321 Both stories have clear goals. The ESP being of some members and we are always Rachel Booth, 3412 4821 aimed to conserve the threatened Box seeking new ways to do this.

Gum Grassy Woodland ecosystem, and Moreton Bay Regional Council the Cape York property purchase aimed to I hope that the enclosed drawings inspire Ainslie Dyki (nee Wyer), 5433 2288 reduce sediment flow to the reef. Both are your creativity or interest. They tell the Ben Green, 5433 5410 commendable, but can we measure if they story that Land for Wildlife properties are are working? The answer is yes. We can refuges for wildlife of all kinds – big, small, Zoe Samson, 5433 2244 threatened and common. And that Land measure the diversity and abundance of Noosa Council birds and , and we can quantify soil for Wildlife members are on the front line Conor Neville, 5329 6287 (sediment) loss or gains through high-tech of conservation efforts. airborne laser scans. Thanks to all contributors, and as always, I Redland City Council We know from past surveys of Land for welcome your feedback or contributions. Maree Manby, 3820 1106 Wildlife members in SEQ that the program Scenic Rim Regional Council here is also working. Every property has Keith McCosh, 5540 5436 slightly different goals, but in general Deborah Metters Land for Wildlife Regional we are all working to create, improve or Somerset Region manage wildlife habitats. Many Land for Coordinator Darren McPherson, 5424 4000 Wildlife members, such as Ian Gorrie (see SEQ Catchments Sunshine Coast Council Alan Wynn, 5439 6477 Danielle Crawford, 5475 7339 Landholder Registrations, Land for Wildlife SEQ - 1/6/2016 Dave Burrows, 5475 7345 Marc Russell, 5475 7345 Registered Working Towards Total Area under Total Area Retained Nick Clancy, 5439 6433 Properties Registration Restoration Stephanie Reif, 5475 7395 3189 863 58,647 ha 6,154 ha Qld Murray-Darling Region Forward all contributions to: Print run - 4685 Toowoomba, Crows Nest and Back copies from 2007 - 2016 western regions The Editor available for download from Sandy Robertson, Qld Murray-Darling Land for Wildlife Newsletter www.lfwseq.org.au Committee, 4637 6228 SEQ Catchments Back copies from 1998 - 2006 PO Box 13204 available upon request to the Editor. Burnett Mary Region George Street QLD 4003 ISSN 1835-3851 Gympie, Fraser Coast, 07 3211 4404 Land for Wildlife is a voluntary program that North & South Burnett, [email protected] encourages and assists landholders to provide Bundaberg and habitat for wildlife on their properties. Burnett Mary Regional Group, 4181 2999

Land for Wildlife South East Queensland lfwseq.org.au is a quarterly publication distributed facebook.com/lfwseq free of charge to members of the Land for Wildlife program in South East Queensland.

2 Land for Wildlife South East Queensland July 2016 PRIZES! SEQ Catchments is giving away Birds of South East Queensland booklets to selected Land for Wildlife members who contribute published articles in the January, April and July 2016 editions. Limit of three books fauna vignettes per edition. Please send your article and/or photos to the Editor (details pg. 2).

Sunning Frogmouths

ere are some photos taken late Hlast year from our suburban Land for Wildlife property. The male Tawny Frogmouth was on the ground basking in the sun while mother kept watch over the baby.

He basked for about 20 minutes on a warm, dry, bare bit of dirt and rotated slightly from side to side, but kept his back towards the afternoon sun.

The basking bird was much bigger than the parent that stayed in the tree, so we assumed it was the male. Apparently they bask like this to get rid of parasites. The young one was out of the nest but still very dependent. The birds were very aware of being observed but were not bothered by us.

Joy Hinckley Land for Wildlife member Capalaba, Redland

Left to right: Zebra, Plum-headed and Double-barred Finches. Three finches sitting in a tree... n April I had the privilege to visit a During my visit, I saw three species of The wetlands and tall grasslands on the Iwonderful Land for Wildlife property finches. Arguably the most common finch Jahnke’s property were probably an at Kalbar as part of a Bremer Catchment in SEQ is the Red-browed Finch, but they attractive lure, given the dry conditions Association and SEQ Catchments were nowhere to be seen. These Kalbar out west. The other finch seen is the aptly workshop. Owned by Barry and Marjorie finches were, dare I say, much more named, Double-barred Finch, which again Jahnke for over 20 years, this property has exciting. Zebra and Plum-head Finches are is somewhat common in SEQ. Listen out undergone a remarkable transformation more common west of the Great Dividing for the nasally, persistent call of finches - it from a degraded salt scald to a thriving Range but turn-up from time to time in might just be an uncommon species. wetland. You can read their full story in the SEQ. I was delighted to see both at Kalbar. October 2014 LfWSEQ newsletter. Deborah Metters, SEQ Catchments

Land for Wildlife South East Queensland July 2016 3 fauna profile

Golden-tipped Bats: Their inter-relationship with invertebrates, birds and vegetation

A Golden-tipped Bat. Photo by Dr Bruce Thomson.

