The wet weather always brings birds and a few bush creatures to shelter and seek food on my back deck. For the last two mornings birds in greater numbers than usual have come in, ravenously emptying the food dish then sitting huddled together, wet and bedraggled along the railing. Even a brush turkey, much to my chagrin, joined the throng. Lord Victoria (the senior Rifle-bird) was first in, just on daylight clinging to the back door and screeching for attention. He was joined by a junior male and a female; a Catbird (who didn’t stay with the mob); two female Bower-birds; about a dozen Macleay’s honey-eaters, who fly into the kitchen if, in an unguarded moment, I leave the screen door open, and a mob of noisy Lorikeets who squabbled and jockeyed for position all morning.
A not so welcome guest was a huntsman spider, fortunately not a big one, who moved into my bathroom but the most unwelcome guests over the past three weeks were rats. Bush rats have invaded the laundry while White-tailed rats have patrolled the laundry and decks, creating havoc. An Antechinus made it to the kitchen and I dread the day when a White-tailed Rat discovers it can enter the house with no effort at all by using the dog-flap.
Every night for the past three weeks I have set mesh traps and almost every morning had a captive to take to the release site at the forest edge. First was a White-tailed rat who did considerable damage in the laundry before he was trapped. Then, for five days in succession I took Bush Rats to the release site. Next was a young White-tailed rat. There was a lull for two days then two bush-rats and an Antechinus went to the release spot. Yesterday, a very big White-tailed rat was captured – so big he totally filled and could not move within the trap. In another small trap two bush rats were caught. To my horror, one rat had begun eating the other. Is this cannibalism a symptom of stress? Is this behaviour rare?
A young rat probably a white-tailed rat) awaiting “transportation for stealing bread” !
Again, this morning I took a Bush Rat out to the release site. I wonder if any other residents are experiencing unusual numbers of visiting rats.
I am beginning to feel that I need a Pied Piper in Paluma.
Eucalyptus grandis, known as the rose gum, is a tall tree with a smooth pale trunk and a skirt of rough bark around the base extending up several metres. It occurs in wet sclerophyll forests from the Daintree to around Newcastle and favours coasts and lower slopes in areas of rich soil and high rainfall. Stands dominated by the Rose Gum are frequently found adjacent to rainforests. In Paluma the best examples can be found near the Taravale turnoff along the Hidden Valley Road. My family call this area the Valley of the Giants and it’s an apt name. There are also several lovely specimens along Benham’s Road from the dam spillway onward. The rose gum does not usually germinate or mature in established rainforest habitat, but it’s not unusual to come across one that is a remnant from a wet sclerophyll forest that has been encroached by rainforest during periods of high rainfall and low bushfire frequency. There is a huge but now half broken specimen like this on the way to Birthday Creek Falls1.
A stand of rose gums with white trunks near the Taravale turnoff on the Hidden Valley Road
There is a lot of interest worldwide in “big trees” and lots of competition for bragging rights for various categories. More that one website dedicates itself to this obsession, including the National Register of Big Trees, which lists the biggest trees of each Australian species. The rose gum is one of the largest trees in Australia. It commonly exceeds 50m in height, and the current record for this species is 86m. It is currently considered to be the tallest species in Queensland with a tree in the Conondale National Park called Big Bob measured at 72m in height. By comparison, the tallest tree species in Australia is the mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans) with an individual called Centurion (>100m) classed as the tallest tree in Australia and the tallest hardwood tree in the world.
Eucalyptus grandis is very fast growing under ideal conditions and can reach up to 7m in its first year. It is a popular plantation tree inside and outside Australia for its timber and pulp. Timber applications include general construction hard wood, flooring, furniture. The leaves of the rose gum are eaten by koalas, which can also be found occasionally around the Taravale/Mt Zero area.
Text and photos by Jamie Oliver
1 look for a clearing and locked gate on the left about halfway to Birthday Creek Falls and go down this old logging road for about 200m. The tree is on the left.
A surprise visitor to our verandah in downtown Paluma this morning……a juvenile Nankeen Night Heron. Something different from the usual mob of rifle birds, catbirds and honeyeaters looking to see if we had put any fruit out for them. The ‘NNH’ moved with all the speed of a tired cuscus on the verandah rail when it wasn’t standing stock still. A very naive youngster who didn’t see us as a threat at all and let me approach to within a couple of metres without any sign of alarm. Didn’t mind me taking 100 shots in the low morning light (1/25 @ f8 ISO 1250 on Canon 5DSR). He/she was there at break of day and was still standing looking like it wanted to come inside out of the rain when I sent this post at 0900. Now all I have to do is sort through 100 photos and decide which few to keep!
