June 2026 Outing Report - Kearney south and upper reach of Hodgson Creek, Toowoomba

 Adapted from the TFNC newsletter article by P. Swift

Box Mistletoe
Amyema miquelii 
with fruits 
Photo: L. Marlatt

Our outing started at the end of Kearney Street, beside a large water retention basin. A planting of Grevillea ‘Honey Gem’ plants set the scene with birds including brown honeyeater, noisy miner, rainbow lorikeet and eastern spinebill all taking advantage of the abundant blooms.  

We were given an informative briefing surrounding the naming of the local streets and park. Carly Hibberd Park was named after a local cyclist, killed at 26 years old in Italy in 2011, whilst training for professional cycling events. Many of the streets in the local area are named after famous cyclists. 

Our morning walk took 11 enthusiasts along Kearney Street, looking at the plantings by Toowoomba Regional Council.  Some of the more notable species planted, including deep yellow wood Rhodosphaera rhodanthema, a lovely spreading tree, with bunches of brown seeds hanging like grapes through the branches.  Street plantings of Cupaniopsis anacardioides, a coastal native were evident in some areas. Although native, it can become a local bushland weed.  Another plant of concern, African olives were also prevalent in the plantings.  

To the rear of the park, we observed a magnificent stand of eucalyptus trees, many with hollows. Some of the notable species included Angophora floribunda, monkey rope vine Parsonsia straminea, and white cedar Melia azedarach.  

Measures taken manage 

the flow and velocity  of storm water 

into Hodgson Creek

Photo: M. Simmons

Over morning tea, the nearby water management chute was discussed, we were shown an example of basalt displaying crystals of olivine. Olivine is formed in the earth’s mantle and is forced to the surface during volcanic eruptions.  The Kearney Street Chute Betterment project is used to slow the water and avoid erosion from water runoff from the housing estates nearby. The result was an amazing feat of engineering. The scope of works covered a 260-metre steep stretch of open drain, with a 46-metre vertical drop at an 18% incline. Construction involved placing approximately 2,700m³ of rock material and around 180 rock-filled gabion baskets within the chute and then tying the materials into the existing channel.

Venturing around the drainage basin, we moved along the edge of the scrub, noting the extensive weed infestations of tree pear, lantana and privet. There were also lovely specimens of Eucalyptus tereticornis ssp tereticornis, side by side with Eucalyptus tereticornis spp basaltica. Trish was on hand to explain the differences between the two.  We emerged at a large slope covered in geofabric and planted with lomandra. From there, we made our way across to a rehabilitation area, planted out to eucalyptus species. Some of the mature species in the area included Pink Bloodwood Corymbia intermedia and Eucalyptus crebra. The ground was alive with Superb Fairy wrens, which added to the peaceful scene.  

Chute information from https://www.tr.qld.gov.au/Council/News-and-public-notices/Media-releases/Kearney-Street-Chute-Upgrade-improves-flood-resilience-as-part-of-Betterment-Program

Bird list – Upper Hodgson Creek. 07 June 2026.   compiled from members' observations.

Australian Wood Duck, Spotted Dove, Egret sp., Masked Lapwing, Galah, Rainbow Lorikeet, Pale-headed Rosella, Superb Fairy-wren, Eastern Spinebill, Lewins Honeyeater, Brown Honeyeater, Little Friarbird, Blue-faced Honeyeater, Noisy Miner, Eastern Whipbird, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Pied Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Pied Currawong, Torresian Crow, Willie Wagtail, Magpie-lark, Red-browed Finch.

75th Anniversary Competition

 

Damselfly species  Photo: Judi Radd

                           

Brush-tailed rock-wallaby (Petrogale penicillata)

                                   Photo: Mitchell Roberts

Burton's legless lizard (Lialis burtonis)

Photo: James Sparshott

Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae)

Photo: Ethan Fountain

Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus)

Photo: Lesley Walker

 

Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua)

Photo: Mitchell Roberts

Willie Wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys)

Photo: James Sparshott

Williams Park, Highfields

Photo: Karen Sams

  

Australian Water Dragon (Intellagama lesueurii)

Photo: Michelle Ford

Tawny Frogmouth (Podargus strigoides)

Photo: Neve Chavasse

Velvet Worm (Nodocapitus sp.)

