Outing Report - Sunday, 7 November 2021, Helidon Hills

We're still at the start!!

Twenty-three members plus visitors met in Helidon for a delightful morning in the Hills. Martin Bennett, Lockyer Valley Regional Council Environmental Officer, started with botanical information from the moment our feet hit the track. Twenty minutes and two metres later everyone had not gone very far as there was so much to learn.

Seventeen Mile Rd is in peak condition at the moment and there was flora galore to inspect, identify and discuss. This area is so different to the Darling Downs due to its open eucalypt forest on sandstone. There are plants here we don't see in any other nearby locality and it has always been a favourite of the Club.

Martin pointed out particularly Little or Tiny Logania (Orianthera pusilla), a very uncommon herb in SEQ. It grows in dry sclerophyll forest often on sandstone. We notice that Martin uploaded his find to iNaturalist as soon as he got home! 

Helidon Hills is never brimming with faunal wildlife but we managed to get 12 species of birds as well as a couple of different spiders; one as yet unidentified.

Leaf Curling Araneus
shelter

Fauna 

Birds: Australian King Parrot, Brush Cuckoo, White-throated Treecreeper, Striated Pardalote, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Scarlet Honeyeater, Noisy Friarbird, Blue-faced Honeyeater, Eastern Whipbird, Cicadabird, Eastern Yellow Robin, Rufous Whistler.

Pomax umbellata
under the microscope

Invertebrates: Spiders - Leaf Curling Araneus (Araneus dimidiatus), Unknown Spider; Scale Insect unidentified sp., and a badly mangled Children’s Stick Insect (Tropidoderus childrenii).

Flora: discussed and/or taken note of at the time (not a comprehensive list.)

Grasses, Sedges, etc.: Koala fern (Caustis blakei), Paspilidium grandisticulatum, Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra). 

Herbs: Dianella sp., Lady’s slipper (Hybanthus monopetalus), Pomax (Pomax umbellata), White Root (Lobelia purpurascens ), Little or Tiny Logania (Orianthera pusilla), Fringe Lily (Thysanotus multiflorus).

Vines, Scramblers & Climbers: Zig Zag Vine (Melodorum leichhardtii), Snake Flower (Scaevola ramosissima). Various species of Goodenias were also sighted.

Grass Trees: Johnson's Grass Tree (Xanthorrhoea johnsonii).

Shrubs: Flat-stem Wattle (Acacia complanata), Prickly Daviesia (Daviesia umbellulata), Dogwood (Jacksonia scoparia), Silky Geebung (Persoonia sericea), Slender Rice Flower (Pimelea linifolia), Woody Pear (Xylomelum pyriforme).

Trees: Smudgee (Angophora woodsiana), Blueberry Ash (Elaeocarpus reticulatus), Tallowwood (Eucalyptus microcorys), Quinine Tree (Petalostigma pubescens).

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

Outing Report - Mt Basalt (adapted from reports in the TFNC Newsletter)

Nats on Mt Basalt

Rising above the surrounding countryside Mt Basalt has two main rocky, ridge-shaped peaks and several smaller rocky ridges composed of basalt and flanked by scree and associated soils. On arrival the group of eighteen naturalists dispersed, some to climb one, or other, or both ridges to look at the slanting, exposed basalt columns and the stunning 180^o views of the Darling Downs.

Columns on the southern peak

During morning tea it was explained that the mottled appearance of the basalt was caused by large dark crystals of pyroxene (magnesium and iron silicate). Basalt is a very fine grained, extrusive, igneous rock formed from the rapid cooling of low-viscosity lava rich in magnesium and iron (mafic lava) exposed at or very near the surface. More than 90% of all volcanic rock on Earth is basalt. It is usually dark grey to black in colour.

A plant “Show and Tell” identified Ruby Saltbush (Enchaelena tomentosa), Darling Pea (Swainsona galegifolia), Kunkerberry/Currant Bush (Carissa ovata), Small-leaf Bluebush (Mairena microphylla), Gall Weed (Zygophyllum apiculatum), and Bitter Bark (Alstonia constricta).

Leaving Mt Basalt, the convoy drove to the historical Kooroongarra Cemetery that lies at some distance from the ghost town of that name.  The graves of early settlers are a poignant reminder of harsh lives with the deaths of many young children. One grave, apart from others, is the resting place of Mr Haine, a gentleman reputed to have been 7’6” tall. In its heyday Kooroongarra boasted a church, cheese factory, butchery, general store, a tennis court, and was the hub of the region’s social activities. 

The great-grandson of the Very Tall Man, kindly allowed us access to his property where we lunched in a paddock perched above a bend in a small sandy, creek, observed by inquisitive cattle. 

During lunch one of our members described her life on the family farm which was in the area and today is run by her brother. How lucky we were to get first-hand knowledge of this small, relatively unknown corner of the Downs.

