Outing Report - Moths at Frenches Creek, 17 November 2018

Threatening clouds over Mt French

Like last year's outing which couldn't go ahead because of rain, wet weather was again forecast. However 17 enthusiastic amateur lepidopterists arrived, plus our moth specialists, so everything was go, go, go.

First we took a stroll through the paddocks. Intermittent showers sent some scurrying back to the shelter of the deck. Meanwhile the stalwart ones had some good birding including great views of the startlingly coloured male Red-backed Fairy-wren as they crossed the creek which winds through the property. 

FFNC members engrossed in the moths

A deep discussion
on where to set up the sheet

After a very social tea on the deck the white sheet was set up and the real business of the outing got underway. The bright lights in the warm, humid weather attracted plenty of insects to study. Cameras and phones came out to capture the moment. 

              

Some really striking moths came to the sheet. The variety of sizes was amazing, and not everything was a moth. A complete list of the species that were identified will be added at a later date. Meanwhile enjoy the following images.

The beautiful Donuca rubropicta

The green Parotis marginate, smaller moth to be identified

Shining in the dark

What a pretty little thing

Cleora displicata possibly

A wide range of sizes

Large moth - probably Grammodes justa, other moths to be identified

Photographers:  L. Beaton, N. Crepin, W. Dunn 

Birds: Spotted Dove, Crested Pigeon, Peaceful Dove, Bar-shouldered Dove, Straw-necked Ibis, Masked Lapwing, Galah, Rainbow Lorikeet, Scaly-breasted Lorikeet, Australian King-Parrot, Pale-headed Rosella, Pheasant Coucal, Eastern Koel, Channel-billed Cuckoo, Little Bronze-Cuckoo, Sacred Kingfisher, Superb Fairy-wren, Red-backed Fairy-wren, White-throated Gerygone, Eastern Spinebill, Noisy Miner, Brown Honeyeater, White-throated Honeyeater, Blue-faced Honeyeater, Little Friarbird, Striped Honeyeater, Grey-crowned Babbler, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, White-winged Triller, Rufous Whistler, Grey Shrike-thrush, Australasian Figbird, Grey Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Spangled Drongo, Willie Wagtail, Torresian Crow, Magpie-lark, Golden-headed Cisticola, Tawny Grassbird, Silvereye, Welcome Swallow, Fairy Martin, Mistletoebird, Double-barred Finch, House Sparrow.

Butterflies: Wanderer (Danaus plexippus)

Mistletoe on mistletoe on a bottlebrush

A magnificent Ancient
on our walk through the paddocks

Mantid Lacewing
- possibly Austromantispa imbecilla

January Outing - Early morning bird walk at Cunningham's Gap

Saturday, 19th January 2019

Christmas Orchids (Calanthe australasica)
Cunningham's Gap (Box Forest Track), 4 January 2019 
Photo: A. Podlich

We are always looking for a cool venue for our early morning walk in January so we have again chosen the cooler climes of Cunningham’s Gap where we can usually record a good number of birds in the variety of habitats available there as well as being able to observe the flora, fungi and other creatures.

Time: 6 am for a 6.30 am walk start.

Where: Car park at the crest of Cunningham’s Gap

Activities: From the car park we will check out the rainforest circuit first. This is an easy and pleasant circuit walk. At our leisurely pace, we should complete this part of the walk by 8 am. We will then drive to the picnic area at the bottom, for a cuppa or breakfast (if you desire), and more bird watching here. After the cuppa, we will continue with a walk over the creek and along the track back towards the top. This is different habitat again so we should be able to find different birds as well. We will only walk a short section of this track before returning to the picnic area. The Christmas Orchids (Calanthe australasica) may still be in flower and frog spotting could be successful at the creek.

Level of Fitness: As easy as you like.

Facilities: Toilets at The Crest car park and the West Gap Creek Picnic Area

What to Bring: Your breakfast, morning tea and lunch (depending on how long you want to stay). Carry water on your walks but we will return to the cars for cuppas and food. Don’t forget the cameras, binos, reference books, hats, sunscreen etc. and chairs.

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

Christmas Orchid close-up
Photo: A.Podlich