We had the pleasure of visiting Coochiemudlo Island at the southern end of Moreton Bay to attend a mangrove festival conducted by the Coochiemudlo Island Heritage Society. Unfortunately, the Festival had to be cancelled on the day due to a COVID lockdown. Fortunately, we did get the opportunity to take one mangrove walk on the island before we were notified of the cancellation. During that walk, one species of mangrove came to our attention, the Orange Mangrove or Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, a common mangrove in the tropical regions of the world, it’s one of 8 species of Mangrove located in Moreton Bay. 

Two features make it quite a distinctive tree, the red bell-shaped flower and its root system which is comprised of a series of knees protruding from the substrate surrounding a buttressed trunk. The knee roots are an adaptation to the low oxygen content in the substrate. Providing a similar function to the pneumatophores of the Grey Mangrove (those peg roots associated with the mangrove stands of Moreton Bay). Numerous small holes in the bark of these specialised roots allows for gaseous exchange between the root surface and the atmosphere with oxygen transported to the root system below. 

Orange mangroves have large glossy leaves up to 20 cm in width and can flower throughout the year. They produce large floating seeds or propagules, which aid in marine dispersal. They are green and cigar shaped, often up to 25 cm in length. The propagule is viviparous meaning there is a live seedling (already germinated) with a package of nutrients to give the plant a head start once they settle in a suitable area.

The rough bark is cracked and often there are buttress roots supporting the tree within the soft substrate. Orange mangroves are not too common in Moreton Bay and are generally located within the landward zone of sheltered costal areas of Moreton Bay. Also proficient at the Northern end of Russell Island you can find occasional orange mangroves amongst the dominant grey mangroves at Hays Inlet and Deception Bay. Although limited within Moreton Bay, they are widely distributed through Northern Queensland and the tropical coastlines of Indonesia.

Although, it was disappointing to have the Mangrove Festival cancelled on the day, Coochiemudlo Island is certainly a place to go and visit, enjoy the scenery, the wildlife and the distinctive mangrove coastal areas, including the Orange Mangrove.

Further Reading:
The Mangroves of Moreton Bay by RM Dowling (Queensland Botany Bulletin Number 6, 1986)

Australia's mangroves: the authoritative guide to Australia's mangrove plants by Norm Duke and Diana Kleine (2006)

​Wild Guide to Moreton Bay and adjacent coasts edited by Peter Davies and published by the Queensland Museum (Volumes 1 and 2, 2011)

In early 2012, a series of bushfires impacted the western side of the Redcliffe Peninsula including Hays Inlet, the Chelsea Street Reserve, and the Bremner Road rehabilitation area. In particular the Melaleuca forest (normally capable of handling fires) suffered a lot of damage in the Silcock Street Reserve with many of the hardy trees killed by the intense heat. The incident led to the formulation of a plan by the Redcliffe Environmental Forum (REF) and the Moreton Bay Regional Council (MBRC) to protect the area from future intense bushfires. Apart from replanting endemic trees one of the main strategies used to rehabilitate the area is through an intense weeding program. Many weeds in the area are not adapted to fire and in fact burn at a much higher temperature than endemic vegetation. Its this higher temperature fire that kills the Melaleuca.

Another method of managing fire in these areas can be delivered via mosaic burning. This controlled burning can lower the fire load in the area and lessen the impact of bushfires, reduce the threat to life and assets. If applied correctly, this method can lead to the creation of a more complex and biodiverse habitat and provide a greater range of habitats for many local plants and animals. The Moreton Bay Regional Council has a planned fire reduction program and recently they implemented a fire reduction program at the Chelsea Street Reserve.

