Cunningham's Gap, 18 January 2020

Early Morning Nature Ramble

Let's hope the rainforest looks as good as this.
The Christmas Orchids should be in flower
along the Box Forest Track

This outing is totally dependent on weather and access. 
We try to find a cool venue for this early morning walk and we have scheduled our outing at The Gap again which is easy walking, provides lush cool cover (we hope), a variety of habitats for birds, and usually plenty of other attractions such as fungi, insects, scenery and opportunities for the photographers. We hope that we have had plenty of rain by that time but, if not, an assessment will be made at a later date to see if this is a suitable venue.
Time: 6am for 6.30 am start

Where: Cunningham's Gap Rainforest Circuit and Box Forest Track

Directions: Make your way to the carpark at the top of Cunninghams Gap. Be careful turning across the traffic into the carpark.

Activities: We will check out the Rainforest Circuit first. Easy circuit walk but at our leisurely pace, we should complete this part of the walk by 8 am. We will then drive to the picnic area at West Gap Creek for a cuppa/breakfast and more bird watching. Some people may wish to do the longer walk from the top down to the picnic area and transport can be arranged to retrieve your car later. After morning tea/breakfast we will lead those wishing to participate, on a walk across the creek and along the Forest Box Track.

Level of Fitness: easy, graded tracks

Facilities: Toilets in both carpark and picnic area. There are picnic tables but they are out in the open and we generally tend to find a cool spot in the shade.

What to Bring: Breakfast, morning tea and lunch (if you stay longer). Carry water on your walks but we will return to cars for food and cuppas. Chairs, cameras, binocs, reference books, hats, sunscreen and tick spray.

Upon Arrival: Please register in the Attendance Book and pay your $2 per person participant fee. 
Please check again closer to the date as we may have to change this venue. Currently the park is closed until 10th January.

December Outing - Christmas Break-up, Boonah

Date: Saturday, 14th December 2019
Time: From 3.00 pm onwards
Meal: The Break-up meal will be a ‘bring and share’ BBQ as usual. Just bring your own meat and drinks, a salad and dessert to share and maybe a few ‘nibblies’ for the tables. Bring your own crockery and cutlery.
Seating, tables, fridge, urn and BBQ are provided. Tea and coffee are provided. There will be a table available for club photos, and ‘show and tell’ items.
Activities: You can just sit and socialize, admire the view, watch the resident kangaroos, or do a bit of birdwatching from your chair. 
The data projector and laptop will be set up for use by members to entertain us with short presentations they may wish to share. Of course, the Candid Camera, has also been in action throughout the year and it always manages to capture members doing something or other that they themselves cannot even remember doing!
Cost: To assist with venue hiring costs, there will be a charge of $4 per person.
The Breakup is always an opportunity for those members who no longer are able to participate in club field outings, to catch up with their friends in the FFNC! We look forward to seeing you there!

If you want to know more, email us. The address is in the left-hand margin.

Outing Report - Mt Alford area, 23 November 2019

A dry gully on the property

It was hot, smokey and very, very dry but that didn't deter the Field Naturalists who gathered at Mary & Phil's place. Before we started on the first walk Mary issued a challenge to the group to find interesting flora (particularly any orchid) and fauna – especially birds not already on her list – and the challenge was accepted! We didn't disappoint.

Dendrophthoe vitellina with flowers
on top left of picture with Viscum articulatum

Despite the uncomfortable conditions we managed to find 2 new birds for the property list, an orchid, and expand the flora list considerably. We noticed that many of the trees had Broad-leaved or Long-flowered Mistletoe (Dendrophthoe vitellina) in flower. On that mistletoe and some Native Cherry (Exocarpos cupressiformis) there was Leafless Jointed Mistletoe (Viscum articulatum). This is a mistletoe found in tropical Asia, northern and eastern Australia down to the mid NSW coast. Click this link for more on this mistletoe. 

Viscum articulatum on Native Cherry

Several species of small colourful invertebrates caught our eye during our walks. One was a planthopper, Teeth-marked Gum Hopper (Platybrachys barbata). They are usually found on the trunks of gum trees but this one seemed to like our shirts. Planthoppers can be quite colourful underneath and in the photo you can just see some of it's red markings. Click this link for more on the Gum Hopper.

