Two Goomburra Plants

 (Article and photos by Diane Pagel)

The Goomburra camp provided several examples of plant species thriving in limited areas inaccessible to grazing animals. In a small mostly dry gully off Dalrymple Creek I came across a large colony of Bulbine bulbosa (the wild onion or native leek) that cattle could not reach, growing above, and descending from, a basalt cliff and slopes. There were hundreds of plants showing bright yellow and perfumed star-like flowers opening on racemes one or two at a time. The display was striking. Bulbine bulbosa (left) grows from corms and has succulent leaves, densely tufted. It can be a successful garden plant. 

Well to the west, along Goomburra Road, I rediscovered a healthy colony of the vulnerable Rhaponticum australe (right), the native thistle, recovering strongly from drought along the verge and into the neighbouring dry paddock, not grazed for years. Buds and pink flowers were starting to show. The landowner had been unaware of the plant's significance but offered to monitor it.

A Satin Bowerbird checks out human activity

 (Article and photo by Diana Ball)

On our Wednesday morning walk [at the October TFNC Camp] we came across a Satin Bowerbird’s ‘courtship stage’. It was not the first we had observed during our visit to Goomburra, but it was the most spectacular, adorned with an amazing number of blue treasures washed clean by the rain. There were well over fifty blue plastic bottle tops, a number of straws and scraps and a stubby holder! Items that were not of the ‘best’ blue were relegated to the outer limits of the display.

While we were admiring and photographing the bower, its owner flew into a nearby tree and was clearly displeased at the attention being given to his construction by intruders. We hurried away and I watched from a reasonable distance as he flew down and spent several minutes inspecting the inside of his bower and then checking none of his display was out of place. Apparently satisfied he flew onto a branch which happened to be just above my hiking poles. I was obliged to wait a few more minutes before he flew off and I could retrieve them

Report on TFNC Camp at Main Range National Park- Goomburra section 26-29 October

 (Report by Linda Mangubhai)

Despite the weather forecast, 13 members of the Club decided to risk the rain and storms for our annual ‘camp’ at Goomburra State forest, part of the Main Range NP. It is a place the Club has visited many times, but the organisers (Tricia Allen and Sandy Eastoe) decided that an extended stay would be worthwhile, and I am sure that the attendees can now confirm that idea. We occupied the Gordon Retreat Homestead, and the nearby caravan park and group gatherings were held around the large veranda table at the Homestead. This table proved most useful for the taco dinner (shopped, prepared, chopped up and cooked by Sandy, Tricia and Julie and their team) and for flora and fauna discussions. 

We were fortunate to have Mike and Elizabeth Russell and ‘Mangroves to Mountains’ to confirm the plants seen and to have Lesley Beaton to complete the bird list every evening.

Organised walks occurred in the mornings as the weather usually deteriorated after lunch, allowing for short siestas and then a short afternoon walk. Walks in the grounds or around the camp site increased the bird list considerably. Crimson rosellas posed for photographs and flowering callistemons provided a haven for common brown butterflies. We undertook three main walks.

On the track opposite the Sylvester Lookout the red apple (Acmena ingens) was in fruit. Fortunately, the fruit was on the ground as the canopy of this tree was out of sight. A fine specimen of a pencil cedar (Polyscias murrayi) was seen, and native violets were flowering on the side of the track. Bird calls were heard, and these generated some discussion.

Our walk along the northern track was a little longer and needed some rock-hopping over the creeks. As usual, groups travelled in different directions and some were lucky enough to find a (sleepy) carpet python. A Wonga Pigeon stayed on the ground long enough for all of us to take photographs. It is very rare for us to find bush food that we are game to eat but we could not resist the native raspberries.

Our last longer walk was on the Black Cockatoo Track. Alas, no Cockatoos were sighted but a Cunningham’s skink was sunning itself on a log we needed for our morning tea. A ‘rubbish collector’ was out in the form of a Satin Bowerbird. He had collected lots of plastic caps from water bottles, odd scraps of plastic, an AAA battery and even a blue stubby holder. A pity we could not take all that rubbish out of the bush, but he had a lady to woo...

Camps are part flora and fauna searches and part social. The early risers went in search of plants and birds; Diane Pagel’s walks found the native clematis (Clematis aristata) and Bulbine bulbosa (commonly known as Bulbine lily). Sadly, Diane also found a specimen of Dog rose (also called Briar rose) which is another garden escapee. The veranda table was our focal point. The tacos dinner was a first for some and we enjoyed telling stories around the table of incidents in our travelling life. It was good to be joined by the Gundrys and Michael Rooke for a day and for Jean to share her stories from their younger days. Ben and Michael were the envy of us all as they saw the Albert’s lyrebird - but neither had a camera!

