Skip to content

Fauna trapping at Yourka

Leanne Hales (Volunteer Coordinator North)
Published 09 Nov 2017 by Leanne Hales (Volunteer Coordinator North)

After a successful field trip back in September, three environmental science students from James Cook Uni returned to help with Spring fauna trapping at Yourka Reserve.

The students helped set and check pitfall, funnel, cage and Elliot traps over four consecutive trapping nights, and also conducted spotlighting transects after dark.

Key additions to the Yourka species list from this October survey were the Ocellated Velvet Gecko and the Eastern Small-eyed Snake. Not surprisingly, the reptiles dominated the traps at this warmer time of year.

The students were armed with cameras, biros and books to identify and record new species for their own personal species lists.

Student volunteer, Leah Carr snapped this fantastic shot of a Box-pattern Gecko (also known as Steindachner's Gecko) licking its eyeball – a common practice for most geckos who can’t blink because they don’t have eyelids.

It was fantastic to have the students along for the survey, not least because they were such great role models for our own budding biologists, Beth, Macey and Seeley.

Back home and back on the books the students all wrote back to thank us for the experience. Leah commented that, “It was a fantastic opportunity to come out and learn while having fun, and a welcome study break”.

Ecologist, Terry Reis provided the following trip notes and insights into a few of the interesting species recorded.

Ocellated Velvet Gecko

(Oedura monilis)

Oedura monilis was recorded on Yourka for the first time during the October survey with an individual found during the day under exfoliating bark on a dead tree and another at the base of a tree during spotlighting.

The velvet geckos are so named for their comparatively soft skin. This species is usually arboreal though it can occur on rocks.

Eastern Small-eyed Snake

(Cryptophis nigrescens)

This is a secretive, nocturnal species that's reminiscent of a small Red-bellied Black Snake. During the day the Small-eyed Snake shelters under loose bark, rocks and human debris such as sheets of tin. It's usually placid when found during the day but is often nervous at night, thrashing about somewhat.

There's been at least one human fatality from a bite by this species, though it's usually disinclined to bite. The species is widespread and common along the east coast. One was captured on Yourka in a pitfall trap in a sandy riparian area.

Scarlet-sided Pobblebonk

(Limnodynastes terraereginae)

This is a large and very handsome terrestrial frog. The species is also known as the Northern Banjo Frog but 'Pobblebonk' is more evocative, and better reflects its 'bonking' call.

The scientific name means 'lord of the marshes, queen of the land', though terraereginae could also be interpreted as meaning Queensland, presumably with reference to its distribution. It does, however, extend well into New South Wales. It's a common species on Yourka and often caught in pitfall traps.

The Upland Toadlet

(Uperoleia altissima)

A surprising capture on Yourka in May 2017. This very small frog species (it's not a toad) is usually thought to be confined to elevated areas of the Wet Tropics and further north around Laura in areas of sandstone.

However, perusal of the Atlas of Living Australia database revealed records to the south of Yourka, well outside its considered range. This second capture in October suggests it may be reasonably common on the reserve. It would be good to record the call of individuals on Yourka as its call is particularly helpful for discerning different species in this difficult-to-identify genus.

Leah Carr, JCU student, volunteer and avid photographer on the other side of the lens. Photo by Beth Hales. Leah Carr, JCU student, volunteer and avid photographer on the other side of the lens. Photo by Beth Hales.
Limnodynastes terrareginae (Scarlet-sided Pobblebonk) Photo by Leanne Hales. Limnodynastes terrareginae (Scarlet-sided Pobblebonk) Photo by Leanne Hales.
Ocellated Velvet Gecko. Photo by Terry Ries. Ocellated Velvet Gecko. Photo by Terry Ries.
Squatter Pigeons (Geophaps scripta) are a common sight around the Yourka shed and along the bush tracks. Photo by Leah Carr. Squatter Pigeons (Geophaps scripta) are a common sight around the Yourka shed and along the bush tracks. Photo by Leah Carr.
Tommy Roundhead (Diporiphora australis) giving us the “evil eye”. Photo by Leah Carr. Tommy Roundhead (Diporiphora australis) giving us the “evil eye”. Photo by Leah Carr.
A Box-pattern Gecko (also known as Steindachner's Gecko) licking its eyeball. A Box-pattern Gecko (also known as Steindachner's Gecko) licking its eyeball.
Uperoleia altissima or the Uplands Toadlet was recorded during the May and October surveys. Photo by Leah Carr. Uperoleia altissima or the Uplands Toadlet was recorded during the May and October surveys. Photo by Leah Carr.
The grevilleas were all in flower throughout October. The grevilleas were all in flower throughout October.
Morethia taeniopleura. Photo Leah Carr. Morethia taeniopleura. Photo Leah Carr.
A Pobblebonk Frog. A Pobblebonk Frog.
Bearded dragons (Pogona barbata) were commonly seen throughout the survey. Photo by Leah Carr. Bearded dragons (Pogona barbata) were commonly seen throughout the survey. Photo by Leah Carr.
A Zig-zag Gecko spotted under torchlight perched high in the kangaroo grass. A Zig-zag Gecko spotted under torchlight perched high in the kangaroo grass.
The Eastern Small-eyed Snake caught in a pitfall trap. Photo by Leanne Hales. The Eastern Small-eyed Snake caught in a pitfall trap. Photo by Leanne Hales.
Mercedes Pisano admiring one of the very handsome skinks recorded during the survey. Photo by Leah Carr. Mercedes Pisano admiring one of the very handsome skinks recorded during the survey. Photo by Leah Carr.