Photo: James Sparshott

Willie Wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys)

Photo: Mitchell Roberts

Photo: Leanne Brooks

 

Japanese Garden, Toowoomba

Photo: Ethan Fountain

JULY 2026 Activity Details - Friday meeting, and the Sunday outing to a property at Bell

Bottle trees
Brachychiton rupestris

CLUB MEETING: 

Date & Time: 7 pm, Friday 3 July 2026

Speaker:  John Feehan 

Title: Dung Beetles: Past, Present and Future

Summary: John Feehan is an entomologist who worked on the CSIRO dung beetle program for 28 years from 1965. Through his harvesting and redistribution of dung beetles, as well as his public relations activities, John has almost single-handedly maintained the high profile of the benefits of dung beetles in the Australian landscape. 

He maintains an informative website about dung beetles which attracts worldwide interest:   www.dungbeetleexpert.com.au.

Venue: St. Anthony’s Community Centre, Memory Street, Toowoomba. The speaker's presentation is followed by official business and supper. 

CLUB OUTING: 

Date: Sunday  5 July 2026

Meeting Time & Place:  This will be one of our longer outings with an approx. 250km round trip, therefore car pooling is suggested with reimbursement to the driver.

Meet 8.00am in the Council car park in Neil Street (between Bourke and Wills Hotel and the Empire Theatre, Toowoomba) and drive via Bowenville and Kaimkillenbun to Bell, arriving by 9.30 at Ensor Park in Cassidy Street. For more precise directions to the property email this address.

View from front of house

Description: Majestic Narrow-leaved Bottle trees Brachychiton rupestris dominate this Land for Wildlife property north of Bell which the owners bought two years ago, valuing it for the softwood scrub and dry rainforest covering much of the area. The ground layer comprises soil and leaf litter with areas of sedimentary rock exposed. Run-off water eventually finds its way into Jimbour Creek and the Condamine River. (Plant list available on request.) 

Activities: Exploring the property. Before returning to Toowoomba a stroll through the Biblical Garden at the Catholic Church(also in Cassidy Street) in Bell is highly recommended .  

Level of Fitness: Cattle intermittently are grazed on this property and have formed cattle tracks which are the tracks we will walk on. Level 2, with gentle inclines and some rocky areas, a walking pole is suggested if uncertain.

Facilities: Toilet facilities available at Ensor Park and the property.

What to Bring: Bring morning smoko, lunch, a chair, covered footwear and sun protection.

JUNE 2026 Activity Details - Friday meeting, and the Sunday outing to the upper reach of Hodgson Creek

CLUB MEETING: 

Date & Time: 7 pm, Friday 5 June 2026

Speaker: Dr Penelope Mills, Entomologist and Scale Insect Expert. From an early age Penny was fascinated by insects, and was involved in several research projects during her final year of undergraduate study at UQ. Her Honours and PhD theses focused on the biology, taxonomy, systematics and evolution of several species-groups within the gall-inducing scale insect genus Apiomorpha (Coccomorpha: Eriococcidae). 

Title: Australia’s Fascinating Gall-inducing Scale Insects 

Summary: Scale insects are plant parasites related to aphids and belong to the order of true bugs (Hemiptera). Many of the species in Australia induce galls: abnormal growths found on plants due to an irritant that causes an immune response from the plant. Australia is home to a high number (c. 10%) of the world’s known gall-inducing scale insect fauna. In this talk Dr Penny Wills will focus on several of the main genera present in Australia, especially those that occur in the Toowoomba region. 

Venue: St. Anthony’s Community Centre, Memory Street, Toowoomba. The speaker's presentation is followed by official business and supper. 

  

CLUB OUTING: 

Date: Sunday 07 June 2026 – Kearney south and upper reach of Hodgson Creek, Toowoomba

Meeting Time: 8.30 am

Where: at the end of Kearney Street

Description: 

Upper reach of Hodgson Creek
Photo: M. Simmons

This excursion in south Toowoomba will take us along the upper reach of Hodgson Creek show-casing recent housing expansion south of Kearney Springs and the TRC’s management of new parks and gardens. 

Activities: From our meeting place we will walk to the Carly Hibberd Park and along the creek before returning to our parked cars for morning tea. Our walk will then take us further west along Hodgson Creek before returning back to our cars for lunch. There will be an opportunity to walk part of Kearney Street to note the extensive TRC native plantings.

Come along and enjoy the walk and talk with friends. 

Level of Fitness: This is all easy walking (Grade 1) with mild undulations. 

Facilities: toilet facilities at Carly Hibbard Park

What to Bring: Bring morning tea, lunch, a chair, water and sun protection. 

All welcome. 

Fungi, Hodgson Creek walk
Photo: M. Simmons

Part of Hodgson Creek walk 
Photo: M. Simmons

    

May Outing Report - Gowrie Junction, Rosalie Heights, Mount Storey, Mount Kingsthorpe - 3 May 2026

Adapted from the TFNC newsletter article of V. Temple-Watts

Members on Mt Kingsthorpe
Photo: M. Weaver

Our meeting point on the Gowrie-Tilgonda Road at Gowrie Junction, proved wonderfully productive for birds. We saw 16 species in a short time ranging in size from Yellow-rumped Thornbill to White-faced Heron. The flowering Mugga Ironbark across the road rang out with the sound of feeding Scaly-breasted Lorikeets.