Flowers of Dendrophthoe vitellina

Like most properties at the moment Mary & Phil's dams are empty and the lovely rock pools are just rock. Mary has put a child's plastic pool among the rocks and although no birds came down while we were watching, a goanna came in for a drink late in the morning. A reptile that is rarely recorded in our survey area these days. After lunch in the welcome shade of the terrace there was much discussion about the plants we'd identified and the geology of the area. It was agreed that we needed to return when conditions were much wetter.

Teeth-marked Gum Hopper (Platybrachys barbata)

Fauna: compiled from members’ observations
Birds: Common Bronzewing, Crested Pigeon, Peaceful Dove, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Brush Cuckoo, Rainbow Bee-eater, Dollarbird, Red-backed Fairy-wren, White-throated Gerygone, Brown Honeyeater, White-throated Honeyeater, Varied Sittella, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Cicadabird, Varied Triller, Rufous Whistler, Grey Shrike-thrush, Grey Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Willie Wagtail, Torresian Crow, Leaden Flycatcher, Eastern Yellow Robin, Welcome Swallow.
Butterflies: Caper White (Belenois java), Lesser Wanderer (Danaus petilia).
Spiders: Australian Jewel Spider (Austracantha minax).
Damsel/Dragonflies: Blue Skimmer (Orthetrum caledonicum).
Other Invertebrates: Potter Wasp or Australian Hornet (Abispa ephippium), Teeth-marked Gum Hopper (Platybrachys barbata).
Reptiles: Goanna or Lace Monitor (Varanus varius).

Some Flora noticed along the way: compiled from members’ observations
Ferns: Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum aethiopicum), Rough Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum hispidulum), Robber Fern (Pyrrosia confluens).
Grasses, Sedges, Rushes, etc.: Barbed Wire Grass (Cymbopogon refractus), Blady Grass (Imperata cylindrical), Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra).
Herbs: Burr Daisy (Calotis cuneifolia), Yellow Buttons (Chrysocephalum apiculatum), Blue Flax Lily (Dianella brevipedunculata), Native Glycine or Twining Glycine (Glycine clandestine), Bluebell (Wahlenbergia sp.).
Orchids & Epiphytes: Channelled Boat-lip Orchid (Cymbidium canaliculatum), Elkhorn (Platycerium bifurcatum).
Vines, Scramblers & Climbers: Scrambling Lily (Geitonoplesium sp.), Lawyer Vine (Smilax australis).
Mistletoes: Broad-leaved or Long-flowered Mistletoe (Dendrophthoe vitellina), Native Cherry (Exocarpos cupressiformis), Broad-leaved Cherry (Exocarpos latifolius), Leafless Jointed Mistletoe (Viscum articulatum).
Grass Trees: Grass Tree (Xanthorrhoea sp.).
Shrubs: Chain Fruit (Alyxia ruscifolia), Coffee Bush (Breynia oblongifolia), Hop Bush (Dodonaea triquetra), Dogwood (Jacksonia scoparia), Muttonwood (Rapanea variabilis).
Trees: Hickory Wattle (Acacia disparrima), Maiden's Wattle (Acacia maidenii), Hairy Bird's Eye (Alectryon tomentosus), Red Ash or Soap Tree (Alphitonia excelsa), Broad-leaved Apple (Angophora subvelutina), Kurrajong (Brachychiton populneus), Pink Bloodwood (Corymbia intermedia), Moreton Bay Ash (Corymbia tessellaris), Queensland Ebony (Diospyros geminata), Yellow Tulipwood (Drypetes deplanchei), Narrow-leaved Ironbark (Eucalyptus crebra), Silver-leaved Ironbark (Eucalyptus melanophloia), Blue Gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis), Foambark (Jagera pseudorhus), Brush Box (Lophostemon confertus).

November Outing - Mt Alford area, 23rd November 2019

PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF DATE - 4th Saturday (not 3rd)

Mt Alford

Time: 7.45 am for 8 am departure

Where: Mt Alford area (private property)

Directions: Email us for details - see left-hand margin for address.

