Allora Mountain, Sunday 25 August

Gateway to the Mountain

It seems there was quite a bit of interest in this area as over 30 Nats from both Toowoomba and Stanthorpe Field Naturalist Clubs and three visitors arrived at Dalrymple Creek Reserve. It was a beautiful day and all was quiet at the park as the colony of Black Flying Fox Pteropus alecto was missing. However a large mob flew in just as we set off for Allora Mountain.

Margaret had arranged a good outing starting with morning tea at the new gate of the reserve. Here Weebills, Pardalotes and Gerygones were calling while a Wedge-tailed Eagle harassed by Crows flew overhead. The habitat is Mountain Coolibah Woodland and a beautiful specimen of Eucalyptus orgadophylla caught peoples’ eye as we started the climb. 

The lovely Mountain Coolibah, Eucalyptus orgadophylla

On the way up the geology had people considering the volcanic era. Then at the top were the aboriginal scarred trees to wonder at.

As usual we scattered far and wide following our own interests. The birdos seemed to congregate at the northwest corner where a lively flock of Plum-headed Finches, a White-winged Triller and a Fan-tailed Cuckoo were notable amongst many birds. There was little obvious insect life though the Dusky Woodswallows and Rainbow Bee-eaters had to be after something. Lepidoptera were evident with plenty of nondescript moths and later in the morning the butterflies. The botanists were delighted with the Hairy Anchor Plant Discaria pubescens in flower. Read more about this from Trish Gardner in the newsletter and also on her blog Toowoomba Plants. John and Ruth saw a goanna peeking out of one of the hollows in a Coolibah but weren’t able to catch a photo; Lace Monitor Varanus varius has been recorded on the mountain. 

Bear's Ear, Cymbonotus lawsonianus 

 Lunch was back at Dalrymple Creek Reserve in Allora where both Clubs had a chance to socialize and review their morning. As we were packing up, a beautiful adult White-bellied Sea-Eagle cruised overhead. A few of us then left for home while the rest of the group moved on to the delightful owl sculpture on Ghost Gate Road.

Time for the two clubs to socialize 
at Dalrymple Creek Reserve, Allora

On the mountain (28° 1’ 28.92” S 151° 59’ 40.92”): 

Birds: Crested Pigeon, Black-shouldered Kite, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Nankeen Kestrel, Galah, Eastern Rosella, Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Laughing Kookaburra, Rainbow Bee-eater, Weebill, White-throated Gerygone, Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Spotted Pardalote, Striated Pardalote, Noisy Miner, Striped Honeyeater, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, White-winged Triller, Golden Whistler, Rufous Whistler, Dusky Woodswallow, Grey Butcherbird, Pied Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Pied Currawong, Grey Fantail, Willie Wagtail, Torresian Crow, Jacky Winter, Silvereye, Common Starling, Double-barred Finch, Plum-headed Finch.

Butterflies: Small Grass-yellow Eurema smilax, Cabbage White Pieris rapae, Meadow Argus Junonia villida, Australian Painted Lady Vanessa kershawi, Wanderer Danaus plexippus, Common Grass Blue Zizina labradus labradus.

Extras at Dalrymple Creek Reserve (28° 1’ 42”S 151° 58’ 60”E): Bird: Rock Dove (Feral Pigeon), White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Magpie-lark. Mammals: Black Flying Fox Pteropus alecto

Murphys Creek Outing, 8 September 2013

Mick certainly lives in a little spot of paradise as he’s happy to tell people. He is also happy to share it. Natters had a very enjoyable time at Tiddalac with some unusual recordings. We were greeted at the gate by Mick and Al and after introductions we scattered, as usual, into this drier area of the property, dominated by eucalypts with a fairly heavy understorey. The botanists disappeared up the track with the etymologists, the birders looked to the tall timber while those who just love the bush slowly meandered down to the cottage.