The lesson is, do not let the Meteorological office put you off a TFNC camp. Wet or dry, there is still some fun to be had. Thanks again to Tricia and Sandy for all their hard work

Cunningham's Skink (Photo by Diane Ball)

Wonga Pidgeon (Photo: Linda Mangubhai)

Plant List, Main Range, Goomburra section (Report by Mike and Elizabeth Russell)

October 26 – Top of the Range

We drove to the top and then walked a short way into sub-tropical rainforest. This is a complicated forest of several layers with many vines climbing for the light. Of special interest were several Bunya Pines (Araucaria bidwillii) some fully grown and quite large. It was speculated that these might have been planted by Aborigines because they are further south than the natural southern limit around Gympie. This could well be so but these are probably less than 200 years old so fruit might have been brought there from European settlements. Beside one of these Bunya Pines, exposed by a gap in the canopy, was a fine example of a Pencil Cedar (Polyscias murrayi) cousin of the smaller Celerywood. Pencil Cedars are a bit restricted in their range but there were more nearby.

October 27 – Banks of Dalrymple Creek

This is a typical riparian open forest growing in stony basalt alluvial soil. The beautiful white boles of Flooded and Sydney Blue Gums (Eucalyptus grandis, E. saligna) glistened in the morning sun towering to 40 metres.  With these were other half-barked gums such as Queensland Blue Gum (E. tereticornis, probably subsp. basaltica) and Cabbage Gum (E. amplifolia subsp. sessiliflora). The tall gum with vertical strands of blue and green bark is likely Broad-leaved White Mahogany (E. carnea). Also present was the Pink Bloodwood (Corymbia intermedia) with matt brown bark, Smudgee (Angophora woodsiana) with lighter rougher bark, and Forest She-oak (Allocasuarina torulosa) with fissured bark and dark cone-like fruit harbouring seed which is the special food of Glossy Black Cockatoos. There were also a few, mostly young, Hoop Pines (Araucaria cunninghamii) children of the big ones in the forests above.

There were two main understorey trees; the light green, feathery foliaged Green Wattle (Acacia irrorata), Toowoomba’s Wattle, and a white stemmed myrtaceous shrub coming out in flower which we’ve identified as Scrub Ironwood (Gossia acmenoides) except for one feature which disagrees with the Red Book! There were also a few of the delicate, pendulous, pine-leaved hemiparasite Native Cherry (Exocarpus cupressiformis).

Vines were frequent. The native grapes were well represented by Cissus antarctica, C. hypoglauca with a leaf divided into five segments, and the deeply divided leaf of Cayratia clematidea. Actively climbing up trees was the dark-leaved Monkey Rope Vine (Parsonsia straminea) with long green pods. There were mats on the ground of the dark green-leaved Snake Vine (Stephania japonica). Gum Vine (Aphanopetalum resinosum) was in full blossom showering down flowers with four creamy-white sepals. There were also some big thickets of Cockspur Thorn (Maclura cochinsinensis) with their vicious recurved thorns.

Ferns included patches of Rasp Fern (Doodia aspera), some Bracken (Pteridium esculentum), and the beautiful Maidenhair Ferns, Giant Maidenhair (Adiantum formosum) with black stems and the delicate Common Maiden-hair (A. atroviride). The ground was mostly covered with herbs and grasses. Flowering herbs included Geranium homeanum, delicate blue-flowered Wahlenbergia queenslandica, yellow-flowered Oxalis chnoodes and Veronica plebeia.  There were tall clumps of Lomandra hystrix in flower. Few grasses were yet in flower but Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra) and clumps of Poa labillarderi were flowering. Osplismenus undulatifolius and Paspalum dilatatum were seen.

Last and not least two orchids, Box Orchid (Dendrobium aemulum) and King Orchid (D. speciosum), were seen on the same tree.

October 28 – Dalrymple Creek Circuit

Further up the creek is surrounded by a riparian rainforest. There were, of course, many plant species but outstanding was Cuttsia (C. viburnum) with big flat plates (corymbs) of blossom glowing white against dark green leaves. There were many ferns some of which were:

Coin-spot Tree Fern      Short-footed Screw Fern Rough Maidenhair Common Maidenhair Sickle Fern Bird’s Nest Fern           Gristle Fern

Cyathea cooperi Lindsaea brachypoda Adiantum hispidulum var. hispidulum Adiantum atroviride Pellaea nana Asplenium australasicum Blechnum cartilagineum

Prickly Rasp Fern Climbing Fishbone Fern Tender Brake Bracken Soft Bracken Robber Fern

Doodia aspera Arthropteris tenella Pteris tremula Pteridium esculentum Calochlaena dubia Pyrrosia confluens

Outing Report October 2020: "Highwoods" East Jimbour

 Over several years now I have had the privilege of visiting a property owned by my good friends Martin and Karen Ambrose from Dalby. It is a great spot for the natural historian and is situated off Loves Road, East Jimbour in the southern section of the Brigalow Belt Bioregion. This bioregion holds a good number of Queensland’s rare and threated species of flora and fauna and has been greatly impacted since white colonis-ation, as it also contains extensive areas of deep, black cracking clay soils ideal for crop growing and the pastoral industry. As one local farmer once put it to me, “the soil here (on the Darling Downs) is so rich you could eat it with a spoon”. The Ambrose property is about 10 minutes’ drive from the small township of Jimbour and Jimbour House from whence the Prussian explorer Ludwig Leichhardt commenced his ill-fated journey to the Gulf in 1848.

