March Outing Report - Cooby Dam, 05 March 2023

 (Adapted from the newsletter)

White-bellied Sea-eagles' nest,
Cooby Dam
Photo: K. Stephensen

The area surrounding Cooby Dam, which the Field Nats visited on 05 March, is an area where there is much to observe and enjoy. Thanks go to Dougal for explaining, to the 20 or so Field Nats and visitors gathered in the shady park beside the dam wall, some fascinating aspects of the complex geology of the dam environs.

As the group climbed the stairs to the top of the dam wall, we gazed down at the shiny, black, fine-grained rock at the base of the spillway, Dougal suggested that this hard trachyte would have solidified after forcing its way to the earth’s surface through a fault zone. The dark, intrusive rock was a clear contrast to the reddish- brown mudstone and basalt layers beside it. 

 Cooby Dam spillway
 Photo: K. Stephensen

Clear water trickled over the trachyte, forming shallow pools, in which tiny fish swam and Eastern Snake-necked turtles Chelodina longicollis and Murray turtles Emydura macquarii were observed surfacing to breathe. A White-faced Heron gliding in the clear blue sky above the spillway, delighted the bird enthusiasts, while shiny Scarlet Percher and iridescent aqua Blue Skimmer dragonflies flitted about at eye level.

At the top of the dam wall, we beheld the magnificent sight of the breeze blown water of Cooby Reservoir. The brief appearance of a White-bellied Sea Eagle added to the spectacle. The call of Dusky Moorhens, alerted us to look in the water below to view several of these aquatic birds. 

In the distance, sail boats floated peacefully, as we enjoyed the cooling breeze and vibrant colours of fresh green eucalyptus leaves under an azure blue sky. Strolling across the top of the dam wall, I felt privileged to be able to appreciate this beauty, just over a half hour drive from Toowoomba. 

As shiny white cumulous clouds gathered, it was relaxing to sit in the shade marvelling at the ever-changing reflections on the wide water, before heading for lunch at a neat picnic spot on the bank of Cooby Creek, a short drive away.

Loveday Cove Birds: Compiled by N. Thompson

Black Swan (11), Maned Duck (12), Pacific Black Duck (2), Hardhead (2), Brown Quail (7), Dusky Moorhen (1), Eurasian Coot (20), Australian Grebe (2), Great Crested Grebe (4), Masked Lapwing (2), Little Pied Cormorant (3), White-faced Heron (2), Whistling Kite (1), Pale-headed Rosella (2), Superb Fairywren (6), Red-backed Fairywren (3), Brown Honeyeater (1), Noisy Miner (2), Weebill (2), White-browed Scrubwren (1), Pied Currawong (1), Willie Wagtail (2), Magpie-lark (1), Australian Reedwarbler (2), Golden-headed Cisticola (1), Chestnut-breasted Mannikin (5).

Cooby Dam Birds: Compiled by K. O'Dea

Black Swan, Australian Wood Duck, Hardhead, Pacific Black Duck, Australasian Grebe, Great

Red-browed Finch nest
Photo: F. Mangubhai

Crested Grebe, Crested Pigeon, Channel-billed Cuckoo, Dusky Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, White-faced Heron, Little Pied Cormorant, Masked Lapwing, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Rainbow Bee-eater, Dollarbird, Azure Kingfisher, Laughing Kookaburra, Nankeen Kestrel, Galah, Scaly-breasted Lorikeet, Pale-headed Rosella, Superb Fairy-wren, Brown Honeyeater, Striped Honeyeater,  Scarlet Honeyeater, Lewin's Honeyeater, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Noisy Miner, White-browed Scrub Wren, Striated Thornbill, Olive-backed Oriole,  Golden Whistler, Eastern Whipbird,  Pied Currawong, Australian Magpie, Grey Butcherbird, Magpie-lark, Torresian Crow, Red-browed Finch, Double-barred Finch.

Reptiles: Eastern Snake-necked Turtle Chelodina longicollis, Murray Turtle Emydura macquarii

Dragonflies: Blue Skimmer Orthetrum caledonicum, Scarlet Percher Diplacodes haematodes