Summer break

As the temperatures soar on the Darling Downs in December and January, the Toowoomba Field Nats usually don't have any outings in these months. However we always gather to review the past year and welcome the new one. This year we went to Stockyard Creek Hall for our Christmas break-up. The people there put on a lovely lunch of locally obtained produce and we enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. 

In the shade at Stockyard Hall.

Peter, Tricia and Alison catching up.

We gathered under the shade before the feast and it was time to catch up and even do a little birdwatching.

Natters ready for lunch.

2012 Christmas Break-up.

We had a delicious lunch in convivial surrounds, and Michael had organized a speaker. Pam Hahn is the daughter of the Field Nats' first President, Robert Angus Moncrief. She gave a heartfelt talk about her father and his involvement with many Toowoomba organizations. She certainly fleshed out the man as most of us only know him as a name.

Lockyer Valley Lagoons

We had a lovely day yesterday. The weather was kind and the places we went to were really interesting. Thanks to Ben for organising such a great program.

Francis & Ernie at Peach's Lagoon

We started at an old favourite, Peach's Lagoon on Old Ropeley Road. It didn't let us down. We saw Red-kneed Dotterel, Jacana, Little Egret, Purple Swamphen with young amongst other birds. Enough to keep us occupied for over an hour and by this time it was morning tea. So we adjourned to the lagoon on Colquhoun's Rd where there is a very pleasant grassy stop. While munching our provisions and admiring Peter's photos from the Tenterfield camp, we were able to check out more Red-kneed Dotterel, three Australian Pelican fishing together, and a Brown Goshawk pursued aggressively by Noisy Miners. All to the serenades of Pied Butcherbirds. There were very few bush birds and only 3 butterflies. However one Lesser Wanderer decided Jim was flavour of the month much to the amusement of all.

Linda can't wait to get out of the car
at Colquhoun's Rd Lagoon.

From the Ropeley area we meandered through the southern section of the Lockyer Valley with stunning views of the valley and the Great Divide to the north and the rugged scenery of the Mistake Mountains to the south. Ben had brought us to Narda Lagoon at Laidley where we spent a couple of hours exploring the area.

Natters lunching at Narda Lagoon, Laidley

Narda Lagoon was part of the Greening Lockyer Program started in 2003. More than 8,000 local indigenous plant species were planted and watered via trickle irrigation to ensure their survival. Almost 10 years later it is a lovely place to stop for lunch. We spent time exploring the creek banks on both sides of the Laidley-Rosewood Rd. From the suspension bridge we had great views of both Darter and Little Pied Cormorant with their young. Joan took the opportunity to visit the Pioneer Village opposite and was very impressed. She recommended people visiting it at another time. Laidley Pioneer Village link.

Natters listening to Russell Zabel

A follow-up to the Zabel's Australian Stingless Bee talk in September was our afternoon occupation. Janine & Russell welcomed us warmly and told us about their little oasis at Hatton Vale. Then Russell demonstrated transferring a hive from a log to a specially designed native bee box. These nests are generally from timber getters who save them from felled trees.

Trigona Carbonaria is the most common species kept by home enthusiasts. They are found in coastal southern Queensland and NSW mainly, whereas Austroplebeia australis is usually found west of the Great Divide.

Finding the hive inside the debris
of the dead log.

The spiral structure of a Trigona Carbonaria hive

Austroplebeia australis hive

Russell then showed us his other interest, Platycerium ferns or elkhorns & staghorns.

Natters amongst the Platycerium ferns

Next we were invited into their lovely home to watch a video of Russell and the Stingless Bees. And if that wasn't enough, Janine supplied us with a lovely afternoon tea. We felt thoroughly spoilt. All that was left to do was to thank them both and show our apprecition for their time and effort on our behalf.

Tenterfield Camp, 19-21 October 2012

Although the weather was hot in Tenterfield whereas it had been snowing the week before, the Natters had a busy and enjoyable time. Genevieve had done a great job in organizing an interesting itinerary.

The lovely Glenrock Garden (Photo by Angela)

Most of us met at Glenrock Garden on the Friday afternoon and were bowled over with its beauty. Carolyn Robinson, the owner with her husband Peter, spoke to us about her passion for gardening, the difficulties in creating such a verdant oasis in a climate of extremes, and her successes and failures. The natters soon scattered throughout the garden and you'd come around a corner to see two or three people admiring the plants, relaxing on a well-placed bench, sitting beside a pool taking photographs or, inevitably, waving a net over the water.   

Glenrock Garden - click here for more info

We spent all afternoon here, and then it was onto the Sir Henry Parkes Museum where we were fascinated by the great man's story and memorabilia.

Sir Henry Parkes Museum & Memorial School of Arts - click here for more info

We went to Torrington Conservation Area on Saturday. Although it was an hour from Tenterfield it was well worth the drive as it was carpeted with wildflowers.  