Martin and Karen purchased the property towards the end of 2012 and named it “Highwoods” after a farm once owned by Karen’s parents in East Sussex in England. The area of the Ambrose property, part of a larger subdiv-ided block, is 77 hectares (188 acres). The main attraction that clinched the deal was the extent of remaining dry bottle tree scrub and the number of magnificent specimens of Queensland Bottle Tree Brachychiton rupes-tris remaining on the property. The Ambrose family are keen conservations and environmentalists and, as well, Martin was keen to try his hand at raising a few head of beef cattle to carry him into his retirement post QPWS. To these ends they have carried out extensive improvements to the property’s infrastructure including the fencing off of areas of remnant scrub and dams to exclude cattle and for the preservation of the local fauna and flora. At any one time, depending on the vagaries of the cattle market and climate, Martin runs about 20-35 Angus steers purchased at about 180kgs and marketed around 330kgs. They are run for about eight months on mainly couch and Rhodes Grass, also Green Panic and Buffel Grass waxing and waning depending on season. Bottle tree scrub occupies about 25% of “Highwoods”. African Boxthorn and feral Pigs are the major pest species on the property.

Fellow TFN member Mark Weaver and I met the main contingent of Field Nats in Jimbour on the morning of the outing around 9.15am after which we took the short drive to “Highwoods” to commence what proved to be very enjoyable day in good company. Martin has been assiduous in maintaining a list of the fauna on his property since moving there and now, after Trish and Lisa’s efforts, has an embryonic flora list to grow. The list now stands at 174 vertebrate species with the main taxon being birds (129 species), 151 invertebrate species with moths and butterflies being their main representatives at 119 species due to Wesley Jenkinson’s efforts. Aside to a few weeds and a couple of ferns the flora list stands at 50 thanks to Trish and Lisa. A list of the birds, plants and most of the invertebrates seen on this day will be appended to this report as composed by Ben, Trish and Glenda, respectively.

Male Red and Blue Damsel (Xanthagrion erythroneurum) (Photo: Robert Ashdown)

A few of the highlights of our day worth a mention include our flushing of an Eastern Barn Owl during our morning walk that. Unfortunately it disappeared into a hollow bough before we could indulge ourselves with a good look. The other bird of the day was a single Diamond Dove seen on the shore of one of the property’s dams. Martin had seen this bird in the same location a few days before and it was a new species for the property list. Fortunately, everyone got a good look, and some took photographs of this bird. This same dam is one that Martin has excluded his stock from and is a haven for wildlife. The water is clear, and you can easily see the Curly Pondweed in its depths with its surface presently covered in the pretty flowering Swamp Lily (Water Poppy) and the yellow-flowered Water Primrose. I’m particularly attracted to this dam, as it’s the haunt for a few favourites of mine, the Red-bellied Black Snake and Plum-headed Fiches although, sadly, none were seen on this day. We did, however, record a good number of odonates here, which is another mob I’m enamoured to. We recorded 10 species comprising the damselflies Red and Blue Damsel, Wandering Ringtail, Aurora Bluetail, Common Bluetail and Eastern Billabongfly plus the dragonflies Australian Emperor, Blue Skimmer, Scarlet Percher, Wandering Percher and Common Glider. The Wandering Ringtail and Eastern Billabongfly were new for the property list as was the Eastern Sedgefrog recorded by Robert Ashdown at this dam. Another “new” invertebrate found on the day was the exotic dung beetle, the Grey Dungball Roller Sisyphus spinipes, native to Central and Eastern Africa that was imported during CSIRO’s extraordinarily successful dung beetle programme. Whilst Australia’s dung beetles generally bury their breeding boluses, that can be of various configurations, the Grey Dungball Roller follows in the tradition of the Sacred Scarab Scarabaeus sacer associated in Egyptian mythology with the divine manifestation of the Sun God, Khepri. These ancients saw in this beetle’s trundling of its round dungball a direct association with Khepri’s rolling of the sun across the sky. The Grey Dungball Roller’s beautifully spherical dungballs are quite common on “Highwoods” stashed on the surface under grass tussocks, along edges of logs etc.

One of the many Bottle Trees on the farm
Photo by Robert Ashdown

After our morning’s walk we retired to the Warden’s cottage for lunch. The resurrection and restoration of this cottage has been one of Martin’s main innovations. It was originally constructed in Edward Street in Dalby by the Red Cross where cooked meals were prepared for the homeless and disadvantaged. Later it was moved to Jimbour in a failed attempt to establish a bed and breakfast behind the local store and where it gradually fell into disrepair. Martin purchased it for $1000 and moved it to “Highwoods” and has restored it to its former glory. The outhouse arrived by a similar circuitous route rescued from oblivion on an abandoned homestead site near Moonie. It, too, has been restored to its former glory – if an outback dunnie can be considered in any way glorious? After lunch some of us headed off on another walk whilst others remained at the cottage, as it was now getting quite hot. The afternoon was mainly passed in botanising and Trish would be far more qualified in commenting on the highlights of this aspect of our outing. If I can be so bold, I do remember her getting quite enthused about a tree that she eventually confirmed as the Rose (Crow’s) Apple

Owenia venosa. More than that is beyond my very limited botanical knowledge to relate. I do like plants though, despite what might appear my cavalier attitude here. After we returned from this walk the shadows were lengthening but everyone seemed to have enjoyed the day and there are plans in the offing for a return in the late summer/autumn of the New Year with the option of a campout. Looking forward to that already.