Looking to the tall timber

Although it was late for birding on a very warm morning the birds were busy. Most members had great views of the Jacky Winter and the Rainbow Bee-eaters. The Little Bronze Cuckoo was calling loudly, but unfortunately was too deep into the neighbouring property to be seen.

Natters enjoying the ambience

We had morning tea on Mick’s deck overlooking the creek. He showed us where he had seen the Platypus earlier in the week. We had a good look at the Autumn Cluster Moths behind the cottage. This is an uncommon species found in south-east Qld and as we approached them thousands flew up from the leaf litter and surrounding plants where they were resting. It is well worth visiting this site to see some in action.

Intrigued by the moths

From there we continued exploring the creek where we had plenty of Odonata and Lepidoptera to keep us busy. We also had a sighting of a beautiful copper-coloured Eastern Water Skink Eulamprus quoyii sunning itself on the rocky bank.

Dragonflies & Damselflies: Eastern Billabongfly Austroagrion watsoni, Common Bluetail Ischnura heterosticta, Australian Emerald Hemicordulia australiae, Blue Skimmer Orthetrum caledonicum, Scarlet Percher Diplacodes haematodes, Common Glider Trapezostigma loweii

Common Glider Trapezostigma loewii
(Photo by Al)

Butterflies & Moths: Chequered Swallowtail Papilio demoleus, White Migrant Catopsilia pyranthe, Pink Grass-yellow Eurema herla, Large Grass-yellow Eurema hecabe, Caper White Belenois java, Evening Brown Melanitis leda, Orange Ringlet Hypocysta adiante, Tailed Emperor Polyura sempronius, Glasswing Acraea andromacha, Meadow Argus Junonia villida, Australian Painted Lady Vanessa kershawi, Common Crow Euploea core, Lesser Wanderer Danaus chrysippus, Wanderer Danaus plexippus, Pea Blue  Lampides boeticus, Common Grass Blue Zizina labradus labradus.

Autumn Cluster Moth Dichomeris capnites

Reptiles: Eastern Water Skink Eulamprus quoyii

Birds: Australian Wood Duck, Common Bronzewing, Crested Pigeon, Peaceful Dove, Bar-shouldered Dove, White-faced Heron, Straw-necked Ibis, Collared Sparrowhawk, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Dusky Moorhen, Masked Lapwing, Galah, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Rainbow Lorikeet, Scaly-breasted Lorikeet, Australian King-Parrot, Pale-headed Rosella, Pheasant Coucal, Little Bronze-Cuckoo, Azure Kingfisher, Laughing Kookaburra, Sacred Kingfisher, White-throated Treecreeper, Superb Fairy-wren, Variegated Fairy-wren, Red-backed fairy-wren, White-throated Gerygone, Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Buff-rumped Thornbill, Striated Pardalote, Lewin's Honeyeater, Noisy Miner, Brown Honeyeater, White-throated Honeyeater, Noisy Friarbird, Little Friarbird, Striped Honeyeater, Eastern Whipbird, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Golden Whistler, Rufous Whistler, Pied Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Pied Currawong, Willie Wagtail, Torresian Crow, Magpie-lark, Jacky Winter, Welcome Swallow, Fairy Martin, Mistletoebird, Double-barred Finch, Red-browed Finch, Australasian Pipit.

Mammals: Brown Hare Lepus capensis.

Winter Wandering in the Crows Nest Area

Nats listening to the history of the Pechey Arboretum

Beautiful winter weather was a treat for about 20 field naturalists who gathered at the first stop on the July outing - the Pechey Arboretum, on the New England Highway north of Hampton. The arboretum, which was established in the late 1920s, was one of many trial plantings throughout Queensland to determine the potential for a broad range of species for timber plantations within State forests. In the late 1970s, it was recommended that the trial be ended and, although the 4.5 hectare plot is now very overgrown, it has some fine mature specimens of the original plantings, and is bordered by forestry roads (which also serve as firebreaks). Of the original 25 tree species planted, seven have survived. A 1977 report listed only three species that were "fairly well adapted" - Pinus radiata, Pinus patula and Pinus taeda.

