While Platypus are apparently regularly seen by some residents on the creeks behind Hussey Road, reports of these elusive but iconic Australian animals in the pond above the weir near the village green are pretty rare. Last month (September 14) there was a confirmed sighting in the middle of the weir pond by Eridani Mulder. I went down to the weir twice during the subsequent week (once at dawn and once at dusk) and searched quietly for about 30 minutes without any luck, but I encourage others to do the same and post any further sightings to this message. It would be great if we could determine if we now have a resident Platypus on the weir! It would also provide a strong argument in support of our proposal to the city council for the construction of a nature walk and viewing platform around the weir.
Jamie Oliver
Jamie
When I first became Principal at the Paluma Environmental Education Centre, we had platypuses in the Weir. One disappeared after a heavy rainfall event – we reckoned it got swept over the weir and downstream. The last platypus we had in the Weir was killed and brought up as a present to the Centre by a semi-tame dingo pup living in the village at the time (Daisy).
That platypus went to the Museum of Tropical Queensland for taxidermy, and Daisy was eventually relocated away from the township.
It’s lovely to think that at least one platypus has made its way back up to the Weir.
Update: New Sighting!!
There was a platypus at the weir wall this morning (October 12, 2018) at about 6:40am. It was swiming right beside the concrete wall when I first arrived. It swam around, actively feeding on the bottom and along the far side bank for about 10 minutes until heading upstream and out of sight. I stayed on for another 10 minutes but there were no further sightings.
I will shortly post a table of sightings so we can keep track of how frequent and consistent the sightings are. If you go down to the weir wall and just sit quietly at the near edge of the wall for about 10-20 minutes there appears to be a good chance you will see one. Platypus can be active at any time of the day, but in many locations sightings appear to be more common dawn and dusk. Please let me know by email, or by commenting on this post if you see anything, and even if you don’t see anything after about 10min or more of observations, please also let me know. Negative sightings can be just as important as positive ones. Please note the date, time, length of observation, location along the weir where you did your observation, number of platypus seen and any observations on behaviour.