Outing Report - Mt Basalt (adapted from reports in the TFNC Newsletter)

Nats on Mt Basalt

Rising above the surrounding countryside Mt Basalt has two main rocky, ridge-shaped peaks and several smaller rocky ridges composed of basalt and flanked by scree and associated soils. On arrival the group of eighteen naturalists dispersed, some to climb one, or other, or both ridges to look at the slanting, exposed basalt columns and the stunning 180^o views of the Darling Downs.

Columns on the southern peak

During morning tea it was explained that the mottled appearance of the basalt was caused by large dark crystals of pyroxene (magnesium and iron silicate). Basalt is a very fine grained, extrusive, igneous rock formed from the rapid cooling of low-viscosity lava rich in magnesium and iron (mafic lava) exposed at or very near the surface. More than 90% of all volcanic rock on Earth is basalt. It is usually dark grey to black in colour.

A plant “Show and Tell” identified Ruby Saltbush (Enchaelena tomentosa), Darling Pea (Swainsona galegifolia), Kunkerberry/Currant Bush (Carissa ovata), Small-leaf Bluebush (Mairena microphylla), Gall Weed (Zygophyllum apiculatum), and Bitter Bark (Alstonia constricta).

Leaving Mt Basalt, the convoy drove to the historical Kooroongarra Cemetery that lies at some distance from the ghost town of that name.  The graves of early settlers are a poignant reminder of harsh lives with the deaths of many young children. One grave, apart from others, is the resting place of Mr Haine, a gentleman reputed to have been 7’6” tall. In its heyday Kooroongarra boasted a church, cheese factory, butchery, general store, a tennis court, and was the hub of the region’s social activities. 

The great-grandson of the Very Tall Man, kindly allowed us access to his property where we lunched in a paddock perched above a bend in a small sandy, creek, observed by inquisitive cattle. 

During lunch one of our members described her life on the family farm which was in the area and today is run by her brother. How lucky we were to get first-hand knowledge of this small, relatively unknown corner of the Downs.

Species Lists: Mount Basalt & Kooroongarra - compiled from members' observations

introduced species = _*

Fauna discussed or taken note of on the day (not a comprehensive list):

Birds: White-necked Heron, Yellow-billed Spoonbill, Nankeen Kestrel, Little Corella, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Pale-headed Rosella, Rainbow Bee-eater, Superb Fairy-wren, Variegated Fairy-wren, Gerygone sp., Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Brown-headed Honeyeater, Grey-crowned Babbler, Rufous Whistler, Grey Shrike-thrush, Olive-backed Oriole, Grey Butcherbird, Pied Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Willie Wagtail, Apostlebird, Magpie-lark, Silvereye, Mistletoebird, Double-barred Finch.

Butterflies: Clearwing Swallowtail (Cressida cressida), Caper White (Belenois java), Lesser Wanderer (Danaus petilia), Common Crow (Euploea core).

Flora discussed or taken note of on the day (not a comprehensive list):

Ferns: Poison Rock Fern or Mulga Fern (Cheilanthes sieberi).

Herbs: Forest Daisy (Brachyscome macrocarpa), Yellow Burr Daisy (Calotis sp.), White Burr Daisy (Calotis cuneifolia), Yellow Buttons (Chrysocephalum apiculatum), Star Goodenia or Round-leaf Goodenia (Goodenia rotundifolia), Gallweed (Roepera apiculata), *a Prickly nightshade (Solanum sp.), Warrigal Greens (Tetragonia tetragonoides), a Native Bluebell (Wahlenbergia sp.).

Vines: Wonga Vine (Pandorea pandorana).

Shrubs: Kunkerberry (Carissa ovata), Narrow-leafed Hop Bush (Dodonaea viscosa subsp. angustifolia), Red Berry Saltbush (Einadia hastata), Ruby Saltbush (Enchylaena tomentose), Winter Apple (Eromophila debilis), Dogwood (Jacksonia scoparia), Small-leaf Bluebush (Maireana microphylla), Hedge Saltbush (Rhagodia spinescens), Galvanised Burr (Sclerolaena birchii),  Darling Pea (Swainsona galegifolia).

Trees: Bulloak (Allocasuarina luehmannii), Bitterbark (Alstonia constricta), Sweet Bursaria (Bursaria spinosa), White Cypress Pine (Callitris glaucaphylla), Poplar Box (Eucalyptus populneus).