Ravensbourne Outing 06 April 2014

 

(Article and photos by Glenda Walter)

In preparation for the TFNC outing on 06 April, I went to Ravensbourne National Park the Wednesday prior to see if there were any outstanding fungi to be seen. Even though it was a week since the 140 mm of rain that had fallen over several days, after spending four hours searching along the tracks I was disappointed to find that there were only several very small species to be found, apart from some large Macrolepiota which had sprung up in open areas. Fearing that Dr John Dearnaley who was going to lead our walk would find that his time was wasted, I contacted him and told him that he need not accompany us.

I was amazed to find that in the subsequent few days fungi had sprung up everywhere! Murphy’s Law, I think! The Macrolepiotas were past their prime, but there were many other species to be seen. Of course I regretted not having Dr Dearnaley with us, but we did the best we could. We were unable to identify everything we saw to species level or even to genus, but after Fran Guard’s talk two months ago we could see that there were many different types of gilled fungi, some puffballs, polypores, brackets, jelly fungi, and tiny Ascomycetes.

Those who were keen to walk rather than crawl about in the leaf litter went on ahead with Neil McKilligan to the sandstone cave or overhang further down the hillside while others walked the rainforest circuit. About 20 members attended, including Ian and Delsia Mitchell who were visiting from South Australia.

The most interesting specimens spied by the sharp eyes of Jane Orme and Diana Ball, were very small and tucked into the soil on the side of an earth bank. These are named Gymnogaster boletoides. One was larger, about 23 mm long and looks by its stem as if it is actually two fused together, and the others were about 10 mm high and 6 mm long, looking like small yellow cylinders with red spots at the top. They stained blue when handled.

Gymnogaster boletoides

The specific name “boletoides” refers to the way this fungus stains blue then darkens to brown, like many boletes. Despite that, it is still placed in the family Agaricaceae with the mushroom-type gilled fungi. Microscopically, it must be more similar, despite its looks. Nigel Fechner, the Mycologist from the Queensland Herbarium said in his email to me when I found this fungus at Bellthorpe two years ago: “Quite a curious, yet stunning, mycological oddity. Despite its staining habit, it is actually placed in the Agaricaceae (gilled fungi). It is a monotypic genus (only one species) and was described by Joan Cribb (Qld Nats) almost 60 years ago.” An internet search showed that Joan found Gymnogaster boletoides at Mount Glorious, and it has been recorded at Cunningham’s Gap as well. Well done, Jane and Diana. Many Mycologists have never seen this special and unusual fungus.

Mystery mushroom (unidentified as yet)

Unidentified fungi upto 7 mm across with rudimentary fills and growing on dead wood

Bolete eater Hypomyces chrysospermus

We saw many small mushrooms with pinkish or greyish fibrous caps, Lepiota species. One type, Lepiota haemorrhagica, had rosy pink stems and pink rings, the white gills staining pink when touched. We also saw a brilliant yellow jelly fungus, a purplish-brown crust fungus, many delicate Mycenas of various species including a tiny black one 3 mm across, a small bolete, and the white furry “bolete eater”, Hypomyces chrysospermus which attacks only boletes. A mystery mushroom was tiny, tough and rubbery in texture, with an under-surface which looked neither like the usual gills or pores.

AMycologist friend described them as “rudimentary” gills, and did not know of any such fungi which grow on dead wood as these did. I have dried and sent some to him for further identification. Many fungi in Australia have yet to be described and named – maybe this is one of them.

After lunch, by which time many people had gone off to other engagements, some of us walked briefly in other areas, but we had left just before a thunderstorm passed over, soaking the area. Although most of what we found was small, from a fungus-hunter’s point of view it was a short but successful day.

Lepiota haemorrhagica

Unidentified hard puffball

Polyporus badius

Jelly fungus

Sporangia of an unidentified mould 3 mm high

Fungi list

Russula species; Lepiota species (several different); Lepiota haemorrhagica; Macrolepiota species; Marasmius species; Coprinellus species; Crepidotus species; Omphalotus nidiformis; Hygrocybe species; Mycena austrororida; Mycena species (several different); Gymnogaster boletoides; Laccaria species; Hypomyces chrysospermus (the “bolete eater”); Pisolithus species (seen on the roadside); Stereum possibly hirsutum; Stereum ostrea; Polyporus badius; Calocera sp.

Seen but unidentified

Small hard puffball species (very common); Small rubbery mystery mushrooms; A small bolete; Various small brown gilled fungi of different types; Several different bracket fungi; Several crust fungi of various colours; Yellow jelly fungus; Small grey cup fungi, 3 mm across; Small white stemmed Ascomycetes; Sporangia of two slime moulds, looking like pink tails and yellow balls

Left to right: Jelly fungus and Lepiota

New Frogs of Toowoomba Poster

Frogs of Toowoomba  Poster now available for purchase from the Toowoomba Information Centre, Hampton Information Centre, and Cobb & Co Museum.