he Golden-tipped Bat (Kerivoula to wet and dry sclerophyll forests up to fire from rainforest. The identified inter- Tpapuensis) is a relatively unknown 1000m. They are noted to have multiple relationship between Golden-tipped Bats, species. Until the 1980s it was thought to roosts and regularly change roosts. Brown Gerygones and Yellow-throated be extinct, however it is now found in low Roosting can occur as individuals or in Scrubwrens also indicate that healthy numbers across several locations. Currently small colonies (less than 20 individuals), habitats for small rainforest birds will have these special bats are found in New Guinea either with a mix of male and females or a positive effect upon Golden-tipped Bats. and in Australia from Cape York to southern just one gender. NSW. There are only two confirmed Once again the natural world highlights sightings of these bats in the Lockyer A fascinating aspect of these bats is that inter-relationships are integral to life Valley. There is a growing understanding that they utilise the abandoned nests of on Earth. We glimpse through the Golden- of the relationships that these bats have Yellow-throated Scrubwrens and Brown tipped Bat the inter-relationships between with vegetation types, understorey density, Gerygones for roosting. Golden-tipped plants and animals in surprising and food and roosting requirements. Bats modify the underside of these nests relatively unknown ways. for access. They are also noted to roost With a wing span of up to 25cm, weighing under thick moss on the underside of References in at about 6g, funnel-shaped pointed ears trees, in dense foliage, tree hollows and in Atlas of Living Australia - www.ala.org.au/ and curly brown fur - each hair having a epiphytes. Unsurprisingly, Yellow-throated Australian Museum - www. bright golden tip - these bats are beautiful Scrubwrens and Brown Gerygones australianmuseum.net.au indeed. Fur extends along the legs, wings generally build their nests along first and Australian Wildlife - www.australianwildlife. and tail, with the tail being longer than the second order streams within rainforests. org/wildlife/golden-tipped-bat.aspx combined length of the head and body. Department of Environment and Heritage Golden-tipped Bats breed once a year and Qld - https://environment.ehp.qld.gov. Golden-tipped Bats primarily eat orb- maternity roosts may occur away from au/species-search/ weaving spiders along with smaller water sources. These maternity roosts Department of Environment NSW quantities of beetles, moths, butterflies and have again been recorded as using both - www.environment.nsw.gov.au/ flies. Surveys undertaken in the Richmond the Brown Gerygone and Yellow-throated threatenedspeciesapp/ Range in northern NSW found that 90% Scrubwren nests as well as tree hollows. Law BS & Chidel M (2004) Roosting and of their diet was spiders. The abundance foraging ecology of the golden-tipped Threats to these amazing mammals of food sources, particularly spiders, was bat (Kerivoula papuensis) on the south found to be related to the density and include clearing and burning of riparian coast of New South Wales. Wildlife health of understorey vegetation. rainforest, clearing and modification of Research 31:1. the understorey in sclerophyll forests, loss Schulz M & Wainer J (1997) Diet of the These bats have been recorded flying up to of connectivity between roosting and golden-tipped bat Kerivoula papuensis 2km from roosting sites to forage for food. foraging habitat, and the loss of hollow- (Microchiroptera) from north-eastern Foraging occurs in rainforest, but is mainly bearing trees. New South Wales, Australia. Journal of confined to the upper slopes of sclerophyll Zoology 243:4. forests. Golden-tipped Bats have the ability We can assist these special bats by to fly slowly and hover, assisting them maintaining rainforest and sclerophyll through thick vegetation whilst foraging. forests along gullies, retaining dense understorey on sclerophyll slopes, Golden-tipped Bats primarily roost along maintaining linkages between roosting Article by Kaori van Baalen rainforest gullies of small (first and second and foraging habitat, protecting Land for Wildlife Officer order) waterways, which are located close hollow-bearing trees and excluding Lockyer Valley Regional Council

4 Land for Wildlife South East Queensland July 2016 fauna profile

Restored riparian site where the Buff- Mammals of Moggill Creek Catchment: footed Antechinus was captured (above left). One of the Elliott traps used to solve A marsupial mystery solved this marsupial mystery (above).

n the last year of my Bachelor degree those surveys until this ‘new’ antechinus So after years of not giving up, it was Iat the University of Queensland in appeared. After becoming aware of this somewhat a relief to solve this dasyurid 2008, I undertook a project surveying cryptic species, I began to question what mystery, and quite a thrill to confirm the mammals and reptiles at bushland antechinus I had really caught in 2008. The the presence of Buff-footed Antechinus restoration sites in Moggill Creek and restoration sites along where I so close to the Brisbane CBD. Knowing Cubberla-Witton Creek catchments, had surveyed looked similar to the known this species occurs in the Moggill Creek including several Land for Wildlife (LfW) habitat for Buff-footed Antechinus, such as catchment fills an important knowledge properties. It was a fantastic and insightful in and around D’Aguilar National Park. gap. It also shows that continued efforts opportunity to see what critters were of restoring bushland on public and living amongst us, particularly in restored A few years of pondering this small private land, particularly along waterways, riparian habitats, where countless hours of mammal conundrum led to a some keen may contribute significantly towards the hard work had been put in to improve the helpers and I trapping, with relevant diversity of small mammals in Brisbane. biodiversity of these areas. permits, at the same restoration sites on LfW properties (thanks to the enthusiastic Reference One of the small mammals I identified landowners for allowing access) along Rowland J (2015) Diversity and abundance during these surveys was an antechinus. Gold Creek. We trapped for two nights in of small, non-gliding terrestrial mammals Antechinuses are mouse-sized, native 2014 with no luck. Obviously, perseverance at bushland restoration sites in western marsupial carnivores (or dasyurids) that was the key in getting to the bottom of Brisbane. The Queensland Naturalist 53. are short-lived and breed only once a year. this marsupial identification problem so They are quite unique and renowned in we gave it another try in April 2015. After Article and photos by Jesse Rowland the animal world, in that all of the males several nights of trapping we were finally Ecologist, Queensland Herbarium die not long after bouts of frenzied mating rewarded with the cute face of a Buff- over the space of just several weeks. It was footed Antechinus staring up at us. exciting to catch these voracious predators during the study as they are generally uncommon in the Brisbane area. They face ever-increasing threats such as habitat loss and fragmentation, as well as predation by introduced species such as foxes and cats.

Back then I identified them as Yellow- footed Antechinus (Antechinus flavipes), and didn’t realise that I may have been catching another species masquerading as the Yellow-footed Antechinus. For many years, Steve Van Dyck (former Senior Curator of Mammals and Birds at Queensland Museum) had been suspicious of these abnormally patterned ‘Yellow-footed Antechinus’ from around Brisbane. In 2012, he and two colleagues (Dr Andrew Baker and Thomas Mutton, QUT) genetically screened populations of antechinus and subsequently described and named a new species, the Buff-footed Antechinus (Antechinus mysticus).

