May Activity Details: Meeting - 3 May 2024. Outing - 5 May 2024

Meeting, 3 May 2024

Justine Rice of Lockyer Uplands Catchments Inc. As LUCI's project coordinator, Justine manages two conservation projects, one being Bunyas to Border, which is part of the Great Eastern Ranges (GER) and International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) Koala Climate Corridors project.  It involves LUCI working with local partners to enhance the critical koala habitat corridor in the western ‘horn’ of the Greater Border Ranges, which covers the landscape from Main Range, Helidon Hills and the Bunyas; an important movement pathway for wildlife and an area rich in many threatened native animals and plants. 

Photo: from Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, University of Queensland website. 

Outing, 5 May 2024

Private property in Ravensbourne. On arrival there will be a talk on the work that has been undertaken and future plans. Following morning tea we will visit the small eucalypt forests.

In the afternoon we can wander in the gardens or watch a show of wildlife photos to those who prefer to have a rest.

Bring a chair, morning tea, lunch, water, hat and an enquiring mind. 

For directions: Members see your May newsletter. Non-members, please contact us at toowoombafieldnaturalists@gmail.com for details.

October Outing Details: Ravensbourne area, 9 October 2022

The Toowoomba Field Naturalists Club Inc. acknowledges the land of the Barunggam people who are the traditional custodians of Ravensbourne-Perseverance and pay our respects to both 

Male Regent Bowerbird at the property

the past and present first peoples, their elders, languages, customs, culture and connection to this wonderful country.

Time: Meet at the property at 9:30am. Carpooling will be available at Neil Street carpark, Toowoomba at 8:20 am.

Where: Ravensbourne/Perseverance area

Directions: If you're not a Toowoomba Field Naturalists Club member, please contact us, toowoombafieldnaturalists@gmail.com, for directions. Members, please  refer to the newsletter.

Activities: Tour of the extensive gardens, a home sawmill, beehives, orchard, hot house and carnivorous plants before a picnic morning tea and discussion with our hosts around 11.00 am. 

Then exploring a natural, tall eucalypt forest and returning for a late lunch and discussion. 

Botanists, birdwatchers and insect observers will all find something of interest .

What to Bring: chair, morning tea and lunch, and the usual naturalist stuff; binoculars, camera, field guides, notebook, etc.

Donkey Orchid

   

The property

August Outing Details - Dingo Mountain Parkland and the Police Paddock, 7 August 2022

We would like to respectfully acknowledge the Jarowair', Garumga, and Dalla people, Traditional Custodians, of the Crows Nest area on which our outing will take place, and pay our respects to Elders both past, present and future.  

Dingo Mountain Parkland

Time: 7.30 am for birders, 9.30 am at Crows Nest for others (both at the T-junction). 

Where: Crows Nest at the T-junction of Albert and Jones Streets and 3 Mile Road.  Carpooling in a small number of high clearance 4WDs is essential. Independent vehicular travel within Dingo Mountain Parkland is not possible. Other cars can be left at Jones Road.

Description: Dingo Mountain Parkland preserves a large area of a unique ecosystem type which occurs only on sandstone near Crows Nest. Click here for more information.

The Police Paddock is across Crows Nest Creek from Dingo Mountain and has interesting but different flora to that found in the Parkland.

Activities: Steve Plant will be our guide. An excellent botanist with comprehensive knowledge of local natural history. He will initially take us to the picnic area in the Parkland. Here you can stay and wander close by or join his guided tour of the special features of this area which includes a diverse array of native flora, birds and sandstone ledges and outcrops. This is where we will have morning tea.

Afterwards we will travel by car to the Police Paddock where Steve will lead another guided tour and we will have lunch.

Facilities: Toilets and shelters at the picnic area.

What to Bring: Members and visitors will need to bring a folding chair, morning tea and lunch. Hats and a warm jacket are advised. 

Photo: from the website https://www.crowsnest.qld.au/ 

July Outing Details - Lockyer Wetlands, 3 July 2022

Atkinson Dam area, June 2022

After the extraordinary rain of the last few months, the dams and wetlands are brim full, making them a great spot for a visit, this time going to places we haven’t visited for years. These four spots are quite different in nature.
Time: Meet at Helidon Rest Area at 9.00 am (or Neil Street car park in Toowoomba at 8.30am for car-pooling). If you would just like to join us for lunch, we plan on being at Atkinson Dam around 12.15pm.
Where: Lockyer Wetlands - Jensen’s Swamp, Atkinson Dam, Seven Mile Lagoon and Lake Clarendon.

Directions: All the distances below are from the Helidon Rest Area on the Toowoomba side of the bridge. We will start at Jensen’s Swamp Environmental area as it is the furthest away, then make our way home via the other locations. There are numerous ways to Jensen’s Swamp, but the following is the one members are least likely to get lost using.
• Take the Gatton bypass, then the Warrego Highway until the Laidley exit at Plainlands (approximately 34 kilometres).
• Head north past Woolworths on Gehrke Road which eventually becomes Brightview Road, towards Lowood. Approximately 20 kilometres along, turn right into Jensen’s Swamp Road (signposted) and the park is on the right.