Species Lists: Mount Basalt & Kooroongarra - compiled from members' observations

introduced species = _*

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

Birds: White-necked Heron, Yellow-billed Spoonbill, Nankeen Kestrel, Little Corella, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Pale-headed Rosella, Rainbow Bee-eater, Superb Fairy-wren, Variegated Fairy-wren, Gerygone sp., Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Brown-headed Honeyeater, Grey-crowned Babbler, Rufous Whistler, Grey Shrike-thrush, Olive-backed Oriole, Grey Butcherbird, Pied Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Willie Wagtail, Apostlebird, Magpie-lark, Silvereye, Mistletoebird, Double-barred Finch.

Butterflies: Clearwing Swallowtail (Cressida cressida), Caper White (Belenois java), Lesser Wanderer (Danaus petilia), Common Crow (Euploea core).

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

Ferns: Poison Rock Fern or Mulga Fern (Cheilanthes sieberi).

Herbs: Forest Daisy (Brachyscome macrocarpa), Yellow Burr Daisy (Calotis sp.), White Burr Daisy (Calotis cuneifolia), Yellow Buttons (Chrysocephalum apiculatum), Star Goodenia or Round-leaf Goodenia (Goodenia rotundifolia), Gallweed (Roepera apiculata), *a Prickly nightshade (Solanum sp.), Warrigal Greens (Tetragonia tetragonoides), a Native Bluebell (Wahlenbergia sp.).

Vines: Wonga Vine (Pandorea pandorana).

Shrubs: Kunkerberry (Carissa ovata), Narrow-leafed Hop Bush (Dodonaea viscosa subsp. angustifolia), Red Berry Saltbush (Einadia hastata), Ruby Saltbush (Enchylaena tomentose), Winter Apple (Eromophila debilis), Dogwood (Jacksonia scoparia), Small-leaf Bluebush (Maireana microphylla), Hedge Saltbush (Rhagodia spinescens), Galvanised Burr (Sclerolaena birchii),  Darling Pea (Swainsona galegifolia).

Trees: Bulloak (Allocasuarina luehmannii), Bitterbark (Alstonia constricta), Sweet Bursaria (Bursaria spinosa), White Cypress Pine (Callitris glaucaphylla), Poplar Box (Eucalyptus populneus).

November Meeting Details - 7pm Friday, 5th November

Jacinta Cox

Time: 7.00 pm 

Location: St. Anthony’s Community Centre, Memory Street, Toowoomba 

Guest Speaker: Jacinta Cox of Southern Queensland Landscape

Jacinta is leading a project working with land managers and the wider community in the Condamine Headwaters area to protect and enhance remaining habitat for the elusive River Blackfish (Gadopsis marmoratus). 

The project encourages landholders to undertake actions on their properties that will reduce sedimentation and increase thermal habitat in streams where blackfish still persist. Current expert opinion finds that river blackfish are experiencing severe decline across the entire Murray-Darling Basin and are highly vulnerable to localised extinctions. The Condamine Headwaters is considered the last remaining stronghold of blackfish in Queensland.

Jacinta has completed a master’s degree in Landscape Architecture with the view to restoring and protecting freshwater-scapes within an urban context that is beautiful, functional and will buffer the effects of climate change. 

Followed by supper.

Current COVID-19 regulations apply 

Outing Report - Wetlands around the Gatton Region

Lake Apex & Lake Freeman,
 Gatton

Twelve members enjoyed a leisurely outing visiting Karrasch’s Dam/Lake at Placid Hills, a dam in nearby Loveday Road, The Arboretum and Lakes Apex and Freeman at Gatton and the Queensland University Lakes Galletly and Lenore.

The dam at Loveday Road had Black Swan nesting. Australian Shovelers were seen at Karrasch’s Lagoon. While Wandering Whistling-duck were on Lake Freeman, a rare visitor to the area. Magpie Geese were noisily claiming their territory at Lake Galletly.

BIRD LISTS (Compiled from members' observations)

Royal Spoonbill taking off - 
Lake Galletly, Gatton

Karrasch's Dam, Placid Hills - Lat. 2733 Long. 15215

Plumed Whistling Duck, Pink eared Duck, Pacific Black Duck, Hardhead, Australasian Grebe, *Spotted Dove, Crested Pigeon, White-necked Heron, Australian White Ibis, Black Kite, Dusky Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Pied Stilt, Masked Lapwing, Galah, Little Corella, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Rainbow Lorikeet, Scaly-breasted Lorikeet, Pale-headed Rosella, Rainbow Bee-eater, Noisy Miner, Brown Honeyeater, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Olive-backed Oriole, Grey Butcherbird (H), Pied Butcherbird, Australian Magpie.

