Tannymorel and Mount Colliery Area, 3 November 2013

We all had a wonderful day in the Southern Downs with plenty to do and see. The Mundey’s property had us enthralled at Tannymorel. We had morning tea in the garden near the creek bank. From here we watched the bowerbirds and water dragons or chatted to Kaye & Keith. Next we went for a tour around the garden with Kaye and admired Keith’s restoration of old wagons and carts. They are both very talented people and they work full time as well! We discovered this tiny Mistletoebird in her beautiful woven nest.

The Mistletoebird in her nest (Photo by Francis)

Ben fossicked a Cunningham’s Skink out of the wood pile so we could all have a closer look. It had some scars and was missing a toe so was obviously an old warrior.   

Cunningham's Skink Egernia Cunninghami,
notice the scars (Photo by Francis)

The fauna highlight would have to be watching the Jewfish mating and nesting in Farm Creek below the Mundey’s garden. Not something we Toowoombarites get to see very often.

Fishwatching (Photo by John)

Wasp Moth species,
possibly Orange-headed Wasp Moth Amata annulata
(Photo by Francis)

Common Brown Heteronympha merope
(Photo by Lesley)

When at last we moved on it was to take Bakers Road at Mount Colliery and after fording several creek crossings Ben stopped us at an ideal lunch spot. 

One of the many crossings on Farm Creek (Photo by John)

It is called Kellie’s Crossing and while we ate we watched Musk Lorikeets drinking at the creek, a stately White-necked Heron and butterflies fluttering everywhere. We were still beside Farm Creek and we spent the afternoon exploring further upstream or wandering about the banks nearby.

Exploring Farm Creek (Photo by John)

Ringed Xenica, Geitoneura acantha(Photo by Lesley)

There was plenty to keep everyone very happy. Thanks to Ben & Jean for their entertaining day.

Species Lists for Tannymorel-Mount Colliery area, 3 November 2013. Lists compiled by Lesley from member’s sightings.

Mundey property, Tannymorel (28° 17’ 20” S, 152° 14’ 37” E, within 100m):

Birds: White-necked Heron, Nankeen Night-Heron, Straw-necked Ibis, Dusky Moorhen, Little Corella, Cockatiel, Satin Bowerbird, Superb Fairy-wren, Brown Honeyeater, Pied Currawong, Torresian Crow, Silvereye, Common Myna, Mistletoebird in nest, Double-barred Finch.

Dragonflies & Damselflies: Stout Vicetail Hemigomphus heteroclytus, Gold-fronted Riverdamsel Pseudagrion aureofrons, Arrowhead Rockmaster Diphlebia nymphoides.

Butterflies & Moths: Orchard Swallowtail Papilio aegeus, Chequered Swallowtail Papilio demoleus, Caper White Belenois java, Cabbage White Pieris rapae, Common Brown Heteronympha merope, Meadow Argus Junonia villida, Common Crow Euploea core, Lesser Wanderer Danaus chrysippus, Wanderer Danaus plexippus, Blue Tiger Tirumala hamata, Common Pencil-blue Candalides absimilis, Common Grass Blue Zizina labradus labradus.
Wasp Moth species, possibly Orange-headed Wasp Moth Amata annulata

Reptiles: Eastern Water Dragon Intellagama lesueurii, Lace Monitor, or Lace Goanna Varanus varius, Cunningham's skink Egernia Cunninghami.

Fish: Eel-tailed Catfish (Jewfish), Tandanus tandanus.

Along Bakers Road, Mount Colliery:

Birds: Australian Wood Duck, Pacific Black Duck, Crested Pigeon, Musk Lorikeet, Australian King-Parrot, Crimson Rosella, Eastern Rosella, Eastern Koel, Satin Bowerbird, White-throated Gerygone, Bell Miner, Noisy Miner, Noisy Friarbird, Olive-backed Oriole, Pied Currawong, Torresian Crow, Red-browed Finch.

Dragonflies & Damselflies: Blue Skimmer Orthetrum caledonicum, Scarlet Percher Diplacodes haematodes

Butterflies: Orchard Swallowtail Papilio aegeus, a small Grass-yellow sp. Eurema sp, Large Grass-yellow Eurema hecabe, Caper White Belenois java, Ringed Xenica Geitoneura acantha, Common Brown Heteronympha merope, Common Grass Blue Zizina labradus labradus.

Marsupial:

Eastern Grey Kangaroo Macropus giganteus

Miscellaneous extras between Yangan & Mount Colliery:

Birds: Black-shouldered Kite, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Red-rumped Parrot, Dollarbird, Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Pied Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Willie Wagtail, Welcome Swallow, Common Starling.