Wildflower carpet

Purplish Beard Orchid,
Calochilus robertsonii

Heath Myrtle, Calytrix tetragona

Heath Myrtle sepals which almost
look like flowers themselves

Lunch was enlivened by a surprise guest, a Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby. It was obviously unafraid of humans as it came very close to our group of 20 or so humans. Immediately lunch was discarded and cameras were clutched as everybody moved closer for a good photo. 

Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby, Petrogale penicillata,
whose tail is unfortunately heavily camouflaged.

Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby - more info

Another Rock-wallaby was seen at the creek crossing near Blatherarm Camping Area 3.

That evening we all met for dinner at the Golf Club where Sarah Caldwell of Mole Station Native Nursery gave us an illustrated talk on plants of the area. 

Sunday started at Tenterfield Park, then out to Boonoo Boonoo National Park with a quick pause at the largest cork tree in Australia. We also stopped along route to meet up with Geoff Robertson who showed us some rare Club Moss. At Morgan's Gully, Platypus Pool, and Boonoo Boonoo Falls the damage caused by the floods in 2011 was very evident. 

In the two photos below you can see the difference between when we visited in 2010 and 2012. Mary Ann is sitting on a deck of which only a stump remains as seen at the bottom of the 2012 image. Also in the 2012 image centre distance you can see a large sand bank which wasn't there in 2010. The 3rd image shows the smashed vegetation on the right-hand side bank. Remember this is nearly two years later and there has been lush growth since then.

Platypus Pool 2010

Platypus Pool 2012.

Flood damage, Platypus Pool

There was more than enough to keep everyone happy and Ros found this interesting caterpillar on the boronia. Though the highlight of the day for me was the wonderful Dotted Sun Orchid, Thelymitra ioxioides.

Can anybody identify this?
I thought it might be the larva 
of a Satin Blue, Nesolycaena alboserica 

Another view of the caterpillar
(photo by Diane P.)

Dotted Sun Orchid, Thelymitra ioxioides

The species lists will be added in a couple of days.

October Meeting & Outing

Meeting:

Date: Friday 04 October  
Guest Speaker: 

When: 7.30pm.  

Where: In the Judy Finlay Room, Cedar Centre, 36 Baker St, Toowoomba.

Followed by light refreshments.                      Visitors welcome.

Thompson Rd, Grapetree

Outing:

Date: Sunday 6 October, Grapetree area
Details: Spend the morning in the lovely native garden full of butterflies and bees. 
After morning tea move downhill to the dry rainforest along the creek. Vehicle transport provided. Lunch will be here.
Leader: Trish G. 

When: Leaving 8.30 am. 

Where:  Meet at the car park cnr Neil & Jessie Sts, Toowoomba 
What to bring: Suitable clothing for walking in the bush - hat, stout shoes, etc. Sunscreen. Insect (including tick) repellent. Water. Morning & afternoon tea, lunch and a chair.

Visitors welcome.

Boodua/Acland, September 2012

The lagoon

It was a perfect spring day for our outing. Boodua Environmental Park was our first stop. This is a 6.5 ha remnant of poplar box and Weeping Myall Woodland with a grassy understorey.

Because of the decline in Weeping Myall Woodlands in Queensland they are listed as endangered nationally. Most remnant patches are 1-2 ha, and really this is the same at Boodua. Most of the area is taken over by a picnic ground. There is a weir further down stream and the water backs up for 3-5 kms in a good season forming a lovely lagoon.

We walked through the patch of woodland where wilga and weeping pittosporum were in flower. Trish showed us how to recognize the Darling Pea Swansonia queenslandica. We also had excellent views of a Brown Goshawk as it flew quite low above us.

Weeping Myall Woodland at Boodua

Species lists compiled from members' sightings. 

Boodua Reserve, 27°23'32"S   151°50'50"E, 250m radius.  

Birds:Brown Quail, Spotted Dove, Australasian Darter, Little Black Cormorant, Straw-necked Ibis (o’head), Black-shouldered Kite, Brown Goshawk, Galah, Little Corella, Cockatiel, Superb Fairy-wren, White-throated Gerygone, Buff-rumped Thornbill, Striated Pardalote, Noisy Miner, Brown Honeyeater, Grey Butcherbird, Pied Butcherbird, Pied Currawong, Torresian Crow, Apostlebird, Golden-headed Cisticola. 

Insects: Butterflies: Cabbage White Pieris rapae, Meadow Argus Junonia villida, Wanderer Danaus plexippus, Saltbush Blue Theclinesthes serpentata, Common Grass Blue Zizina labradus. 

Mammals: Eastern Grey Kangaroo Macropus giganteus.