This selection of 5 easy mammals includes a mix of monotremes (platypus and echidna), marsupials (kangaroos and relatives), and placental mammals (all other mammals). While monotremes and marsupials are mostly restricted to Australia, New Guinea and neighbouring islands, there is occasionally a misconception that Australia has no native placental mammals. This is far from the case. Australia has a very rich diversity of native bats and rats which actually outnumber marsupials in terms of species. Recent scientific work also suggests that the dingo should be considered a native mammal.
In general, it will require more effort and a bit of luck to see the “easy” species listed here compared to other groups in this series. They are pretty easy to recognise, but unfortunately, they are not regularly encountered.
The majority of mammals in the Wet Tropics are either nocturnal (most active at night) or crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk). For three of the following 5 easy species of mammal your best chances of seeing them would be along the village tracks or roads after dark with a spotlight.
Dingo and platypus can be seen during the day but more frequently in the morning and evening.
Bandicoots are marsupial mammals with rear- facing pouches. The northern long-nosed bandicoot is now considered to be a separate species from the long-nosed bandicoot found further south. However, most nature guides will still refer to animals in this region by the earlier name – Perameles nasuta.
The northern long-nosed bandicoot is a common evening visitor in most gardens around the village, where it leaves round conical holes in lawns. It has grey-brown fur on its back and a pale belly. Its most distinctive feature is its long, finely-tapered nose, which it uses to detect and dig out insects and other invertebrates near the soil surface.
Northern brown bandicoot (Isoodon marcrourus) Photo by Daniela Parra (C) Creative Commons
One other species of bandicoot that can be seen in the area is the northern brown bandicoot. It is a bigger animal with smaller rounded ears, a darker brown back with streaks of black, and a shorter, less finely-pointed snout.
Bandicoots are commonly seen along the local walking tracks at night and can be detected from their eyeshine. They will occasionally make a grunting or squealing sound if disturbed.
2. Red-legged Pademelon (Thylogale stigmata)
Pademelons are diminutive relatives of kangaroos that live in rainforests and dense bushland. The red-legged pademelon is frequently seen on grassy lawns after dark or foraging near the local walking tracks. They can be picked up from their eye shine if you are using a torch. It is often heard before it is seen, giving one or more thumps with its hind foot at it runs away into the bush. If you get close enough, you will see it has, in addition to ruddy-brown legs, a distinctive pale cheek stripe and horizontal hip stripe.
In the forest pademelons eat fallen leaves, but many gardeners in Paluma will attest to the fact that they are partial to certain fresh leaves of ornamental plants such as Gardenia, as well as lawn grass.
3. White-tailed Rat (Uromys caudimaculata)
The white-tailed rat is a placental mammal whose reputation matches its size. It is one of the biggest rats in Australia, weighing up to 1 kg and is nearly 30cm long.
Photo (C) Bronwen Scott
A wheelie bin chewed open to get at the contents
It is active at night in the forest and around homes. You are most likely to see the results of this rat’s nocturnal activities around village houses rather than sighting the culprit. These rats have tremendously strong teeth and jaws and readily chew through wood and hard plastic – including wheelie bins! Some locals call it the “tin-opener rat” and swear it has opened tins to get at the contents!
If seen, the rat is easy to identify from its size (like a small cat) and its distinctive tail, which is half to two-thirds white.
White-tailed rats can be seen along the tracks as well as throughout the village at night and can be picked up by their eyeshine if you are using a torch.
4. Dingo (Canis dingo)
The Dingo is a placental mammal and has frequently been considered a subspecies of the wolf (Canis lupis) together with domestic dogs. Recent scientific papers have argued that they should be considered a separate species (Canis dingo) and that they are true native mammals to Australia.
Dingos are very similar in size and shape to some domestic dogs. They are most frequently light golden brown in colour with a white chest, belly, paws and tail tip. There is a second colour morph that can be seen around Paluma that is dark brown and tan. Dingos used to be very common around the village up until the local tip was closed. Now you are most likely to spot them in the early evening or morning along the side of the road out to Hidden Valley and to the Dam. Like all mammals they can be detected by their eyeshine at night if you are using a torch. Like other canines, they hunt in packs and eat a variety of other mammals, lizards, birds as well as carrion.
5. Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)
The duck-billed platypus is one of two monotreme (egg-laying) genera of mammals in Australia (the other is the echidna). Platypuses are often considered be a rare inhabitant of the bush, but they are actually quite common. Semi-aquatic, they can be found in most medium-sized streams and billabongs in a variety of habitats throughout eastern and south-eastern Australia and Tasmania.
This platypus took up residence in the pond behind the village weir for several months in 2018.