The round trip from Helidon is around 130 kilometres.
Activities: An ephemeral swamp at the intersection with Pagel Road was alive with waterbirds at the time of the reccy. So it is worth a look. Morning tea is at Jensen's Swamp where there is a short walk with several small lagoons. From there we will head back to Atkinson's Dam for lunch. Travel past the caravan park and shop entrance for about 300 metres and turn left into the spacious and attractive Day Use area.  After lunch we'll stop at Seven Mile Lagoon before finishing at Lake Clarendon.

Facilities: There are toilets at Helidon Rest Area. Toilets and a picnic table at Jensen's Swamp, Atkinson Dam and Lake Clarendon.

What to Bring: Telescopes would be great as well as the usual, including chair, food, camera, notebook and pen for observations. 

Please contact us, toowoombafieldnaturalists@gmail.com, if there has been heavy rain during the week before the outing in case we have to cancel.

June Outing Details - Cawdor area, 12 June 2022

The Nats around the main dam
when we last visited the property in 2013 
(photo by L.Marlatt)

Time: Meet at 8.30 am at the Neil Street carpark to car pool, or 9.00 am at the property.

Where: Cawdor area, on a private property 15-20 minutes north of Harlaxton. 

Directions: If you're not a Toowoomba Field Naturalists Club member, please contact us, toowoombafieldnaturalists@gmail.com, for directions.

Activities: We will meet near the sheds at 9.00 am where there are toilet facilities. Options for activities will be discussed here.

This property has been lovingly nurtured by one of our members for more than 30 years. It is  310 acres with five dams, pasture, remnant dry rainforest and a maturing hoop pine plantation. There are well-maintained tracks for most vehicles, easy walking and an excellent gathering area for morning tea and lunch near the largest dam where there are trees, a large table, two fire pits – and a bench swing. 

This outing promises to be a very relaxing one, close to Toowoomba, in a particularly attractive environment. Botanists, birdwatchers and insect observers will all find something of interest .

What to Bring: the usual, including chair, food, camera, notebook and pen for observations. 

April Outing Details - McEwan State Forest Stoneleigh, 3 April 2022

Naturalizing in McEwan State Forest

This outing is still going ahead. The road in was checked on Friday and is OK. After McEwan State Forest, your leader will continue to Irongate Conservation Park.

Time: 7.30 am leaving Neil Street after car-pooling. 8.30 am - 8.45 am outside the Pittsworth Post Office.

Where: McEwan State Forest at Stoneleigh.

Directions: The state forest can be accessed via Young Road off Stoneleigh Road, Stoneleigh. There is an unlocked gate at the top of Young Road then the track leads down to a locked gate near the picnic table within the state forest.

Activities: Walking within the property. McEwan should be a treat after all the recent rain but don’t forget the insect repellent. There are good walking tracks transecting the park and the area around the entrance is flat for easy walking.

The estate has an interesting history. It was gifted to the State by its owner Jack McEwan on his death at 92 years in 2006. The landform is mostly moderate to steep hills interspersed with black soil flats. Some interesting plant species found there are the rare and threatened Hawkweed (Picris evae), and Austral Cornflower (Rhaponticum australe). Fauna that also has been recorded includes Koala, Common Wallaroo, Common Dunnart (Sminthopsis murina), Australian Coral Snake (Brachyurophis australis), Spotted Black Snake (Pseudechis guttatus), Painted Honeyeater, Black Falcon, Turquoise Parrot and the locally rare dragonfly Royal Tigertail (Parasynthemis regina).

Facilities: There are no facilities. There is no water and only one picnic bench. The nearest toilets are in Pittsworth. 

What to Bring: You should be fully self-catering and outfitted for this outing; food, water, chair and table. Also advisable are sturdy shoes, a hat and insect repellent. Cameras, binoculars, field guides are optional.

February Outing Details - Ravensbourne National Park

Gus Beutel Lookout

Time: 9.00 am, Sunday 6 February 2022.

Where: Meet at Gus Beutel picnic area

Directions: From Toowoomba travel towards Crows Nest to Hampton (approx. 32 km). Turn right into Hampton-Esk Road and drive for 17 kms. Turn right into National Park Road and drive to the end of the bitumen.

Activities: Walk of the Cedar Block circuit (an easy short walk of 600 metres). The forest is rich with mosses, ferns, fungi and advanced decay processes, following the rain.

After morning tea we will drive to the Blackbean picnic area where there are a variety of walks of various length and challenges. We will have lunch here as members will have a staggered return from chosen walks. 

Members have the option of a short, interesting bird walk along the Munro Tramway at the entrance to the park after lunch.

Level of Fitness: easy walking

Facilities: Toilets, picnic tables, barbeques.

What to Bring: Please bring morning tea, lunch, chair and (prudently) insect repellent.

November Outing - Helidon Hills, Sunday 7 November 2021

Helidon Hills, 2007

Meet: Soldiers Memorial Park in Turner Street, Helidon at 9.00 a.m. and carpool from there.  Please email  if you would like a lift.