From Boodua we drove on to Acland via the Kudo-Silverleigh Road with expansive views south to Oakey, and the New Hope Acland Coal Mine to the north. What a contrast! We spent some time here. First we walked up to the old underground coal mine, then had a stroll through Glen Beutel's garden. He is one of the last residents in the township and he came and talked to us about the life and death of the town. His interest is in photography and he had several photo boards illustrating a wide range of fauna from the district.

Listening to Glen Beutel

Acland Township, 27°18'17" S, 151°41'18" E, 500m radius.

Birds:Straw-necked Ibis, Masked Lapwing, Galah, Cockatiel, Scaly-breasted Lorikeet, Pale-headed Rosella, Red-rumped Parrot, Superb Fairy-wren, White-throated Gerygone, Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Striated Pardalote, Noisy Miner, Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater, Blue-faced Honeyeater, Striped Honeyeater, Grey-crowned Babbler, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Australasian Figbird, Grey Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Willie Wagtail, Torresian Crow, Magpie-lark, Apostlebird, Rufous Songlark, Welcome Swallow, Common Myna. 

Insects: Butterflies: Orange Grass Dart Taractrocera anisomorpha, Greenish Grass Dart Ocybadistes walkeri, Orchard Swallowtail Papilio aegeus, Chequered Swallowtail Papilio demoleus, Lemon Migrant Catopsilia, Small Grass-yellow Eurema smilax, Scarlet Jezebel Delias argenthona, Striated Pearl White Elodina parthia, Grey Ringlet Hypocysta pseudirius, Meadow Argus Junonia villida, Lesser or Native Wanderer Danaus chrysippus.

After lunch we retraced part of our route to "Blue Wren" at Greenwood. This property has a lovely patch of scrub on their sugarloaf. We spent some time checking out the road verges, then the lovely garden which was alive with birds, before setting off for the sugarloaf.

The sugarloaf from the garden.

Judas Tree and Banksia Rose in the garden
at 'Blue Wren'.

Trish & Jean set about checking out the plants in the scrub while others lingered over the lovely 180° views. A stalwart band of natters decided to tackle the peak, but most of us wended our way home after a great day in the bush.
“Blue Wren” at Greenwood, 27°19'10" S, 151°45'18"E, 500m radius

Birds:Bar-shouldered Dove, Black-shouldered Kite, Galah, Pale-headed Rosella, Superb Fairy-wren, Variegated Fairy-wren, Noisy Miner, Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater, Brown Honeyeater, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Olive-backed Oriole, Willie Wagtail, Torresian Crow, Golden-headed Cisticola, Rufous Songlark, Zebra Finch, Double-barred Finch, Australasian Pipit.
Insects: Butterflies: Wanderer Danaus plexippus, Scarlet Jezebel Delias argenthona, Yellow-spotted Jezebel Delias nysa.

Roadside sightings, not recorded at the major stops, between Meringandan/Acland and return. 

Birds: Australian Wood Duck, Crested Pigeon, White-faced Heron, Spotted Harrier, Nankeen Kestrel, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Common Starling.

Insects: Black Jezebel Delias nigrina.

Unidentified beetle found at 'Blue Wren';
 a species of Cryptocephalinae perhaps?

Pechey area, July 2012

Exploring the property

Varied naturalist experiences were available to 20 or more TFNC members as we visited the Santa Gertrudis pastoral property near Pechey. Previously held by the same family for over a century, it showed evidence of this long tenure, including an avenue of Bunya pines, plus two wonderful carob trees at the house-yard gate. It turned out that we had the last blue-sky-and-sunshine day for quite some time for this excursion.

After enjoying our morning tea in the garden we set off in the four-wheel drives, since the country is a series of rolling hills with rather slippery tracks in some spots. We began at a high point with a view and observed small diggings in the softer ground near the track. Ian attributes these to bandicoots. 

As usual, an initial full troop soon became smaller groups as people followed their line of interest. One group headed to the creek in the paddock below, hoping for birdlife, only to be lucky enough to see a Koala! Two creeks merge on this land, constituting the headwaters of Cooby Creek.

Koala at the creek

One of the creeks on the property

A large portion of the property is sandstone, but there are also areas of both red and black soils, including a contoured cultivation patch, not in use at present. Ian has noted the distinct drop in rainfall there compared with that on the range watershed about four kilometres east. He said heavy rains had been simply disappearing into the porous landscape. (Adapted from Margaret's article in the August newsletter)

Nats checking out the cactoblastus larva on a wattled knoll 

For more about the cactoblastis, click here.

Cactoblastis cactorum larva in the Prickly Pear.

Close-up of the glorious wattle flowers.

SPECIES LIST (Compiled from members’ sightings.)

