Cassowary Coast Alliance - for the future
Follow us
  • CCA latest news
  • Conservation History
  • Traditional Owners
  • About CCA
  • Campaigns
    • Port Hinchinbrook
    • Ella Bay
    • Boat Bay/Clump Point
  • Photo Gallery
  • Contact

News from Coquette Point

4/6/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture


Hello from Coquette Point,

A very wet, windy and cold week has at last broken into sunshine but only very late this afternoon.

This morning (3 June) I accepted an invitation from Mandubarra elder Nellie Epong to be present at a turtle release at Cowley Beach. Although overcast the day was warm with a gentle wind blowing: a perfect day for a turtle release.
Around 100 people from the Cowley Beach and adjacent communities attended. The turtle, which had been found starving late last year had been a third under normal body weight. She was taken to the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre where she was nursed back to health by Dr Jennie Gilbert and helpers. Over the last few months this green sea turtle has been eating up to 65 squid each day and now weighs 145kilos.
Picture
Photo Richard Piper


The Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre, which was co-founded by Jennie has released nine turtles back to the Great Barrier Reef so far this year.

Following the turtle release we all enjoyed a feast put on by the ‘Mandubarra clan”. Tree planting as part of a dune restoration programme followed.
(Thanks to  Richard Piper, Yvonne Cunningham, Russell Constable and Liz Gallie for the rolling photos left)

We all went home tired and happy: a truly memorable day thank you Mandubarra mob.


Just as I was leaving Cowley Beach we saw two pelicans. The first pelicans I have seen on the coast in over two years.

The Cassowary Dad 1’s two chicks are growing up and are starting to get their colours. I recently took photos of them and put together their progress and interactions with the Coquet Point Community over the last year and half.
Picture
Picture
Photo taken by Bill Farnsworth 20.11.10
Picture
I took this photo the morning after cyclone Yasi as they were running for shelter.
Picture
Thats not a dog its a wild pig. 17.4.11
Picture
29.11.11
Picture
Picture Walking the road verge 30.12.11
Picture
On their own 12.3.12 Chick 1
Picture
On their own 12.3.12 Chick 2
Picture
Dad's first chick
Picture
Dad's second chick

Note the different wattle shapes and neck colouring.

Walking in the mangroves this week I found yet another jumping spider. Over the last two years at Coquette Point I have photographed 14 different species of these amazing spiders.
Picture
The little sunbird has hatched two chicks from three eggs. It has been a remarkable timetable for her. Nest built in one week; sitting commenced immediately, chicks hatched two weeks later!  Dad has been singing his heart out all day long bragging about the birth of his babies.
Picture
Picture
Picture


A Yellow oriole flew into the nursery on Friday and spent the afternoon annoying the drongos and making a lot of noise until it settled down in a quandong tree in the rainforest.


I received an email out of the blue this week giving me news of ‘Crewcut’. In 1963 I sailed to New Guinea on a little sailing boat called ‘Crewcut’ with a young fella called Dennis Lobb.
Picture
Picture

The boat now has new owners and undergone a complete refit it is  back in the water in Tauranga, New Zealand and is as good as new. The new owners Noel and Natalie plan to cruise with her. Never know, she may venture up this way again. Look for a 23foot cutter with a baber-pole mast. 
Picture
Picture
The new sewerage farm was seeded this week and I believe should be commissioned next week.  This will have a huge impact on the water quality of the Johnstone River.

However the cost of running this unit will be considerable. The old farm worked on gravity feed for most of its delivery whereas, the new farm will incur an annual electricity bill in the millions of dollars.

Cheers for now,

Yvonne C.
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    The Cassowary Coast Alliance (CCA) is a collaborative hub for entities and individuals who
    are actively seeking good quality and long term public interest outcomes for the world
    heritage listed Cassowary Coast in Far North Queensland.
    Picture

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    December 2018
    October 2018
    July 2018
    December 2017
    December 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012


    All
    Ash
    Birds
    Cassowaries
    Coastal Planning
    Coquette Point
    Hinchinbrook
    Mission Beach
    Monsoon
    Take Action
    Threats
    Wildwatch
    W P S Q

    RSS Feed