Platypus Month

Platypus in the Upper Murrumbidgee Catchment

Living in the ACT and surrounding region you might not know that we have several platypus populations in our local waterways. Platypus are a top-level predator in our waterways and through monitoring their abundance, we can monitor our waterway health. You may not have seen one, but you've likely got a platypus living closer to you than you think. Check out our video for tips on spotting a local platypus and some information about platypus biology and behaviours.

Platypus Month Surveys

Late winter is the ideal time for spotting platypus as they spend more time feeding and the males are more active as they prepare for the breeding season.

Waterwatch runs group surveys throughout August on selected rivers in the ACT region to help learn more about our platypus population. Information about how to participate will be available in June-July so watch this space for your chance to get involved.

Volunteers needed for Platypus surveys in the ACT region

Platypus Month is celebrating its 10th year!

Waterwatch will be running group surveys throughout August on selected rivers in the ACT region to help learn more about our platypus population. Late winter is the ideal time for spotting platypus as they spend more time feeding and the males are more active as they prepare for the breeding season.

Waterwatch will be running 34 surveys throughout August and need your help!

No experience necessary.

RSVPs are required. Please email Kerri at waterwatch@act.gov.au with your preferred session/s. Further details will then be sent to you by email.

Download the 2023 Platypus Survey flyer (275.9 KB) here.

Sessions

Join Waterwatch for a free platypus walk

Two walks will be held at dawn on the Queanbeyan River on Sunday 6 August and Sunday 27 August 2023. Book now through EventBrite.

Platypus Month Reports

Report platypus sightings

Waterwatch encourages everyone to head down to their local waterway at any time of the year and report platypus sightings. During Platypus Month, when platypus are more active during the day, we are keen to find out more about platypus in particular stretches of waterway. These are:

• Ginninderra Creek anywhere below Lake Ginninderra. No confirmed sightings of platypus have been received in this section of the creek since the Lake was built in the 1980’s. There has been a number of unconfirmed sightings from the public in the past year so we would particularly welcome sighting accompanied with photos.
• The Gudgenby River in Namadgi National Park. The Gudgenby River catchment was completely burnt in the 2020 bushfires. There are some historical platypus sightings from this area but not many and there have been none since the fires. The main river and its tributaries in the top half of the catchment (within Namadgi National Park) such as Bogong Creek, Rendezvous Creek and Dry Creek would be or interest. Also the lower section of the Orroral River (top section is still off limits due to fire damage) has limited historical data and sightings here would be welcomed.
• The Yass River and its tributaries. While we have received anecdotal sightings for this area, we have very few confirmed reports.

Information such as date, time, location and number of platypus need to be noted. Photographs are particularly welcomed. You can enter your sightings in the new Waterwatch Platy and Ratty Sightings Portal Submission Form.

As the name suggests, we also welcome sightings of our other aquatic mammal of interest – Rakali (also known as a Water Rat).

You can view sightings on the ACT and Region Platy and Ratty Portal Map. The Portal maps Platypus and Rakali data from a range of sources in our region including Waterwatch and Canberra Nature Map. Results and detailed analysis from the Platypus Month Group Surveys are also available through the Portal.