I hadn’t really given much thought about the antechinuses I caught during Cute! A Buff-footed Antechinus.

Land for Wildlife South East Queensland July 2016 5 flora profile Curtains of Richmond Birdwing Vines

ou could easily be excused for thinking White Figs. This is because the vines like The Richmond Birdwing Conservation Ythese curtains of vines hanging off this moisture and White Fig roots hold a lot of Network (RBCN) is a community-based large White Fig (Ficus virens) is the common moisture. Secondly, the White Fig is semi conservation group operating within Monkey Rope Vine (Parsonsia straminea). deciduous (loses its leaves only for a very the Wildlife Preservation Society of However what you’re looking at is actually short period) which gives the vines a little Queensland. The RBCN’s goal is to re- a population of the Richmond Birdwing boost of extra sunlight each year in spring. establish healthy populations of the Vine (Pararistolochia praevenosa) that is Richmond Birdwing and its lowland food In the wild, hardly any seedlings are over 200 years old. plant, the Richmond Birdwing Vine across naturally regenerating; the recruitment their natural ranges. RBCN members are As most of you who have tried planting rate is almost at 0%. Why? Brush Turkeys doing this by establishing habitat corridors, this threatened species of vine know, it can bury the seeds by scratching (thus a collecting seeds, running workshops, grow at a painstakingly slow pace. So, the dispersal agent), but if the turkeys eat the recording sightings and investigating sight of these vines reaching well into the pulp of the fruit including the seeds and the impacts of climate change on the rainforest canopy is something to behold. they pass through their gut, the seeds Richmond Birdwing. are no longer viable. Fortuitously, at this The Richmond Birdwing Vine is the particular site, the vines are recruiting. The principal larval host plant for its namesake, You can help the RBCN by: rocky substrate provides perfect protection the vulnerable Richmond Birdwing • Becoming a member. for the vines’ seeds and seedlings. butterfly (Ornithoptera richmondia). • Adopting a butterfly – see www.wildlife. The vine itself has become threatened Dr Don Sands, a retired CSIRO org.au for more information. mostly due to extensive loss of lowland entomologist, has spent much of his career • Joining the RBCN Facebook group. subtropical rainforest, grazing pressures researching the Richmond Birdwing and its • Reporting sightings of the Richmond and competition from invasive weeds since host plants. He has seen the Headwaters Birdwing and its host vines to birdwing@ European colonisation. Like most rainforest Nature Refuge site on a number of wildlife.org.au or 3221 0194. plant species the Richmond Birdwing occasions and suggests that it is a core References and Further Reading: Vine is fire sensitive and vulnerable to breeding site for the butterfly (another Richmond Birdwing Conservation Network inappropriate fire regimes. Prolonged being Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve). www.richmondbirdwing.org.au drought and climate change have also Without these two sites, the Richmond Sands DPA and New TR (2013) Conservation caused further declines. Birdwing would struggle to survive. of the Richmond Birdwing Butterfly in This old-growth population of Richmond Don also stresses the importance of Australia. Springer Netherlands Birdwing Vine is tucked away in a rocky community propagated and grown Sands D (2008) Conserving the Richmond gully on a Land for Wildlife property at vines, such as those on Land for Wildlife Birdwing Butterfly over two decades: Dulong. In 2007, the owners Ralph and properties. Planted vines, which are often Where to next? Ecological Management Edwina Shannon, signed a conservation watered during drought periods, are and Restoration, 9:1, 4-16. agreement for the establishment of essential when wild vines are too tough Land for Wildlife SEQ newsletters: Headwaters Nature Refuge, legally and unpalatable for larvae. • January 2007 - Richmond Birdwing protecting almost 25 hectares of their Butterfly, Part 1: their ecology. Something interesting that you may not property. Their Richmond Birdwing Vines • April 2007 - Richmond Birdwing Butterfly, know about Richmond Birdwing larvae form one of the oldest, secure populations Part 2: their host vines. is that they are cannibals! They feed on that researchers know of. • July 2015 - Foam Bark Gully Birdwing Corridor. other eggs, larvae and occasionally pupae. • January 2014 - Recovery of the Richmond The unique topographic and biological The risk of cannibalism in this species is Birdwing butterfly. features of this particular site provide less when soft, sub-terminal leaves of the perfect conditions for the Richmond Richmond Birdwing Vine are available. Article by Danielle Crawford Birdwing Vine to grow. Firstly, the vines All the more reason to start planting and Land for Wildlife Officer tend to grow particularly well alongside caring for some vines on your property. Sunshine Coast Council

6 Land for Wildlife South East Queensland July 2016 property profile Magnificent Views and Dramatic Cliffs: One of the many stunning views from Property management in remote SEQ the Stumkat’s property.

hirty-nine years ago my husband the last two years on a targeted weed Tand I bought a property in the upper management program along the lower to Lockyer Valley with the aim of raising our mid-section of our creek. three sons on land that would engage and inspire them. We built our home, raised We are exploring the upper tributaries with our sons and grew our love of our property the aim of determining the source of these over the following years. priority weeds so we can directly target the source. Our property is remote by SEQ Our property is 383 hectares with a standards, so access can be challenging diversity of vegetation communities and and with limited resources, progress is wildlife habitats. The property has palm slow. However, we are starting to see the tree lined creeks, waterfalls, caves, steep, benefits of our management program. audacious hillsides with boulders and rocky outcrops, dry vine rainforest and Recently, our Land for Wildlife Officer and I ironbark woodlands to name a few. walked along one of the upper tributaries of our main creek system and I was Before our ownership, the property was reminded how special our property is. We used for logging timber. Since purchasing passed through beautiful Xanthorrhoea our property we have breed herds of forests, stared in amazement across Cashmere and Boar Goats which supplied magnificent views of the plunging creek, an income through fibre and meat. When gingerly touched orchids and ferns that breeding our goats, wild dogs were a seem to drip off rocks and trees, and we constant problem. Observing goats and sunk into thick native grass on a dramatic their foraging habits, we have found that cliff face. Our senses tingled with delight with careful management the goats help while observing the plants, birds and clear and limit the spread of Lantana. butterflies that shared the space.