Welcome Swallows and Tree Martins at farm dam
Photo by Robert Ashdown

(Report by Rod Hobson)

Plant list, “Highwoods”, East Jimbour

Property of Martin and Karen Ambrose, 04 October 2020, Trish Gardner and Lisa Churchward, with help from Rod Hobson and Martin Ambrose. Arranged in the order that we found them.

Brachychiton rupestris COMMON BOTTLE TREE Brachychiton populneus KURRAJONG Capparis anomala (syn Apophyllum anomalum) WARRIOR BUSH Carissa ovata KUNKERBERRY Geijera salicifolia SCRUB WILGA Narrow-leafed form. Clerodendron tomentosum HAIRY LOLLY BUSH Cassinia laevis COUGH BUSH Casuarina cristata BELAH Erythroxylum sp. Splityard Creek REDWOOD BUSH Callitris glauca WHITE CYPRESS Eucalyptus crebra NARROW LEAFED IRONBARK Alphitonia excelsa SOAP ASH Acacia tenuinervis SCRUB WATTLE Cymbidium canaliculatum BLACK ORCHID Acacia maidenii MAIDEN’S WATTLE Acacia salicina SALLY WATTLE Bursaria incana FROSTY BURSARIA Aristida caput-medusae MANY HEADED WIREGRASS Ehretia membranifolia THIN-LEAFED KODA Cheilanthes sieberi var. sieberi MULGA FERN Teucrium junceum (syn Spartothamnella juncea) SQUARE-STEMMED BROOM Alstonia constricta BITTERBARK Pandorea pandorana WONGA VINE

Psydrax sp. CANTHIUM Denhamia pittosporoides VEINY DENHAMIA Cayratia clematidea SLENDER GRAPE Notelaea idymiume SMALL-FRUITED MOCK OLIVE Capparis sp. NATIVE CAPER Ficus rubiginosa SCRUB FIG Muellerina idymium CYPRESS MISTLETOE Ottelia ovalifolia (syn. Hydrocleys nymphoides) WATER POPPY (flowering) Ludwigia peploides subsp. Montevidensis WATER PRIMROSE Potamogeton crispus CURLY PONDWEED Dendrophthoe glabrescens ORANGE MISTLETOE (flowering) Alectryon diversifolium SCRUB BOONAREE Melia azedarach WHITE CEDAR (flowering) Acacia idymiume DONKEYS EARS WATTLE Pittosporum angustifolium GUMBY GUMBY Backhousia angustifolia CURRY MYRTLE Parsonsia lanceolata ROUGH SILKPOD Jasminum idymium subsp. Racemosum TRIPLE-LEAF JASMINE Pittosporum viscidum BIRDS NEST BUSH (flowering) Flindersia australis CROWS ASH Eucalyptus melanophloia SILVER LEAFED IRONBARK Owenia venosa ROSE APPLE Croton phebalioides NARROW LEAFED CROTON (SASSAFRAS)

Invertebrates at Jimbour (by Glenda Walter)

Due to the dry weather, not many invertebrates were found on “Highwoods”, the property of Martin and Karen Ambrose at Jimbour. However, I’m sure this will change as soon as rain falls in the area. I photographed three species of ants, two of which were identified by users of the iNaturalist website. A small nest of a species in the genus Meranoplus were found under a dead log. Their common name is “Cautious ants”, appropriate as they moved slowly about, quietly shifting their pupae when disturbed. This was in contrast to the ants in the genus Campon-otus, also identified by an iNaturalist user, which tripped over each other, dashing madly in all directions when I invaded their rock shelter.

Three leaf beetles were found, family Chrysomelidae. Calomela pubiceps is an attractive green beetle which was found on an Acacia tree and for which there are few records; it was identified by Martin Lagerwey, Leaf Beetle expert. A second leaf beetle was identified only to tribe level, Luperini, in the Galerucinae subfamily, also by an iNaturalist user. Many leaf beetles feed only on specific plants, but I was unable to recognise the vegetation on which this one was seen.

Mantids have recently hatched, and the three I saw were tiny nymphs. The burying Mantis, Sphodropoda tristis, when very young curls the abdomen up over its back. It is so named for the female’s habit of burying her eggs in soil or leaf litter. Diana Ball spotted a large and colourful paper wasp, Polistes stigma townsvillensis which was untypically crawling on the ground near our feet while we lunched.

