We had planned this citizen science event for months, during which we had mostly sunny skies and drought conditions. Two days before the Bioblitz the rain started, and continued throughout, often very heavy.

We still got a reasonable turnout, but would probably have had a lot more public participation in sunny weather.

Ronda Green acknowledged the Wangerriburra as custodians on the land and paid respects to elders past, present and future.

Frank Manthey (Save the Bilby Fund) opened the Bioblitz at 10.00am and spoke of the importance of young people being involved in wildlife research and conservation, saying how pleased he was to see so many young faces in the crowd.

Pat Comben (former environment minister) spoke of optimistic signs such as increase in numbers of the Richmond Birdwing Butterfly.

Nadia O’Carroll spoke on behalf of the Scenic Rim Regional Council, which had provided us with grant money to run the event.

Judith Rowland spoke on behalf of Tamborine Mountain LandCare, as we were about to visit four properties she had recommended (in addition to our major sites of Skywalk and Thunderbird Park).

Finally Roger Kitching explained how his group were collecting moths, and where to find. the room where they were sorting them.

 

Sandra Temple spent several hours painting a sooty owl, allowing participants to watch a work-in-progress.  She subsequently exhibited the finished product at the Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens Auditorium for the ‘Australia Wild’ exhibition.

 

The surveys were conducted mainly at

• Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk,
• Thunderbird Park,
• and a Landcare property at Ohia  Court.

Other observations were made at

• other LandCare properties (Areca Gully and the Landcare Centre at Hartley Road East,  North Tamborine)
• The Knoll
• Witches Falls

Many thanks to Scenic Rim Regional Council, Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk, Thunderbird Park and Landcare for their support for this project, and to our various experts who participated, including Rpger Kitching (moths), Bill McDonald (rainforest plants), Gwen Harden (rainforest plants), Robert McCormack (crustaceans), Robert Whyte (spiders), Chris Burwell (dragonflies), Andrew Franks (bryophytes), Wayne Boatwright (fungi) and others

For  results of the surveys, see:

• Birds
• Other vertebrates
• Moths and butterflies
• Other insects
• Other arthropods
• Other invertebrates
• Plants
• Fungi

Louise Mackey of Bush Buddies brought some of their animals along to meet people. We had intended this largely for local families but the heavy rains kept most away. Those of us who were there however enjoyed meeting them.