Over the years we have undertaken We love our property and will be passing thinning on the flats, tree planting along it on to our children for their on-going creek lines as well as fencing, fire break management and enjoyment. We feel and road maintenance. As a textile artist that places such as ours fill the heart and utilising our goats’ fibre, I have found that spirit with joy and nourishment, provides the natural environment inspires me in my broader community benefit through work with colours, textures and forms. sustaining biodiversity and air quality whilst also assisting farmers downstream Prior to the 2011 floods the primary weed through weed, sediment and water quality was Lantana camara. After 2011, weeds management. Being a member of the such as Mistflower, Madeira Vine, Pampas Land for Wildlife community supports us Grass and Brazillian Nightshade started in our endeavours and provides a sense of to appear along the now more open, inclusion in a broader community picture. disturbed creek lines. We know that once these weeds, especially Madeira Vine, get a Article by Helen Stumkat stronghold, it will be very difficult to curb Land for Wildlife member, Flagstone an eventual collapse of riparian vegetation. Creek, Lockyer Valley, and These two images illustrate the rugged Understanding this, we have been working Kaori van Baalen, Land for Wildlife Officer, terrain and effort required by bush with our Land for Wildlife Officer over Lockyer Valley Regional Council regenerators to access and control weeds on this property. Photos by Kaori van Baalen.

Land for Wildlife South East Queensland July 2016 7 property profile Remnant Forest as Refuge

iving with wildlife in their natural habitat other smaller animals. Since 1980, we have Lis one of life’s great privileges. We have heard its penetrating call in the evenings enjoyed that privilege for 35 years here on and early mornings - a haunting ‘woo-hoo’, our two hectare property at Greenbank. repeated at short intervals for up to 15 After decades, I was convinced we had minutes at a time. In 1995, I photographed seen every bird or animal we would ever one with a decapitated squirrel glider in be likely to see, but I was wrong. This place its talons (see image below). In late 2013, continues to astonish, and after half a our Powerful Owl experiences culminated These male Carpet Pythons fought for lifetime here I am still able to say “I never in the stunning sight of twin well grown nearly 3 weeks in a territorial dispute. know what I’ll see each time I look out the owlets roosting side by side within just When they chose our front verandah as window”. metres of the house for six weeks. Their an arena, I reached for the camera. plaintive whistling trills at dusk, begging Our property lies on Crewes Creek, a for food, kept us enthralled. tributary of . Along its banks, mature rainforest trees provide deep shade Reptiles flourish here: Lace Monitors, Encroaching development in this area, as and daytime roosts for owls. Away from Eastern Water Dragons, Carpet Pythons, elsewhere, is putting increasing pressure the creek, the forest is diverse: mature Red-bellied Black-snakes, Green Tree on wildlife, making tracts of remnant ironbarks, blue gums, bloodwoods, Snakes and others. A large python forest like ours more important than ever. sugar gums (Angophora leiocarpa) brush inhabited our ceiling for many years, but Observation has led us to believe that box, swamp mahogany, casuarinas, red when a rival male tried to move into its some birds and animals are moving into ash and callistemons tower over brown territory one spring, battle lines were this property as a refuge, providing safe laurels, sandpaper figs and a variety of low drawn for several weeks. Three times we breeding habitat and food. I suspect this growing shrubs and grasses. Silk pod vines watched the two in ritual combat, writhing is why we saw, for the very first time in colonise most of the trees, festooning the and twining around each other, but never November 2013, an exquisite Noisy Pitta crowns with thick glossy leaves. inflicting injury. fossicking in the leaf litter by the house. For several years now, small numbers of Over the decades, we have sighted over Despite the decline of Koala populations in Eastern Grey Kangaroos pass through here 140 species of birds. Of these, the most so many areas, they are still present here, periodically, a sight we had never seen spectacular is the Powerful Owl. It is though fewer in number and visible less until then. The wonders continue. Australia’s largest owl and is under threat often. This spring and summer the loud in much of its range from habitat loss. bellowing of a male at night close to the Article by Annette Henderson These birds require a territory of 800-1000 house on several occasions offered some Land for Wildlife member hectares, preying on possums, gliders and hope that they may re-establish here. Greenbank, Logan

Australia’s largest owl, the Powerful Last year, a friend photographed this This Boobook Owl has recently Owl, clutching its prey. Koala near one of our walking tracks. taken up shelter in our carport.

8 Land for Wildlife South East Queensland July 2016 letter to the editor The Zen of Birdbath Watching

Thank goodness for a cool drink on a hot day! A range of ‘little tweety birds’ his isn’t so much a contribution as enjoy this birdbath. Try to spot the Yellow-faced Honeyeaters, Red-browed Finch, Tfeedback on the January 2016 edition Brown Thornbill, Silvereyes and White-cheeked Honeyeaters. of Land for Wildlife, which was as always excellent reading. Perhaps it was the combination of your editorial on actively making time for living, plus the wonderful bird photos that prompted me to spend a bit of time at the bird bath after I’d cleaned and re-filled it.

We’ve always had a couple of bird baths around the house garden. There appeared to be some kind of tacit agreement on the part of the users - larger birds such as magpies, butcherbirds, Pale-headed (Moreton Bay) Rosellas etc. liked one, and smaller birds such as honeyeaters etc. kept to the other. That was until a pair of wagtails took up residence and drove everything else away from one bath with their ferocious dive-bombing.

So I felt we needed to create a third bath just inside the scrub line. I already knew there were lots of what I categorised as ‘little tweety birds’ (wrens, robins, finches) but they rarely ventured out of the thicker vegetation. If I was down in the bushland, I was usually too busy digging out some form of weed or doing something that needed to be done to really stop and admire them.

Now, armed with my New Year’s resolution I started to spend the odd hour or so actually sitting and watching the antics in the new bird bath. And it wasn’t only what was happening in the bath itself. Tree creepers moved up and down tree trunks, whipbirds called and I had time to listen for the ‘chew chew’ response. The light changed through the trees...the zen of birdbath watching.

