Burpengary Creek - Fauna and Flora

Fauna and Flora

It is estimated that less than 7.5% of the original vegetation within Burpengary Creek catchment remains. Along the Creek there are many important tree associations that need to be conserved as only remnants of them remain. Along the coast two types of forests are evident–mangroves along the shores of Deception Bay and the tea trees and paperbark forests in the freshwater wetlands. The bulk of the catchment area includes open eucalypt forests, with vine forests / shrubs and riverline forests running sparsely along the edge of the Creek. The largest undisturbed Tea Tree and Scribbly Gum forest in south-east Queensland is located in Freshwater National Park, alongside Deception Bay Road. Other tree species found within this region are Smooth Barked Gums, Stringy Barks, Iron Barks, Brush Box, Hoop Pine, Cedar, Ash and Tulip Oak. Extreme care needs to be taken to preserve this vegetation to ensure that it is a safe haven for the numerous species of wildlife that lives within the Burpengary Creek catchment.

Burpengary Creek catchment is home to diverse range of native animals, despite the widespread clearing of native plants and trees to make way for suburban development. There are over 140 bird species, which have been observed along Burpengary Creek. Some of the more common birds that have been sighted include the Eastern Whipbird, Noisy Friarbird, Galah Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Tawny Frogmouth Laughing Kookaburra, Kingfishers, Honeyeaters, Australian King Parrot and Australian Magpie.

Burpengary Creek catchment is also home to one of Australians endangered frog species the Giant Barred Frog. This frog lives in the moist forests borrowing beneath fallen leaves and loose soil during the day and comes out at night to forage for food. Alongside this endangered Australian animal there are also other frog species, including the Ornate Burrowing Frog, the Rocket frog and the Whistling Tree Frog.

The Brown Tree Snake, Green Tree Snake, Carpet python, Australian coral snake and rough-scaled snake also live within this catchment area and are generally seen between the months of October to January. Other reptiles that can be found within this region are Burton’s legless lizard, Eastern water dragon, Bearded Dragon and the Lace monitor.

Native mammals within this area include: Northern Brown Bandicoot, red-necked wallaby, platypus, Ringtail possums, brushtail possums and the grey-headed flying-fox. Furthermore, native bees can also be found within the Burpengary Creek catchment.