Activities: A walk around our property. There is 40 very dry acres, of mixed, undulating bushland and paddock, with a tiny patch of vine scrub. There are easy, gently sloping walking tracks, and some slightly more challenging stretches for anyone who’s game, but there are a couple of spots to just sit and watch/listen to the birds. The drought has meant that the grass and lantana is sparse, so it’s not too difficult to get around and explore. But, if you’d rather just stay on the patio and watch the brown honeyeaters, that’s ok too.

After wandering around for a couple of hours, morning tea will be back near the cars, after which there are less energetic activities or more walking for those who are so inclined.

Level of Fitness: Ranges from 'none at all' to 'fit'.

What to Bring: The usual – morning tea, snacks, lunch, hat, sunblock, water, binocs, cameras, and a chair.

Upon Arrival: Please register in the Attendance Book and pay your $2 per person participant fee. 

Outing Report - Lilybrook Recreation Area, 19 October 2019

Varied Sitella, Lilybrook Recreation Area

20 members arrived at Lilybrook Recreation Area, Coulson. It is at the western end of Lake Wyaralong and the original Lilybrook Homestead is still there. We were greeted by a cacophony of sound from the Noisy & Little Friarbirds, Rainbow Lorikeets and Brown Honeyeaters feasting in the flowering Silky Oaks and Bottlebrushes. It wasn't long before there was a scatter of Natters along the banks of the Teviot Brook. 
Nine different honeyeaters were taking advantage of the bottlebrushes. Though they weren't the only birds to catch our eye. The Azure Kingfisher posed grandly, while the Welcome Swallows wheeled and dived over the water. Varied Sittella searched for insects on the branches as well as Striated Pardalotes and Weebills which were both feeding young. More than 50 species of birds were seen.
We were impressed with the growth and survival rate of this section of the 300,000 native trees planted to form environmental corridors by seqwater almost 10 years ago. 
After exploring along the water we gathered at the picnic shelter for morning tea and a chat. 

Having a cuppa in the picnic shelter

The second walk took us away from the homestead and past the stockyards. Up against one of the fence posts was a termite nest with the remains of two Termite-mound Fungi looking like sticks that the termites had built around.

Termite-mound Fungus
(photo taken in April 2019 on the same track)

We continued under the Beaudesert-Boonah Road where we were able to see partially built Fairy Martin nests (though no Martins) and last season's Potter Wasp nests. 

The botanists were also in their element as a number of wildflowers were emerging after the recent - few drops of - rain. Unfortunately most of the ones on the mown tracks were exotic weeds: Yellow Wood Sorrel (Oxalis stricta), Fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis), Condamine Couch (Phyla canescens) which by its name sounds like a local but is actually a native of South America, Blue Heliotrope (Heliotropium amplexicaule) another South American, and Phasey Bean (Macroptilium lathyroides) to name a few. It was pleasing to see our native Australian Bluebell (probably Wahlenbergia stricta) flowering profusely. Not only were the melaleucas and grevilleas in flower but also some eucalypts and mistletoe. It was while we were heading for the Goan Track that a rather threatening storm loomed from the south-west with dark clouds and rolling thunder. Not wanting to get caught in a downpour we headed back for the shelter shed and lunch. Of course, a few drops were all we got!

Fairy Martin & Potter wasp nests

Yellow Wood Sorrel (Oxalis stricta)

Condamine Couch (Phyla canescens)

Australian Bluebells

Soldier Beetles on left, Lycid Beetles on right - Lilybrook, October 2019

More photos in the Gallery.