Gilda Cowell Land for Wildlife member Elimbah, Moreton Bay

Editor’s note - Thank Gilda for sharing these delightful photos and your resolution to enjoy and recharge through nature. Birdbaths are incredibly important for our birds, especially through the recent hot and dry autumn.

Land for Wildlife South East Queensland July 2016 9 weed profile Castor Oil Plant

e have a weed around here called Other chemicals in castor oil include Castor Oil Plant originates from the WCastor Oil Plant and it comes up oleic acid (an omega 9 fatty acid found in Mediterranean, East Africa and India. It is all along our creeks. It has large-lobed avocados and olive oil) and linoleic acid (an grown commercially mainly in India, China leaves that makes it easy to recognise and omega 6 fatty acid found in the lipids of and Brazil. Picking the crop can lead to identify. There are all sorts of different cell membranes). long term health problems due to a build- common names for native species and up of toxins, and I doubt if there are many weeds alike and I didn’t think this weed The plant contains a number of mild old castor oil pickers. was the real Castor Oil Plant but rather toxins, some allergenic, and one real some imposter that looked like a plant snorter, mainly found in the seed. Ricin The weed has now spread around the from ‘the old country’. Much to my is the lethal toxin in castor oil seeds. It is world in tropical and subtropical areas, surprise, it is the real Castor Oil Plant – lethal to humans and stock. Ricin attacks especially along waterways. Treatment is the plant we get castor oil from. After the ribosome in cells, preventing the by hand-pulling (wearing gloves of course, investigating further, I have a new found production of essential proteins, thus and don’t eat the leaves) or by foliar spray respect for this weedy nuisance. causing the cell to die. The seed is only or cut-stump methods. Talk to your Land toxic if the outer shell is broken and for Wildlife Officer about specific herbicides Castor Oil Plant (Ricinus communis) is a the seed is chewed. Ricin is thankfully for Castor Oil Plant. I do wonder what, plant not to be messed with. It packs a destroyed by heating during the oil if anything, all this ricin from Castor Oil powerful punch full of nasty chemicals extraction process. Plants is doing to our aquatic and riparian waiting for the fool-hardy. It also produces ecosystems? castor oil – that tormentor of small children Castor Oil Plant is a member of the with any hint of constipation or bad Euphorbiaceae family. It is a shrub to 3 Thankfully we no longer live in times when temper. “You need a good dose of castor metres, with large multi-lobed leaves “everyone needs a good dose of castor oil” is sure to send shivers up many an old (7-9 lobes) and red branches. Leaflets are oil”, as the cure might be worse than the person. Happily it is not used for that any toothed. Flower spikes contain separate disease. more (I hope). female and male flowers. The female flowers have prominent red stigmas. Seed Castor oil works as a laxative and purgative. pods are green, round, spikey balls that The main ingredient, ricinolein, is a explode when ripe. Seeds have a ‘caruncle’ triglyceride (or triple-chain fatty acid), – a handle for ants to grab and carry them Article by Keith McCosh which can cause cramping in the bowel. It away. Using ants to spread seeds is called Land for Wildlife Officer is usually safe but using too much is life- ‘myrmecochory’. Scenic Rim Regional Council threatening due to chronic dehydration.

Header: Castor Oil Plants are a reasonably common weed in waterways across SEQ.

Far Left: A small Castor Oil Plant that should be able to be hand-pulled if the soil is soft. Photo by Andrew Willis.

Left: Castor Oil Plant flowers and spikey seed pods.

10 Land for Wildlife South East Queensland July 2016 weed profile Native Blue Tongue vs Exotic Asian Melastome

n recent years, the introduction of the Southeast Asia. Although not a declared sure, contact your Land for Wildlife Officer Iexotic Asian Melastome ( weed species in Australia, Asian Melastome or the Queensland Herbarium to have a candidum) has been a source of concern is known to rapidly spread, naturalise and plant sample positively identified. as it is similar in appearance and often form dense thickets in a variety of habitats confused with the native Blue Tongue including eucalypt forests, open land and The recommended treatment for adult (Melastoma malabathricum subsp. wetlands. plants of Asian Melastome is the cut stump malabathricum). The purple fruit of native method with glyphosate 1:5 in water or Blue Tongue is sweet and edible, and When purchasing Blue Tongue, check Vigilant (Picloram) gel neat. Basal barking once eaten, it turns tongues a blue-purple to see if the plant is in keeping with the can also be effective with Fluroxypyr 333gL colour, hence the common name. diagnostic features outlined below. In (e.g. Starane Advanced) 30ml per litre of particular, examine the veins on the leaves. diesel or other recommended mixing agent. Asian Melastome, native to tropical Asia, is It is important to examine several mature cultivated as an ornamental shrub. Readily leaves to confirm the number of veins Article by Amanda Maggs spread by birds, it has become an invasive present as there can be some variation. Land for Wildlife Officer garden escapee in tropical and sub-tropical Only the introduced species will have five Brisbane City Council areas including in Australia, Hawaii and distinct longitudinal veins. If you are not Photos by Deborah Metters

Blue Tongue or Native Lassiandra Asian Melastome Melastoma malabathricum subsp. malabathricum Melastoma candidum (was ) (also known as Melastoma septemnervium) Leaves: Generally 3 distinct longitudinal veins and 2 less Leaves: Generally 5 distinct longitudinal veins and 2 less distinct intramarginal veins. Leaves hairy but thinner than Asian distinct intramarginal veins. Leaves hairy but thicker and stiffer Melastome. Leaf stalks purple or white with short hairs. than Blue Tongue. Leaf stalks purple or white with long hairs. Flowers: Pinkish purple flower (also a white form). Five petals Flowers: More purple and a larger flower than the native Blue about 20-30mm long. Flowers all year round. Tongue. Five petals about 25-32mm long. Fruit: Red and green outside, purple on inside, hairy to 10mm. Fruit: Bright raspberry red in colour. Habit: Shrub 1-2 metres high, growing in moist areas such as Habit: Grows to 2 metres high and is more dense and robust gullies and freshwater wetlands. than the native Blue Tongue.

