After consecutive dry years, a wet start to the rainy season has caused an explosion of life at Mount Emerald. Several eucalypt species including the gympie messmate (Eucalyptus cloeziana) and silver-leafed ironbark (Eucalyptus shirleyi) are in flower, which has attracted a range of honeyeaters such as little friarbirds (Philemon citreogularis), hornbill friarbirds (Philemon yorki), white-throated honeyeaters (Melithreptus albogularis), brown honeyeaters (Lichmera indistincta) and blue-faced honeyeaters (Entomyzon cyanotis).
Many of the native grass species, including kangaroo grass (Themeda triandra) giant spear grass (Heteropogon triticeus) and black spear grass (Heteropogon contortus) are seeding, which has attracted several species of parrot and finch, such as red-browed finches (Neochmia temporalis), double-barred finches (Taeniopygia bichenovii), pale-headed rosellas (Platycercus adscitus) and red-winged parrots (Aprosmictus erythropterus). The thick grass cover is also providing habitat for small passerines, such as the red-backed fairy-wren (Malurus melanocephalus).
The eight threatened plant species that we manage at Mt Emerald have also enjoyed the recent rain, with several currently in flower, including the vulnerable Grevillea glossadenia and Homoranthus porteri.
And of course, our northern quolls (Dasyurus hallucatus) are thriving, with all indicators suggesting a hugely successful breeding season.