A few other naturalists joined the outing for the morning tea stop at Bullocky's Rest, close by a historic Broad-leaved Apple Angophera subvelutina.

Nats at Chinaman's Dam

From Bullocky's Rest, the group travelled to a property in Tin Mine Road where we inspected a dam named Chinaman's Dam, but the origin of the name of the finely built sandstone dam wall is not known. 

Nats scattering around the dam

Lunch, again in wonderful winter sunshine, was held in the picnic area at Crows Nest National Park. 

Nodding Greenhood Orchid, Pterostylis nutans 

On the walks through the Park, many birds were heard and sighted. A highlight of plants seen was a Nodding Greenhood Orchid Pterostylis nutans. Many thanks to Neil for planning and leading this outing. Adapted from the report by Michael.

Species Report for Crows Nest area, 7 July 2013 Lists compiled from member’s sightings. 

It was a glorious, warm, winter day but even so our list is missing some very common birds such as Willie Wagtail, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike and Crested Pigeon. Where were they hiding?

Pechey Forestry Arboretum (27° 18’ 39.76” S, 152° 3’ 2.7” E within 200m):

Birds: Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Superb Fairy-wren, White-browed Scrubwren, Spotted Pardalote, Lewin's Honeyeater, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Eastern Whipbird, Grey Shrike-thrush, Pied Currawong, Grey Fantail, Torresian Crow, Eastern Yellow Robin.

Butterflies: Wanderer Danaus plexippus.

Bullocky’s Rest, Crows Nest (27° 15’ 53.3” S, 152° 3’ 26.77” E within 50m):

Birds: Pacific Black Duck, White-faced Heron, Purple Swamphen, Galah, Rainbow Lorikeet, Australian King-Parrot, Laughing Kookaburra, Noisy Miner, Australian Magpie, Magpie-lark.

Barney Property, Tin Mine Rd (27° 15’ 31.25” S, 152° 6’ 7” E within 200m):

Birds: Common Bronzewing, Peaceful Dove, Bar-shouldered Dove, Wedge-tailed Eagle (o’head), Rainbow Lorikeet, Laughing Kookaburra, White-throated Treecreeper, Spotted Pardalote, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Scarlet Honeyeater, Varied Sittella, Golden Whistler, Pied Currawong, Grey Fantail, Torresian Crow.

Butterflies: Grass-yellow sp. Eurema sp.

Amphibians: Cane Toad Rhinella marina. Two different frogs were calling at the Chinaman’s Dam. One was the Eastern Dwarf Tree Frog Litoria fallax but the other was unidentified.  

Crows Nest National Park (27° 15’ 16.74” S, 152° 6’ 23.84” E within 200m):

Birds: Australian Brush-turkey, Bar-shouldered Dove, Wedge-tailed Eagle (o’head), Scaly-breasted Lorikeet, Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Laughing Kookaburra, Superb Fairy-wren, Striated Pardalote, Eastern Spinebill, Lewin's Honeyeater, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Noisy Miner, Scarlet Honeyeater, Golden Whistler, Rufous Whistler, Australian Magpie, Pied Currawong, Torresian Crow, Red-browed Finch.

Butterflies: Lesser Wanderer Danaus chrysippus, Wanderer Danaus plexippus.

Miscellaneous sightings on road between Pechey and Crows Nest: Birds: Australian Wood Duck, Hardhead, Australasian Grebe, Straw-necked Ibis, Grey Butcherbird.

Butterflies, Birds and Bats

Spring Creek, Dalrymple Creek and Condamine River catchments of the Clifton and Allora district. 

It was one of those magic, autumn days; bright and sunny and not too cool. Ten members enjoyed the route that Len and Joff had planned. The Field Nats have not visited this part of the Darling Downs for many years and what a feast of nature we had; butterflies, birds and bats.