Recently council staff including De-Anne Attard from the Environmental team along with Bruce Bunkum the Principal Fire Management Officer for the MBRC provided a tour and de-brief regarding the controlled burn at the Chelsea Street Reserve. We learnt from them the following facts:
​

• Planned burns, also known as hazard reduction or prescribed burns, are undertaken during low risk periods.
• Before a burn takes place, an ecological assessment of each site is carried out to determine the environmental values that require protecting, such as hollows, nests, dens, and significant species. Another factor taken into account is the soil moisture level
• As the burns are spot ignited and burn slowly at low intensity, these values can be protected from fire by raking and/or wetting around them. 
• Within this fire management program, members of the MBRC Environment team work to ensure that the Bushcare areas and the Reserve is managed to Council’s Standard Environmental Conditions. This method promotes native regeneration and provides a patchy mosaic to enhance habitat for wildlife whilst ensuring retreat sites are maintained during the burn.
• During the spot burning, there is also a fauna spotter with the team to ensure the safety of local wildlife including koalas, arboreal animals and lizards and snake often associated with the ground cover.
• The mosaic is likely to benefit biodiversity by creating a range of vegetation age-classes that suit different species. This is achieved by leaving patches of unburnt vegetation that can act as an animal refuge after fire, and by reducing the risk and impact of uniform, large-scale fires.

From a conservationist’s point of view, the remaining coastal forest and wetland areas provide a refuge form many species of flora and fauna including the Koala. The ongoing efforts of the MBRC staff along with the volunteers from many environmental groups including REF and the Bribie Island Environmental Protection Association (BIEPA) as well as our local Bushcare groups is crucial to maintain the regions natural assets. The chance to spend some time with De-Anne Attard and Bruce Bunkum was greatly appreciated. 

Further reading:

MBRC: Planned burns - Moreton Bay Regional Council

DES: Planned Burns Guidelines:  South East Queensland Planned Burn Guideline (des.qld.gov.au)

​Just before Christmas I had the privilege of seeing one of Australia’s less common birds, the Powerful Owl. Just seeing the bird in the flesh, one can only be impressed. A big owl, it is at the top of the food chain in the forest and feeds on arboreal animals including both brushtail and ringtail possums. 

The owl can be found along the East Coast of Australia where they are associated with the forests of the Great Dividing Range. They are listed as vulnerable in Victoria and New South Wales. 

They usually breed in the winter months and require a large hollow (up to 2 m in depth) and in trees which have a diameter of 80 cm or more. Dr Rob Clemens from Birdlife reckons it can take 100 to 300 years for a tree to reach the appropriate size with hollows! 

If you have the fortune to see or hear one you could report it to the Urban Birdlife Program - Powerful Owl Project.  You can contact them via their website at Powerful Owl Project | BirdLife.

Its a sight you won't forget and its just another reason why we need to conserve our remaining forest areas.

Watch the video below to learn more about this Owl and Birdlife's Project.

Many followers of REF, especially around the Hays Inlet projects including the Ecopath, Green Army and Bushcare activities would realise that bird surveys have been conducted on a quarterly basis at the Silcock Street Reserve for the past four years. Incredibly, a 131 bird species have been observed in this important wetland remnant area.  With 20 surveys completed by the South Pine Birder’s group, I thought it would be worthwhile joining in with one of their sessions at Kumbartcho House situated on the South Pine River at Albany Creek.

The survey is conducted on a monthly basis and so far, the group has identified over 150 bird species associated with the reserve. The bird tracks of Kumbartcho meander through forest, open pasture and riverine habitats and provide wonderful opportunities for people to get out exercise and take in some of nature’s gifts. On the day, many bird enthusiasts or “twitchers” as they are known gather in order to document the species seen on the day. Starting at 7.30 am, they make their way along the pathways, binoculars at the ready and their attention focused on the many bird calls resonating in the area.

There were the unmistakeable calls of the Eastern Whipbird and the Lewins Honeyeater as well as a number of aquatic birds in display including a Royal Spoonbill and Pacific Black Ducks. Along the reeds were the darting forms of wrens, honeyeaters and finches along with the sometimes more sedate (that is stationary) Striated Pardalote.  In the end 66 species of birds were observed and 5 more heard.  Perhaps the highlight of the day was the emergence of an Owlet Nightjar from its hollow.