Our first scheduled stop was at the northern section of Birdwood Conservation Park on Hilltop Drive, Rosalie Heights, where we explored a patch of remnant Semi-Evergreen Vine Thicket. The botanists in the group graciously shared their knowledge and answered many questions. We admired the pretty pink-flowered Hypoestes floribunda - a good butterfly plant, the Hairy Boonaree (Alectryon pubescens) – look for a thumb-like projection which is often but not always present, and is sometimes paired, near the base of the leaf, a Native Olive (Elaeodendron australe) bright with orange fruit and saw Variable Mistletoe (Amyema congener) in flower, as well as many other interesting plants. The vine thicket is all but impenetrable so we made our way along the fenceline and marvelled at the dark, rich scrub soil built from years of leaf litter. Here and there we saw lumps of igneous rock pock-marked by escaped gas. A resident told us that Swamp, Pretty-faced and Black-striped Wallabies live in the scrub, Echidnas and Dingoes too, but we didn’t see any.

During morning tea we saw two Wedge-tailed Eagles and wondered whether they had made the large stick nest in a solitary Brachychiton tree across the road. 

After a short drive to Terry Egan Park at Mount Storey, just south of Glencoe Mountain, we had extensive views over the very dry Downs and could orientate ourselves via familiar landmarks such as Gowrie Mountain. A handsome Fig tree, spared when the land was cleared, caught our attention as did a group of Black-faced Cuckoo-shrikes.

Our final stop was Kingsthorpe where the group chose between climbing Mt Kingsthorpe via the 450m trail to the summit, exploring the Rosalie Walk which is part of the Kingsthorpe Linear Corridor or staying at Settlers Park, our lunch spot. The mountain toppers enjoyed spectacular views of a flock of Australian Pelicans flying low over the plains and then watched as they gradually circled to finish high in the sky before flying out of sight.

Banana Mistletoe (Lysiana subfalcata) 
Photo: G. Spearritt

A male Mistletoebird was resplendent in dark blue and red, Silvereyes and White-browed Scrubwrens called from just out of sight and there were many active butterflies which included several Whites, Glasswing and Tailed Emperor. A lone dragonfly flew past and a large grey-brown grasshopper flicked into the understory. The fresh new foliage of a seedling Mountain Coolibah (Eucalyptus orgadophila) contrasted beautifully with its red stems and leaf stalks. The Rosalie Walk also had interesting finds with up to three species of Mistletoe on a single Callistemon and some very fine Mountain Coolabahs. The yellow flowers of the Banana Mistletoe (Lysiana subfalcata) were stunning. A Blue-faced Honeyeater inspected diners at lunchtime and Red-winged Parrots flew overhead. 

Bird list - 03 May 2026.  Compiled by V. Temple-Watts from members observations

Gowrie Junction assembly point: Crested Pigeon, Rock Dove, White-faced Heron, Masked Lapwing, Galah, Scaly-breasted Lorikeet, Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Noisy Miner, Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike, Pied Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Magpie Lark, Torresian Crow, Common Myna, Double-barred Finch.

Birdwood Conservation Park/Hilltop Drive, Rosalie Heights: Spotted Dove, Wedge-tailed Eagle (x2), Masked Plover, Lewin’s Honeyeater, Brown Honeyeater, Striated Pardalote, White-browed Scrubwren, Pied Butcherbird (deceased), Australian Magpie, Willie Wagtail,  Silvereye, Double-barred Finch.

Terry Egan Park, Mount Storey: Brown Honeyeater, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Pied Currawong, Australian Magpie.

Kingsthorpe:  Crested Pigeon, Straw-necked Ibis, Australian Pelican (x13), Nankeen Kestrel,  Galah,  Rainbow Lorikeet, Red-winged Parrot, Pale-headed Rosella, Laughing Kookaburra, Blue-faced Honeyeater, Noisy Miner, White-browed Scrubwren, Pied Currawong, Australian Magpie, Grey Fantail, Willie Wagtail, Torresian Crow, Silvereye, Welcome Swallow, Mistletoebird.

April Outing Report - 12 April 2026, Laidley

 Adapted from the TFNC newsletter report by B. Dyke.