Pechey - 27 19' 19" S, 152° 0' 20" E (WGS84) 1.5kilometre radius 

Bird List: Australian Wood Duck, Australasian Grebe, Crested Pigeon, Little Pied Cormorant, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Masked Lapwing, Galah, Rainbow Lorikeet, Scaly-breasted Lorikeet, Pale-headed Rosella, Laughing Kookaburra, Superb Fairy-wren, Red-backed Fairy-wren, Weebill, Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Striated Pardalote, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Noisy Miner, Striped Honeyeater, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Rufous Whistler, Pied Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Grey Fantail, Willie Wagtail, Torresian Crow, Magpie-lark, Welcome Swallow.

Mammal List: Koala, Red-necked Wallaby, Eastern Grey Kangaroo.

Butterfly List: Meadow Argus Junonia villida, Wanderer Danaus plexippus.

Moth List: Larvae and pupa of the Cactoblastis cactorum.

McEwan State Forest, May 2012

After arriving at McEwan we studied the decaying horse drawn wood and cast iron farm machinery as Rod did a “Harry Butler” and found a Narrow-nosed Planigale, Planigale tenuirostris which became an instant film star. This is its eastern limit and Al explained the details of the male Planigale’s very active life cycle and female reproduction habits. A large Narrow-leaved Ironbark hosted several Spotted Pardalotes in brilliant yellow and red and we all enjoyed the spectacle, especially the tele-lensed equipped photographers.

Lesley & Al conferring on the bird list

The track led down the slope to the grassed paddocks with many small birds in the track-side bushes where several had colourful berries, Red-olive Plum Pittosporum phylliraeoides, White Myrtle Pittosporum rhombifolium and Orangebark Maytenus bilocularis.

Something has caught their eye,
Genevieve, Rod, Lesley & Susan.

Species Lists for McEwan SF - compiled from members’ &and visitors’ sightings

Birds: Crested Pigeon, Peaceful Dove, Bar-shouldered Dove, Collared Sparrowhawk, Lorikeet sp., Laughing Kookaburra, Speckled Warbler, Weebill, Spotted Pardalote, Striated Pardalote, Lewin's Honeyeater, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Noisy Miner, Striped Honeyeater, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Golden Whistler, Rufous Whistler, Grey Butcherbird, Pied Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Pied Currawong, Grey Fantail, Willie Wagtail, Torresian Crow, Silvereye, Mistletoebird, Double-barred Finch.

Butterflies: Small Grass-yellow Eurema smilax, Black Jezebel Delias nigrina, Cabbage White Pieris rapae, Meadow Argus Junonia villida, Yellow Admiral Vanessa itea, Common Crow Euploea core, Lesser or Native Wanderer Danaus chrysippus, Wanderer or Monarch Danaus plexippus.

Moths: Ghost Moth sp (possibly Trictena atripalpis).

Odonata: Wandering Percher Diplacodes bipunctata, Australian Emperor Hemianax papuensis.

Spiders: Jewel Spider Austracantha minax, Golden Orb-Weaver Nephila edulis (dark brown joints).

Mammals: Narrow-nosed Planigale Planigale tenuirostris

Reptiles: Iridescent litter-skink Lygisaurus foliorum

South Burnett Camp

The annual camp which this year was based at the Bjelke-Petersen Dam Tourist & Recreation Park, was another great success. Thanks to Tricia (and husband) for their organization of a wide variety of activities. The weather wasn't as kind as it could have been, but no one was complaining.  

Natters camping at Bjelke-Petersen Dam

Birding in Wondai State Forest

We visited national parks, state forests, conservation reserves and wetlands. We had talks from local farmers and members of the South Burnett Field Naturalists who also lead a couple of our outings. 

We kayaked on the dam, birdwatched, examined dragonflies, photographed fungi, dined at a winery, checked out the local museums and heard all about fossils and duboisia (the South Burnett supplies the world with about 90% of this crop which is harvested for the pharmaceutically important  alkaloids the leaves contain.)

White-winged Choughs

This was written after watching the antics of these birds at Bjelke-Petersen Dam.

Ode to a Dis-chuffed Chough

In Slater’s book we’re plainly seen

(On page three hundred and sixteen.)

This learned book refers to us,

Corcorax melanorhamphos.

To you we are the White-winged Chough,

And life is getting rather rough.

Our quiet life’s turned upside down,

Because a certain feathered clown,

Gymnorhina tibicen named.

This is the bird that can be blamed

For nervous tics and twisted necks,

And Choughs becoming nervous wrecks.

‘Tis to the Magpie I’ve referred.

Let me tell you, this rotten bird

Was put on Earth without a soul.

When we emerge, the dawn patrol

Swoops down on us with shrieks of glee

Upsetting all my friends ¾ and me.

For at the risk of sounding morbid

Why pick on a fellow corvid?

Pick on sparrows, pick on chats,

Or something really useful ¾ CATS!

