Coolibah Station Reconnaissance Trip 17 th-18 th Dec 2006

Crew: Chris Shaw and Dave Woods

Chris and I arrived late afternoon and set up camp on the banks of the Victoria River not far from Blueys Croc Farm. After unloading the gear and quad bikes, we managed to squeeze in a quick ride to work out how to access the paddocks further downstream. We needed to do this without passing to close to the croc pens, especially at night as loud noises like Quad Bikes can spook the crocs; causing them to pile on top of each other and eventually suffocate each other.

After sussing the access out we made haste back to camp as a build-up thunderstorm was approaching. We moved to higher ground before it hit us. After about twenty-five minutes we were able to get out of the car as the blinding lightning bolts had moved far enough away not to be a danger.

This was good timing for us that night as the recent downpour meant the toads would be out in force. Toad activity certainly increases this time of the year. As the temperature rises the country becomes flooded along with a rise in the humidity. These factors allow for much more successful migration and propagation of the Cane Toad.

We had a quick feed before heading off downstream on the bikes. It wasn’t long before we had our first toad for the night found by Chris in middle of the track. They were not in large numbers but were found up to 2.5 kilometres from the river that night. Before long the rain began again and the track lost its form real quick. We had no choice but to turn around as black soil is very unforgiving stuff to get bogged in.

This was no major drama as we had actually visited this area last year but we accessed it from the Fitzroy Station. Even last year we found breeding Toads in two areas here so it was no surprise to see them here this year. Along the tracks heading downstream from Blueys, we collected only 10 toads.

On our way back we stopped at the top of a jump up which is over 100 metres above the river where our camp was. This is the closest permanent water from this jump up and what do you know! Chris soon had picked up a dead Toad, which was less than a day dead. We were wondering if the toad, had unassisted got himself up there and perished from dehydration. If so what would attract a toad all the way up there or was dropped by a bird that picked it up closer towards the rivers permanent pools and consequently got rid of it mid flight??? On This Jump up Chris also found a pair of remarkable geckos that neither of us had seen before. Our Reference book shows that it is possibly a Northern velvet Gecko. It has not been found on the west coast of Australia to date; otherwise it could be a similar species. This is exciting stuff!

We then headed back to camp to do some Busting along the river to get an idea of the Toad populations around its permanent pools. Chris headed off downstream whilst I went the other direction. A couple of hours later we met back at camp to see what the other had found. We had found thirty toads between us and one native Burrowing Frog that even had us experienced Toad Busters looking twice to make sure it was not a toad!

Beware, as they do look similar although to the touch there is a distinct difference as the native frog is very soft as opposed to Toads being coarser.

Chris also caught a Freshwater Croc in the act of taking a toad. This was unfortunate but there was little we could do to save it as it shot off for deeper water, with the toad in its jaws. This would of happened less than a minute before Chris arrived on the scene, as the toad still was wriggling between its teeth. For the people that doubt the toad’s impact on Freshwater Crocs ask Bluey, the Proprietor of the Croc Farm.

The Croc pens attract Toads like Ducks to water. Bluey also has an added drama this time of year as they also breed in his pens. He looses freshwater crocs each week to cane toads, as it is a losing battle keeping them out, as the pens are great habitat for toads. Also the autopsy’s carried out by Desanka on the Freshwater Crocs at Fitzroy Falls, showed us that one toad is enough to kill a Freshwater Croc stone cold!

We decided to call it a night after dispatching of the toads and in the morning we loaded up our very muddy quad bikes and headed to Coolibah crossing where we spent an hour cleaning them and making certain not to bring any Noonggorra burr back home with us. This was followed by a smooth journey home to Kununurra.

Thanks to Milton and Christine Jones for access to the station and Bluey also for access to his land. Thanks to Chris for being the ever-reliable partner on such trips.

Report by Dave Woods