Old Man's Beard
Photo: M. Simmons

The 13 members of the club who attended the outing to our hosts’ property in Laidley could only admire their achievement in terraforming their denuded steep urban block into a living, vibrant ecosystem. The property is a ‘Land for Wildlife’ refuge with predominately native species from the area. All plants on the property are encouraged to self-seed and consequently a rich understorey of vegetation covers the property beneath larger and taller trees. All these plants being able to thrive on poor, shallow, sodic soils is down to the natural vegetation and water management which allows maximum retention while channelling excess without erosion.

Bird life is plentiful and active and our host said she didn’t mind the Currawongs in the garden as they were good ‘seed spreaders’ and the garden is designed with many habitats for smaller birds to escape the currawongs and raptors. Brush turkeys are part of the landscape but are controlled and limited to a certain area of the property by controlling their access to nest-building mulch. Snakes are also very welcome (but not so much i

Stonework to manage the storm water
Photo: M. Simmons

n the house!).

Many different tree species were encountered including Eucalypts, Melaleuca, Brachychiton, Pittosporum, etc. A number of delightful native Bauhinia (with the much smaller leaf than the introduced common species) was appreciated by many of the group.

The group then retired to Cunningham Crest Lookout for lunch and to take in the relaxing panorama of Laidley and its valley.

MAY 2026 Activity Details - Friday meeting, and the Sunday outing to three vine scrub hilltops in the Gowrie-Kingsthorpe area

 CLUB MEETING: 

Painted honeyeater, 
Grantiella picta 
Photo: Roger Jaensch

Date & Time: 7 pm, Friday 01 May 2026

Speaker:  Roger Jaensch

Title: The Habitat Jondaryan Initiative. Biodiversity discoveries in the woodlands, grasslands and waterways of Jondaryan

Summary: Roger Jaensch has been interested in Australia’s bird life since school days, encouraged and enabled by parents and friends and by living in five states/territories as well as overseas. His working days involved nature conservation through coordinating bird surveys by volunteers, expeditions to remote regions, promoting management of wetlands, and project development and administration. Roger’s career was partly with non-government organisations, and he was self-employed before retirement. He especially enjoys the challenge of finding secretive waterbirds and breaking new ground in community projects. Over the past several years he has acted as voluntary facilitator for the Habitat Jondaryan Initiative.

Venue: St. Anthony’s Community Centre, Memory Street, Toowoomba. The speaker's presentation is followed by official business and supper. 

CLUB OUTING: 

Hilltop Drive, Rosalie Heights
Photo: Google Maps

Date: Sunday 03 May 2026  

Meeting Time:  8.30am

Where: Gowrie Junction on the Gowrie-Tilgonda Road opposite the Convenience Store. Or, from here continue west for 0.6 kilometres, turn RIGHT onto Gowrie Lilyvale Road for 1.1 kilometres, turn LEFT onto Gowrie-Glencoe Road for 0.8 kilometres, turn LEFT onto Baxters Road and continue to Hilltop Drive. 

Description: (This is the outing planned for March which was cancelled due to wet weather.)

Vine scrub hilltops. Rosalie Heights, Mt. Storey and Mt. Kingsthorpe offer easy access to small patches of remnant vine scrub with panoramic views across the Darling Downs.

Activities: 1. After a short walk along the edge of this patch of vine scrub, we will continue around Hilltop Drive to a private garden where a small patch of remnant vegetation was saved by the owners from clearing when the Rosalie Heights estate was built. Following this we will return down the hill stopping for morning tea. 

2. After morning tea we will continue to the Terry Egan Park, Mt Storey area just south of              Glencoe Mountain for a walk where there is a picnic table and views to the west.

3. Continuing on to Kingsthorpe to Settlers Park where there are two options. 

Mt Kingsthorpe Vine Scrub
Photo: M. Simmons

(i)  a short drive to the base of Mt. Kingsthorpe        and a 450-metre walk from there through           vine scrub along a well-formed path with             some steps to the top. (Difficulty level 3:               Suitable for most ages and fitness levels.               Some bushwalking experience preferable.             Tracks may have short steep hill sections a           rough surface and many steps. ).

   (ii)  700-metre ‘Rosalie Walk’ – part of the             Kingsthorpe Linear Corridor. (Difficulty -             level 1:  No bushwalking experience                       required. Flat even surface with no steps or         steep sections. Suitable for wheelchair users       who have someone to assist them.)

4. Return to Settlers Park for lunch.

Facilities: only at Settlers Park 

What to Bring: suitable clothing and closed footwear for walking in the bush, sunscreen, insect repellent, water, morning tea and lunch, chair, and the usual naturalist stuff of your choice; binoculars, camera, field guides, notebook, etc.

For further enquiries please contact toowoombafieldnaturalists@gmail.com