They are mainly nocturnal but can be readily seen in the early morning or late evening diving down to catch a range of invertebrate prey, which they locate using electromagnetic sensors in their bills. Once hunted for their soft fur, platypuses are unmistakable! If you are lucky enough to get a good view, notice the leathery bill, webbed feet, and flattened naked tail when it comes to the surface to chew on the food it has gathered from the bottom. They are an irregular visitor to larger streams around Paluma, including Ethel Creek, Birthday Creek and the Village weir. Permanent populations can be found on Paluma Dam and Running River
Most residents at Paluma are avid bird watchers and as the seasons change, so does the variety of bird species that come and go round the village. As winter approaches, many of our favourite species are becoming regular visitors to local gardens and verandahs as they check out what’s on offer at the bird feeder.
Last weekend was a great time for a spot of bird watching, with Jan and Peter Cooke taking up their favourite vantage point on their elevated verandah set adjacent to the rainforest. Some splendid feathered visitors arrived to enjoy the free fruit and easy pickings at the bird feeder.
Below are some of Peter Cooke’s fantastic photos from the verandah. What a way to spend the weekend!
Lewins HoneyeaterA hungry CatbirdFemale Riflebird or a young male Riflebird? Can you tell the difference?A male Riflebird at his iridescent best!
Photos by Peter Cooke & Text by Michele Bird(A ‘Cooked-Bird Collaboration’).
Trees are the principal structural element of rainforests, creating a variety of climates and microhabitats for numerous plants and animals. The Wet Tropics hosts a huge diversity of trees (about 920 species) with over 100 species typically found in just 1 hectare.
The main visible parts of trees in a mature rainforest are the trunks, which are not particularly different among most species. This makes tree identification difficult for the inexperienced visitor. Three of the 5 easy species listed here are among the few with highly distinctive trunks and bark. The remaining two are common along the main roads of the village where their distinctive leaves and fruit are easy to see.
1. Paperbark Satinash (Syzygium papyraceum)
This is one of the most distinctive trees in the Paluma rainforest and is quite common, especially along the Andrée Griffin Track. It has bright orangey-brown flaky bark and roots. It grows to a height of 20 to 30 metres and often has buttresses. While the flowers are not very distinctive the bright purple fruit, which litter the ground under the tree from December to February, are readily identifiable. Leaves are glossy dark green obovate (with the narrower end towards the leaf-base).
Cassowaries, Bush Rats, White-tailed Rats and Musky Rat Kangaroos eat the fruit.
This tree gets its name because its trunk, when compared with other surrounding trees, is very cold to touch. It is also known as the Python Tree perhaps because its mottled green and tan colouring and slightly twisting trunk resemble the marking and sinuous form of a large python. This combination of a smooth mottled bark and cold feel is what makes the tree easy to identify.
Growing to a height of about 25 metres it this tree can sometimes form buttress roots. The simple leaves are about 80 to 105 mm long and elliptical or ovate in shape. When crushed they have a slightly eucalyptus smell.
While not abundant in the forest track around Paluma, specimens can be seen on the Rainforest Track, H-Track and the main track towards Witt’s Lookout. See if you can spot them, growing among trees similar in appearance.
The striking feature of this tree is the scattering of brilliant red and orange heart-shaped leaves. Rather than a mass seasonal colouration change, only a few a leaves at a time turn bright red before dropping. Its leaves are simple with a smooth, glossy upper surface and a glaucous (pale) underside. The stems exude a milky sap when broken.
The tiny flowers are white or cream, have no petals making them difficult to detect. Flowering can occur in any month. The fruits which follow are small green to purplish. The fruit is eaten by many bird species, notably Rifle-birds, Bower-birds and Pigeons. Possums eat the leaves.
These trees are most easily seen along the roads in the village. A good example of the tree can be seen along the McClelland’s Lookout path and they are also commonly found along the village roads.
The Bleeding Heart is also the host tree for the Hercules Moth, which is the largest moth in the World.
This tree is also known as the Bull Oak. Although it is quite common along the forest paths, the trunk is not particularly distinctive, so it is most commonly identified from the carpet of “butterfly seedlings” that occur near mature trees during the late wet and early dry seasons. A month or so after germination the first true leaves develop and the butterfly shape is lost. Around the village roads there are several good specimens of the Northern Silky Oak that can be identified by the large prominent seed pods.
Photo by Andi Cairns
The fragrant white or cream flowers grow in terminal racemes or spikes, crowning the tree spectacularly from October to December. Then, in January, standing proud on long stems above the tree canopy, the large oval seedcases are silhouetted against the sky. The empty seed capsules are brown and woody and lie like miniature cobblestones on a bumpy pavement but they quickly decompose back into the soil.
Photos by Andi Cairns
The dark, oak-like timber of this tree is highly regarded and sought after for furniture and cabinet making. It once made up 15% of all timber production in the area.
This species is one of the larger common trees along the rainforest tracks, with a round symmetrical trunk whose diameter can exceed 1 metre in mature specimens. It can be identified by its distinctive trunk, which is covered in pale “pimples” or lenticels. Larger trees also have distinctive raised, round, sinuous roots extending out several metres from the trunk.