Two less distinct Three distinct Five distinct Two less distinct intramarginal longitudinal veins longitudinal veins intramarginal veins just inside extending from the extending from the veins just inside the leaf margin. leaf base to apex. leaf base to apex. the leaf margin.

Land for Wildlife South East Queensland July 2016 11 flora profile Flowers of Sessile- leaved Mistletoe Mistletoes: Hanging on despite (Dendrophthoe homoplastica). an unwarranted reputation Photo by John Moss.

ustralian mistletoes have long are the root cause. For example, many That’s a mouthful! Soon after eating this Abeen considered an underdog of isolated paddock trees are stressed by high mistletoe fruit, this female Mistletoebird the botanical world, probably similar evaporation rates due to poor vegetation excreted the mistletoe seed, wiping it on a to grasses, sedges, and dare we say cover, compacted soil, wind exposure and branch. The sticky fruit pulp helped adhere bryophytes (ie. mosses, liverworts and increased surface water runoff, resulting it to the branch. Eventually, the seed may hornworts). No one ever mentions in less rainwater soaking in. Plus, wildlife germinate and start a new mistletoe plant. hornworts (but watch this space, as it is that might eat mistletoe leaves, such as Photo by Deborah Metters. only a matter of time before an article is possums, are also fewer. written!). Maybe it is because mistletoes Australia has about 91 species of mistletoe, Mistletoes are incredibly important in have suffered, not from obsolescence (poor of which about 36 species occur in South Australia’s environment. Many animals hornworts), but from disdain and ignorance. East Queensland. Some mistletoe species depend on mistletoes for food. Leaves Many people still believe that mistletoes have specific host plants, whereas other and fruit are readily eaten by possums, cause the death of their host trees, but this species are generalist and will attach to frugivorous birds love the fruit, and is a myth and far from the truth. a wide range of plants. For example, the honeyeaters drink nectar from the flowers. Mistletoes are also host plants for a wide Mistletoes are ‘hemiparasitic’ plants that Mangrove Mistletoe (Amyema mackayensis) range of beautiful butterflies and moths, obtain water and nutrients from their host only occurs on Grey Mangroves (Avicennia in addition to many other invertebrates. plant. They also photosynthesise enabling marina), whereas the Yellow-flowered Often mistletoes are the only fruit or them to create their own carbohydrates Mistletoe (Dendrophthoe vitellina) has flower source available, especially during so they do not have to extract carbon about 100 different host species. Some dry times. It is becoming clearer that from their host. Healthy hosts and healthy mistletoes are even hosts for other mistletoes have a greater role in sustaining mistletoes basically live in harmony. When mistletoe species. The diversity of nature! biodiversity than was previously realised. one becomes stressed due to drought, Mistletoes attach to their host plant Recent research has found that mistletoes overgrazing, insect attack, fragmentation through a modified root called an may increase soil fertility resulting in other of habitat or other factors, they both suffer. ‘haustorium’ (see image below). This flow-on effects through an ecosystem. If a host tree dies, the mistletoe also dies; it haustorium allows water and nutrients to is a lose-lose situation. flow from the host into the mistletoe. Mistletoe seeds readily germinate, but only a few successfully attach to a host. An In rural areas, it is commonplace to see Mistletoe leaves sometimes take on the interesting new frontier is the propagation isolated paddock or roadside eucalypts appearance of the leaves of their host and inclusion of mistletoes in revegetation in poor health, with lots of mistletoes plant; this is termed ‘cryptic mimicry’. This and restoration projects. This has already attached. If the trees were healthy, could be a result of the mistletoe receiving been attempted with mixed results at one with vibrant foliage, and in a forest, hormones from the host, or maybe the site in South East Queensland. Hopefully the mistletoes would simply blend in. result of favourable mutations giving an in the near future, one would be able to A stressed tree with a load of apparent evolutionary advantage, or maybe it is buy plants from native plant nurseries with causal mistletoes, is actually a sign that pure coincidence. We are not really sure. attached mistletoes. other factors (usually human induced) Feel free to contact us if you have a story about mistletoes from your place, especially if you have successfully propagated them.

Article by Deborah Metters, SEQ Catchments, and John Moss, co- author of The Mistletoes of Subtropical Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria (see review on facing page).

The new frontier in revegetation - incorporating mistletoes. Shown here is a Brush Mistletoe (Amylotheca dictyophleba) artificially planted on Snow-wood (Pararchidendron pruinosum). Photo by John Moss.

12 Land for Wildlife South East Queensland July 2016 book reviews The Mistletoes of Subtropical Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria By John T. Moss and Ross Kendall

t last we have a book explaining the This is a book that has been crying out to Aplace of mistletoes in our ecosystem. be written and I commend it to all students This book is a must have for enthusiasts of nature. I note on the back cover, I am of our environment. In his forward, Ross not alone. Two local luminaries; Gordon McKinnon’s words were like gentle rain Guymer of the Queensland Herbarium and upon a desert landscape. Glenn Leiper of Native Plants Queensland share my enthusiasm for this book. Finally “Mistletoes don’t kill host trees!” I now feel vindicated for years of telling “Why would it (kill the tree) when the people to “leave them alone”. mistletoe’s survival and food source is Published by Butterfly & Other derived from the host plant?” writes Ross. Invertebrates Club (BOIC), 2016 Indeed. Paperback, A4 format, 134 pages There is far more to the mistletoe story Price: $30 Available from BOIC at and this book explains the important www.boic.org.au or by part mistletoes play in nature. This story contacting BOIC at includes birds and butterflies, reptiles, bats, [email protected] or mammals and invertebrates. PO Box 2113, Runcorn Q 4113 This book is well-structured with beautiful Review by Phil Moran photographs, maps of occurrence and Manager, Noosa Landcare notes on host plants as well as interactions with butterflies and moths. The latter are often extensive.