For those outside Toowoomba area, email toowoombafieldnaturalists@gmail.com
 for information about how to purchase this poster.

Summer Break

There are no outings or meetings in December & January, although members will get together for some social events. Watch out for the February meeting/outing details. 

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Although the heat has the natters diving for shade, there is plenty of wildlife that love it. A Blue-tongued Lizard, Tiliqua scincoides, wandered through my garden last week. I live close to bushland but it is a rare visitor. My resident lizard species being the Bearded Dragon, Pargona barbata.

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Blue-tongued Lizard, Tiliqua scincoides

It didn't hang around, sliding into some mulch to hide from me rather than show it's amazing blue tongue. I haven't seen it again. 

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The largest member of the skink family, the Blue-tongue used to be despised by people and often killed on sight. Now we are more tolerant towards our native fauna, thank goodness. They are a harmless creature mainly living on native fruits, beetles and snails. They also feed on flowers and soft herbage, but their "enlarged rear teeth .... help crush hard, resistant foods"(Australian Lizards A Natural History, Steve K Wilson, 2012). They are a long-lived species and are found in every state except Tasmania. The distribution is from north-east Western Australia curving around the east coast in a wide band through to central South Australia.
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This year I've seen far more Australian Painted Lady butterflies, Vanessa kershawi, around the Darling Downs than for many, many years. They have been flying around my garden since August.

Australian Painted Lady, Vanessa kershawi

In the 1800s there used to be mass migrations of Australian Painted Ladies. So large in fact "as to darken the sky". Wouldn't it be lovely to see that again? 

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The males often rest on the ground with their wings open. Although I'm not sure how people know they are males as the sexes are so similar. Vanessa kershawi belongs to the family Nymphalidae. The species of this family have only four proper legs. The first pair are shorter and no use for walking. They are folded up on the thorax.  

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The adults suck nectar from flowers, and the host plants for caterpillars include Paper Daisy or Everlasting Daisy Ammobium alatum, Strawflower Xerochrysum bracteatum, Billy Buttons Calocephalus platycephalus, Carduus species, Yellow Buttons Chrysocephalum apiculatum, Rice Flower Chrysocephalum semipapposum, Cudweed Gamochaeta pensylvanica and other Gnaphalium species, Helichrysum species, Scotch Thistle Onopordum acanthium, Western Sunray Rhodanthe chlorocephalum, and even found on Lavender Lavendula officialis. As some of these we consider weeds, if possible, you could consider a little wild patch in a corner of your garden.

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Nature doesn't take a break for the heat, and summer is a lovely time to take advantage of the cooler mornings and evenings. Go for a leisurely walk in the morning or pack up a picnic or BBQ in the afternoon and spend some time in your favourite park. Have fun.

Tannymorel and Mount Colliery Area, 3 November 2013

We all had a wonderful day in the Southern Downs with plenty to do and see. The Mundey’s property had us enthralled at Tannymorel. We had morning tea in the garden near the creek bank. From here we watched the bowerbirds and water dragons or chatted to Kaye & Keith. Next we went for a tour around the garden with Kaye and admired Keith’s restoration of old wagons and carts. They are both very talented people and they work full time as well! We discovered this tiny Mistletoebird in her beautiful woven nest.

The Mistletoebird in her nest (Photo by Francis)

Ben fossicked a Cunningham’s Skink out of the wood pile so we could all have a closer look. It had some scars and was missing a toe so was obviously an old warrior.   

Cunningham's Skink Egernia Cunninghami,
notice the scars (Photo by Francis)

The fauna highlight would have to be watching the Jewfish mating and nesting in Farm Creek below the Mundey’s garden. Not something we Toowoombarites get to see very often.

Fishwatching (Photo by John)

Wasp Moth species,
possibly Orange-headed Wasp Moth Amata annulata
(Photo by Francis)

Common Brown Heteronympha merope
(Photo by Lesley)

When at last we moved on it was to take Bakers Road at Mount Colliery and after fording several creek crossings Ben stopped us at an ideal lunch spot. 

One of the many crossings on Farm Creek (Photo by John)

It is called Kellie’s Crossing and while we ate we watched Musk Lorikeets drinking at the creek, a stately White-necked Heron and butterflies fluttering everywhere. We were still beside Farm Creek and we spent the afternoon exploring further upstream or wandering about the banks nearby.

Exploring Farm Creek (Photo by John)

Ringed Xenica, Geitoneura acantha(Photo by Lesley)

There was plenty to keep everyone very happy. Thanks to Ben & Jean for their entertaining day.

Species Lists for Tannymorel-Mount Colliery area, 3 November 2013. Lists compiled by Lesley from member’s sightings.

