Nightwalk Sightings Summary Aug/Sept 04 for Mason’s Tours

Once again the sightings have been quite good during the last two months.

Snake sightings have slightly, more so during September as the weather warmed up. One night a group saw three snakes, definite evidence that the snakes are waking up and feeling hungry, as they do at this time of the year. The next two months should be great for snake sightings

There has still been regular Boyd’s Forest Dragon sightings despite the dry weather. Eastern Water Dragons haven’t been seen much and I don’t expect we will see any until it rains a bit.
Leaftailed Geckos are still very active. Despite their camoflage we have seen quite a few of these amazing lizards. They are often seen on tree trunks facing downwards, presumably hunting for insects. Once found, they are seen sometimes for several nights on the same tree.
Frog sightings have remained slow, as we are in the dry season, but we are still seeing Lace Lids regularly and also Stoney Creek Frogs when it rains. Most Frogs are much less active until it warms up.
Lots of Striped Possums have been seen, on all areas of the tracks.There are still lots of dead trees around after the 99 cyclone, and this means there are many larvae to be found, which Stripey Possums love. We often here the noisy little fellows before we see them, as they make a real racket searching for food.
Croc sightings have been good, the Crocs have been seen on well over 50% of the walks. The are still three crocs are still in Myall Creek, and we have seen two in a night on occasion. People have also reported seeing crocs on the bank of Myall Creek during the day. More importantly we have had a sighting on the beach at night during august. I always believed that crocs rarely if ever venture into the ocean during winter, but have now amended my beliefs!

Many native rats have been seen in August and September, representing all the common species. In particular there are lots of Melomys about, and we usually find these by listening for the chewing sound as they use their sharp teeth to open seeds. This is the time of the year the rodent population peaks, and they are everywhere.
We have also been seeing Bandicoots regularly, and there seems to still be a healthy population of Northern Brown Bandcoots in the valley. Long Nosed Bandicoots have also been seen a bit.

Hope to see you on a Nightwalk in October or November!!!