Bimblebox The Complete Wonderland Guide to the By Paula Peeters Butterflies of

t would be 30 years since I last Australia (2nd ed.) Idid colouring-in, but that all By Michael Braby changed last Christmas when a colleague gave me a copy of was excited to see the second Bimblebox Wonderland. It was Iedition of this book published then I started to notice adult as I’ve made very good use of colouring-in books in every the first. I’ve had many eureka newsagent and supermarket checkout isle. How did I moments over the last decade making positive identifications not see them before? Was I lacking mindfulness? Mindfulness by comparing my photos to the detailed images in the book. (i.e. focussing the mind on the present moment) can create This second edition expands substantially on the original with a relaxed, expansive and content state of mind and can be approximately 20 additional species and a comprehensive achieved through various techniques including colouring-in. revision to reflect up-to-date current knowledge. Each species’ Regardless of whether you put pencil to paper, Bimblebox description includes distribution maps, a list of larval host Wonderland is a pleasure to look at, especially if you derive plants and high resolution colour images showing both the joy from nature. It brings to life many Australian animals upper and under sides of each male and female butterfly. in realistic, creative and imaginary ways. If you are a fan I’ll be buying myself a copy and I hope that the colour images of Where’s Wally, you will also love this book. Bimblebox are as vibrant as the original edition, unlike my review copy, Wonderland inspired the commissioning of the enclosed which was a bit washed out. This is a must have field guide for artwork, to spark your creativity and raise awareness of the anyone serious about identifying butterflies in Australia. threatened and diverse animals, plants and fungi of SEQ. Self-published, 2015 CSIRO Publishing, 2016 Paperback, A4 format, 32 pages Paperback, A5 format, 400 pages Price: $15.99 plus postage Price: $49.95 Available from www.paperbarkwriter.com and Available from CSIRO Publishing, other online bookshops select bookshops (see above website for bookshop details) and select in-person bookstores. Review by Deborah Metters Review by Todd Burrows, City of Gold Coast

Land for Wildlife South East Queensland July 2016 13 Left: Aerial photograph taken sometime between 1955 and 1960 shows Ian’s family’s old farmhouse in the foreground surrounded by sugar cane paddocks. In the background is a forested hill surrounded by sugar cane. The patch of large Queensland Blue Gum trees in the middle is now part of Ian’s property. Above: A recent aerial photograph shows Ian’s property in the middle, now a forest of native vegetation, surrounded on three sides by avocado orchards. The trees to the top right are part of a corridor planting that Ian undertook in cooperation with his neighbour, connecting Ian’s property to the forested hill. property profile Pioneering Conservation near Childers: challenging but rewarding

his 2.35 ha property at Doolbi near had been reduced to 2.35 ha in size paddock’s vegetation to just what it was TChilders has been owned by my family but it still had some big trees especially when Kabi Kabi people lived there, as for 108 years with habitat rehabilitation Queensland Blue Gum (Eucalyptus there are uncertainties about what the starting in 1976. The habitat is now 40 years tereticornis) and Small-leaved Fig (Ficus site’s vegetation would have been in old and fabulous. obliqua). My father valued these trees as 1860. Thus, I decided to use plant species shade for livestock and he enjoyed having and communities of the region. I defined Historically, the Kabi Kabi lived in this area, noisy flocks of lorikeets overnight there and ‘the Childers region’ as extending south and the name Doolbi apparently refers to nest in tree hollows. to Maryborough and Hervey Bay, north Burdekin Plum (Pleiogynium timorense). In to Bundaberg, and west to Booyal and In 1976 I bought the paddock from my the 1870s, loggers felled the best logs and Biggenden. hauled these by bullock wagon to rafting parents to conserve the native vegetation grounds. In 1877, the Crown leased 40 on it – especially the big old trees. Shrubs My aim was to grow a collection of ha with an obligation on the leaseholder such as Milky Bush (Alstonia constricta), Lolly native species but also to establish plant to clear a farm. My habitat rehabilitation Bush (Clerodendrum floribundum), Crows communities – including rainforest, riparian now occupies a corner of the original Apple (Owenia venosa) and Smell of the forest, wet eucalypt forest and drier forest. uncultivated farm paddock. It has fertile red Bush (Mallotus claoxyloides) were present or To do this, I researched many native soil and a small, seasonal spring-fed creek. on the roadside. Some natural regeneration plant species of the Childers region and of native plants was occurring. compiled this information in an electronic, In 1908 my grandparents bought this searchable database. I have been working My main aim in 1976 was to conserve the property and in about 1916 they also on this database for 34 years and it includes remnant trees as Queensland Blue Gums bought the Childers sawmill. The mill information on how different plant species on fertile soils have been widely cleared. burned down about ten years later and performed on the Doolbi site. they didn’t rebuild because the Isis Scrub However, by 1982 I was working with the and eucalypt forests that once grew around Commonwealth Government’s National To rehabilitate the paddock I used Childers had been so widely cleared. Tree Program and one of my tasks was to conservation, planting, natural regeneration chair the editorial committee that produced and direct seeding. I bought seeds from the In 1931 my parents married and moved the book Think Trees Grow Trees published CSIRO, collected some local seeds, raised north to the Atherton Tablelands. For the in 1985. Based on this experience, I seedlings myself and also bought seedlings. first year they lived in a tent and their only broadened my aims for the 2.35 ha paddock Most of this was done from my home in income was from sale of logs that my father and decided not just to conserve it, but Canberra and I would do planting and seed felled using his axe, cross-cut saw and steel to revegetate it with plant species native collecting when I visited Doolbi during my wedges. Early in 1938 my parents returned to the Childers region. This process would holidays. I planted trees, shrubs, vines and to Doolbi, but in 1976, they decided to sell attract more native wildlife. groundcovers as they all contribute to the the farm and retire. By 1976 the paddock food pyramid for wildlife. My aim has never been to restore the

14 Land for Wildlife South East Queensland July 2016 Nestboxes are very useful in revegetation projects. They can make a forest dominated by young trees into suitable habitat for cavity- nesting fauna.