There were plenty of farm dams in the area attracting a variety of water birds. We stopped at a couple with morning tea inbetween at Dalrymple Park, in Allora.  A colony of Black Flying Fox Pteropus alecto have taken roost here. 

White Migrant Catopsilia pyranthe

Lesser Wanderer Danaus chrysippus

On Bony Mountain via Yankee Gully Road we had a fauna and flora stop. Butterflies were everywhere and Tricia managed to get some specimens in her net so that we were able to have a closer look. They were released after we had inspected them and went on their way quite nonchalantly.

Lunch by the Condamine

Cabbage Whites Pieris rapae drinking

Lunch was in a lovely spot beside the Condamine River at Connell Bridge. Here we sat in the sunshine watching the Red-winged Parrots in the trees on the other side of the water. Cabbage White butterflies were drinking from the damp sandy loam at the water's edge.

There were more stops after lunch, the property of Old Talgai with the still waters of the Condamine was particularly picture perfect. Then on the way home two lucky Nats managed to see a small flock of Budgerigars.

Lists - compiled by Lesley from member’s sightings. 
Total = 9 species of butterflies, 57 species of birds, 1 each of reptile and mammal. 

Letters B-K refer to points on the map.

The route for the May outing

B) Danson Lagoon, Shannon Rd: Birds - Black Swan, Australian Wood Duck, Pink-eared Duck, Hardhead, Little Pied Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Eastern Great Egret, Australian White Ibis, Little Eagle, Nankeen Kestrel, Purple Swamphen, Eurasian Coot, Red-kneed Dotterel, Masked Lapwing, Galah, Cockatiel, Magpie-lark.

C) Allora (reserve on Dalrymple Creek): Mammals - Colony of Black Flying Fox Pteropus alecto. Butterflies - Cabbage White Pieris rapae, Wanderer Danaus plexippus. Birds - Crested Pigeon, Rainbow Lorikeet, Noisy Miner, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Australian Magpie, Silvereye.

E) Yankee Gully Dam on Hendon Victoria Hill Road: Butterflies - Cabbage White Pieris rapae, Meadow Argus Junonia villida. Birds - Pacific Black Duck, Hardhead, Australasian Darter, Australian Pelican, Eastern Great Egret, Australian White Ibis, Whistling Kite, Dusky Moorhen, Galah, Little Corella, Little Lorikeet, Red-rumped Parrot, Superb Fairy-wren, Striated Pardalote, Noisy Miner, Willie Wagtail, Torresian Crow, Apostlebird, Welcome Swallow, Fairy Martin.

G) Yankee Creek Road, Bony Mountain (28° 05.980’ S; 151° 52.741’ E): 

Butterflies - White Migrant Catopsilia pyranthe, Yellow Migrant Catopsilis gorgophone (pale form), Small Grass-yellow Eurema smilax, Large Grass-yellow Eurema hecabe, Meadow Argus Junonia villida, Lesser Wanderer Danaus chrysippus.

H) Connell Bridge, Condamine River (28° 05.622’ S; 151° 48.398’ E): Reptiles - Eastern Water Dragon Physignathus lesueurii lesueurii. Butterflies - Chequered Swallowtail Papilio demoleus, Cabbage White Pieris rapae, Large Grass-yellow Eurema hecabe, Meadow Argus Junonia villida, Wanderer Danaus plexippus. Birds – Whistling Kite, Galah, Little Corella, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Red-winged Parrot, Eastern Rosella, Azure Kingfisher, Laughing Kookaburra, Striated Pardalote, Noisy Miner, Noisy Friarbird, Willie Wagtail, Grey Butcherbird, Torresian Crow, Magpie-lark.

I) Pratten (28° 05.334’ S; 151° 47.062’ E): Birds - Crested Pigeon, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Rainbow Lorikeet, Red-winged Parrot, Eastern Rosella, Laughing Kookaburra, Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Pied Butcherbird, House Sparrow.

