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| Gateway to the Mountain |
It seems there was quite a bit
of interest in this area as over 30 Nats from both Toowoomba and Stanthorpe
Field Naturalist Clubs and three visitors arrived at Dalrymple Creek Reserve.
It was a beautiful day and all was quiet at the park as the colony of Black
Flying Fox Pteropus alecto was missing. However a large mob flew in just
as we set off for Allora
Mountain
Margaret had arranged a good outing starting
with morning tea at the new gate of the reserve. Here Weebills, Pardalotes and
Gerygones were calling while a Wedge-tailed Eagle harassed by Crows flew
overhead. The habitat is Mountain Coolibah Woodland and a beautiful specimen of
Eucalyptus orgadophylla caught peoples’ eye as we started the climb.
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| The lovely Mountain Coolibah, Eucalyptus orgadophylla |
On the way up the geology had
people considering the volcanic era. Then at the top were the aboriginal
scarred trees to wonder at.
As usual we scattered far and wide
following our own interests. The birdos seemed to congregate at the northwest corner
where a lively flock of Plum-headed Finches, a White-winged Triller and a
Fan-tailed Cuckoo were notable amongst many birds. There was little obvious
insect life though the Dusky Woodswallows and Rainbow Bee-eaters had to be
after something. Lepidoptera were evident with plenty of nondescript moths and later
in the morning the butterflies. The botanists were delighted with the Hairy
Anchor Plant Discaria pubescens in flower. Read more about this from
Trish Gardner in the newsletter and also on her blog Toowoomba Plants. John and Ruth saw a goanna
peeking out of one of the hollows in a Coolibah but weren’t able to catch a
photo; Lace Monitor Varanus varius has been recorded on the mountain.
Lunch was back at Dalrymple Creek Reserve in Allora where both Clubs had a chance to socialize and review their morning. As we were packing up, a beautiful adult White-bellied Sea-Eagle cruised overhead. A few of us then left for home while the rest of the group moved on to the delightful owl sculpture on  |
| Bear's Ear, Cymbonotus lawsonianus |
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| Time for the two clubs to socialize at Dalrymple Creek Reserve, Allora |
On the mountain
(28° 1’ 28.92” S 151° 59’ 40.92”):
Birds: Crested Pigeon,
Black-shouldered Kite, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Nankeen Kestrel, Galah, Eastern
Rosella, Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Laughing Kookaburra, Rainbow Bee-eater, Weebill,
White-throated Gerygone, Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Spotted Pardalote, Striated
Pardalote, Noisy Miner, Striped Honeyeater, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike,
White-winged Triller, Golden Whistler, Rufous Whistler, Dusky Woodswallow, Grey
Butcherbird, Pied Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Pied Currawong, Grey Fantail,
Willie Wagtail, Torresian Crow, Jacky Winter, Silvereye, Common Starling,
Double-barred Finch, Plum-headed Finch.
Butterflies: Small
Grass-yellow Eurema smilax, Cabbage White Pieris rapae, Meadow
Argus Junonia villida, Australian Painted Lady Vanessa kershawi,
Wanderer Danaus plexippus, Common Grass Blue Zizina labradus
labradus.
Extras at
Dalrymple Creek Reserve (28° 1’ 42”S 151° 58’ 60”E): Bird: Rock Dove
(Feral Pigeon), White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Magpie-lark. Mammals: Black
Flying Fox Pteropus alecto
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