July Outing Report - Glencoe Mountain, 07 July 2024

 Adapted from the Toowoomba Field Naturalist Club newsletter, Issue 798, August 2024

Brachychiton x turgidulus
in bloom November 2023
Photo: D. Pagel

When members met at Gowrie Junction they were not deterred by the wind, icy and bracing. On arrival at the property hot drinks seemed in order and while we enjoyed morning tea in a sheltered sunny spot beside their house, our hosts spoke to us about the history of the property, its development and their future plans. 

After morning tea, we explored below the house with our hosts, following various interests. There was no flora expert with us to compile a plant list, though we were provided with a comprehensive list compiled by botanists in 2019. Insects were elusive and many birds were sheltering elsewhere. 

Weathering and soil formation
Photo: D. Johnston

A shallow embankment beside the shed caught the attention of our geologist, Dougal, and those nearby learned from its profile something of the weathering of basalt rock and associated soil formation. The basalt on the property supplies many soluble elements through weathering and with little quartz the thin soil is dominated by dark-coloured swelling clays with organic content. Below, the subsoil has prominent weathered rock fragments and below that again, larger pieces of basalt. On the slopes the thin soil dries out and moves downhill with rainfall, limiting the plants that can grow well there.

When we re-gathered late morning, we drove up the hill to the ridge top. A gate was left open for us to explore remnant dry vine scrub and take in the expansive view to the north-west. A second walk along the road south took us to another open gate and we strolled back along the fence line birding and observing vegetation. 

At lunch, notes were compared and members expressed their appreciation for the hospitality shown them and the opportunity to visit a property cared for and developed with such commitment and passion. The outing did not produce the significant lists it might have done if the weather had been different, but it was certainly stimulating and enjoyable. 

Bird list for the day from members' observations:

Black shouldered Kite, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Nankeen Kestrel, Superb Blue-wren, Brown Honeyeater, Noisy Miner, Striated Pardalote, Brown Thornbill, Australian Magpie, Pied Butcherbird, Torresian Crow, Willie Wagtail, Grey Fantail, Restless Flycatcher, Double-barred Finch, Silvereye (Tasmanian race). A small list but such a windy day.