All species in this genus have separate sexes with individual trees being either male or female. The orange fruit on female trees are small, solitary and oval. They are eaten by pigeons.
Paluma residents might have thought that the village had been taken over by a Lumberjack’s Convention last weekend as the reverberating sound of chainsaws and mechanical chipper echoed around the village. It just so happens that some locals decided to take advantage of the fine weather to get some major pruning works underway. It all came about when locals Colin and Jill arranged for their son’s mate Jason, who is a professional arborist, to come to Paluma to prune some large rainforest trees on their block.
There was movement in the village and the word was passed around……..!
As it often does around here, word was quickly passed on that an arborist was in town and here was an opportunity not to be missed. While Jason had originally planned to spend a couple of days pruning trees at Paluma, he was quickly snapped up by neighbours far and wide for additional pruning jobs. He now has a week’s worth of bookings and he will be staying on for a while. Paluma often has that effect on people…..!
Jason has an interesting career. When not pruning trees, his regular day job is working on movie sets. He moved from Townsville to the Gold Coast to pursue this work. Most of his time involves setting up stunts for film-makers. He happens to be in North Queensland at the moment due to Covid-19 and travel restrictions. He is taking advantage of the enforced stay in the North to do some extra pruning jobs, with Paluma residents happy to oblige.
Jason’s expertise in his work provided much entertainment for locals as he worked from dizzying heights in the cherrypicker and from harnesses. He often had a small audience watching his every move as he worked away, high amongst the tree-tops to trim and tame some rainforest giants and also the tall pine trees at The Guesthouse.
Jason working high among the branches of the tall pines at The Guesthouse.
As always around this little village, the pruning became a community project with everyone ‘chipping in’ to lend a hand. It was all hands on deck at the chipper on Sunday afternoon. Not a branch or tree limb has gone to waste and the resultant mulch will be added to local gardens, flowerbeds and vegie patches.
The frenetic mulching activity at the chipper on Sunday afternoon.Paluma residents ‘chipping in’ during the pruning works.Wilfred & Popey get serious at the chipper. Is mulch produced by Popey called ‘Paluma Pulch’??
Text by Michele Bird. Photos by Colwyn Campbell & Michele Bird
The Department of Transport and Main Roads would like to advise that geotechnical investigations will occur on Mount Spec Road from Tuesday 12 May to Thursday 14 May 2020. These works complete the investigations started in March this year.
Mount Spec Road geotechnical investigation works
Work duration: Tuesday 12 May to Thursday 14 May 2020
Work hours: 7am to 5pm
Impact on motorists:
Reduced speed limits of 40km/hr (through works area).
Traffic controllers on site to guide motorists past works area.
Delays of up to 3 minutes may occur when investigation works are taking place on narrow sections of Mount Spec Road.
There will be no road closures during these works.
TMR would like to thank the local community and businesses in advance for their patience during these works. Should you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact me on the details below.
Kind Regards
Meghan
Customer and Stakeholder Management (Northern) | North Queensland Region Program Delivery And Operations | Infrastructure Management & Delivery Division |
Department of Transport and Main Roads
Floor 6 | Townsville Government Office Building | 445 Flinders Street | Townsville Qld 4810 PO Box 1089 | Townsville Qld 4810 P: 1800 625 648 | F: (07) 4421 8711 E: engagement.northern@tmr.qld.gov.au W: www.tmr.qld.gov.au
One of the shrubs in our garden that managed to survive a decade of neglect while we were working overseas, but which has sprung back to become a regular bloomer from about February to April is the Pagoda Flower (Clerodendrum paniculatum). The beautiful conical red flower head stands 1-1.5m up on the erect stem of the plant. It is originally from India and SE Asia and is now considered naturalised in NE Australia. The Pagoda Flower is a great butterfly attractor and I frequently see Cairns Birdwings hovering next to the flower cones. One species of Hawk Moth larva also uses it as a food plant.
Clerodendrum paniculatum is a member of the mint family and has a number of traditional medical uses. Laboratory experiments with rats indicate that it has anti-inflamatory and anti-oxidant properties but traditional beliefs in Malaysia suggest it has mystical spirit summoning properties, while in other areas it is used as an elephant medicine.
While this plant makes a nice feature flower, its enthusiasm for spreading via suckers does mean it can slowly take over parts of some gardens. While it is not a declared weed, in Cairns it is listed as an emerging weed while the Wet Tropics Management Authority has listed it as an “Undesirable Plant”. So we have a responsibility here in Paluma to make sure it does not escape our gardens if we already have this species, and to think twice before adding it. The PDCA has decided that we will not plant any species on the Undesirable List in any of its garden beds around the Community Hall. You can download the full list here.
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