Fauna

Birds: Brown Quail, Australian Wood Duck, Pacific Black Duck, Crested Pigeon, Bar-shouldered Dove, Australasian Darter, Australian Pelican (overhead), White-faced Heron, Straw-necked Ibis, Brown Goshawk, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Nankeen Kestrel, Brown Falcon, Little Corella, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Cockatiel, Rainbow Lorikeet, Scaly-breasted Lorikeet, Australian King-Parrot, Pale-headed Rosella, Azure Kingfisher, Laughing Kookaburra, Sacred Kingfisher, Rainbow Bee-eater, Dollarbird, Superb Fairy-wren, Red-backed Fairy-wren, Weebill - feeding young, White-throated Gerygone, Striated Pardalote - feeding young, Eastern Spinebill, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Scarlet Honeyeater, Brown Honeyeater, White-throated Honeyeater, Blue-faced Honeyeater, Noisy Friarbird, Little Friarbird, Striped Honeyeater, Grey-crowned Babbler, Varied Sittella, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Varied Triller, Rufous Whistler, Olive-backed Oriole, Australian Magpie, Willie Wagtail, Torresian Crow, Leaden Flycatcher, Magpie-lark, Silvereye, Welcome Swallow, partially built Fairy Martin nests but no Fairy Martins.

Butterflies: Caper White (Belenois java), Wanderer (Danaus plexippus), Common Crow (Euploea core), Glasswing (Acraea andromacha.

Moths: Black Thorax Wasp Moth (Amata trigonophora) - copulating.

Other Invertebrates: Native Bee sp., Lycid Beetle sp., Soldier Beetle Sp.

Some Flora noticed along the way:

Fungi: Termite-mound Fungus (Podaxis beringamensis).

Herbs: Yellow Wood Sorrel (Oxalis stricta), Condamine Couch (Phyla canescens), Australian Bluebell (Wahlenbergia stricta).

Mistletoes: Variable Mistletoe (Amyema congener), Melaleuca Mistletoe (Amyema gaudichaudii), Grey Mistletoe (Notothixos incana).

Trees: Hoop Pine (Araucaria cunninghamii), Narrow-leaved or Queensland Bottle Tree (Brachychiton rupestris), Silky Oak (Grevillea robusta), Weeping or Creek Bottlebrush (Melaleuca viminalis). 

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!

Avenue into Lilybrook Recreation Area, Oct 2019

OCTOBER CAMP IS CANCELLED!!!

Alternative Outing - Lilybrook Recreation Area

Time: 8.30am.

Where: Lilybrook Recreation Area, Beaudesert Boonah Rd.

Directions: from the Coulson junction (Ipswich Boonah Road – Beaudesert Boonah Road) turn onto the Beaudesert Boonah Rd/State Route 90, drive for approximately 2¾ kms then turn left. The Western Trailhead is clearly signposted. Drive to end of road. From Beaudesert – take the Beaudesert Boonah Rd and drive for almost 30 km. The recreation area is not signed but the Qld MOTO Park on the left is just before the right-hand turn into the Western Trailhead.

Activities: Exploring the property by walking on mown, grassy tracks. Easy walking access to Teviot Brook. When I checked out this area yesterday the bottlebrushes and silky oaks were in flower with birds everywhere. There is still water in the Brook at this point with water birds, dragonflies, etc. The trees here are looking healthy and it’s amazing how much they’ve grown even in the last 5 years.

The Teviot Brook from the road in, Oct 2019

Level of Fitness: Easy

Facilities: Toilets at recreation area; also large shelter shed and picnic tables.

What to Bring:  water, morning tea and lunch, insect repellent, hat, and the usual gear.

Upon Arrival: Please register in the Attendance Book and pay your $2 per person participant fee. 

Looking across to Old Beaudesert Rd from Lilybrook, Oct 2019

Outing Report - Lake Moogerah, 21 September

Strolling beside Reynolds Creek

A good contingent of members turned up at Haig Park ready to enjoy the tranquil surrounds of the parks near the dam wall. After signing on, socializing and naming the mountains which weren't shrouded in cloud most of us headed off for the lower picnic ground. Some people walked out on the dam wall to see if either Platypus or Brush-tailed Rock Wallabies could be seen. Neither showed their heads although they are seen below the dam wall on occasions. However there was plenty of activity in the Drunken Parrot Tree, Schotia brachypetala. This African native was heavy with blossom and the screeching of the Rainbow Lorikeets, Little & Noisy Friarbirds, Noisy Miners and Blue-faced Honeyeaters was loud enough to be heard in Brisbane!