Related stories

BLOG 05/04/2023

Subterranean science on Yourka Reserve 

On Yourka Reserve, far north Queensland, a group of scientists were trawling through the dirt, looking for fungi in 2019. What they found has been confirmed as a new species in the Austroboletus genus.

Read More

BLOG 08/02/2023

Fighting fire in the dry

A recent wildfire on Yourka Reserve has revealed the benefits of best practice controlled burning in tropical north Queensland.

Read More
Grasstrees on Yourka Reserve. Photo Scott van Barneveld

BUSHTRACKS 13/01/2023

Call of the woodlands

Sound could hold the solution, according to Bush Heritage eco-acoustic researchers on a mission to save Australia’s birdlife.

Read More

BLOG 01/09/2022

Platypus spotted on Yourka Reserve!

We recently found a Platypus in Cameron creek - the first record of the species on Yourka Reserve. It's a sign of good river health and hopefully, there are more sightings to come.

Read More
Paul Hales conducting a controlled burn. Photo Martin Willis.

BUSHTRACKS 14/06/2022

The art of burning in the rain

How aerial, controlled burning is utilising climatic conditions at Yourka Reserve on Jirrbal and Warrungu country in Queensland.

Read More

BLOG 21/02/2022

What has all this rain meant for our fire team?

The 2021/22 La Nina has brought significant rainfall to the eastern seaboard of Australia, while the west has seen below average conditions. Here are some weather highlights from the first few months.

Read More

BLOG 29/03/2021

Most Magnificent Broodfrog you’ve never heard of

A newly formed working group in north Queensland could spell good news for the beautiful Magnificent Broodfrog. ‘Magnificent’ is certainly a great descriptor for this little frog, which only grows to a mere 28 mm - about the length of the end of your thumb. Its vividly coloured body exhibits flickering and swirls of orange, blue, brown, and bright yellow, with a strikingly marbled black and white belly.

Read More
Leanne and Paul Hales at Yourka Reserve.

11/02/2021

Yourka Bush Chat

In this 50-minute webinar, Paul and Leanne Hales (Healthy Landscape Manager and Volunteer Coordinator) share their stories with you direct from beautiful Yourka Reserve lookout.

Read More

BLOG 12/11/2020

Koala found on Yourka Reserve

Yourka Reserve is on the northernmost edge of the iconic Koala’s distribution, but we’ve never recorded a species confirmation… until we followed a late-night growl! After a spotlighting run at our Yourka Reserve in far north Queensland last month, some volunteers from Conservation Wildlife Management (CWN) reported hearing a distinctive call that they thought sounded like a Koala.

Read More

BLOG 26/08/2020

Siaming solo in 2020?

Annual 'siaming' at Yourka Reserve took on a whole new look in 2020. This year, for the first time in 11 years, we faced the daunting prospect of siaming solo. With travel restrictions in place to prevent the spread of covid-19, it was impossible to recruit a team of volunteers to help with the annual survey and treatment.

Read More

BUSHTRACKS 12/06/2020

Six months on

Silver linings shine as Bush Heritage’s Yourka Reserve in far north Queensland regenerates following a significant bushfire last year.

Read More

BUSHTRACKS 13/04/2020

My happy place (Leanne Hales)

My favourite part of Yourka Reserve is not actually a place, it’s a colour. Somewhere between blue, green, grey and silver is a shade I call Themeda Green.

Read More

BLOG 26/03/2020

Bouncing back at Yourka

Recent camera trapping at Yourka Reserve confirmed that the residents of Tiger Hill are bouncing back after Summer wildfires.

Read More

BLOG 31/01/2020

Bushfires update

As we enter a new month, I would like to take a moment to update you on recent developments towards our post-bushfire recovery. The devastation wrought has been confronting. My heart remains with those affected, those still fighting fires and those on the ground beginning the long process of recovery.

Read More

BLOG 19/12/2019

Feral fish & fencing at Yourka

I have a personal interest in fish and wetlands. Yourka has beautiful Eastern Rainbowfish, Purple Spotted Gudgeons, and Spangled Perch throughout its waterways, as well as Flyspecked Hardyheads, Olive Perchlets,  Midgley's Carp Gudgeons, Sooty Granters, Hyrtl's Tandan and probably others in some locations.