The morning was about the chance to enjoy the local wildlife as well as enjoy the company of so many enthusiasts. The chance to share stories and make some personal observations about various birds was ongoing during the walk; and the morning tea afterwards provided the opportunity to collate all of the observations. Kumbartcho may be for the birds but is also for the birdwatchers!

For further information on bird surveys at Hays Inlet go to ​https://www.redenviroforum.org/bird-surveys.html

Many years ago, as an undergraduate at UQ, I used to spend some weekends at Stradbroke Island and part of my education involved walking the rich intertidal flats around Dunwich.  Especially on moonless nights, I was struck by the melancholy calls of wading birds, which turned out to be Eastern Curlews. Since those days, I have had an interest in migratory waders, especially in Moreton Bay and around the Peninsula.

In those days, you could always see them at low tide foraging in the intertidal flats around Deception Bay, Scarborough and Hays Inlet. Every year these amazing birds make a round trip from Siberia and Norther Alaska to Moreton Bay. In recent times, their numbers have dropped dramatically and they are now listed as critically endangered.

Around September each year they return to Australia from their breeding grounds to spend the summer months in the bays and estuaries of our coastline. At the start of each spring, I visit the flats to see if any of them survived and returned to Moreton Bay. Last week, early in the morning I took my camera and binoculars to the flats of Scarborough and was I lucky enough to spot and photograph one of these precious birds.

Their future is worrying and complex, as they rely on feeding grounds in Southern Asia in order to refuel at the half-way stop through their long journey. Many of these areas have been subject to development and the loss of feeding grounds has had an impact on their survival. Here in Moreton Bay we have also created issues through our own development activities. These activities have reduced the availability and quality of the habitat required for the survival of our international visitors.  

​Over the next few months, I will continue to walk the flats around Moreton Bay and I hope to see and hear more of these amazing birds feeding on our shorelines. In my eyes, they are a gift to us, and I hope there will always be the opportunity to see these birds and hear their emotional calls. And when they depart for their Northern trek, I will wait for the next spring and hopefully see them return safely. One of the jewels of Moreton Bay.

Preferring coastal forests Green Figbirds are able to make a living in urban areas, especially where there are plenty of fig trees. They have adapted to our parks and gardens and although they prefer figs they can feed on cultivated fruits as well including tomatoes, berries, mulberries and even bananas. During the breeding season they live in pairs and nest between October and February. The rest of the year they often live as a small flock and can be seen making their way around the urban landscape in search of fruit trees.

They are distributed along most of the Eastern Coast and the 'Top End' in the Territory. They are part of a worldwide family that includes the orioles, of which Australia has two other members (the Yellow and Olive-backed Orioles). 

Figbird song:

Scientific name Alectura lathami

The Brushturkey is a large megapode (big feet). With urbanisation and the introduction of feral predators including foxes and cats, it was thought they might become endangered. Although they are a large bird, they are not strong flyers and their young may have been prone to predation. However, these birds have adapted to the urban environment, especially where there are areas of trees and mulched gardens. In places where it shares its breeding and foraging grounds with humans, the survival of the species depends largely on the goodwill of householders. In the video below they have adapted to the campus area of the University of Queensland and students and staff are treated to a daily show of Brushturkeys foraging and defending their own territories.

Originally an inhabitant of rainforest and wet sclerophyll forests, they can also adapt to drier settings including urban areas. Brush-turkeys feed on insects, seeds and fallen fruits, which are exposed by raking the leaf litter or breaking open rotten logs with their large feet. The majority of food is obtained from the ground, with birds occasionally observed feeding on ripening fruits among tree branches.  

Brush Turkeys have not only adapted to higher education settings they have also taken advantage of other urban places and you can spot them going about their business at the Bribie Island Golf Course and along the beach walkway at Mooloolaba, where the go about their daily business in the dune and bush gardens associated with the coastal track. An endearing bird, it can make quite a mess of gardens with its scratching and mound building, but let's hope our gardeners and landscapers continue to put up with their industry! 