Dead trees on Mt Edwards

It was heart-breaking to see all the dead and dying trees on the slopes of Mt Edwards. They are growing on a very thin layer of soil upon rock and there is no moisture for them. The only trees to show any life were beside the creek. The bottlebrushes were in flower and full of birds. Although we did see some friarbirds here it was mostly the smaller bush birds feasting on the flowers or insects; such as Eastern Spinebill, Scarlet Honeyeater, Silvereye and Black-faced Monarch. We wandered down to the weir and beyond. Skippers, butterflies and damselflies hovered over the Desmodium sp. 

Yellow-faced Honeyeater

Eastern Long-necked Turtle (Chelodina longicollis) sunning itself in Reynolds Creek

Morning tea was in one of the shelter sheds. It was so relaxing to be by the water and much catching up was done as well as trying to identify butterflies and dragonflies that had been caught on camera. Five Kookaburras entertained us and one was seen to go up to a nearby termite nest with a large hole in it. We searched for koalas but there was no luck with mammals on this outing. However more butterflies and dragonflies appeared as the day became warmer.  All sightings were recorded including 29 bird species. Wendy wasn't with us so we didn't go looking for that elusive 30th bird! 

Lunch was back at the shelter shed

Reflections on Reynold's Creek

Dusky Moorhens by the creek

On the side of Little Mount Edwards

Looking for dragonflies at the weir in the lower picnic ground

Fauna

Birds: Australian Wood Duck, Australasian Grebe, Australian Darter, Little Pied Cormorant, Dusky Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Rainbow Lorikeet, Azure Kingfisher, Laughing Kookaburra, Striated Pardalote, Eastern Spinebill, Lewin's Honeyeater, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Noisy Miner, Scarlet Honeyeater, Brown Honeyeater, White-throated Honeyeater, Blue-faced Honeyeater, Noisy Friarbird, Little Friarbird, Striped Honeyeater, Grey Butcherbird, Pied Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Pied Currawong, Torresian Crow, Black-faced Monarch, Silvereye, Welcome Swallow, Mistletoebird.

Butterflies: Greenish Grass Dart (Ocybadistes walker), Orchard Swallowtail (Papilio aegeus), Chequered Swallowtail (Papilio demoleus), Lemon Migrant (Catopsilia pomona), Common Grass-yellow (Eurema hecabe), Wanderer (Danaus plexippus), Lesser Wanderer (Danaus petilia), Common Crow (Euploea core), Meadow Argus (Junonia villida), Small Dusky Blue (Candalides erinus.

Damsel/Dragonflies: Common Flatwing (Austroargiolestes icteromelas), Australian Emperor Dragonfly (Anax papuensis), Blue Skimmer (Orthetrum caledonicum), Common Glider (Tramea loewii).

Other Invertebrates: Native Bee sp., Paper Wasp (Ropalidia sp.).

Reptiles: Eastern Long-necked Turtle (Chelodina longicollis).

Flora especially noted:

Ferns: Common Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum aethiopicum).

Grasses, Sedges, Rushes, etc.: Blady Grass (Imperata cylindrical), Lomandra sp.

Trees: Weeping Bottlebrush (Melaleuca viminalis).

STOP PRESS! Outing reschedule

Lake Moogerah with more water than it has at the moment. 

The Spicers Gap venue has been changed due to the closure of the Mt Mathieson track, and the high bushfire danger. Now meeting at Haigh Park, Lake Moogerah, 8 am for 8.30 am start.

October Outing - Autumn Camp, Mt Barney Lodge

FRIDAY – SUNDAY, 18 – 20 OCTOBER 2019  

Mt Barney from Boonah

PLEASE NOTE: THIS CAMP IS DEPENDANT ON A LOW BUSHFIRE DANGER RATING

(Keep an eye on our Facebook page or blog if you wish to confirm the camp is still on.)

Accommodation: camping/caravanning; un-powered sites only, no other accommodation is available that weekend. $16 per person per night ($10 per child 3-12 years old.), 50% deposit at time of booking  Check-in time is from 1pm and check out time is 1 pm. Please email us for more information. 