The one thing I can’t understand. It’s

Why we let these bloody bandits

Treat us with this animus.

We’re just as big, there’s more of us.

Let’s band together, fight the sods,

Because I tell you – by the gods,

Tomorrow at the break of dawn

We’ll make them rue the day they’re born.

Defiantly sing our bold refrain.

Oh, Crikey! HERE THEY COME AGAIN!

                                      -         by John Ball

Picnicking in the rain at Gordonbrook

Species Reports 

The camp at Bjelke-Petersen Dam was a naturalist’s delight. You just have to look at the species lists below to see the variety of organisms we recorded. As a birder I was in seventh heaven, seeing birds I hadn't seen for quite a while. The lovely group of Wandering Whistling Duck at Gordonbrook Dam and the Black-eared Cuckoo that Tricia found at the caravan park were two that were highlights for me. Although the gentle Red-winged Parrots, the majestic White-bellied Sea-Eagles and active Varied Sitella were all as noteworthy. At Gordonbrook Dam we recorded an amazing 55 species in an afternoon despite showers of rain that had us all sheltering under the picnic shed. The small group of campers who went to the Wondai State Forest with Pam had a feast as well with Shining Bronze Cuckoo, Speckled Warbler and Painted Button-quail topping the bill. Lastly a couple of members stayed on for another day and went to Reinke Scrub. On the way back to camp, in the cotton fields in the Silverleaf district, a really great bonus – a Bustard! What a way to end a lovely few days in the South Burnett.

Birds – (Compiled from members' sightings by Lesley.) Total 128 species

Bjelke-Petersen Dam Caravan Park and surrounding inlets, 26° 18.343’ S, 151° 59.680’ E (within 500m for land birds). Brown Quail, Australian Wood Duck, Pacific Black Duck, Grey Teal, Australasian Grebe, Common Bronzewing, Crested Pigeon, Bar-shouldered Dove, Tawny Frogmouth, Australasian Darter, Little Pied Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Australian Pelican, Great Egret, Intermediate Egret, White-faced Heron, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Whistling Kite, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Nankeen Kestrel, Australian Hobby, Dusky Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Masked Lapwing, Caspian Tern, Galah, Rainbow Lorikeet, Scaly-breasted Lorikeet, Little Lorikeet, Australian King Parrot, Red-winged Parrot, Pale-headed Rosella, Red-rumped Parrot, Pheasant Coucal, Black-eared Cuckoo, Southern Boobook, Laughing Kookaburra, Superb Fairy-wren, Variegated Fairy-wren, Red-backed Fairy-wren, Weebill, White-throated Gerygone, Yellow Thornbill, Striated Pardalote, Noisy Miner, Brown Honeyeater, White-throated Honeyeater, White-naped Honeyeater, Blue-faced Honeyeater, Little Friarbird, Striped Honeyeater, Grey-crowned Babbler, Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike, Rufous Whistler, Olive-backed Oriole, Grey Butcherbird, Pied Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Willie Wagtail, Torresian Crow, Restless Flycatcher, Magpie-lark, White-winged Chough, Apostlebird, Golden-headed Cisticola, Tawny

Grassbird, Welcome Swallow, Double-barred Finch. 68 species

Bjelke-Petersen Dam Day-use Area, 26 18.343' S, 151 59.680' E (within 500m). Australian Wood Duck, Pacific Black Duck, Australasian Grebe, Crested Pigeon, Australasian Darter, Little Pied Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Dusky Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Masked Lapwing, Caspian Tern, Galah, Blue-winged Kookaburra, Sacred Kingfisher, Variegated Fairy-wren, Noisy Miner, Australian Magpie, Willie Wagtail, Torresian Crow, Magpie-lark, Welcome Swallow. 21 species

Boat Mountain Conservation Park, 26 18.343' S, 151 59.680' E (picnic ground and walk up the mountain).

Brown Cuckoo-Dove, White-browed Scrubwren, Lewin's Honeyeater, Eastern Whipbird, Grey Shrike-thrush, Pied Currawong, Grey Fantail, Torresian Crow. 8 species

Jack Smith Scrub, 26 18.343' S, 151 59.680' E. Brown Quail, Brown Cuckoo-Dove, Bar-shouldered Dove, Galah, Pheasant Coucal, Brown Gerygone, Lewin's Honeyeater, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Brown Honeyeater, Eastern Whipbird, Varied Triller, Golden Whistler, Grey Fantail, Torresian Crow, Eastern Yellow Robin, Silvereye. 16 species

Reinke Scrub Conservation Park, Proston, 500m radius of 26° 10.924’ S, 151° 35.120’ E. Eastern Whipbird, Varied Triller, Golden Whistler, Grey Shrike-thrush, Spangled Drongo, Rufous Fantail, Torresian Crow, Eastern Yellow Robin, Mistletoebird. 9 species

Wooroolin Wetlands, Wooroolin, 26° 24.420 S, 151°49.222’ E (around the circumference of the lagoon).

