Outing Report - Sunday, 6 February 2022, Ravensbourne N.P.

Pointy Orbweaver
(Araneus acuminatus) female

Plants, birds, spiders, insects and more. A delightful time was had at Ravensbourne National Park by our members on our February outing. Quite a number of invertebrates were recorded. The first two images here are of a female and male Pointy Orbweaver (Araneus acuminatus). You can gauge by the size of the leaves in the second pic that they are very small and easily overlooked. Like many orbweavers the female will build her web at night and pack it up in the morning, then find a retreat in which to shelter during the day. Sometimes they can be found in daylight head down on their web. The male is almost half the size of his mate. Their abdominal patterns vary.  

Pointy Orbweaver
(Araneus acuminatus) male

Dotty Lynx Spider
(Oxyopes punctatus)

Another tiny spider (approx. 7 mm) is this Dotty Lynx Spider (Oxyopes punctatus). Like its name, Lynx, suggests it is an ambush spider rather than a web-builder. Again colouring and patterns can be variable. They have been found from Cape York to Brisbane.

Leaf Beetle sp. (Chrysomelidae sp.)

Tricolor Soldier Beetle
(Chauliognathus tricolor)

Red and Blue Pollen Beetle
(Dicranolaius bellulus)

All photos by G. Walter.

Combined Species List for Cedar Block Circuit and on tracks from Blackbean Picnic Area

introduced species = _*

Fauna (not a comprehensive list):

Birds: Australian Brush Turkey, White-headed Pigeon, Brown Cuckoo-Dove, Wompoo Fruit-Dove, Superb Fruit-Dove, Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove, Topknot Pigeon, Rainbow Lorikeet, Australian King-Parrot, Laughing Kookaburra, White-throated Treecreeper, Green Catbird, Variegated Fairy-wren, White-browed Scrubwren, Large-billed Scrubwren, Brown Gerygone, Lewin's Honeyeater, Scarlet Honeyeater, Eastern Whipbird, Cicadabird, Golden Whistler, White-breasted Woodswallow, Pied Currawong, Rufous Fantail, Grey Fantail, Black-faced Monarch, Spectacled Monarch, Eastern Yellow Robin, Silvereye, Red-browed Finch.

Butterflies: Yellow Admiral (Vanessa itea), Small Green-banded Blue (Psychonotis caelius).

Other Invertebrates: Beetles; Fungus Weevil (Ancylotropis waterhousei), a beetle (Cardiothorax sp.), Tricolor Soldier Beetle (Chauliognathus tricolor), Leaf Beetle sp. (Chrysomelidae sp.), Red and Blue Pollen Beetle (Dicranolaius bellulus), a beetle (Dynastine sp.), Passalid Beetle (Pharochilus dilatatus), Darkling Beetle (Ecnolagria sp.), Bugs; Zebra Shield Bug (Bathrus variegatus), Colourful Broad-headed Bug (Noliphus erythrocephalus).

Spiders: Pointy Orbweaver (Araneus acuminatus), Dotty Lynx Spider (Oxyopes punctatus).

 

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

Herbs: Native Wandering Jew (Aneilema acuminatum), *Cobblers Pegs (Bidens pilosa).

Vines, Scramblers & Climbers: Native Yam (Dioscorea transversa), Passiflora sp.

Shrubs: *Lantana (Lantana camara).

Palms: Piccabeen or Bangalow Palm (Archontophoenix cunninghamiana).

Trees: Plum Ebony or Black Plum (Diospyros australis), Tallowwood (Eucalyptus microcorys),), Sydney Blue Gum (Eucalyptus saligna), Rock Fig (Ficus rubiginosa), Strangler Fig (Ficus watkinsiana), Gee-o-ah or Wild Quince (Guioa semiglauca), *Tobacco Bush (Solanum mauritianum).

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.