Platy-project

Next date: Sunday, 15 September 2024 | 12:00 PM to Monday, 30 September 2024 | 11:59 PM

About the project

This September, the Australian Conservation Foundation is asking people to head down to their local creek or river, find a quiet place on the bank, try to spot platypus and record what they see (or don’t see!).

By taking part in the platy-project you’ll help researchers better understand and protect platypus. And if you’re lucky enough to see a platypus you’ll have an amazing story to tell your friends!

How to get involved

Sign up at https://www.acf.org.au/platy-project-signup

The video below shows you how to do a platypus survey.

Events

Platypus Spotting - Birdsland Reserve

Saturday 7 September | 4pm to 5.30pm
Birdsland Reserve
271 Mt Morton Road Belgrave Heights
Register for this event at https://platy-project.acf.org.au/?action=rsvp&id=206

This session will include:

• history of the site
• introduction to platypus and the issues they face
• how to spot a platypus

Bring a chair and water/snacks. Please wear weather-appropriate clothing and mosquito repellant for spotting time by the creek. This is a family-friendly event but does involve sitting and being quiet by the edge of the creek for some of the session.

Platypus Spotting - Belgrave Lake Park

Saturday 14 September |4pm to 5.30pm
Belgrave Lake Park
35 Park Drive, Belgrave
Register for this event at https://platy-project.acf.org.au/?action=rsvp&id=205

Bring a chair and water/snacks. Please wear weather-appropriate clothing and mosquito repellant for spotting time by the creek. This is a family-friendly event but does involve sitting and being quiet by the edge of the creek for some of the session. 

Yarra Ranges Self-guided Platypus Search

Places you might see platypus are listed below, however, you can visit any waterway in the Yarra Ranges to look for platypus. Recording your search whether or not you see platypus is important as the absence of platypus also contributes valuable data.

Places to look for platypus include:

• Brushy Creek, Croydon North
• Monbulk Creek, Belgrave
• Olinda Creek (between Mt Evelyn and Lilydale)
• Yarra River, Warramate Hills Nature Conservation Reserve, Gruyere
• Woori Yallock Creek (Warburton Rail Trail)
• Yarra River, Warburton
• Little Yarra River (Yarra Junction)
• Big Pats Creek (Warburton)

 

Download our map to take with you on your platypus search. (Map is double-sided)

 

Tips for Platypus Spotting

Time

Platypus are mainly active at night and the best time to see them are the hour after dawn or the hour before dusk. 

In early spring platypus can be more active during the day.

Place

Platypus need healthy waterways to live in. Look out for sections of creeks and rivers with a good bit of bush along the banks — think trees, shrubs, ferns — with good, flowing water and places for platypus to duck and dive as they search for tucker among rocks and logs. Find a spot where the water is calm, so you can see any ripples the animals might make.

Caring for the environment

When platypus spotting, take care of the environment by avoiding stepping on vegetation.

Safety

• Wear sturdy footwear
• Stay away from the edge of river banks
• Watch out for snakes

 

Colouring Sheet

Download a colouring sheet of a platypus.

 

When

Location

Yarra Ranges rivers and waterways