Hi All,
Spent a pleasant morning birding around the Gatton area yesterday morning. Little Grassbirds were very vocal. Had good views by the board walk at the hide on the larger lake. Other highlights were a single Hoary-headed Grebe and the comical courtship display of a male Blue-billed Duck.
A visit to Lake Clarendon was great too. Many Great-crested Grebe, Whiskered Tern, Glossy Ibis and the previously reported Cotton Pigmy-Goose was lovely to see.
Had a close encounter with a 5 foot snake hunting in the rock wall and crossing the track in front of us. Still arguing about the ID – King Brown top of the list at the moment.
Regards
Judith
Judith Hoyle Brisbane 0437 549301
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It is very common for people seeing a large brown snake to refer to it as a King Brown Snake. The King Brown Snake is a close relative of the Black Snakes and doesn’t occur east of the Great Dividing Range in New South Wales but I can’t comment on whether it reaches Gatton in Queensland, although from other’s comments it is unlikely. Coastal ‘brown snakes’ in NSW are either Eastern Brown Snakes or very rarely Taipans. Smaller ‘brown snakes’ include the Yellow-faced Whipsnake and possibly the Black-bellied Swamp Snake.
Regards
Greg Dr Greg. P. Clancy Ecologist and Wildlife Guide Coutts Crossing NSW