271105 JC Trotter Reserve
Went to JC Trotter this morning (south side of Brisbane, reserved Koala habitat along the shores of Tingalpa Resevoir) - haven’t been there for some time and the dam is very full still, despite the current water shortage in SE Qld. Walking through the bush we noted the apparent lack of birds - it was very quiet - very, very quiet. A few Yellow-faced Honeyeaters chased through the trees, a couple of Bar-shouldered Doves in the distance, a lone Brahminy Kite flapped lazily over the water while 10 Little Black Cormorants and 1 Pied Cormorant perched in the dead trees off shore. Further round and a Great Egret fished along the distant shore, a Pelican passed overhead and Grey Shrike Thrushes sang. We watched a Rainbow Lorikeet inspect or visit a nest hole and searched (unsuccessfully) through a small flock (~15) of White-throated Needletails, high overhead, for Fork-tailed Swifts. A male Leaden Flycatcher caused excitement for a few minutes, but overall it was pretty dead.
Near the road we ‘discovered’ a new barbeque area that has been installed since our last visit. Four table and seat sets, a water tank and a double electric barbeque on a cement slab with a bitumen track to an extensive car park. One wonders why, as it is located in the bush nowhere near any view on a road that is little known, or on the way to anywhere. I suspect a budget job - ie have to spend the money or we’ll lose it…
