Lucky spot: Platypus spotter Linda Brookes near the site of the platypus spotting. Picture: Simon Bennett
IT WAS a case of third time's a charm when a platypus was seen to break through the still surface of the Georges River near Freres Crossing early one evening last week.
Fortunately, keen spotter Linda Brookes was there at just the right moment to spot the rare creature.
It was the third time a platypus has been seen in the waterway in the past few weeks.
"It was a beautiful evening, the water was just like glass and I just happened to be looking in the right place at the right time," she said.
"He came up to the surface and he was probably there for 15 to 20 seconds and he was quite still."
A local resident saw a platypus in a large pool in the river just east of Campbelltown earlier this month.
Ms Brookes believes she saw the same platypus when she went looking in the secluded spot a couple of weeks later.
Local koala expert Robert Close said the sightings were very encouraging, especially after two dead platypuses were found in the waterway last October and November.
"To have three separate sightings is terrific," he said.
Platypus expert Tom Grant said the sightings indicated that part of the river was in the animal's home range.
"The fact they're seeing it all the time suggests it's not just passing through," Dr Grant said.
"It would indicate they're either there in greater numbers or they've changed their behaviours. It might be a combination of both, but it's cheering."
Platypus sightings can be reported to the University of Western Sydney pager, 9962 9996, or tell us at macarthuradvertiser.com.au.