Fourteen spider species were photographed, but many were tiny juveniles. Diane Pagel found several nests of tiny black-spotted pink spiders, recently hatched but too small to identify. Anastasia saw a very small spider egg sac hanging from a fence. This was identified from a Field Guide as belonging to a small orb weaver, Argyrodes alannae. A female of this species was found in the bushes nearby. Anastasia also found a large female spider, Trichonephila plumipes, suspended in her golden web between trees. 

Invertebrate Species list, “Highwoods” East Jimbour SEQ - Oct 2020

Arachnida (spiders, scorpions etc.) an orb-weaver Araneus albotriangulus (Araneidae) an orb-weaver Trichonephila plumipes (Araneidae) a lynx spider Oxyopes variabilis (Oxyopidae) a comb-footed spider Argyrodes alannae (Theridiidae) a comb-footed spider Theridion pyramidale (Theridiidae) Jewel Spider Austracantha minax (Araneidae) a sac spider Clubiona robusta (Clubionidae) a crab spider Tmarus cinerasceus (Thomisidae) Mantoidea (praying mantids) Stick Mantis Archimantis latistyla (Mantidae) Burying Mantis Sphodropoda tristis (Mantidae) Green Mantis Orthodera ministralis (Mantidae)

Orthoptera (grasshoppers, locusts and katydids) a grasshopper Callitala major (Morabidae) Coleoptera (Beetles) a leaf beetle Calomela pubiceps (Chrysomelidae) a leaf beetle Paropsisterna nigerrima (Chrysomelidae) a longicorn beetle Phoracantha semipunctata (Cerambycidae) a lycid beetle Porrostoma rhipidium (Lycidae) Hymenoptera (wasps, bees and ants) a paper wasp, Polistes stigma townsvillensis (Vespidae) Black-headed Strobe Ant Opisthopsis rufithorax (Formicidae

(All photos by Glenda Walter)

Leaf Beetle, tribe Luperini

Leaf Beetle (Calomela pubiceps)

Burying Mantid Nymph (Sphodropoda tristis)

Egg sac of spider (Argyrodes alannae)

                                                Orb weaver spider (Trichonephila plumipes)

Species of ant - genus Meranoplus

Brachychiton rupestris COMMON BOTTLE TREE

Brachychiton populneus KURRAJONG

Capparis anomala (syn Apophyllum anomalum) WARRIOR BUSH

Carissa ovata KUNKERBERRY

Geijera salicifolia SCRUB WILGA Narrow-leafed form.

Clerodendron tomentosum HAIRY LOLLY BUSH

Cassinia laevis COUGH BUSH

Casuarina cristata BELAH

Erythroxylum sp. Splityard Creek REDWOOD BUSH

Callitris glauca WHITE CYPRESS

Eucalyptus crebra NARROW LEAFED IRONBARK

Alphitonia excelsa SOAP ASH

Acacia tenuinervis SCRUB WATTLE

Cymbidium canaliculatum BLACK ORCHID

Acacia maidenii MAIDEN’S WATTLE

Acacia salicina SALLY WATTLE

Bursaria incana FROSTY BURSARIA

Aristida caput-medusae MANY HEADED WIREGRASS

Ehretia membranifolia THIN-LEAFED KODA

Cheilanthes sieberi var. sieberi MULGA FERN

Teucrium junceum (syn Spartothamnella juncea) SQUARE-STEMMED BROOM

Alstonia constricta BITTERBARK

Pandorea pandorana WONGA VINE

Psydrax sp. CANTHIUM

Denhamia pittosporoides VEINY DENHAMIA

Cayratia clematidea SLENDER GRAPE

Notelaea idymiume SMALL-FRUITED MOCK OLIVE

Capparis sp. NATIVE CAPER

Ficus rubiginosa SCRUB FIG

Muellerina idymium CYPRESS MISTLETOE

Ottelia ovalifolia (syn. Hydrocleys nymphoides) WATER POPPY (flowering)

Ludwigia peploides subsp. Montevidensis WATER PRIMROSE

Potamogeton crispus CURLY PONDWEED

Dendrophthoe glabrescens ORANGE MISTLETOE (flowering)

Alectryon diversifolium SCRUB BOONAREE

Melia azedarach WHITE CEDAR (flowering)

Acacia idymiume DONKEYS EARS WATTLE

Pittosporum angustifolium GUMBY GUMBY

Backhousia angustifolia CURRY MYRTLE

Parsonsia lanceolata ROUGH SILKPOD

Jasminum idymium subsp. Racemosum TRIPLE-LEAF

JASMINE

Pittosporum viscidum BIRDS NEST BUSH (flowering)

Flindersia australis CROWS ASH

Eucalyptus melanophloia SILVER LEAFED IRONBARK

Owenia venosa ROSE APPLE

Croton phebalioides NARROW LEAFED CROTON (SASSAFRAS)

Arachnida (spiders, scorpions etc.)