Australian Wood Duck, Pacific Black Duck, Hardhead (White-eyed Duck), Australasian Grebe, Crested Pigeon, Australasian Darter, Little Pied Cormorant, Great Egret, Intermediate Egret, Black-shouldered Kite, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Nankeen Kestrel, Purple Swamphen, Rainbow Lorikeet, Scaly-breasted Lorikeet, Red-winged Parrot (heard), Pale-headed Rosella, Laughing Kookaburra, White-throated Treecreeper, Variegated Fairy-wren, Red-backed Fairy-wren, White-throated Gerygone, Striated Pardalote, Lewin's Honeyeater, Noisy Miner, Blue-faced Honeyeater, Striped

Honeyeater, Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike, Golden Whistler, Rufous Whistler, Australasian Figbird, Olive-backed Oriole, Pied Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Pied Currawong, Grey Fantail, Willie Wagtail, Torresian Crow, Leaden Flycatcher, Restless Flycatcher, Magpie-lark, Tawny Grassbird, Double-barred Finch. 43 species

On the viewing platform at Gordonbrook

Gordonbrook Dam, 26° 26.878’ S 151° 45.224’ E (coordinates on the bird hide, but sighting are from the picnic area along the walk to Water-dragon Inlet). 

Indian Peafowl (four seen around the bird hide), Magpie Goose, Wandering Whistling-Duck, Black Swan, Radjah Shelduck, Australian Wood Duck, Australasian Shoveler, Grey Teal, Hardhead (White-eyed Duck), Australasian Grebe, Crested Pigeon, Bar-shouldered Dove, Australasian Darter, Little Pied Cormorant, Pied Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Australian Pelican, White-necked Heron, Great Egret, Intermediate Egret, White-faced Heron, Little Egret, Osprey, Black-shouldered Kite, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Whistling Kite, Purple Swamphen, Dusky Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Black-winged Stilt, Black-fronted Dotterel, Masked Lapwing, Comb-crested Jacana, Whiskered Tern, Caspian Tern, Galah, Cockatiel, Scaly-breasted Lorikeet, Australian King Parrot, Pale-headed Rosella, Red-rumped Parrot, Laughing Kookaburra, Superb Fairy-wren, Variegated Fairy-wren, Red-backed Fairy-wren, White-throated Gerygone, Noisy Miner, Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike, Pied Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Grey Fantail, Willie Wagtail, Torresian Crow, Magpie-lark, Welcome Swallow. 55 species

Silverleaf Weir, Murgon, 26° 9.955 S, 151° 48.858’ E. Australian Wood Duck, Little Pied Cormorant, Great Egret, Nankeen Kestrel, Eurasian Coot, Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Galah, Pheasant Coucal, Azure Kingfisher, Laughing Kookaburra, Noisy Miner, Brown Honeyeater, Blue-faced Honeyeater, Little Friarbird, Australian Magpie, Willie Wagtail, Torresian Crow, Restless Flycatcher, Magpie-lark, Welcome Swallow, Mistletoebird, Chestnut-breasted Mannikin. 22 species

Wondai State Forest, 26° 21.0’ S, 151° 51.859‘ E (within 300m of this point). Common Bronzewing, Peaceful Dove, Painted Button-quail, Little Lorikeet, Pale-headed Rosella, Shining Bronze-Cuckoo, Speckled Warbler, Weebill, White-throated Gerygone, Yellow Thornbill, Buff-rumped Thornbill, Striated Pardalote, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Noisy Miner, White-throated Honeyeater, Striped Honeyeater (heard), Varied Sitella, Rufous Whistler, Grey Shrike-thrush, Pied Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Pied Currawong, Jacky Winter, Mistletoebird, Double-barred Finch. 25 species

Miscellaneous extras, between Boat Mountain in the north to Gordonbrook Dam in the south, Reinke Scrub in the west to Burnett Highway to the east. 

Cattle Egret, Australian White Ibis, Straw-necked Ibis, Royal Spoonbill, Pacific Baza, LLittle Corella, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Common Starling, Common Myna, Zebra Finch, House Sparrow. 11 species

Butterflies – Total 23 species

Bjelke-Petersen Dam Caravan Park, 26° 18.343’ S, 151° 59.680’ E (within 500m).

Pale Triangle Graphium eurypylus, White Migrant Catopsilia pyranthe, Small Grass-yellow Eurema smilax, Large Grassyellow Eurema hecabe, Scarlet Jezebel Delias argenthona, Yellow or Common Albatross Appias paulina, Glasswing Acraea andromacha, Meadow Argus Junonia villida, Wanderer or Monarch Danaus plexippus, Small Green-banded Blue

Psychonotis caelius. 10 species

Bjelke-Petersen Dam Day-use Area, 26 18.343' S, 151 59.680' E (within 500m).

