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Moths - Nocturnal Pollinators

Butterflies are beautiful, sure. But have you had a close up look at moths. Not necessarily those gigantic ones that sometimes scare people, or the ones that are terrible for crops, but those teeny, tiny ones that sit on the leaves of plants. They are incredible! When viewed under a microscope, they shimmer. Scientist Cathy explained...

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Uncovering King Island's Hidden Freshwater Snails

On the second day of our King Island expedition, we made our way to Boggy Creek, a secluded spot in the island's southwest corner, alongside the invertebrate team. One of the more remote locations the crew wanted to visit was Boggy Creek, a small seasonal creek on the SW corner of the island, near the coast. We followed a track through a couple of ...

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When You're in the Zone

When You're in the Zone, and by zone, I mean wading up a small creek agitating the creek bed and trying the catch whatever is stirred up.  Day three and it was time to head out with the fresh water team.  10 Things to learn: 1. How to agitate the water 2. How to catch the important things 3. How to wash the mud out that you caught bu...

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Day 1 - Spider man!

Today marked an exhilarating commencement to our exploration of the enigmatic invertebrate world on King Island. Guided by the seasoned arachnologist, John Douglas, our mission was to unearth the mostly tiny spiders that call this island home. Armed with a white collection tray, we ventured into the island's reserves, prepared to 'beat around ...

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The Magic of Moss

I've been bushwalking many times in my life and everywhere I go I see moss all around. Until today, I had no idea that what I can see with just my eyes, is the tip of the surface. My adventure today began with a zoom meeting with my class and entomologist Zoe who talked about True Bugs and their difference to insects. Most interesting fact bei...

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Hidden Gems

King what? friends asked, King where? they said, From the mainland, don't fly to Tassie, stop halfway instead. King Island, a hidden treasure, full of so many gems, Not the hard crystal ones, but those with many legs. Teeny tiny critters, stop and have a look, Careful where you walk, for what is underfoot. Freshwater invertebrates swimming really f...

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From small things, big things grow.

From Small Things, Big Things Grow: The Amazing World of Spiders and Bugs Day One and Two on the King Island adventure In the intricate tapestry of the natural world, the often-overlooked inhabitants are the small but mighty spiders and bugs. From the tiniest arachnids to the most minuscule insects, these creatures play vital roles in ecosystems, s...

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1st Day in the Field with the Invertebrate team

What a great first day in the field with the invertebrate team. Fascinating things: 1. How a malaise trap works 2. Using collection tools such as nets and sieves 3. Invertebrates go up towards the light 4. Safety is important (snakes like the same places as invertebrates) 5. Turkeys and peacocks are the bad guys on King Island

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Learning to love a saltmarsh

Saltmarshes are overlooked and under-loved. Their treeless, muddy flats are often strewn with rubbish and garden clippings, they're the haunt of wild pigs and stray cattle, they're dug up, drained, cleared, and burned. They're the sort of place most of us drive past without noticing. Yet these wastelands are crucial for coastal life, creating fish ...

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Conversations make Connections

As an educator, I am always on the lookout for new opportunities to connect and engage with current initiatives and exciting new ventures in the Far North Queensland region! In my role as Project Officer, Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders in Marine Science (ATSIMS) program - an education outreach initiative by James Cook University ...

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