Meet: at the campground on Friday.

Where: Mt Barney Lodge Country Retreat - 1093 Upper Logan Rd, Mount Barney QLD 4287

Directions from Boonah: Upper Logan Rd is about 38 km south of Boonah on the Rathdowney Road. From the Upper Logan Rd junction follow the signs to Mt Barney Lodge and Mt Barney National Park for 10km. The last 3kms is a good quality graded gravel road.

Features: Mt Barney Lodge, once a bare, old farm, has been transformed into a prolific native habitat for sugar gliders, possums, bandicoots, wallabies, insects, lizards, bats and a large variety of birds. An extensive amount of native flowering trees, bush food trees and grasses to feed and house the native wildlife has been planted over the past 15 years.

Activities: usual camp stuff; flora walks, birdwatching, night-spotting, happy hour and species count, etc.

Mt Barney Lodge’s Terms & Conditions:
• amazing mountain views
• modern amenities block with hot showers (no charge), toilets and washing up area
• drinking water on tap
• minimum of 2 nights on a weekend
• no Wi-Fi, limited mobile phone coverage
• no pets, generators, drones or chainsaws
• single use plastic water bottles have been banned onsite since June 2018. Please do not bring 600ml -10 litre containers onsite to reflect your support of our eco principles.
• wet weather is not a valid reason for cancellation, and will result in the loss of your deposit if you choose not to camp.

Outing Report - World's End Pocket, Pine Mountain 17 August 2019

Flinders Peak in the distance

It is not often we venture into the Ipswich area and a number of our members had not had the chance to see this part of the world, or World's End! More than twenty people met at the yellow tank and it wasn't long before we were marching to the top of the hill. This track took us through some lovely Dry Vine Scrub. Although this habitat is adapted to dry conditions there were many trees that showed signs of drought stress, and there were copious amounts of leaves strewn across the ground.

Merrilyn, up close and personal
with a Giant Ironwood

One of the first exciting sightings for the day was an Emerald Dove feeding on the road. It soon scuttled into the undergrowth when it saw us coming. Meanwhile some others were watching a number of Caper White butterflies hanging around the Scrambling Caper (Capparis sarmentosa) and hilltopping over the taller trees. We noticed Button-quail platelets on the edge of the track. They were fairly recent but no Button-quail. Further along Keith pointed out a Giant Ironwood (Backhousia subargentea). This is a rare Australian rainforest tree, growing from Boonah to Imbil in south eastern Queensland and near Mullumbimby in north eastern New South Wales.

We walked back to the cars for morning tea where a little green spider kept us company; possibly a type of lynx. 

Green spider

After the break we slipped through the fence into the adjacent reserve and strolled down the slashed track to the lower section of the vine scrub. Here we saw more platelets and as we checked out some fresh droppings to see if they were Black-breasted Button-quail, our fearless leader flushed three BBBQ from under our noses to a little way up the gully. A few of us were lucky to see them on the wing or scattering after they landed. Nobody had a chance to take a photo unfortunately.

All this excitement called for a lunch break so we headed back to Kholo Gardens where we had a very sociable time in the shade. Surrounded by Ipswichians enjoying the balmy weather in this lovely park beside the Brisbane River.

Fauna:
Birds: Emerald Dove, Bar-shouldered Dove, Black-breasted Button-quail, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Laughing Kookaburra, Rainbow Bee-eater, Superb Fairy-wren, Red-backed Fairy-wren, White-browed Scrubwren, Yellow Thornbill, Spotted Pardalote, Striated Pardalote, Lewin's Honeyeater, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Scarlet Honeyeater, Blue-faced Honeyeater, Noisy Friarbird, Eastern Whipbird, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Varied Triller, Golden Whistler, Rufous Whistler, Grey Shrike-thrush, Australasian Figbird, Pied Butcherbird, Pied Currawong, Grey Fantail, Torresian Crow, White-eared Monarch, Rose Robin, Eastern Yellow Robin, Silvereye, Mistletoebird, Double-barred Finch, Red-browed Finch.
Butterflies: Common Grass-yellow (Eurema hecabe), Small Grass-yellow (Eurema smilax), Striated Pearl-white (Elodina parthia), Cabbage White (Pieris rapae), Wanderer (Danaus plexippus), Brown Ringlet (Hypocysta metirius), Meadow Argus (Junonia villida), Glasswing (Acraea andromacha).