Chequered Swallowtail Papilio demoleus, Large Grass-yellow Eurema hecabe, Meadow Argus Junonia villida, Lesser or Native Wanderer Danaus chrysippus, Wanderer or Monarch Danaus plexippus. 5 species

Boat Mountain Conservation Park, 26 18.343' S, 151 59.680' E (picnic ground and walk up the mountain).   Small Grass-yellow Eurema smilax. 1 species

Jack Smith Scrub, 26 18.343' S, 151 59.680' E. Tailed Emperor Polyura sempronius, Scarlet Jezebel Delias argenthona.   2 species

Reinke Scrub Conservation Park, Proston, 500m radius of 26° 10.924’ S, 151° 35.120’ E. Dingy Skipper Toxidia peron, Chequered Swallowtail Papilio demoleus, Small Grass-yellow Eurema smilax, Caper White Belenois java, Southern Pearl White Elodina angulipennis, Dusky Knight Ypthima arctous, Brown Ringlet Hypocysta metirius, Tailed

Emperor Polyura sempronius, Glasswing Acraea andromacha, Meadow Argus Junonia villida, White-banded Plane Phaedyma shepherdi, Lesser or Native Wanderer Danaus chrysippus, Wanderer or Monarch Danaus plexippus, Small Green-banded Blue Psychonotis caelius, Common Grass Blue Zizina labradus labradus. 15 species

Gordonbrook Dam, 26° 26.878’ S 151° 45.224’ E (coordinates on the bird hide, but sighting are from the picnic area

along the walk to Water-dragon Inlet.) Pale Triangle Graphium eurypylus, Chequered Swallowtail Papilio demoleus, Scarlet Jezebel Delias argenthona, Cabbage White Pieris rapae, Evening Brown Melanitis leda, Orange Ringlet Hypocysta adiante, Lesser or Native Wanderer Danaus chrysippus. 7 species

Wondai State Forest, 26° 21.0’ S, 151° 51.859‘ E (within 300m of this point). Small Grass-yellow Eurema smilax, Black Jezebel Delias nigrina, Glasswing Acraea andromacha, Lesser or Native Wanderer Danaus chrysippus. 4 species

Miscellaneous extras, between Boat Mountain in the north to Gordonbrook Dam in the south, Reinke Scrub in the west to Burnett Highway to the east. Orchard Swallowtail Papilio aegeus. 1 species

Mammals – Total 7 species

Bjelke-Petersen Dam Caravan Park, 26° 18.343’ S, 151° 59.680’ E (within 500m). Red-necked Wallaby Macropus rufogriseus, Sugar Glider Petaurus breviceps, Common Brushtail Possum Trichosurus vulpecular (seen by Von of Woop Woop Wildlife Rescue Inc), Pteropus sp. 4 species

Miscellaneous extras, between Boat Mountain in the north to Gordonbrook Dam in the south, Reinke Scrub in the west to Burnett Highway to the east. Brown Hare Lepus capensis, Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus, Whiptail Wallaby Macropus parryi. 3 species

Reptiles – Total 3 species

Bjelke-Petersen Dam Caravan Park, 26° 18.343’ S, 151° 59.680’ E (within 500m). Bearded Dragon Pogona barbata, Asian House Gecko Hemidactylus frenatus. 2 species

Gordonbrook Dam, 26° 26.878’ S 151° 45.224’ E (coordinates on the bird hide, but sighting is from the walking track at Water-dragon Inlet). Eastern Water Dragon Intellagama lesueurii. 1 species

Amphibians – Total 6 species (Compiled by Barry) Members reported seeing or hearing the following. Striped Marshfrog, Limnodynastes peronii; Common Green Treefrog, Litoria caerulea; Emerald Spotted Treefrog, Litoria peronii; Stony Creek Frog, Litoria wilcoxii; Cane Toad, Rhinella marina.

But what can one say about the Eastern Sedgefrog, Litoria fallax? It was certainly seen at the dam but had hitched a ride down on one of the vans.

Odonata (dragons and damsels) – Total 7 species (Compiled by Barry)

Mid-April is already late season for the Odonata so that coupled with the showery weather was enough to seriously reduce activity.

Wooroolin Wetlands: Wandering Percher, Diplacodes bipunctata; Blue Skimmer, Orthetrum caledonicum; Blackheaded Skimmer, Crocothemis nigrifrons; Common Bluetail, Ischnura heterosticta. All these were found on the road-side verges near the wetland.

Gordonbrook Dam: Three damsels were seen laying eggs in slits they make in the floating vegetation. The Common Bluetail, Ischnura heterosticta; Red and Blue Damsel, Xanthagrion erythroneurum; and the spectacular Gold-fronted Riverdamsel, Pseudagrion aureofrons.

