ON MY ROUNDS

APR 8TH - NEW SALTWATER CREEK DELIBERATIONS

Val,
I spoke yesterday to a chap doing a fauna survey for Council in Saltwater Creek downstream from the Collins Ave. Bridge. I was at first gladdened by the fact that Council is doing this then I realised that in all
probably this would mean that Council was about to remove more mangroves habitat. Can you tell me if this will happen ?
Later that day I noticed the attached sign telling all that the "marine plant management works" were due to
start on the 11th. April. I must ask is there enough time to consider the data in this fauna survey before
work is to commence ?
With respect to the mangrove habitat removal of 2009 (upstream of Collins Ave bridge) I have grave concerns for the Large-billed Gerygone population (Gerygone magnirostris). This species is heavily dependent on mangroves for habitat and from my personal observations the population in the section of Saltwater Creek where mangroves were removed in 2009 is well down from that prior to the 2009 removal.
We do have data on this population from work done in 2007 by Golo Maurer and others (ANU). This data is available in my attachment "Large-billed Gerygone data". Can I ask the Council to extend the fauna survey to look at the area affected by the 2009 habitat removal and compare this with the data of Golo Maurer of 2007?
I do accept that flood mitigation is the Council's reason for doing this work but I do also have a deep
concern for the environment and the devastating effects of habitat loss.
Brian. VENABLES









Brian L Venables

527 McCormack St.,This morning on my rounds I was surprised to see a BLACK BITTERN ♂ in the saltwater lake of the Centenary Lakes at 06:45. In the Centenary Lakes,this largely nocturnal or crepuscular species is of course common in the summer months but has always been absent in the winter (from my observations). The PAPUAN FROGMOUTHS (2) were tucked up against the trunk of a Melaleuca leucadendra beside the footbridge over Saltwater Creek and the COLLARED KINGFISHER was vocal. A trio of BAR-SHOULDERED DOVES was there in the mangroves to break the monotony of the SPOTTED TURTLE-DOVES in surburbia and 3 STRIATED HERONS were counted along Saltwater Creek.
Around the freshwater lake the LITTLE KINGFISHER was busy flashing about with its “sweeet” call and a pair of BLACK DUCKS was in the company of 10 WANDERING WHISTELING-DUCKS.
Along the Fearnley Street drain between Anderson and Grove Streets the STRIATED PARDARLOTE was insisting “rigby-dick” and the  FOREST KINGFISHER chimed in, in what seemed, an expression of sibling rivalry.
Heading to the Esplanade the BRUSH CUCKOO was in full voice outside the Cairns Private Hospital in Upward Street (as it has been for some days now) . The Esplanade itself had a smattering of “all the usual suspects” of waders providing an excellent learning opportunity for anyone starting out in waders. The BLUE-FACE HONEYEATER was not in evidence this morning but has been on the Esplanade during the week the same for the BEACH STONE CURLEW.
The mangroves at the northern end of the Esplanade had a pair of MANGROVE ROBINS at first calling from inside but eventually one came out and began pouncing on lawn grubs (or some such). There was also a SHINING FLYCATCHER calling from the inside the mangroves not too distant from the robins.
As I write (10:30) a PACIFIC BAZA is calling from the Flecker Botanic Gardens outside my window.
Brian Venables.
22/5/2010.