Mundey property, Tannymorel (28° 17’ 20” S, 152° 14’ 37” E, within 100m):

Birds: White-necked Heron, Nankeen Night-Heron, Straw-necked Ibis, Dusky Moorhen, Little Corella, Cockatiel, Satin Bowerbird, Superb Fairy-wren, Brown Honeyeater, Pied Currawong, Torresian Crow, Silvereye, Common Myna, Mistletoebird in nest, Double-barred Finch.

Dragonflies & Damselflies: Stout Vicetail Hemigomphus heteroclytus, Gold-fronted Riverdamsel Pseudagrion aureofrons, Arrowhead Rockmaster Diphlebia nymphoides.

Butterflies & Moths: Orchard Swallowtail Papilio aegeus, Chequered Swallowtail Papilio demoleus, Caper White Belenois java, Cabbage White Pieris rapae, Common Brown Heteronympha merope, Meadow Argus Junonia villida, Common Crow Euploea core, Lesser Wanderer Danaus chrysippus, Wanderer Danaus plexippus, Blue Tiger Tirumala hamata, Common Pencil-blue Candalides absimilis, Common Grass Blue Zizina labradus labradus.
Wasp Moth species, possibly Orange-headed Wasp Moth Amata annulata

Reptiles: Eastern Water Dragon Intellagama lesueurii, Lace Monitor, or Lace Goanna Varanus varius, Cunningham's skink Egernia Cunninghami.

Fish: Eel-tailed Catfish (Jewfish), Tandanus tandanus.

Along Bakers Road, Mount Colliery:

Birds: Australian Wood Duck, Pacific Black Duck, Crested Pigeon, Musk Lorikeet, Australian King-Parrot, Crimson Rosella, Eastern Rosella, Eastern Koel, Satin Bowerbird, White-throated Gerygone, Bell Miner, Noisy Miner, Noisy Friarbird, Olive-backed Oriole, Pied Currawong, Torresian Crow, Red-browed Finch.

Dragonflies & Damselflies: Blue Skimmer Orthetrum caledonicum, Scarlet Percher Diplacodes haematodes

Butterflies: Orchard Swallowtail Papilio aegeus, a small Grass-yellow sp. Eurema sp, Large Grass-yellow Eurema hecabe, Caper White Belenois java, Ringed Xenica Geitoneura acantha, Common Brown Heteronympha merope, Common Grass Blue Zizina labradus labradus.

Marsupial:

Eastern Grey Kangaroo Macropus giganteus

Miscellaneous extras between Yangan & Mount Colliery:

Birds: Black-shouldered Kite, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Red-rumped Parrot, Dollarbird, Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Pied Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Willie Wagtail, Welcome Swallow, Common Starling.

Daisies at Felton, 6 October 2013 (by Trish)

It was a pleasure to tramp around Len and Frank Mengels’ place on the last outing. Our morning walk took us to a paddock which hadn’t see the cattle for a while, so was in a very “natural” looking state.  Grasslands really need to be grazed to keep them in good condition, and the Mengels’ paddocks are a botanical delight. They’re probably also a gastronomic delight, if you happen to be a cow. 

A “rule of thumb” for a healthy Australian grassland is that it would have about half a dozen grass species and up to three dozen varieties of small herbs. I didn’t count, but we were certainly seeing something like that. It contrasted strongly with the heavily grazed grassland which we saw at Allora Mountain Conservation Reserve on our outing in August.

We found the Native Cornflower (Rhaponticum australe), Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra) and Tall Oat Grass (Themeda avenacea), all plants which tend to be lost with heavy grazing and are on the decline in Australia. The cornflower is now so rare that it is listed as vulnerable, and Kangaroo Grass, once the most common grass in Australia, has disappeared over huge areas of the country.

We also saw lots of the delightful little paper daisy, the Chamomile Sunray Rhodanthe anthemoides. 

Neil taking photos of the Chamomile Sunray,
Rhodanthe anthemoides. Inset the Chamomile Sunray.
(Photo by Trish)

Many of us took photos. It’s an annual or sometimes biennial plant, easy to grow from seed. 

Species report; compiled by Don

Butterflies: Greenish Grass-Dart, Chequered Swallowtail, Tailed Emperor, Wanderer, Lesser Wanderer, Common Grass Blue, Grey Ringlet, Orchard Swallowtail, Common Crow, Caper White, Cabbage White, Small Grass Yellow, Dingy Grass Skipper, Meadow Argus, Painted Lady, Common Brown, Black-ringed Ochre, Glasswing. (All common names from Butterflies of Australia M. Braby).

This is an impressive list, considering that butterflies are an indicator species, and that the greater the number of butterflies in a given area the better the health of the ecology of that area. The best find of the day for me was the Black-ringed Ochre, which I had not come across before. 

Black-ringed Ochre, Trapezites petalia (photo by Don)

Moths: Agrotis infusa (Bogong Moth), Helicoverpa punctigera (Native Budworm Moth), Chrysonoma fascialis (no common name), Utetheisa lotrix (no common name).

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.