Both the Blue Skimmer and the Black-headed Skimmer were competing for control of the edges.

Fungi list for Bjelke Petersen Dam camp, including all areas visited (Compiled by Glenda)

Amanita species, Boletellus emodensis, Calvatia lilacina, Calvatia species, Crucibulum laeve, Cyptotrama aspratum, Ganoderma species, Geastrum species, Gloeophyllum albietum, Gymnopilus ferruginosus, Lyco-perdon scabrum, Mycena species, Panus fasciatus, Phaeotrametes decipiens, Phellinus species X 2, Pisolithus albus, Pisolithus arhizus, Pisolithus tinctorius, Pycnoporus coccineus, Scleroderma species, Stemonitis species, Stereum species, Trametes species, Unidentified bolete, Xerula gigaspora. 26 species

Goomburra Forest Reserve, Sunday 04 March, 2012

(Adapted from Francis's newsletter report.) Rain in the Toowoomba regional area on Saturday made the outing doubtful but after checking if Dalrymple Creek was passable, 21 people set off for Goomburra. Five more members joined us along the Inverramsay Road into the national park. We had no difficulties getting in although there was plenty of water in the creek crossings.

Giant Fleay's frog (photo by John W.)

The cars made straight for the picnic area where we had our morning tea. It was very wet underfoot and a giant Fleay’s Frog carved in stone kept us company. 

As rain looked imminent and the water across the creek crossing was already high, the group made its way to the Dalrymple Circuit walk. As we got to the beginning of the Circuit our ears were assailed by the call of the Bell Miners. The Circuit walk was very easy but the rain had brought out the leeches. So there was constant checking of these creatures as we walked and the number of red legs was a testament to their persistence. 

Viewing platform over Dalrymple Creek (photo by John B.)

A number of birds were spotted on the circuit (see the bird list). We also saw a Red-necked Pademelon (Thylogale Thetis) on the path. We stopped at the viewing platform to look at the fast flowing Dalrymple Creek and across it on the rocky face a giant spear lily (Doryanthes palmeri). Continuing on the walk, with the sky looking very threatening, but fortunately not raining, we saw a very established bird’s nest fern across the valley. The rainy season had also given rise to a number of fungi, which Glenda photographed. 

Our circular route led us back to our cars and lunch under the trees of the camping ground. After lunch, some of us walked back to the picnic area by Dalrymple Creek where we were impressed by the force and depth of the water flowing over the side road we had originally planned to take up the hill. The amount of activity off-track indicated that many photogenic fungi were still being encountered .

The little frogs of Goomburra (by Barry)

The March excursion returned home with several frog mysteries. The Clicking Froglet Crinia signifera was certainly calling from the water-filled ditches along the track, but what was the grating, ratchet-like call coming from similar habitats and heard by Michael and Genevieve? With help from the CD of frog calls and later Harry Hine’s knowledge of the amphibian fauna of the park this turned out to be the Red Backed Broodfrog Pseudophryne coriacea. The little froglet found in our lunch area was identified in time from photos as a metamorph of the Stony Creek Frog Litoria wilcoxii. In the Club poster its previous name was Litoria lesueuri. I wonder how many other calls would have graced the night air had we waited until early evening?  

Species List (Compiled from members' sightings by Lesley.)

Birds: Brown Cuckoo-Dove (Pigeon), Pacific Baza, Masked Lapwing, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Rainbow Lorikeet, Crimson Rosella, Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Laughing Kookaburra, White-throated Treecreeper, Satin Bowerbird (male & female), Superb Fairy-wren, Red-backed Fairy-wren, White-browed Scrubwren, Brown Gerygone, White-throated

Gerygone, Brown Thornbill, Lewin's Honeyeater, Bell Miner, Red Wattlebird, Eastern Whipbird, Grey Shrike-thrush, Australian Magpie, Pied Currawong, Rufous Fantail, Torresian Crow, Black-faced Monarch, Eastern Yellow Robin, Redbrowed Finch. 28 species

Butterflies: Dingy Grass-dart Taractrocera dolon, Blue Triangle Graphium sarpedon, Orchard Swallowtail Papilio aegeus, Chequered Swallowtail Papilio demoleus, Large Grass-yellow Eurema hecabe, Common Brown Heteronympha merope, Yellow Admiral, Vanessa itea, Lesser or Native Wanderer Danaus chrysippus, Wanderer or Monarch Danaus

plexippus, Yellow-spot Blue Candalides xanthospilos, Common Grass Blue Zizina labradus labradus. 11 species

For a report on the lovely orchid, Ladies Tresses Spiranthes sinensis subsp. australis (Spiranthes australis), please see http://toowoombaplants2008.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/ladies-tresses.html