an orb-weaver Araneus albotriangulus (Araneidae)

an orb-weaver Trichonephila plumipes (Araneidae)

a lynx spider Oxyopes variabilis (Oxyopidae)

a comb-footed spider Argyrodes alannae (Theridiidae)

a comb-footed spider Theridion pyramidale (Theridiidae)

Jewel Spider Austracantha minax (Araneidae)

a sac spider Clubiona robusta (Clubionidae)

a crab spider Tmarus cinerasceus (Thomisidae)

Mantoidea (praying mantids)

Stick Mantis Archimantis latistyla (Mantidae)

Burying Mantis Sphodropoda tristis (Mantidae)

Green Mantis Orthodera ministralis (Mantidae)

Orthoptera (grasshoppers, locusts and katydids)

a grasshopper Callitala major (Morabidae)

Coleoptera (Beetles)

a leaf beetle Calomela pubiceps (Chrysomelidae)

a leaf beetle Paropsisterna nigerrima (Chrysomelidae)

a longicorn beetle Phoracantha semipunctata (Cerambycidae)

a lycid beetle Porrostoma rhipidium (Lycidae)

Hymenoptera (wasps, bees and ants)

a paper wasp, Polistes stigma townsvillensis (Vespidae)

Black-headed Strobe Ant Opisthopsis rufithorax (Formicidae

 

Bird list: “Highwoods”, East Jimbour, Sunday 04 October

Despite our early start, about 20 attendees assembled at Jimbour, where Rod Hobson and Mark Weaver met us, to lead us to Martin and Karen Ambrose’s property 10 kilometers to the north-east. Here, Martin and Robert Ashdown were waiting. [These four had spent the previous day on the property, and, bird-wise, they achieved a tally of mid-50s of sightings. So, we had a target for our fine weather, if somewhat breezy, day ahead.]

As we turned into Love Rd (the property’s access road), a Sulphur-crested Cockatoo head, crest excitedly displayed, popped out of a hollow in a roadside tree, as if registering disapproval of this early morning intrusion by our procession of eleven vehicles, thereby interrupting its Sunday morning sleep-in. Once past our much-put-out cockatoo, our day produced a further 34 species on the property (a little short of our aspirational target set the previous day).

Welcome Swallow, Tree Martin, Rainbow Bee-eater, Noisy Miner, Apostlebird, Noisy Friarbird, Striped Honeyeater, Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater, Brown Honeyeater, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Striated Pardalote, Olive-backed Oriole,

Crested Pigeon, Diamond Dove, Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Little Yellow Thornbill, Superb Fairy Wren, Variegated Fairy Wren, Willy Wagtail, Magpie Lark, Double-barred Finch, Red-tailed Black Cockatoo, Galah, Pale-headed Rosella, Little Corella, Black-shouldered Kite, Grey Butcherbird, Pied Butcherbird, Barn Owl, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Channel-billed Cuckoo, Australian Raven, Crow (unknown species), Australasian Grebe (nest & well-grown baby).

October Speaker Report: USQ Associate Professor John Dearnaley on the topic “Mycorrhizal Associations of Australian Plants”

 Fungi are referred to as the Fifth Kingdom and are more closely related to animals than plants even though many of them grow in soil. They have thread-like cells called “hyphae” which are composed not of cellulose but of chitin. It is estimated that worldwide there are more than 1 million species, about 100,000 of which have been described – many habitats have not been explored, and paid mycologists are rare.

The economic importance of fungi includes their value as high protein food, medicinal use, and as bio-controls. The downside is that they can cause disease, are poisonous in some cases, and can negatively affect our food. They are decomposers and recyclers. Fungal spores are invisible to the naked eye and can be found on every surface in our world.

The word mycorrhiza is derived from Greek words meaning “fungus root”. Symbiotic association between fungi and plants is present in about 80% of plants – fungal mycorrhiza live in or on plant roots, bringing with them nutrients such as water, phosphate, zinc and copper in return for sugar – some plants are highly depen-dent. Most mycorrhizal fungi don’t produce fruiting bodies, so are currently identified by the sequencing of their DNA and comparison to a large data base.

The four types of mycorrhizal association are:

·         Arbuscular mycorrhizas (AM) where mycorrhiza are found on the outside and inside of the plant roots. They are found in association with native plants such as ferns and allies, cycads, Araucaria spp., and Angiosperm families such as Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Mimosaceae, Rutaceae, Solanaceae and Poaceae. Fossilised remains dating back to 400 million years ago have been found – plants and fungi evolved side by side.

·         Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) association – the mycorrhiza form a sheath around plant cells rather than invading them. Examples include all Eucalypts, and species of Casuarina. Eucalypts are not fussy about their fungal partners, and may associate with fungi such as Amanita, Boletellus, Cortinarius, Russula, Pisolithus and others. Fruiting bodies of these fungi may be sometimes seen under trees or projecting from the trunks or roots.

·         Ericoid mycorrhizas (EM) form a loose mantle on plant roots, with coils inside the cells. Examples are plant families Ericaceae and Epacridaceae, heaths and heathers.