(toowoombafieldnaturalists@gmail.com)

Activities: Martin is an Environmental Officer with Lockyer Shire Council. He will lead us on an excursion in the Helidon Hills area. Always a favourite with the Toowoomba Nats.

Martin's walk will be in an area of Land Zone 5 (loamy and sandy plains and plateaus), Canopy trees likely to be observed are Baileys Stringybark (Eucalyptus baileyana), Budgeroo (Lysicarpus angustifolius), Smudgee (Angophora woodsiana), Planchon’s Stringybark (Eucalyptus planchoniana), Helidon Ironbark (Eucalyptus taurina), Helidon Stringybark (Eucalyptus helidonica). The understory is quite rich in wildflowers, and unusual species that are only found in the Helidon Hills area within the Lockyer Valley including Woody Pear, a number of Epacrids (heath family), numerous Wattle species, Petrophile (cone bushes), Hakea, Persoonia (Australian Proteaceae), Banksia, Grevillea. This promises to be a very interesting learning experience for our final field outing for this year.

Morning tea will be during our walk, and we will return to an area with facilities for lunch.

What to Bring: The usual – binocs, cameras, field guides, morning tea, lunch, chairs and protective materials, etc., etc., etc.

Please register your interest if you are not a member (toowoombafieldnaturalists@gmail.com) so we can contact you if there's any changes.

Please follow current COVID-19 restrictions 

and stay at home if you have any flu-like symptoms

Spring Camp; 7 - 10 September, Yelarbon

Red-capped Robin at Yelarbon Common

Not a great photo but a bonny bird to see. Yelarbon is a great base for some phenomenal naturalizing and that's where the Toowoomba Field Nats are off to next week.

From spinifex desert to river reserves, we'll be spoilt for choices.

The geologically distinct landscape of desert and spinifex country is characterised by a natural salinity scald. This naturally hostile environment results in some unique vegetation and wildlife. 

Spinifex desert near Yelarbon

Emu and his chicks

Happy hour is 4 pm at the lagoon. Bring your own chair, drinks and nibbles.

September Outing - Gatton Region, Sunday 5th

Wildlife on Lake Galletly

Time: 9.00 am. 

(Car-pooling is available from the Neil Street carpark nearest Herries Street at 8:15 am.)

Where: Meet at the park in Williams Street, Grantham.

Directions: Follow the Warrego Highway from Toowoomba to Helidon, then turn onto Gatton-Helidon Road to Grantham, avoiding the Gatton bypass. Turn left opposite the Floating Café in Grantham. We will travel in convoy approximately two kilometres toward Gatton, turning left at Placid Hills/Old Toowoomba Road.

 
Activities: Viewing birdlife on Karrasch’s Dam and other suitable sites from the roadside on our journey. 

We will continue to Lake Apex parking at the Dry Rainforest Arboretum. Friends of Lake Apex maintain the Arboretum at Lake Apex. It was planted by volunteers on several National Tree Days, and is being added to frequently by the FOLA team. The Arboretum features many species of trees endemic to the area. Following morning tea, there are several options for independent walking around the two lakes and Arboretum area. 

We will gather for lunch and discussions of flora and fauna observed. There is the option of continuing our drive to the University of Queensland Gatton campus to view birdlife from the bird hides of Lakes Galletly and Lenore.

Facilities: toilets at Grantham and Lake Apex.

What to Bring: The usual – binocs, cameras, field guides, all food and drinks, chairs, picnic tables, sunscreen, hats, raincoats, wear sturdy shoes, etc., etc., etc.

Please register your interest if you are not a member (email address in right-hand margin) so we can contact you if there's any changes.

Please follow current COVID-19 restrictions 

and stay at home if you have any flu-like symptoms.

August Outing - Merritts Creek, Sunday 8th August

Time: 9.00 am. 

Car-pooling is available from the Neil Street carpark nearest Herries Street at 8:15 am.

Where: Merritt's Creek. 

Directions: Take the New England Highway north from the Blue Mountain Hotel, Harlaxton towards Crows Nest for approximately 23 km. Turn left into Merritts Creek Rd. Park in cleared area 100 m on the left.

 
Activities: The outing is on private property and we will compare the native vine and shrub areas inside the property fence and on the road areas.

Morning tea at Chapman Park, Hampton (Hampton Visitor Information Centre)

11.30 am Hanrahan Rd, Merritts Creek - walk in regrowth vegetation.

Lunch at Bullocky's Rest, Crows Nest and walk along Apple Gum wetland reserve along the course of Crows Nest Creek.

Facilities: toilets and picnic tables at Chapman Park and Bullocky's Rest

What to Bring: The usual – binocs, cameras, field guides, all food and drinks, chairs, sunscreen, hats, raincoats, wear sturdy shoes, etc., etc., etc.

Please register your interest if you are not a member (email address in right-hand margin) so we can contact you if there's any changes.

Please follow current COVID-19 restrictions 

and stay at home if you have any flu-like symptoms.