Read More

BLOG 17/12/2019

Adapting to 'black swan' fire events

Some thoughts on the Australian fire crisis and an update on Bush Heritage's fire control efforts by Richard Geddes, Bush Heritage Australia's National Fire Program Manager

Read More

BLOG 29/01/2019

Yourka detective work

What mammal is that? In partnership with WWF, Terry Mahney set up 40 camera traps on Yourka Reserve for 50 nights to survey for endangered species and got 150,000 shots!

Read More

BLOG 25/09/2018

Tea Tree Orchid flowers through the dry

Even at the driest time of year, there are species that thrive - perfectly adapted to their environments and the harsh conditions. The Tea Tree Orchid, found in the paperpark stands of Yourka Reserve, chooses this time of year to flower and is a fragrant and vibrant feature in the greying, dry-season landscape.

Read More

BLOG 15/03/2018

Wet season flooding in the north

This year the Wet season has been late to arrive but it's making up for lost time in northern Queensland. With daily rainfall totals exceeding 10 inches for four days straight, the creeks and billabongs of the Upper Herbert River catchment have surged across the landscape and turned the Yourka shed into a island.

Read More

BLOG 19/02/2018

Fairytale fungi at Yourka Reserve

The wet season in far north Queensland is the perfect time to go searching for fungi and the Hales kids from Yourka Reserve are keen to share their latest, exciting find.

Read More

BLOG 21/12/2017

Lessons from a bush classroom

Tassie-based volunteer, Kim Eastman certainly has a beautiful way with words. Last year her blog post about 'Grandparenting at Goonderoo' garnered comments and compliments from so many supporters and readers who share the value of a 'bush education' for our future generations.

Read More

BUSHTRACKS 07/12/2017

Dealing with the devil

A long-term control program on Yourka Reserve is saving native animals and plants in Queensland from one of the world’s worst invasive weeds.

Read More

BLOG 09/11/2017

Fauna trapping at Yourka

After a successful field trip back in September, three environmental science students from James Cook Uni returned to help with Spring fauna trapping at Yourka Reserve. The students helped set and check pitfall, funnel, cage and Elliot traps over four consecutive trapping nights, and also conducted spotlighting transects after dark.

Read More

BUSHTRACKS 04/10/2017

The gliders of Yourka

Australia’s blink-and-you-miss-it marsupial is the latest glider confirmed on Yourka Reserve, in far north Queensland. Is it a possum? A mouse? What is it?

Read More

BLOG 22/08/2017

The day the house arrived

Thursday 17th August was a monumental day for Yourka Reserve. It was the day that the much anticipated staff housing arrived. Three trucks, a crane and a house (in two pieces) arrived. Watching the arrival of the Yourka house was a little boy's dream come true and 7-year-old Seeley Hales was front and centre from the second it left the bitumen near Innot Hot Springs to the moment it pulled on to the reserve five hours later.

Read More

BLOG 01/06/2017

When geckos attack

Thirteen new fauna species were added to the Yourka species list thanks to a week of survey work in late May. The additions included four mammals, five amphibians and four reptiles, including this feisty little gecko, who likes to punch well above his weight.

Read More

BLOG 22/05/2017

Feathertail gliders confirmed at Yourka

Spotlighting again this week at Yourka and we're thrilled to announce there has been another addition to the species list - weighing just 10g-15g and floating over 20m between trees, it's the Feathertail Glider!

Read More

BLOG 15/05/2017

Night watch at Yourka Reserve

Reserve Manager Paul Hales has made the most of mild conditions and an extra pair of hands (Dr Steve Murphy) to conduct edge burning at Yourka Reserve. The night fire-line patrols were the perfect chance to spotlight for both native and feral species. Freshly burnt country draws predators such as cats, dingoes and owls and reserve staff don't miss the chance for opportunistic feral animal control or additions to the species list.

Read More

BLOG 18/10/2016

(Little) man on a mission

The billabongs of Sunday Creek valley are a well-known feature of Yourka Reserve in far north Queensland, so when our friends from the Australian and New Guinea Fishes Association (ANGFA) recently told us that there were feral fish present in the one below the Yourka shed we were a bit disappointed.

Read More

BLOG 01/10/2016

Bowerbird caught in the act

According to the Field Guide to Australian Birds, the male Great Bowerbird is a sedentary fella who prefers to adorn his twin-walled bower with bleached bones and shells. But at Yourka Reserve, we know differently.

Read More

BLOG 05/03/2016

Conservation dogs at work on Yourka

Australia Day 2016 saw six keen CWM members and two scent dogs in training arrive at Yourka, for what is hopefully the first of many trips in an ongoing working relationship. New volunteers on two and four legs are going to help us step up feral animal control projects in the North.

Read More

BLOG 07/07/2015

Recognition as a Nature Refuge Area

One year since its declaration as a Nature Refuge Area, Bush Heritage Australia's Yourka Reserve has completed all NatureAssist-funded projects on the property, significantly boosting the Reserve's conservation capabilities and allowing Yourka to continue on a trajectory of sustainable land management independent of project funding.

Read More
Loading...
{{itemsInCart}} Items - {{formatCurrency(grandTotal)}}