J) Old Talgai (28° 00.506’ S; 151° 45.888’ E): Birds - Rock Dove (Feral Pigeon), Straw-necked Ibis, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Noisy Miner, Blue-faced Honeyeater, Australian Magpie, Willie Wagtail, Torresian Crow, Apostlebird.

K) Clifton roadside: Birds - White-necked Heron, White-faced Heron, Black-shouldered Kite, Black Kite, Nankeen Kestrel, Pied Butcherbird, Torresian Crow, Chestnut-breasted Mannikin. 

Miscellaneous birds en route: Yellow-billed Spoonbill, Budgerigar, Starling.

Possum Park Camp - April 2013

What with wet weather cancelling outings and internet connections out of action nothing has been posted for a while. This feast of piccies should make up for it. They have been taken by a number of members.

From April 12 - 15 the natters went on a camp to the Miles district. We stayed at Possum Park just north of Miles. For more on Possum Park click here. While most people were in bunkers or cabins there were three who slept under canvas.

Our Possum Park camp in the evening glow

With the countryside rich in herbage and many wildflowers blooming out of season it wasn't only the the botanists who had a great time. The threat of rain which didn't eventuate could not deter them.

Lesley in her 'bin liner' rain coat
Ros & Phil in background

 

Nats enjoying themselves on camp

    Nats scattering everywhere

Getting together to chat about what we'd seen 

Jim & John at the Miles Historical Village

John checking out a spider's web

Insects 

   

Bag of theProcessionary Caterpillar,
Ochrogaster lunifer

Bits and pieces left after a parasitic insect infests the caterpillars

Yellow-horned Clerid, Trogodendron fasciculatum 

Chewobrachys sanguifluaIt's sitting on my jeans so that gives you an idea of scale.

The belly of the Chewobrachys sanguiflua
(don't worry it was very much alive)

Large Potter Wasp being buzzed by a smaller Hymenoptera

Acacia Leaf Beetle, Calomela curtisi

Tailed Emperor, Polyura sempronius

Female Orchard Swallowtail, Papilio aegeus

 Just a taste of some of the plants

Pink Giant Lily, Nymphea gigatea var. neorosea

Yellow Water Snowflake, Nymphoides indica

          

Commersonia pedleyi 

Commersonia pedleyi seed capsule  

Birds

Part of the flock of Buderigars seen on Glenaubyn Road

Noisy Miner feeding a chick

Black Kite

Frogs

Eastern Dwarf Tree Frog, Litoria fallax

Caught in the net, another Litoria fallax

Spiders

The golden threads
of the Golden Orb-Weaver Nephila plumipes (yellow joints)

Golden Orb-Weaver Nephila plumipes 

Stuff

Miles Historical Village

Red Rose Cafe

Backyard Birds of the Toowoomba Region Launch

WHEN: 18 May 2013 

WHERE: In the State Emergency Headquarters, 

K Block, 165 Hume St, Toowoomba

Program:
10 am:
    1. Opening by Mayor, Paul Antonio
    2. The National Birds in Backyard Program (Holly Parsons, Birds in Backyards Program Manager)
    3. Suitable plants to attract birds (Patricia Gardner, Toowoomba Field Naturalists Club)
    4. Cultivated plants suitable/available for Toowoomba gardens (Lauren Marlatt, Toowoomba SGAP)
    5. How to identify birds (Mick Atzeni, Toowoomba Bird Observers Club)
    6. Using Bird Finder program and reporting birds to BIBY web site online (Grahame Rogers, BirdLife Southern Queensland)

12 noon:        Lunch

1 pm – 4 pm:  Field trip to bird-friendly gardens (inner city, large block on urban fringe of the  Toowoomba Field Naturalist Club members ).

Cost $5 (to be paid on arrival).

RSVP essential to Grahame Rogers gwrogers[at]bigpond.com or 07 4698 1727 (Please replace 'at' with the symbol and remove the brackets.)

Outing Cancelled

Due to the inclement weather 
the March outing has been cancelled. 

There are no alternative arrangements.