A nestbox designed for Sugar Gliders. A nestbox designed for Feathertail Note the coil spring on tree attachment. Gliders. These animals built a nest of These are essential when fitting nest eucalypt leaves that filled this box. boxes to young, fast-growing trees.

Once some native plants were established crowned Fruit Dove calling – another fruit- Spirit of the Year Award in 2013, and I have on the site, I was surprised at the amount eating rainforest bird. learnt to value and appreciate people who of natural regeneration, which reduced realized what I was doing. Also exhilarating was walking in the forest the need to plant. Fruit-eating fauna also and seeing birds such as the Rufous Fantail Critics often targeted my character and carried in native seeds. and Black-faced Monarch which usually personal identity, but few of them had ever With the cooperation of a neighbour, I prefer dense vegetation. Birds such as these visited my land, and very few knew what planted another 1 ha of forest on his land were not there back in 1982. Over the past ecosystem restoration was, or what I did. and also a 3-row shelterbelt of native trees 20 years I have observed a total of 129 bird I was mystified that people who knew so to be a wildlife corridor connecting my species using the property in some way, and little about an ecosystem restoration could land with remnant bushland about 300 m the most bird species observed in any week oppose it so strongly. I finally realized they away. In 1999 I joined Land for Wildlife, and was 55 species. were actually describing their own personal putting the program’s sign beside the road beliefs, rather than my land. This ongoing 40-year-long habitat showed my identity as a person who did rehabilitation project to conserve Many regions lack a ‘critical mass’ of long- some environmental activity within society. biodiversity on private land should be term ecosystem rehabilitation projects done I keep my Land for Wildlife magazines and a valuable information resource for the on private land to conserve biodiversity. re-read them for interest and for useful Childers region. However, community This lack can affect people’s beliefs. information and ideas. response to this pioneering work has Ongoing communication with individuals In doing this habitat rehabilitation, a been very mixed including bewilderment, and the public then becomes a key part personal highlight for me was hearing laughter, derision, anger, contempt of ecosystem restoration. I believe that the first call of a Brown Pigeon from and indifference. Many saw me and my programs such as Land for Wildlife can help forest on my land. This bird is mainly a ecosystem rehabilitation work as a waste of this communication process. fruit-eating rainforest species and its call time and even a joke. Others wanted me to showed rainforest was establishing. I was leave town. On a positive note, Bundaberg Article and photos by Ian Gorrie Land for Wildlife member also excited the first time I heard a Rose- Regional Council awarded me their Green Doolbi, near Childers

In addition to Land for Wildlife, Ian’s property is conserved by a covenant on title under the Queensland Vegetation Management Act (1999) as indicated by the Significant Environmental Area sign.

Land for Wildlife South East Queensland July 2016 15 Line drawings from Bimblebox Wonderland (2015) by Paula Peeters.

Colour Me or something a bit different we have Fcreated two wonderful drawings for you to colour. There is a woodland and a rainforest setting, complete with native plants, animals, fungi and even lurking pest animals and weeds, all of which are found in South East Queensland. Colouring-in is relaxing, creative and has been found to generate mindfulness. If colouring is not Prizes will be limited to entries from Land Winning entrants will be notified the week your thing, try to find all the species in a for Wildlife members, their friends or afterwards and announced in the October ‘Find the Fox’ or ‘Look for Leeches’ game. family. Winning entrants will be asked if 2016 Land for Wildlife SEQ newsletter. We would love to see your coloured or how their artwork relates to a Land for All entrants agree to their artwork, and any artwork, so please consider entering our Wildlife property. derivatives, being used for any marketing, competition in these six categories: Email your entry/entries to SEQ Catchments communications or promotional purposes 1. Most Realistic (woodland & rainforest) at [email protected] or post by the Land for Wildlife South East 2. Most Artistic (woodland & rainforest) (unfolded) to PO Box 731, Ipswich 4305. Queensland program or SEQ Catchments. 3. Under 12’s (woodland & rainforest) If submitting an entry for the Under 12’s A big thanks to Currumbin Wildlife Fabulous prizes include: category, please state the age of the artist. Sanctuary, Hollow Log Homes and CSIRO Three double passes to Currumbin • If submitting an electronic entry, please Publishing for donating or sponsoring Wildlife Sanctuary, Gold Coast. note that we may ask for your original prizes. Thanks also to local artist and Three brand new nest boxes thanks to • artwork for high resolution scanning. ecologist, Paula Peeters, for creating these Hollow Log Homes. drawings. More of her work can be found Two copies, The Mistletoes of Subtropical • Don’t forget the artist’s name and contact at www.paperbarkwriter.com Queensland, New South Wales and details. If you post original artwork, you Victoria (2016). are welcome to collect it from the SEQ Artwork was commissioned by SEQ • Six copies, Bimblebox Wonderland (2015). Catchments Office at 17 Lowry Street, Catchments through funding from • Two copies, Planting for Wildlife (2011). North Ipswich after the competition closes, the Australian Government’s National • Two copies, A Natural History of or it may be disposed of. Landcare Programme to raise awareness Australian Bats (2012). of nationally threatened plants and • Two copies, Family Bushwalks in South Competition closes on midnight Sunday animals that are found on Land for Wildlife East Queensland (2015). 4th September 2016. properties in South East Queensland.

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Land for Wildlife South East Queensland Opinions expressed by contributors to the Land Printed on EcoStar Silk 100% post-consumer newsletter is published by SEQ Catchments for Wildlife South East Queensland newsletter recycled paper, FSC certified, chlorine-free through funding from the Australian are not necessarily those of the Land for Wildlife process and made carbon neutral. Printed by Government’s National Landcare Programme. program nor any of the supporting agencies. Greenridge Press, Toowoomba using vegetable based inks.

16 Land for Wildlife South East Queensland July 2016