Lowe's Road Dam Placid Hills - Lat. 2734 Long. 15214

Black Swan, Australian Wood Duck, Little Black Cormorant, Australian Pelican, Great Egret, Intermediate Egret, Royal Spoonbill, Black-shouldered Kite, Musk Lorikeet, Laughing Kookaburra (H), Superb Fairy-wren, Lewin's Honeyeater, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, *Common Myna.

Pacific Black Duck and
Plumed Whistling-duck - 
Lake Galletly, Gatton

Lake Apex Gatton - Lat. 2734 Long. 15216

Australian Brush Turkey, Magpie Goose, Wandering Whistling-Duck, Plumed Whistling-Duck, Australian Wood Duck, Hardhead, Crested Pigeon, Intermediate Egret, Australian White Ibis, Royal Spoonbill, Purple Swamphen, Dusky Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Little Corella, Rainbow Lorikeet, Scaly-breasted Lorikeet, Pale-headed Rosella, Laughing Kookaburra, Red-backed Fairy-wren, Noisy Miner, Grey Butcherbird, Willie Wagtail, Welcome Swallow, Martin sp.

Qld University, Gatton Campus: Magpie Goose, Plumed Whistling Duck, Pink eared Duck, Pacific Black Duck, Purple Swamphen, Eurasian Coot, Laughing Kookaburra, Superb Fairy-wren, Noisy Miner, Brown Honeyeater, Blue-faced Honeyeater, Olive-backed Oriole, Willie Wagtail, Magpie-lark.

70th Anniversary Luncheon - 9 October 2021

The celebratory cake

A large number of past and present members gathered to celebrate our 70th Anniversary yesterday. There was much laughter and reminiscing when friends who hadn't seen each other for many years, or just yesterday, met at Club Toowoomba. 

There was a small number of absentees but they were not forgotten, and their best wishes were passed on to the members.

President, Francis Mangubhai, welcomed everybody. He recognized the past presidents attending and acknowledged the people who had travelled some distance to be at the birthday celebrations.

Approximately 30 past office bearers were present. Showing how willing members are to take on responsibility. They were warmly applauded for their contribution to the Club's success.

Between the delicious courses Michael Rooke gave us one of his memorable poems. His best one yet, in some members' estimation. Hopefully it will be printed in a future newsletter.

Guest Speaker, past-president Mary Ann Law, spoke about her times in the Club. How knowledgeable members were, and how willing they were to give of their knowledge. She had us all laughing with some of her camping anecdotes especially the camp that was flooded through the night. She commented on how times have changed since she joined in the 1980s. Everybody camped in a tent then whereas most people have campers or caravans now. She spoke of the change in Toowoomba's natural habitat since the 1980s and what that bodes for the future. Friendship, fun and informative times is the legacy of the Field Nats for her.

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of Certificates to Club Members with over 25+ years membership. A list of these members appears below.

Long-term members of 25 and more years

One of our oldest members,
Ernie Potts reminiscing 

Ernie Potts also reminisced on his time in the Club. The friends, knowledge and camps were features for him too. Then the 

scrumptious cake was cut by the earliest past-president at our luncheon, Viola Temple-Watts.

One theme came loud and clear from all the speakers, 'fellowship' is what makes the Toowoomba Field Naturalist Club strong.

                                     

Presidents

Secretaries

Treasurers

October Outing - Mount Basalt, Sunday 3/10/21

Google Earth Image of Mount Basalt

Mount Basalt Reserve is dominated by two main rocky, ridge-shaped peaks and several smaller rocky ridges composed of basalt. These are flanked by scree and associated soils derived from the basalt and the sandstones, shales and coals of the Walloon Coal Measures.

The ridges were formed by intrusion of magma into cracks caused by ruptures in the Earth’s crust. They are part of volcanic events which occurred across south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales between about 17 and 45 million years ago during the Tertiary period. Since that time weathering and erosion at Mount Basalt has developed the present landscape

Meet: Millmerran Lions Park in Edward Street at 9.00am (83-kilometre drive) for a toilet stop as there are no facilities at Mount Basalt or Kooroongarra.

Car Pooling is advised in this longer road trip. Members could make their own arrangements prior to the outing or meet at 8.00 am at the Neil Street Carpark. Please email (toowoombafieldnaturalists@gmail.com)  us if you would like a lift. The club suggests you offer $10.00 to the driver.

Activities: We have an enjoyable country drive (approximately 250 kilometres return trip) to visit Mount Basalt, south of Millmerran, a unique geological area featuring rare volcanic formations and defined walking tracks leading to spectacular views. There are several walking options of variable difficulties here, from 15 minutes to about an hour. We will have morning tea in the picnic area.

Following this, we drive to Kooroongarra, an historical village where buildings from the church, hall, cheese factory, butcher shop and grocery store remain. We will visit the pioneer cemetery and bushland and hope to visit a local property for exploration and lunch (details to be finalized).

Facilities: Picnic tables at Mount Basalt. Toilets at Millmerran

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.