Buggin with Bridgey – February 2021 (Night Walk Report)

In the last month, I have done quite a few reconnaissance night walks in preparation to launch them as a weekly Let’s Go Buggin – Night Walk Tour. I have found some great little bug-hubs and become really familiar with the species likely to make appearances, so this blog will feature some of the critters I have been seeing on these research walks.

Dwarf Tree Frogs (Litoria bi-colour OR Litoria fallax)

One of the most commonly seen frogs on the tour are the adorable Dwarf Tree Frogs. There are actually two species that are seen, the Dwarf Eastern Tree Frog (Litoria fallax) and the Northern Sedge Frog (Litoria bi-colour). Both species can be mostly green OR gold, or variations of both colours. They are almost identical and it is almost impossible to tell them apart. So, we just call then Dwarf Tree Frogs (fallax/bicolor complex). These gorgeous frogs are in big numbers and have a very cute croak to boot. We will often see the males with their throat sacks expanded. They are pretty relaxed and you can get in really close to get some pics.

Dwarf Tree Frogs (fallax/bicolor complex)

Net-Casting Spiders

This amazing species is like some freaky character out of a Mission Impossible movie. This spider species will create a variation of a fishing net with its specially spun silk. They will hold the net between its two sets of front legs and lie in wait until a suitable animal walks underneath its chosen path. The spider then expands its front pairs of legs and launches the web onto the unsuspecting prey to ensnare it. The silk is so sticky and elasticised that the victim has little chance of escaping. We usually see at least one of these amazing species on a night walk and 9 out of 10 times they have the net created and they are waiting for their first victim for the night. They are an excellent, albeit challenging subject to photograph.

Longicorn Beetles

Some of the coolest beetles in existence are Longicorn Beetles, aka Longhorn because… you guessed it… they have long horns… or antennae infact. They are nocturnal beetles and we usually see a few on any night walk. Their antennae is as long, or longer than the beetles body so they make a great subject to photograph if you can be creative with your composition. In any case they are a treat to find, and marvel at their cow-like faces.

Northern Stoney Creek Frogs (Litoria jungguy)

Some cute ground dwellers we see regularly are Northern Stony Creek frogs (Litoria jungguy). We will usually see more than 10 of these frogs, and they make excellent models, allowing you to get very close to get a few snaps. They are beautiful golden brown colours with a darker colour line running from their nose, through their eyes and extending towards their front legs. If you are lucky enough to see a mating pair, the males (ontop) will display a golden yellow colour.

Huntsman Spiders

Probably the most surprising thing I have learnt by doing these night walks is how mellow and chilled out Huntsman Spiders really are. We will see close to 10 Huntsman spiders on any night walk. We stick our cameras right up close to these individuals, sometimes as close as 2 centimetres, and they stay completely still. It’s a great chance to see actually how beautiful they are. The patterns, colours and markings on their fur can be compared to exotic cats. Sometimes we will see one in the middle of a meal, and we have even seen them moulting (emerging from their old skin).

White-lipped Tree Frogs (Litoria infrafrenata)

Our largest Australian Frog is regularly seen AND heard on the night tours. We usually hear their constant call throughout the whole of the walk. Like the other frogs they are especially chilled out and are happy to pose for a few photos. They make absolutely brilliant models, and most of the time pose in positions that would make any super model green with envy.

White-lipped Tree Frogs (Litoria infrafrenata)

These are just SOME of the critters we are likely to see on a Let’s Go Buggin Night Walk. Throughout the year, as seasons change we have spotted Pademelons, Papuan frogmouth birds, Giant white-tailed rats, Striped possums, Echidnas, Flying foxes, Microbats, Wallaby’s, many other frog species and insects. I’d love for you to join me soon for a nightwalk, so if yo are interested… send me an email.

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You can see some of the Let’s Go Buggin – Night Walk highlights in this short video below. Mini-Documentary available here: