June Outing Report - Postmans Ridge and Helidon Spa, Sunday 08 June 2025.

 Adapted from the TFNC July 2025 newsletter report of D. Pagel.

Withcott Waterlilies
Photo: M. Simmons

It was a clear winter’s day, and the temperature was much warmer below the Range when we met at our destination in Withcott. We strolled down a grassy slope past scattered Forest Red Gums Eucalyptus tereticornis where there was some evidence of koala activity in foliage and on bark, and past specimens of Soap Tree Alphitonia excelsa and Flat-stemmed Wattle Acacia complanata. The slope led to a large dam that was more like a picturesque billabong skirted by a path and fringed with Common Rush Juncus usitatus. On the water were a number of waterbirds, and patches of exotic Blue Water Lilies Nymphaea caerulea flowering on their tall stems. However, some flowers appeared larger, paler and to sit on the surface of the water. Surely, they were not the native Giant Water Lily Nymphaea gigantea, locally extinct, that years ago excited our Field Naturalists on outings to several locations on the Downs? (Yet to be confirmed.)

Rodent droppings
Photo: L. Moodie

We then moved on to an area of scrubby woodland  on poor thin soil at Postmans Ridge. Here the Gatton Sandstone that had not been so conspicuous at our first stop demonstrated how friable and easily eroded it can be. Our sandy road became impassable because of deeply eroded channels, probably the result of tunnelling where the clayey subsoil contains sodium salts that dissolve or ‘melt away’ on wetting. On one side of this road, we noted stands of Black She-oak Allocasuarina littoralis and termite activity both on trees and in a prominent mound that was capped with the dark droppings of an unidentified species of rat. Those who walked on the other side noted Geebung Persoonia sp., Cough Bush Cassinia laevis and Sweet Canthium Psydrax odorata subsp. buxifolium. Acacias included Flat-stemmed Wattle Acacia complanata and Blake’s Wattle Acacia Blakei subsp. diphylla.

Fungus Pisolithes sp. 
Photo: D. Pagel

 Emerging from the road surface itself was a fresh specimen of the Horse Dung Fungus Pisolithus sp. that had been spared by many of our vehicles’ tyres. Its white globe would finally become dark brown and crumble when mature to reveal its spore mass. This fungus has been known to emerge on roadsides through bitumen.

Our final destination was Helidon Spa where Nats enjoyed lunch at the water’s edge while admiring large numbers of Plumed Whistling Ducks and the image of Little Corellas in a eucalypt, vivid white against an intense blue sky. Warm thanks to Melanie for organizing this enjoyable excursion.

Little Corellas at Helidon Spa
Photo: M. Simmons

Species Lists

Birds: 

Withcott. Superb Fairy-wren, Magpie Lark, Willie Wagtail, Common Myna, House Sparrow.

Postmans Ridge.  Plumed Whistling Duck, Australian Wood Duck, Pacific Black Duck, Hardhead, Australasian Grebe, Crested Pigeon, Little Black Cormorant, White Faced Heron, Dusky Moorhen, Pale-headed Rosella, Noisy Minor, Grey Butcherbird, Magpie-lark, Welcome Swallow. 

Helidon Spa. Plumed Whistling Duck, Pacific Black Duck, Australasian Grebe, Dusky Moorhen, Straw-necked Ibis, Masked Lapwing, Little Corella, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Pied Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Willie Wagtail.

Butterflies: Small Green Banded Blue, Caper White, Common Grass Yellow, Wanderer (Monarch).

April Outing Report - Deongwar 6 April 2025

 Adapted from the TFNC May 2025 newsletter reports of C. Stephenson & D. Ford.

Skeletal remains
of the victims
Photo: K. Crompton

April 06 dawned cool and cloudy as we passed Toowoomba’s flourishing trees, lawns, parks and gardens bright with Autumn red, gold and yellow to Deongwar State Forest where huge fallen eucalypts were of great interest with their coverings of rotting leaf and bark litter, fungi, mosses and lichens. Further along the forest track, we entered our destination, a 40 acre Land for Wildlife property, purchased after the devastating 2019 fires.

This property of hoop pine dominated softwood scrub, bordered on three sides by predominantly eucalypt State Forest, was enveloped and destroyed by a huge fiery cloud. Tall, skeletal remains of the victims of the fire towered over the lush, green re-growth. Only two of the hoop pines remained, damaged, but alive. The steadfast work of the owners in clearing lantana, and planting hoop pine and other native seedlings is showing positive results. However, steep slopes and aggressive growth of invasive lantana will be an ongoing challenge.

Over 300mm of welcome rain in March has aided in the rapid regeneration of pioneering species, especially green wattle. (up to 6 metres high). The resilience of eucalypts is evident from the obvious coppicing from the base of burnt trees. Naturally regenerating hoop pine seedlings were seen as we meandered along the walking tracks close to the creek.

Of great interest was the spectacular array of abundant fungi

Chocolate Tube Slime
Stemonitis splendens
Photo: B. Dyke

- so varied in type, size, shape and colour…red, orange, yellow, purple, green, white, cream, brown, all working to decompose the many charred tree trunks and branches on the forest floor or still standing. A peaceful, camouflaged bird hide made by Scott, was a welcome resting spot to listen to the elusive birds in the surrounding bush, before descending, past several brush turkey mounds, and a pleasing mixture of naturally regenerating dry rainforest plants, to the gently flowing creek.

In the creek bed was a tiny waterfall, formed by a buttress root, all that remained of a large fig tree, that had been incinerated in the all-consuming fire. Many thanks to our hosts for their welcome, and willingness to share their property. Their provision of maps, species lists and marked, maintained tracks was most helpful and very much appreciated. We wish them success in their endeavours to reawaken this special place. 

Deongwar species list - 06 April 2025 (Collated by C. Stephenson)

Birds: Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo (in vicinity of Hampton Information Centre), Rainbow Lorikeet, King Parrot, Welcome Swallow, Laughing Kookaburra, Eastern Yellow Robin, Golden Whistler, Rufous Whistler, Grey Shrike-thrush, Spectacled Monarch, Leaden Flycatcher, Rufous Fantail, Grey Fantail, Willie Wagtail, Eastern Whipbird, Superb Fairy-wren, Yellow-throated Scrub-wren, White-browed Scrub-wren, White-throated Gerygone, Brown Thornbill, White-throated Treecreeper, Lewin’s Honeyeater, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Brown Honeyeater, Eastern Spinebill, Striated Pardalote, Silvereye, Red-browed Finch, Pied Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Pied Currawong, Torresian Crow.

Reptiles: Yellow-faced Whipsnake.

Insects: Grass Dart or skipper Ocybadistes sp., Australian Emperor, Yellow Migrant, Wandering Percher, Evening Brown, Blue Skimmer, Brown Ringlet, Hibiscus Harlequin Bug Tectocoris diophthalmus, Monarch Butterfly.

Toowoomba Field Naturalist members went on a NSW camp in March - Armidale & Myall Lakes National Park. The report will be posted later. Watch this space!

Highfields Parks

Toowoomba Field Nats
 at Peacehaven Botanic Park in November 2009

And again in February 2013

Reports and species lists to come. Watch this space.

Tenterfield Camp, 19-21 October 2012

Although the weather was hot in Tenterfield whereas it had been snowing the week before, the Natters had a busy and enjoyable time. Genevieve had done a great job in organizing an interesting itinerary.

The lovely Glenrock Garden (Photo by Angela)

Most of us met at Glenrock Garden on the Friday afternoon and were bowled over with its beauty. Carolyn Robinson, the owner with her husband Peter, spoke to us about her passion for gardening, the difficulties in creating such a verdant oasis in a climate of extremes, and her successes and failures. The natters soon scattered throughout the garden and you'd come around a corner to see two or three people admiring the plants, relaxing on a well-placed bench, sitting beside a pool taking photographs or, inevitably, waving a net over the water.   

Glenrock Garden - click here for more info

We spent all afternoon here, and then it was onto the Sir Henry Parkes Museum where we were fascinated by the great man's story and memorabilia.

Sir Henry Parkes Museum & Memorial School of Arts - click here for more info

We went to Torrington Conservation Area on Saturday. Although it was an hour from Tenterfield it was well worth the drive as it was carpeted with wildflowers.  

Wildflower carpet

Purplish Beard Orchid,
Calochilus robertsonii

Heath Myrtle, Calytrix tetragona

Heath Myrtle sepals which almost
look like flowers themselves

Lunch was enlivened by a surprise guest, a Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby. It was obviously unafraid of humans as it came very close to our group of 20 or so humans. Immediately lunch was discarded and cameras were clutched as everybody moved closer for a good photo. 

Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby, Petrogale penicillata,
whose tail is unfortunately heavily camouflaged.

Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby - more info

Another Rock-wallaby was seen at the creek crossing near Blatherarm Camping Area 3.

That evening we all met for dinner at the Golf Club where Sarah Caldwell of Mole Station Native Nursery gave us an illustrated talk on plants of the area. 

Sunday started at Tenterfield Park, then out to Boonoo Boonoo National Park with a quick pause at the largest cork tree in Australia. We also stopped along route to meet up with Geoff Robertson who showed us some rare Club Moss. At Morgan's Gully, Platypus Pool, and Boonoo Boonoo Falls the damage caused by the floods in 2011 was very evident. 

In the two photos below you can see the difference between when we visited in 2010 and 2012. Mary Ann is sitting on a deck of which only a stump remains as seen at the bottom of the 2012 image. Also in the 2012 image centre distance you can see a large sand bank which wasn't there in 2010. The 3rd image shows the smashed vegetation on the right-hand side bank. Remember this is nearly two years later and there has been lush growth since then.

Platypus Pool 2010

Platypus Pool 2012.

Flood damage, Platypus Pool

There was more than enough to keep everyone happy and Ros found this interesting caterpillar on the boronia. Though the highlight of the day for me was the wonderful Dotted Sun Orchid, Thelymitra ioxioides.

Can anybody identify this?
I thought it might be the larva 
of a Satin Blue, Nesolycaena alboserica 

Another view of the caterpillar
(photo by Diane P.)

Dotted Sun Orchid, Thelymitra ioxioides

The species lists will be added in a couple of days.

McEwan State Forest, May 2012

After arriving at McEwan we studied the decaying horse drawn wood and cast iron farm machinery as Rod did a “Harry Butler” and found a Narrow-nosed Planigale, Planigale tenuirostris which became an instant film star. This is its eastern limit and Al explained the details of the male Planigale’s very active life cycle and female reproduction habits. A large Narrow-leaved Ironbark hosted several Spotted Pardalotes in brilliant yellow and red and we all enjoyed the spectacle, especially the tele-lensed equipped photographers.

Lesley & Al conferring on the bird list

The track led down the slope to the grassed paddocks with many small birds in the track-side bushes where several had colourful berries, Red-olive Plum Pittosporum phylliraeoides, White Myrtle Pittosporum rhombifolium and Orangebark Maytenus bilocularis.

Something has caught their eye,
Genevieve, Rod, Lesley & Susan.

Species Lists for McEwan SF - compiled from members’ &and visitors’ sightings

Birds: Crested Pigeon, Peaceful Dove, Bar-shouldered Dove, Collared Sparrowhawk, Lorikeet sp., Laughing Kookaburra, Speckled Warbler, Weebill, Spotted Pardalote, Striated Pardalote, Lewin's Honeyeater, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Noisy Miner, Striped Honeyeater, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Golden Whistler, Rufous Whistler, Grey Butcherbird, Pied Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Pied Currawong, Grey Fantail, Willie Wagtail, Torresian Crow, Silvereye, Mistletoebird, Double-barred Finch.

Butterflies: Small Grass-yellow Eurema smilax, Black Jezebel Delias nigrina, Cabbage White Pieris rapae, Meadow Argus Junonia villida, Yellow Admiral Vanessa itea, Common Crow Euploea core, Lesser or Native Wanderer Danaus chrysippus, Wanderer or Monarch Danaus plexippus.

Moths: Ghost Moth sp (possibly Trictena atripalpis).

Odonata: Wandering Percher Diplacodes bipunctata, Australian Emperor Hemianax papuensis.

Spiders: Jewel Spider Austracantha minax, Golden Orb-Weaver Nephila edulis (dark brown joints).

Mammals: Narrow-nosed Planigale Planigale tenuirostris

Reptiles: Iridescent litter-skink Lygisaurus foliorum

South Burnett Camp

The annual camp which this year was based at the Bjelke-Petersen Dam Tourist & Recreation Park, was another great success. Thanks to Tricia (and husband) for their organization of a wide variety of activities. The weather wasn't as kind as it could have been, but no one was complaining.  

Natters camping at Bjelke-Petersen Dam

Birding in Wondai State Forest

We visited national parks, state forests, conservation reserves and wetlands. We had talks from local farmers and members of the South Burnett Field Naturalists who also lead a couple of our outings. 

We kayaked on the dam, birdwatched, examined dragonflies, photographed fungi, dined at a winery, checked out the local museums and heard all about fossils and duboisia (the South Burnett supplies the world with about 90% of this crop which is harvested for the pharmaceutically important  alkaloids the leaves contain.)

White-winged Choughs

This was written after watching the antics of these birds at Bjelke-Petersen Dam.

Ode to a Dis-chuffed Chough

In Slater’s book we’re plainly seen

(On page three hundred and sixteen.)

This learned book refers to us,

Corcorax melanorhamphos.

To you we are the White-winged Chough,

And life is getting rather rough.

Our quiet life’s turned upside down,

Because a certain feathered clown,

Gymnorhina tibicen named.

This is the bird that can be blamed

For nervous tics and twisted necks,

And Choughs becoming nervous wrecks.

‘Tis to the Magpie I’ve referred.

Let me tell you, this rotten bird

Was put on Earth without a soul.

When we emerge, the dawn patrol

Swoops down on us with shrieks of glee

Upsetting all my friends ¾ and me.

For at the risk of sounding morbid

Why pick on a fellow corvid?

Pick on sparrows, pick on chats,

Or something really useful ¾ CATS!

The one thing I can’t understand. It’s

Why we let these bloody bandits

Treat us with this animus.

We’re just as big, there’s more of us.

Let’s band together, fight the sods,

Because I tell you – by the gods,

Tomorrow at the break of dawn

We’ll make them rue the day they’re born.

Defiantly sing our bold refrain.

Oh, Crikey! HERE THEY COME AGAIN!

                                      -         by John Ball

Picnicking in the rain at Gordonbrook

Species Reports 

The camp at Bjelke-Petersen Dam was a naturalist’s delight. You just have to look at the species lists below to see the variety of organisms we recorded. As a birder I was in seventh heaven, seeing birds I hadn't seen for quite a while. The lovely group of Wandering Whistling Duck at Gordonbrook Dam and the Black-eared Cuckoo that Tricia found at the caravan park were two that were highlights for me. Although the gentle Red-winged Parrots, the majestic White-bellied Sea-Eagles and active Varied Sitella were all as noteworthy. At Gordonbrook Dam we recorded an amazing 55 species in an afternoon despite showers of rain that had us all sheltering under the picnic shed. The small group of campers who went to the Wondai State Forest with Pam had a feast as well with Shining Bronze Cuckoo, Speckled Warbler and Painted Button-quail topping the bill. Lastly a couple of members stayed on for another day and went to Reinke Scrub. On the way back to camp, in the cotton fields in the Silverleaf district, a really great bonus – a Bustard! What a way to end a lovely few days in the South Burnett.

Birds – (Compiled from members' sightings by Lesley.) Total 128 species

Bjelke-Petersen Dam Caravan Park and surrounding inlets, 26° 18.343’ S, 151° 59.680’ E (within 500m for land birds). Brown Quail, Australian Wood Duck, Pacific Black Duck, Grey Teal, Australasian Grebe, Common Bronzewing, Crested Pigeon, Bar-shouldered Dove, Tawny Frogmouth, Australasian Darter, Little Pied Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Australian Pelican, Great Egret, Intermediate Egret, White-faced Heron, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Whistling Kite, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Nankeen Kestrel, Australian Hobby, Dusky Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Masked Lapwing, Caspian Tern, Galah, Rainbow Lorikeet, Scaly-breasted Lorikeet, Little Lorikeet, Australian King Parrot, Red-winged Parrot, Pale-headed Rosella, Red-rumped Parrot, Pheasant Coucal, Black-eared Cuckoo, Southern Boobook, Laughing Kookaburra, Superb Fairy-wren, Variegated Fairy-wren, Red-backed Fairy-wren, Weebill, White-throated Gerygone, Yellow Thornbill, Striated Pardalote, Noisy Miner, Brown Honeyeater, White-throated Honeyeater, White-naped Honeyeater, Blue-faced Honeyeater, Little Friarbird, Striped Honeyeater, Grey-crowned Babbler, Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike, Rufous Whistler, Olive-backed Oriole, Grey Butcherbird, Pied Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Willie Wagtail, Torresian Crow, Restless Flycatcher, Magpie-lark, White-winged Chough, Apostlebird, Golden-headed Cisticola, Tawny

Grassbird, Welcome Swallow, Double-barred Finch. 68 species

Bjelke-Petersen Dam Day-use Area, 26 18.343' S, 151 59.680' E (within 500m). Australian Wood Duck, Pacific Black Duck, Australasian Grebe, Crested Pigeon, Australasian Darter, Little Pied Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Dusky Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Masked Lapwing, Caspian Tern, Galah, Blue-winged Kookaburra, Sacred Kingfisher, Variegated Fairy-wren, Noisy Miner, Australian Magpie, Willie Wagtail, Torresian Crow, Magpie-lark, Welcome Swallow. 21 species

Boat Mountain Conservation Park, 26 18.343' S, 151 59.680' E (picnic ground and walk up the mountain).

Brown Cuckoo-Dove, White-browed Scrubwren, Lewin's Honeyeater, Eastern Whipbird, Grey Shrike-thrush, Pied Currawong, Grey Fantail, Torresian Crow. 8 species

Jack Smith Scrub, 26 18.343' S, 151 59.680' E. Brown Quail, Brown Cuckoo-Dove, Bar-shouldered Dove, Galah, Pheasant Coucal, Brown Gerygone, Lewin's Honeyeater, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Brown Honeyeater, Eastern Whipbird, Varied Triller, Golden Whistler, Grey Fantail, Torresian Crow, Eastern Yellow Robin, Silvereye. 16 species

Reinke Scrub Conservation Park, Proston, 500m radius of 26° 10.924’ S, 151° 35.120’ E. Eastern Whipbird, Varied Triller, Golden Whistler, Grey Shrike-thrush, Spangled Drongo, Rufous Fantail, Torresian Crow, Eastern Yellow Robin, Mistletoebird. 9 species

Wooroolin Wetlands, Wooroolin, 26° 24.420 S, 151°49.222’ E (around the circumference of the lagoon).

Australian Wood Duck, Pacific Black Duck, Hardhead (White-eyed Duck), Australasian Grebe, Crested Pigeon, Australasian Darter, Little Pied Cormorant, Great Egret, Intermediate Egret, Black-shouldered Kite, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Nankeen Kestrel, Purple Swamphen, Rainbow Lorikeet, Scaly-breasted Lorikeet, Red-winged Parrot (heard), Pale-headed Rosella, Laughing Kookaburra, White-throated Treecreeper, Variegated Fairy-wren, Red-backed Fairy-wren, White-throated Gerygone, Striated Pardalote, Lewin's Honeyeater, Noisy Miner, Blue-faced Honeyeater, Striped

Honeyeater, Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike, Golden Whistler, Rufous Whistler, Australasian Figbird, Olive-backed Oriole, Pied Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Pied Currawong, Grey Fantail, Willie Wagtail, Torresian Crow, Leaden Flycatcher, Restless Flycatcher, Magpie-lark, Tawny Grassbird, Double-barred Finch. 43 species

On the viewing platform at Gordonbrook

Gordonbrook Dam, 26° 26.878’ S 151° 45.224’ E (coordinates on the bird hide, but sighting are from the picnic area along the walk to Water-dragon Inlet). 

Indian Peafowl (four seen around the bird hide), Magpie Goose, Wandering Whistling-Duck, Black Swan, Radjah Shelduck, Australian Wood Duck, Australasian Shoveler, Grey Teal, Hardhead (White-eyed Duck), Australasian Grebe, Crested Pigeon, Bar-shouldered Dove, Australasian Darter, Little Pied Cormorant, Pied Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Australian Pelican, White-necked Heron, Great Egret, Intermediate Egret, White-faced Heron, Little Egret, Osprey, Black-shouldered Kite, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Whistling Kite, Purple Swamphen, Dusky Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Black-winged Stilt, Black-fronted Dotterel, Masked Lapwing, Comb-crested Jacana, Whiskered Tern, Caspian Tern, Galah, Cockatiel, Scaly-breasted Lorikeet, Australian King Parrot, Pale-headed Rosella, Red-rumped Parrot, Laughing Kookaburra, Superb Fairy-wren, Variegated Fairy-wren, Red-backed Fairy-wren, White-throated Gerygone, Noisy Miner, Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike, Pied Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Grey Fantail, Willie Wagtail, Torresian Crow, Magpie-lark, Welcome Swallow. 55 species

Silverleaf Weir, Murgon, 26° 9.955 S, 151° 48.858’ E. Australian Wood Duck, Little Pied Cormorant, Great Egret, Nankeen Kestrel, Eurasian Coot, Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Galah, Pheasant Coucal, Azure Kingfisher, Laughing Kookaburra, Noisy Miner, Brown Honeyeater, Blue-faced Honeyeater, Little Friarbird, Australian Magpie, Willie Wagtail, Torresian Crow, Restless Flycatcher, Magpie-lark, Welcome Swallow, Mistletoebird, Chestnut-breasted Mannikin. 22 species

Wondai State Forest, 26° 21.0’ S, 151° 51.859‘ E (within 300m of this point). Common Bronzewing, Peaceful Dove, Painted Button-quail, Little Lorikeet, Pale-headed Rosella, Shining Bronze-Cuckoo, Speckled Warbler, Weebill, White-throated Gerygone, Yellow Thornbill, Buff-rumped Thornbill, Striated Pardalote, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Noisy Miner, White-throated Honeyeater, Striped Honeyeater (heard), Varied Sitella, Rufous Whistler, Grey Shrike-thrush, Pied Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Pied Currawong, Jacky Winter, Mistletoebird, Double-barred Finch. 25 species

Miscellaneous extras, between Boat Mountain in the north to Gordonbrook Dam in the south, Reinke Scrub in the west to Burnett Highway to the east. 

Cattle Egret, Australian White Ibis, Straw-necked Ibis, Royal Spoonbill, Pacific Baza, LLittle Corella, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Common Starling, Common Myna, Zebra Finch, House Sparrow. 11 species

Butterflies – Total 23 species

Bjelke-Petersen Dam Caravan Park, 26° 18.343’ S, 151° 59.680’ E (within 500m).

Pale Triangle Graphium eurypylus, White Migrant Catopsilia pyranthe, Small Grass-yellow Eurema smilax, Large Grassyellow Eurema hecabe, Scarlet Jezebel Delias argenthona, Yellow or Common Albatross Appias paulina, Glasswing Acraea andromacha, Meadow Argus Junonia villida, Wanderer or Monarch Danaus plexippus, Small Green-banded Blue

Psychonotis caelius. 10 species

Bjelke-Petersen Dam Day-use Area, 26 18.343' S, 151 59.680' E (within 500m).

Chequered Swallowtail Papilio demoleus, Large Grass-yellow Eurema hecabe, Meadow Argus Junonia villida, Lesser or Native Wanderer Danaus chrysippus, Wanderer or Monarch Danaus plexippus. 5 species

Boat Mountain Conservation Park, 26 18.343' S, 151 59.680' E (picnic ground and walk up the mountain).   Small Grass-yellow Eurema smilax. 1 species

Jack Smith Scrub, 26 18.343' S, 151 59.680' E. Tailed Emperor Polyura sempronius, Scarlet Jezebel Delias argenthona.   2 species

Reinke Scrub Conservation Park, Proston, 500m radius of 26° 10.924’ S, 151° 35.120’ E. Dingy Skipper Toxidia peron, Chequered Swallowtail Papilio demoleus, Small Grass-yellow Eurema smilax, Caper White Belenois java, Southern Pearl White Elodina angulipennis, Dusky Knight Ypthima arctous, Brown Ringlet Hypocysta metirius, Tailed

Emperor Polyura sempronius, Glasswing Acraea andromacha, Meadow Argus Junonia villida, White-banded Plane Phaedyma shepherdi, Lesser or Native Wanderer Danaus chrysippus, Wanderer or Monarch Danaus plexippus, Small Green-banded Blue Psychonotis caelius, Common Grass Blue Zizina labradus labradus. 15 species

Gordonbrook Dam, 26° 26.878’ S 151° 45.224’ E (coordinates on the bird hide, but sighting are from the picnic area

along the walk to Water-dragon Inlet.) Pale Triangle Graphium eurypylus, Chequered Swallowtail Papilio demoleus, Scarlet Jezebel Delias argenthona, Cabbage White Pieris rapae, Evening Brown Melanitis leda, Orange Ringlet Hypocysta adiante, Lesser or Native Wanderer Danaus chrysippus. 7 species

Wondai State Forest, 26° 21.0’ S, 151° 51.859‘ E (within 300m of this point). Small Grass-yellow Eurema smilax, Black Jezebel Delias nigrina, Glasswing Acraea andromacha, Lesser or Native Wanderer Danaus chrysippus. 4 species

Miscellaneous extras, between Boat Mountain in the north to Gordonbrook Dam in the south, Reinke Scrub in the west to Burnett Highway to the east. Orchard Swallowtail Papilio aegeus. 1 species

Mammals – Total 7 species

Bjelke-Petersen Dam Caravan Park, 26° 18.343’ S, 151° 59.680’ E (within 500m). Red-necked Wallaby Macropus rufogriseus, Sugar Glider Petaurus breviceps, Common Brushtail Possum Trichosurus vulpecular (seen by Von of Woop Woop Wildlife Rescue Inc), Pteropus sp. 4 species

Miscellaneous extras, between Boat Mountain in the north to Gordonbrook Dam in the south, Reinke Scrub in the west to Burnett Highway to the east. Brown Hare Lepus capensis, Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus, Whiptail Wallaby Macropus parryi. 3 species

Reptiles – Total 3 species

Bjelke-Petersen Dam Caravan Park, 26° 18.343’ S, 151° 59.680’ E (within 500m). Bearded Dragon Pogona barbata, Asian House Gecko Hemidactylus frenatus. 2 species

Gordonbrook Dam, 26° 26.878’ S 151° 45.224’ E (coordinates on the bird hide, but sighting is from the walking track at Water-dragon Inlet). Eastern Water Dragon Intellagama lesueurii. 1 species

Amphibians – Total 6 species (Compiled by Barry) Members reported seeing or hearing the following. Striped Marshfrog, Limnodynastes peronii; Common Green Treefrog, Litoria caerulea; Emerald Spotted Treefrog, Litoria peronii; Stony Creek Frog, Litoria wilcoxii; Cane Toad, Rhinella marina.

But what can one say about the Eastern Sedgefrog, Litoria fallax? It was certainly seen at the dam but had hitched a ride down on one of the vans.

Odonata (dragons and damsels) – Total 7 species (Compiled by Barry)

Mid-April is already late season for the Odonata so that coupled with the showery weather was enough to seriously reduce activity.

Wooroolin Wetlands: Wandering Percher, Diplacodes bipunctata; Blue Skimmer, Orthetrum caledonicum; Blackheaded Skimmer, Crocothemis nigrifrons; Common Bluetail, Ischnura heterosticta. All these were found on the road-side verges near the wetland.

Gordonbrook Dam: Three damsels were seen laying eggs in slits they make in the floating vegetation. The Common Bluetail, Ischnura heterosticta; Red and Blue Damsel, Xanthagrion erythroneurum; and the spectacular Gold-fronted Riverdamsel, Pseudagrion aureofrons.

Both the Blue Skimmer and the Black-headed Skimmer were competing for control of the edges.

Fungi list for Bjelke Petersen Dam camp, including all areas visited (Compiled by Glenda)

Amanita species, Boletellus emodensis, Calvatia lilacina, Calvatia species, Crucibulum laeve, Cyptotrama aspratum, Ganoderma species, Geastrum species, Gloeophyllum albietum, Gymnopilus ferruginosus, Lyco-perdon scabrum, Mycena species, Panus fasciatus, Phaeotrametes decipiens, Phellinus species X 2, Pisolithus albus, Pisolithus arhizus, Pisolithus tinctorius, Pycnoporus coccineus, Scleroderma species, Stemonitis species, Stereum species, Trametes species, Unidentified bolete, Xerula gigaspora. 26 species

Goomburra Forest Reserve, Sunday 04 March, 2012

(Adapted from Francis's newsletter report.) Rain in the Toowoomba regional area on Saturday made the outing doubtful but after checking if Dalrymple Creek was passable, 21 people set off for Goomburra. Five more members joined us along the Inverramsay Road into the national park. We had no difficulties getting in although there was plenty of water in the creek crossings.

Giant Fleay's frog (photo by John W.)

The cars made straight for the picnic area where we had our morning tea. It was very wet underfoot and a giant Fleay’s Frog carved in stone kept us company. 

As rain looked imminent and the water across the creek crossing was already high, the group made its way to the Dalrymple Circuit walk. As we got to the beginning of the Circuit our ears were assailed by the call of the Bell Miners. The Circuit walk was very easy but the rain had brought out the leeches. So there was constant checking of these creatures as we walked and the number of red legs was a testament to their persistence. 

Viewing platform over Dalrymple Creek (photo by John B.)

A number of birds were spotted on the circuit (see the bird list). We also saw a Red-necked Pademelon (Thylogale Thetis) on the path. We stopped at the viewing platform to look at the fast flowing Dalrymple Creek and across it on the rocky face a giant spear lily (Doryanthes palmeri). Continuing on the walk, with the sky looking very threatening, but fortunately not raining, we saw a very established bird’s nest fern across the valley. The rainy season had also given rise to a number of fungi, which Glenda photographed. 

Our circular route led us back to our cars and lunch under the trees of the camping ground. After lunch, some of us walked back to the picnic area by Dalrymple Creek where we were impressed by the force and depth of the water flowing over the side road we had originally planned to take up the hill. The amount of activity off-track indicated that many photogenic fungi were still being encountered .

The little frogs of Goomburra (by Barry)

The March excursion returned home with several frog mysteries. The Clicking Froglet Crinia signifera was certainly calling from the water-filled ditches along the track, but what was the grating, ratchet-like call coming from similar habitats and heard by Michael and Genevieve? With help from the CD of frog calls and later Harry Hine’s knowledge of the amphibian fauna of the park this turned out to be the Red Backed Broodfrog Pseudophryne coriacea. The little froglet found in our lunch area was identified in time from photos as a metamorph of the Stony Creek Frog Litoria wilcoxii. In the Club poster its previous name was Litoria lesueuri. I wonder how many other calls would have graced the night air had we waited until early evening?  

Species List (Compiled from members' sightings by Lesley.)

Birds: Brown Cuckoo-Dove (Pigeon), Pacific Baza, Masked Lapwing, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Rainbow Lorikeet, Crimson Rosella, Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Laughing Kookaburra, White-throated Treecreeper, Satin Bowerbird (male & female), Superb Fairy-wren, Red-backed Fairy-wren, White-browed Scrubwren, Brown Gerygone, White-throated

Gerygone, Brown Thornbill, Lewin's Honeyeater, Bell Miner, Red Wattlebird, Eastern Whipbird, Grey Shrike-thrush, Australian Magpie, Pied Currawong, Rufous Fantail, Torresian Crow, Black-faced Monarch, Eastern Yellow Robin, Redbrowed Finch. 28 species

Butterflies: Dingy Grass-dart Taractrocera dolon, Blue Triangle Graphium sarpedon, Orchard Swallowtail Papilio aegeus, Chequered Swallowtail Papilio demoleus, Large Grass-yellow Eurema hecabe, Common Brown Heteronympha merope, Yellow Admiral, Vanessa itea, Lesser or Native Wanderer Danaus chrysippus, Wanderer or Monarch Danaus

plexippus, Yellow-spot Blue Candalides xanthospilos, Common Grass Blue Zizina labradus labradus. 11 species

For a report on the lovely orchid, Ladies Tresses Spiranthes sinensis subsp. australis (Spiranthes australis), please see http://toowoombaplants2008.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/ladies-tresses.html

Figs and Fruit-doves

Ravensbourne National Park, Sunday 5 February 2012 
The afternoon at Ravensbourne National Park was most enjoyable. Twenty-nine people took part including some members we hadn't seen for a while, and five visitors.  

A scatter of Natters at the Blackbean Day-use Area

While still in the picnic area Trish showed us a miserable Brown Malletwood, Rhodamnia rubescens, which had been attacked by Myrtle Rust. In the fruiting season last year it had been a mass of Topknot Pigeons, Lopholaimus antarcticus.

The Brown Malletwood
and Myrtle Rust

The rain stayed away, and deciding that afternoon tea could wait we set off for the Rainforest Circuit. That may have been a mistake as the normally 40 minute walk took us 2 hours! 


There was plenty to interest us, and gradually we were strung out along the track with the birdos up front, the botanists some distance behind, and the fungi enthusiasts last of all.


We weren't long on the circuit when we came upon a large Moreton Bay Fig, Ficus macrophylla. Its fruit was dropping like rain and there was the clatter of pigeon wings far above us. The eagle eyes of our younger members soon found Topknot Pigeons, Lopholaimus antarcticus, and Wompoo Fruit-doves, Ptilinopus magnificus. We spent some time here making sure everybody had good views of these lovely birds.

Checking out the fruit-doves
in the fig on the Rainforest Circuit

Eventually we all straggled back to the car park, so we moved up to Beutel's Lookout for our afternoon tea. This was a brilliant idea because the lone Moreton Bay Fig in the Cedar Block picnic area was also full of birds. As well as the fruit-doves there were Australasian Figbirds, Sphecotheres vieilloti, Green Catbirds, Ailuroedus crassirostris, and one lone male Regent Bowerbird, Sericulus chrysocephalus. What a sighting!


In the sunny, open areas there were plenty of butterflies, especially Wanderers, Danaus plexippus.


A few of us walked the Cedar Block Circuit before our bbq. We saw quite a few branches and vines down, possibly from high winds in the area. That part of the park is very susceptible to wind damage being right on the edge of the range. There was no sign of Black-breasted Button-quail platelets at all. Very few birds were about in fact. They were all out in the sun enjoying a respite from the wet week we'd had. So it was back to the bbq tea and a quiet chat.

Birds: Blackbean Day-use Area and Rainforest Circuit: White-headed Pigeon, Brown Cuckoo-Dove, Wompoo Fruit-Dove, Topknot Pigeon, Australian Pelican (overhead), Wedge-tailed Eagle (overhead), Galah, Noisy Pitta (heard), White-throated Treecreeper, White-browed Scrubwren, Brown Gerygone, Eastern Spinebill (heard), Lewin's Honeyeater, Eastern Whipbird, Golden Whistler, Pied Currawong, Spangled Drongo, Rufous Fantail, Grey Fantail, Willie Wagtail, Torresian Crow, Black-faced Monarch, Paradise Riflebird (heard), Eastern Yellow Robin, Silvereye, Red-browed Finch. 26 species

Birds: Cedar Block Day-use Area and Circuit: Australian Brush-turkey, White-headed Pigeon, Brown Cuckoo-Dove, Wompoo Fruit-Dove, Topknot Pigeon, Rainbow Lorikeet, Little Lorikeet, Pheasant Coucal, Eastern Koel, White-throated Treecreeper, Green Catbird, Regent Bowerbird, Superb Fairy-wren, White-browed Scrubwren, Brown Gerygone, Lewin's Honeyeater, Eastern Whipbird, Cicadabird, (heard), Australasian Figbird, Pied Currawong, Spangled Drongo, Black-faced Monarch, Eastern Yellow Robin, Silvereye, Red-browed Finch. 25 species  Total: 36 species

Butterflies: Mainly Blackbean Day-use Area: Blue Triangle Graphium sarpedon, Orchard Swallowtail Papilio aegeus, Large Grass-yellow Eurema hecabe, Black Jezebel Delias nigrina, Brown Ringlet Hypocysta metirius, White-banded Plane Phaedyma shepherdi, Wanderer or Monarch Danaus plexippus. 7 species

Bellthorpe Camp

Happy Bellthorpe Campers with David Clark

Twenty-one exhausted but exhilarated people had a wonderful 3 days at Bellthorpe Cottage, the property of David and Wendy Clark. The weather was perfect and the views stunning.

David was an attentive host, leading all the outings, whether on the property or further afield. On the first night he also gave a talk on Bellthorpe, the cottage and the district; people, history, geology, wildlife and farming practices.

Jim, Maria and Diane 
at the shed

Glenda not only supplied us with desserts and yummy slices, but had organized some interesting activities, and everything went like clockwork. Facilities were set up in the shed making everything very easy and civilized.

Our first walk was through the rainforest down to the waterfalls. On the way David showed us points of interest and explained the difficulties in building the tracks. In true Nats style people wandered off into the bush to check out fungi or birds, or anything else that caught their eye. Diane got a glimpse of the Paradise Riflebird which made her day. 

Bellthorpe was also affected by the January deluge, and the Bellthorpe Road is still closed. The picture above was taken when a few of us had a recce in November 2010. The one at the right was taken on the camp. You can see how large logs were just swept aside like small branches. (Remember to right click on an image and open in a new tab for an enlargement.)

Happy hour

After 3 hours we were more than ready for happy hour. Good company, tasty nibblies plus a little restorative beverage soon had us ready for the evening's activites. 


Wednesday dawned bright and clear to the sound of bird song. Some early risers went on a walk down near the dams and were rewarded with good sightings of Wompoo Pigeon and Green Catbird. 

One of the dams along the creek

                                                                                 

Rose-leaf Bramble, Rubus rosifolius

At 8.30 we were ready for the day and we set off for Bellthorpe Environmental Park where the Bellthorpe Progress Association has been clearing exotic weed. At the end of one of the tracks was a lovely view of the Glasshouse Mountains with Pumicestone Passage behind.

Glasshouse Mountains View

From there we backtracked to the Bellthorpe State Forest. After squeezing us all into the 4WDs we wended our way along a forestry road until it was time for morning tea including more of Glenda's scrumptious snacks. From here we walked along the track  which meandered through rainforest grandeur with huge trees towering above us, wildflowers sprinkled at our feet, and treefern tracery.

Lunch  was at the Bellthorpe Conservation Park on the site of the old Brandon's Mill. There is very little left of the mill now, and none of the town at all. While we were there all the exotic pines were being cut out and we scavenged some of the wood for our camp fire. David had shown us photos of the mill in its heyday so this virtually empty 14 ha paddock was difficult to picture as a thriving community with a school and homes as well as the mill. In 1998 it was recommended that the area be heritage listed as one of the best preserved sawmill communities, however this obviously didn't happen. There were plenty of birds, butterflies, and flowers to keep us happy as we strolled around the site and surrounding roads.

That night after happy hour and tea we went into the rainforest searching for fireflies. It was eerily beautiful to see them flickering through the trees. Then it was back to the camp fire where Phil played some tunes on his penny whistle.

Coming back from the rainforest walk

Despite the late night we were ready at 8.30 for another walk on the property. This time to the waterfall from the upper track and back past the shed. All that was left to do was say our thank-yous to David and Glenda. David was presented with a gift and an honorary membership for 12 months. This was followed with much acclamation and determination to return. 

 

Looking from the eastern boundary
 to the western boundary with cottage and camp site

For more information on: 

Bellthorpe Cottage - http://bellthorpe.bigpondhosting.com/default.htm 

Bellthorpe National Park - http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/parks/bellthorpe/ 

Brandon's Mill -  http://www.daff.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/50796/qld_se_saw9.pdf 

Bellthorpe in the 1950s. This is a lovely website of one man's life and family. During the 1950s they lived at Bellthorpe. He writes a good story - http://g1uqf.weebly.com/bellthorpe.html

All lists compiled from members’ sightings 

8-10 November 2011

Bellthorpe Cottage and Cabin Bird List: (26° 49’ 46” S, 152° 42’ 55” S – Bellthorpe Cottage ) Australian Brush-turkey, Pacific Black Duck, White-headed Pigeon, Spotted Dove (Spot Turtle Dove), Brown Cuckoo-Dove, Bar-shouldered Dove, Wonga Pigeon, Wompoo Fruit-Dove, Topknot Pigeon, White-necked Heron, White-faced Heron, Straw-necked Ibis, Brown Goshawk, Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Galah, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Rainbow Lorikeet, Australian King-Parrot, Crimson Rosella, Pale-headed Rosella, Eastern Koel, Shining Bronze-Cuckoo, Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Southern Boobook (heard), Laughing Kookaburra, Sacred Kingfisher, Dollarbird, Noisy Pitta (heard), White-throated Treecreeper, Green Catbird, Regent Bowerbird, Satin Bowerbird, Superb Fairy-wren, Red-backed Fairy-wren, Variegated Fairy-wren, Yellow-throated Scrubwren, White-browed Scrubwren, Brown Gerygone, Fairy Gerygone, White-throated Gerygone, Brown Thornbill, Eastern Spinebill, Lewin's Honeyeater, Noisy Miner, Scarlet Honeyeater, Eastern Whipbird, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Cicadabird, Crested Shrike-tit, Golden Whistler, Grey Shrike-thrush, Grey Butcherbird, Pied Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Pied Currawong, Spangled Drongo, Rufous Fantail, Grey Fantail, Torresian Crow, Leaden Flycatcher, Satin Flycatcher, Black-faced Monarch, Paradise Riflebird, Eastern Yellow Robin, Silvereye, Welcome Swallow, Red-browed Finch. 67 species

Bellthorpe Environmental Park: (26° 51’ 50” S, 152° 44’ 48” E) Brown Cuckoo-Dove, Crimson Rosella, Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo, Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Noisy Pitta (heard), Satin Bowerbird, Yellow-throated Scrubwren, Large-billed Scrubwren, Brown Gerygone, Lewin's Honeyeater, Eastern Whipbird, Rufous Whistler, Grey Shrike-thrush, Australasian Figbird, Pied Currawong, Spangled Drongo, Rufous Fantail. 17 species

Bellthorpe State Forest: (M=Old Brandon’s Mill Site only, 26° 49’ 21” S, 152° 40’ 46” E at Crane Pivot) Brown Cuckoo-Dove, Wompoo Fruit-Dove (M), White-faced Heron (M), Purple Swamphen (M), Masked Lapwing (M), Australian King-Parrot, Crimson Rosella, Pale-headed Rosella, Laughing Kookaburra, White-throated Treecreeper, Satin Bowerbird, Red-backed Fairy-wren, Variegated Fairy-wren, Spotted Pardalote, Eastern Spinebill, Lewin's Honeyeater, Noisy Miner, Scarlet Honeyeater, Eastern Whipbird, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Cicadabird, Grey Shrike-thrush, Olive-backed Oriole, Pied Butcherbird (M), Australian Magpie, Pied Currawong, Grey Fantail, Torresian Crow, Paradise Riflebird, Welcome Swallow (M), Red-browed Finch. 31 Species

Miscellaneous in the Bellthorpe Area: Cattle Egret, Buff-banded Rail, Willie Wagtail. 3 species Total species: 78