Some flora noted along the way:
Grasses: Slender Bamboo Grass (Austrostipa verticillata).
Vines, Scramblers & Climbers: Scrambling Caper (Capparis sarmentosa), Pandorea sp.; probably Wonga Vine (P. pandorana) - too high in tree to identify.
Shrubs: Brush Caper Berry or Caper Bush (Capparis arborea), Small-leaved Canthium (Everistia vacciniifolia). 
Trees: Wild Quince (Alectryon subcinereus), Hoop Pine (Araucaria cunninghamii), Sweet Bursaria (Bursaria spinosa), Giant Ironwood (Backhousia subargentea), Corkwood (Endiandra sieberi), Scrub Blind-your-eye (Excoecaria dallachyana), Crow’s Ash (Flindersia australis), Leopard Ash (Flindersia collina), Long Jack or Yellow-wood (Flindersia xanthoxyla).

Birds for Kholo Botanic Gardens (We didn't explore very far from the picnic spot): Australian Brush Turkey, Pacific Black Duck, Great Cormorant, Australian Pelican, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Laughing Kookaburra, Rainbow Bee-eater, Spotted Pardalote, Striated Pardalote, Lewin's Honeyeater, Noisy Miner, Varied Triller, Pied Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Torresian Crow, Welcome Swallow.
Butterflies for Kholo Botanic Gardens: Common Grass-yellow (Eurema hecabe), Small Grass-yellow (Eurema smilax), Wanderer (Danaus plexippus).

Outing Report - Shed Social Coulson, 20 July 2019

As usual there was a good gathering of members at the social. It is always a great opportunity to catch up with friends who can't always make the outings. 

Also, as usual, there was plenty to do, and plenty to eat. Like the 'loaves and fishes' crackers & dips, cakes & slices, biscuits and of course the hosts' beautiful scones suddenly appeared for an afternoon tea feast.

We saw presentations on visits to O'Reillys and Carnarvon Gorge, and reminisced on the camp at Iron Pot Creek at Toonumbar National Park. We were  delighted by the wildlife on a Mt Alford property and videos on the Albert's Lyrebird and bee-keeping in the good old days. Keith gave us a short talk on the Great Artesian Basin under our feet, and perhaps the reason why the brigalow is found in our neck of the woods. 

The Club's photographic archive was pored over, and there were many books, brochures and maps to keep us occupied.

After an early bbq tea and some lovely dessert we set off in the dark for a bit of scrub. This was some nearby roadside brigalow unfortunately infested with asparagus fern. We inspected all the shrubs and trees, adjacent paddocks and grass verges. There weren't any animals except for a quick glimpse of an unidentified microbat caught in a torch beam, the reflective glinting of spiders' eyes, and the occasional churring of crickets. 

We had all rugged up expecting a chill breeze however it turned out to be quite mild and windless. The Milky Way was a soft smudge across the night sky. Our night-spotting torches seemed to carry to the stars as we picked out Saturn and Jupiter, and the well-known constellations. What a peaceful way to end the day. 

Thanks to our hosts for such an enjoyable time.  

July Outing - The Shed Social, Coulson

Time: from 2 pm onwards 

Night spotting for owls .... perhaps!

Where: The usual shed at Coulson

Directions: Contact us via email and we will give you the details.

Activities: 
(1) Socialising
(2) Short talks by any members who wish to share something that may be of interest to us all; we will have the data projector in action for showing photos so bring along CDs or DVDs with pictures. There will even be a slide projector available if you wish to share some old photos. 
(3) For the more adventurous, spotlighting in the Coulson area from around 6.30 pm. We intend to finish fairly early.
(4) If you have anything in the naturalist world you would like to display, bring it along.