·         Orchid mycorrhizas (OM) form coils inside the plant cells. Orchidaceae is the largest plant family, and members are very specific and fussy about their fungal associations - the presence of a suitable fungus controls the distribution of the plant. In addition, the seeds of some orchids such as Dipodium spp. (hyacinth orchids) require certain fungi to germinate. Some orchids even have a three-way association with a Eucalypt and an ectomycorrhizal fungus, making the orchid parasitic on the Eucalypt! Orchids such as Gastrodia sesamoides and the Bootlace Orchid Erythrorchis cassythoides cannot produce their own food, but are dependent on wood-rotting fungi, Campanella spp. and Gymnopus spp. respectively. These are often seen on dead Eucalyptus trees.

Some plants don’t require the services of fungi to live and grow. These include Brassicas, saltbush, sundews, Banksias and Grevilleas. Appropriate mycorrhizal fungi added to agricultural crops can improve nutrient uptake, drought tolerance, and pathogen defence. They play important roles in both natural and agricultural/ horticultural systems. Our thanks to Associate Professor Dearnaley for his informative and interesting presentation, which included many more examples than have been listed here.

(Report by Glenda Walter)

September 2020 Speaker Report: Plant and Animal Responses to Fire - by Craig Welden

 

Our September speaker’s address on “Fire in the Landscape” couldn’t be more timely or relevant to the past 16 months. But rather than speak about the raging wildfires of last summer, Craig Welden explained the numerous elements involved in successful controlled burns, and the plant and animal responses to them when carried out with due consideration.

As a Senior Scientist at Healthy Land and Water and coordinator of the Queensland Fire and Biodiversity Consortium, Craig has developed extensive skills and knowledge in fire management, weed and pest control, and flora and fauna surveying. 

He spoke of quite a few critical considerations and questions to be answered for successful “burns” and results.

Different areas require site specific planning for their vegetation and fauna, for example, dry vine thicket; brigalow, riparian and rainforest areas do not tolerate fire well at all. Are there exotic weeds in the mix that need intense concentration; how much heat will the native plants tolerate to regenerate; when was it last burnt; what are the expected flora and fauna results if there is no fire and will a plant or animal species become overly dominant, stifling diversity? Other factors to consider include seasonal and weekly weather predictions, the need to vary the months for burning, and nearby areas needing to be left unburnt to offer food and habitat while the burnt areas recover; so much to consider!

Craig also explained some of the unique interactions between Australian native plants and animals with fire: i.e. certain fungi will sprout on black burnt logs; hakeas and banksias release their seeds due to fire heat and smoke; some insects lay their eggs in (sometimes warm!) ashes; frogs and others escape by burrowing into the soil or under logs;  birds feed on insects escaping from ground flames.

The plants that regrow after fire are generally divided into “seeders” and/or “resprouters”, and the latter can be from lignotubers, rhizomes, or epicormic shoots under tree bark. Most eucalypt shoots emanate from deep under the bark and can therefore withstand more radiant heat and flame than other species. Some species require (are obliged to have) fire to sprout and so are called “obligate seeders”. Most of these adult species are killed by fire and their new seedlings are vulnerable to a second fire occurring too soon.

The takeaway message was that wisely controlled fire is integral to the Australian landscape, has been practised for centuries, and affords the recovery and continuation of a vast number of flora and fauna species.

Craig brought copies of two issues of excellent fire information booklets entitled “Living With Fire: Fire Ecol-ogy”, and “Fire Regimes”, which feature many photos taken by Craig himself, and from which I will include here a few major points and observations.

“Fire Regimes” describes 10 broad vegetation types in southeast Queensland, and outlines the recommended frequency, area, season, and intensity of controlled burns for each one. 80°C is a temperature which enables hard coated seeds to crack open, while 120°C kills most seeds and species. Post fire regrowth can be quite positive, especially following rain, with seed germination, seedling growth, and some prolific plant flowerings. 

“Fire Ecology” covers the effect fires have on the burnt flora, fauna (including insects) and soil biota. One major negative side effect on native animals is that open clear burnt understory terrain allows easier feral animal predation. On the other hand, some native fauna prefers the resultant new vegetation after cool fires. But it seems reptiles are more abundant in areas of fewer fires. With frogs, some prefer burnt sites (Litoria frycineti), others (Litoria olongburensis) do not. Ants of 16 taxa showed up strongly in areas burnt annually which was shown by research north of Gympie, along with long-horned beetles at those frequently burnt sites.

Fire also affects, alters, and changes the soil. It burns away surface organic matter, alters nutrient availability and the pH, depletes soil nitrogen, and moisture retention, so rain run-off erosion is more likely. However, indications are that many fungi, soil fauna, and bacteria do recover fairly quickly after a low intensity fire, although that can be quite variable depending on remaining leaf litter.     