The first time I came across a Haswell’s Shore Crab was during a “Clean Up Australia Day” at a reserve area in Hays Inlet which included mangrove and saltmarsh habitats. There was a number of car wrecks in the wetland area (which were all removed at a later date by the local Council) as well as domestic debris including a large piece of carpet overlay which was almost welded to the ground surface. As we pulled up the offending piece of carpet we were surprised by a number of brown and orange crabs who immediately lifted their claws and let us know their displeasure!

Since then, and many clean up days later, I have always rushed to any piece of flat rubbish or debris in order to look for these marvelous creatures. They are one of the dominant species in the saltmarsh habitat which can prove to be a tough area to make a living in. Over the years we have seen the salinity in these habitats vary greatly from below ocean levels (approximately 35 parts of salt per thousand) to more than triple the salinity. During extended dry periods, the saltmarsh soil dries out, cracks and is often covered with a salt encrustation. There is no shade, except from the saltmarsh succulents and the marine couch so it can get very hot as well.

The crabs are pretty hardy and dig burrows in the marine couch area in order to escape the sun and avoid desiccation. They are generally nocturnal feeders which makes sense in terms of avoiding the harsh conditions as well as reducing the risk of predation. With a number of wetland birds scouring the area during daylight hours it is a good strategy to avoid becoming an avian meal. Of course another idea is to find a piece of debris such as carpet and make their way underneath in order to take advantage of a moist retreat from the harsh conditions of the saltmarsh.

They are very common in the saltmarsh areas, and often you will see hundreds of their casts dispersed across the saltmarsh vegetation almost like snow.

Further information

For more information on the expo visit https://www.redenviroforum.org/moreton-bay-wetlands-expo.html​ or check out the Redcliffe Environmental Facebook Page

I enjoyed a recent break at Coffin Bay in South Australia where the water temperature in the winter months is too cold for mangroves to survive. The bay is part of the western coast of the Eyre Peninsula and is characterised by rugged coastlines of sandstone, dominated by low woodlands, scrub and coastal heath. Like Moreton Bay and Hays Inlet, there are many sheltered inlets, where saltmarsh can dominate the higher intertidal zone.

In warmer areas, mangroves tend to dominate the coastal fringe and whenever there is enough tidal inundation they replace saltmarsh vegetation. But in Coffin Bay there are no mangroves, so the saltmarsh inhabits the edge of the tidal zone and thrives. One species (Tecticornia arbuscular) also known as the shrubby samphire can grow well over 2 meters in height and another samphire, the Thick-head Glasswort (Sarcocornia blackiana) is also common in the Coffin Bay saltmarshes and can grow to over a metre in height. These larger samphires appear to occupy the niche of the mangrove, so common in warmer waters.

Still there are also a number of familiar plants, which are common in the saltmarsh areas of Hays Inlet. They include the Beaded Samphire (Sarcocornia quinqueflora), Ruby Saltbush (Enchylaena tomentosa var tomentosa),Seablite (Suaeda australis) and Marine Couch (Sporobolus virginicus). On the landward edge in Hays Inlet we can see stands of Melaleuca and Casuarina. Similarly, at the landward fringe in Coffin Bay there are stands of tea tree, known as Swamp Paperbark (Melaleuca halmaturorum).

The birdlife in this coastal area also reflects the trends in the saltmarsh vegetation, some familiar to South Queensland and others characteristic of the southern temperate coastline. There are many of the same birds as Hays Inlet including Oystercatchers, Cormorants, Silver Gulls, Pelicans and the White-faced Heron. There are also other birds not seen in Moreton Bay that occupy the shorelines and coastal vegetation including the New Holland Honeyeater, the Red Wattlebird and the impressive Pacific Gull which looks like one of our seagulls on steroids.

​Coffin Bay and the Eyre Peninsula is a relatively isolated area of coastline and to visit the area certainly gives us a chance to reflect and appreciate the areas of wetlands we still have around Moreton Bay. Importantly it also gives us an idea of how saltmarsh would look without the Mangroves dominating the shoreline and the edges of our waterways. In our case, in Moreton Bay, we get to enjoy the best of both worlds, saltmarsh and mangrove forests!