Murphys Creek Outing, 8 September 2013

Mick certainly lives in a little spot of paradise as he’s happy to tell people. He is also happy to share it. Natters had a very enjoyable time at Tiddalac with some unusual recordings. We were greeted at the gate by Mick and Al and after introductions we scattered, as usual, into this drier area of the property, dominated by eucalypts with a fairly heavy understorey. The botanists disappeared up the track with the etymologists, the birders looked to the tall timber while those who just love the bush slowly meandered down to the cottage.

Looking to the tall timber

Although it was late for birding on a very warm morning the birds were busy. Most members had great views of the Jacky Winter and the Rainbow Bee-eaters. The Little Bronze Cuckoo was calling loudly, but unfortunately was too deep into the neighbouring property to be seen.

Natters enjoying the ambience

We had morning tea on Mick’s deck overlooking the creek. He showed us where he had seen the Platypus earlier in the week. We had a good look at the Autumn Cluster Moths behind the cottage. This is an uncommon species found in south-east Qld and as we approached them thousands flew up from the leaf litter and surrounding plants where they were resting. It is well worth visiting this site to see some in action.

Intrigued by the moths

From there we continued exploring the creek where we had plenty of Odonata and Lepidoptera to keep us busy. We also had a sighting of a beautiful copper-coloured Eastern Water Skink Eulamprus quoyii sunning itself on the rocky bank.

Dragonflies & Damselflies: Eastern Billabongfly Austroagrion watsoni, Common Bluetail Ischnura heterosticta, Australian Emerald Hemicordulia australiae, Blue Skimmer Orthetrum caledonicum, Scarlet Percher Diplacodes haematodes, Common Glider Trapezostigma loweii

Common Glider Trapezostigma loewii
(Photo by Al)

Butterflies & Moths: Chequered Swallowtail Papilio demoleus, White Migrant Catopsilia pyranthe, Pink Grass-yellow Eurema herla, Large Grass-yellow Eurema hecabe, Caper White Belenois java, Evening Brown Melanitis leda, Orange Ringlet Hypocysta adiante, Tailed Emperor Polyura sempronius, Glasswing Acraea andromacha, Meadow Argus Junonia villida, Australian Painted Lady Vanessa kershawi, Common Crow Euploea core, Lesser Wanderer Danaus chrysippus, Wanderer Danaus plexippus, Pea Blue  Lampides boeticus, Common Grass Blue Zizina labradus labradus.

Autumn Cluster Moth Dichomeris capnites

Reptiles: Eastern Water Skink Eulamprus quoyii

Birds: Australian Wood Duck, Common Bronzewing, Crested Pigeon, Peaceful Dove, Bar-shouldered Dove, White-faced Heron, Straw-necked Ibis, Collared Sparrowhawk, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Dusky Moorhen, Masked Lapwing, Galah, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Rainbow Lorikeet, Scaly-breasted Lorikeet, Australian King-Parrot, Pale-headed Rosella, Pheasant Coucal, Little Bronze-Cuckoo, Azure Kingfisher, Laughing Kookaburra, Sacred Kingfisher, White-throated Treecreeper, Superb Fairy-wren, Variegated Fairy-wren, Red-backed fairy-wren, White-throated Gerygone, Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Buff-rumped Thornbill, Striated Pardalote, Lewin's Honeyeater, Noisy Miner, Brown Honeyeater, White-throated Honeyeater, Noisy Friarbird, Little Friarbird, Striped Honeyeater, Eastern Whipbird, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Golden Whistler, Rufous Whistler, Pied Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Pied Currawong, Willie Wagtail, Torresian Crow, Magpie-lark, Jacky Winter, Welcome Swallow, Fairy Martin, Mistletoebird, Double-barred Finch, Red-browed Finch, Australasian Pipit.

Mammals: Brown Hare Lepus capensis.