(Report by Lauren Marlatt)

MOTH COCOON CLUSTER

 (Article and photos submitted by Michael Rooke)

This cocoon cluster was found on a property at the foot of the Toowoomba Range. It was lying beneath a eucalypt tree from which it had obviously fallen. John Moss, of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club, has identified it as the cocoon cluster of the Mistletoe Emperor Moth (pictured). This moth has recently been assigned to the genus Austrocaligula. The eucalypt tree from which the cocoon cluster had fallen has many clumps of mistletoe, which is the host plant of this moth.

Coccoon cluster

                                Opodiphthera-loranthi

Report on Outing: Sunday 9 August 2020

 

Leopard Ash Park (Dougal Johnston)

Sunday the 09 August was a cool windy morning. A good group collected in Charmaine Court and assembled behind the "vine scrub" out of the wind for an introduction to the remnant dry rainforest park. We then walked through the small walking track in the middle of the forest from south to north.

There is a large variety of vines, creepers, epiphytic orchids, fungus and lichen intertwined with the trees.
There are many Flindersia collina (Leopard Ash) and Geijera salicifolia var latifolia (Broad leaf Scrub Wilga).
Of note was a large Flindersia xanthoxyla (Long Jack). The birds and insects were mostly trying to hide from the wind. Morning tea at Hampton, was a bit windy. The visit to the Motleys spring and waterfall on the head-waters of Gomaren Creek followed.

Bird List (compiled by Tricia Allen)

Despite a very cold, windy and mostly cloudy morning at Leopard Ash Park, members noted a reasonable number of bird species. The following list is as they were reported.

Currawong, Double barred finch, Brown honeyeater, Crested pigeon, Lewin's honeyeater, Yellow faced honeyeater, Rainbow lorikeet, Torresian crow, Superb fairy wren, Magpie-lark, Australian magpie, Brown thornbill, Yellow thornbill, Grey shrike-thrush, Golden whistler, Spotted turtle-dove. 

Jan Veacock noted several Fork-tailed kites on route to the site. 

Praying Mantis at Leopard Ash Park  (photo: Michael McGoldrick) 

The group then travelled to Motley's property east of Haden, where, despite sunnier weather, there were few birds. However we were delighted to see a Wood Duck escorting six to eight newly hatched ducklings on their first outing. A small flock of Wood ducks flew off as we arrived, but otherwise the only birds sighted were Welcome Swallow and Masked Lapwings. (Tricia Allen). 

Headwaters of Gomaren Creek on Motleys' property (photo: Linda Mangubhai)

Plant List for Leopard Ash Park:

Exotic species		Vines
Common Name	Scientific Name	Common Name	Scientific Name
Maderia Vine Corky Passionfruit Vine Moth vine Asparagus (climbing) Basket Asparagus   Chinese elm Broad leafed privet Lantana Tree pear Box thorn Green Panic grass African Love Grass	Anredera cordifolia Passiflora suberosa Araujia sericifera Asparagus africanus Asparagus aethiopicus cv. Sprengeri Celtis sinensis Ligustrum lucidum Lantana camara Opuntia tomentosa Lycium ferocissimum Megathyrsus maximus Eragrastis curvula	Slender Grape vine Scrambling Lily Native Jasmine Monkey Rope vine Bower vine Wonga vine Barbed wire vine Wombat berry vine	Cayratia clematidea Geitonoplesium cymosum Jasminium simplicifolium Parsonia straminea Pandora jasminoides Pandorea pandoreana Smilax australis Eustrephus latifolius
		Epiphytes	Ground cover
		Rock felt fern Mistletoe	Bamboo Grass Aneilema acuminatum Stinging nettle Einadia hastata (red-berry saltbush)

Coffee bush Red ash Chainfruit Python tree Currant bush Bush caper berry Scrambling bumble-bush Silver croton Native holly Square stemmed broom Diamond-leaf pittosporum Hickory wattle Leopard ash Scrub whitewood Orange boxwood Sweet Susie Yellow wood Blunt-leaved coondoo

Breynia oblongifolia Alphitonia excelsa Alyxia ruscifolia Gossia bidwillii Carissa ovata Capparis arborea Capparis sarmentosa Croton insularis Alchornea ilicifolia Teucrum junceum Pittosporum rhombifolium Acacia implexa Flindersia collina Atalaya salicifolia Denhamia sp. Psydrax odorata Flindersia xanthoxyla Planchonella sp.

Narrow-leaf Red Olive-plum   Narrow-leaf orange thorn Box-leaf Canthium Black plum Bitterbark Hard Quandong Blind your eye tree Sandalwood Small-leaved canthium Blueberry ash Hairy Birdseye Scrub Boonaree Narrow-leaved orange bark Whalebone tree Eastern Cottonbush Broad-leaf Scrub Wilga

Elaeodendron australis var. integrifolium Pittosporum viscidum Psydrax buxifolium Diospyros sp. Alstonia constricta Elaeocarpus obovatus Excoecaria dallachyana Santalum lanceolatum Everistia vacciniifolia Elaeocarpus reticulatus Alectryon tomentosus Alectryon diversifolius Denhamia silvestris Streblus brunonianus Maireana microphylla Geijera salicifolia var. latifolia