What to Bring: Your own drinks, afternoon tea and dinner as well as your own plates, cups, cutlery; a BBQ will be available. Don’t forget your food, binoculars, cameras, insect repellent, torches and head lamps. See you there!

Upon Arrival: Please register in the Attendance Book and pay your $2 per person participant fee. 

Outing Report - Wharkuroogma Wetlands, Roadvale, 15 June 2019

Meeting in the leafy car park

About 30 members gathered in the car park of the Wharkuroogma Nursery. Claire Ekas welcomed us and gave a short history of the property. When Claire and her husband bought the property in the 70s there was hardly a tree on the place, and now there are thousands. These trees provide windbreaks and wildlife corridors and the Field Nats saw for themselves that many birds used these havens. The two large dams are known as an important wetland in south-east Queensland.

Australasian Darter (female)

                                                      

 

Great Cormorant

Restless Flycatcher

It was wonderful to see that the dams had enough water to attract many birds, and we spent a long time here enjoying the activity. After morning tea we walked around the upper dam keeping our eyes peeled for koalas, but none showed their faces this time. Lunch was munched in the verdant surrounds of the nursery.

Steelblue Ladybird (Halmus chalybeus)

Enjoying lunch

Species Lists:

Nursery & Yards:

Birds: Crested Pigeon, Peaceful Dove, Bar-shouldered Dove, Superb Fairy-wren, White-throated Gerygone, Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Striated Pardalote, Lewin's Honeyeater, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Noisy Miner, Blue-faced Honeyeater, Golden Whistler, Rufous Whistler, Grey Shrike-thrush, Grey Fantail, Willie Wagtail, Torresian Crow, Magpie-lark, Double-barred Finch.

Butterflies: Lesser Wanderer (Danaus petilia), Common Crow (Euploea core).

Other Invertebrates: European Honey Bee (Apis mellifera), Steelblue Ladybird (Halmus chalybeus), Granny's Cloak Moth (Speiredonia spectans).

Paddocks & Dams:

Golden-headed Cisticola

Birds: Black Swan, Australian Wood Duck, Pink eared Duck, Grey Teal, Pacific Black Duck, Hardhead, Australasian Grebe, Crested Pigeon, Peaceful Dove, Bar-shouldered Dove, Australian Darter, Little Pied Cormorant, Great Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Australian Pelican, Great Egret, White-faced Heron, Australian White Ibis, Royal Spoonbill, Whistling Kite, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Nankeen Kestrel, Dusky Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Black-winged Stilt, Black-fronted Dotterel, Masked Lapwing, Australian King-Parrot, Pale-headed Rosella, Azure Kingfisher, Laughing Kookaburra, Rainbow Bee-eater, Superb Fairy-wren, Red-backed Fairy-wren, White-throated Gerygone, Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Weebill, Striated Pardalote, Eastern Spinebill, Lewin's Honeyeater, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Brown Honeyeater, White-naped Honeyeater, Striped Honeyeater, Rufous Whistler, Grey Shrike-thrush, Australasian Figbird, Pied Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Grey Fantail, Willie Wagtail, Torresian Crow, Restless Flycatcher, Magpie-lark, Golden-headed Cisticola, Silvereye, Welcome Swallow, Mistletoebird, Zebra Finch, Double-barred Finch, Chestnut-breasted Mannikin.

Butterflies: Lemon Migrant (Catopsilia pomona), Common Grass-yellow (Eurema hecabe), Small Grass-yellow (Eurema smilax), Black Jezebel (Delias nigrina), Common Albatross (Appias paulina), Wanderer (Danaus plexippus), Lesser Wanderer (Danaus petilia), Common Crow (Euploea core), Meadow Argus (Junonia villida), Plumbago Blue (Leptotes plinius).

Spiders: Daddy Longlegs Spiders       (Pholcus phalangioides)

Amphibians: Green Tree Frog (Litoria caerulea).

Other Invertebrates: European Honey Bee (Apis mellifera).

Reptiles: Eastern Water Dragon (Intellagama lesueurii), Elegant Snake-eyed Skink (Cryptoblepharus pulcher).