Outing Report - Waterfall Creek Reserve, 18 June 2022

Crossing the creek on the waterfall track

 The brilliant but cool sunny day of our June outing brought out our newest members, a few we hadn't seen for a while,  some visitors, as well as the usual gang. 

First we went to look at the waterfall. It meant a bit of rock hopping and some of us didn't make it quite to the end but the geological scenery all along the creek gorge was magnificent. 

Amazing geology

We returned to the cars for morning tea and a chat. Then it was off to follow Waterfall Creek around the edge of the reserve. There was little bird life and less insect life as it was quite cool. The ferns and mosses were abundant and photos were taken for identification.

Maidehair Adiantum sp.

This was enough for some of the group and they decided to laze in the sun and chat about past outings and other memorable places. However, the majority decided to follow the rather overgrown track on the southern side of the reserve to the Mt Barney lookout. Here the birding was much better and they even saw a koala. On their return we all had lunch and then wandered on home.

Everybody agreed this was a wonderful spot and should be visited more often. Thank you Wendy for bringing us here. 
 

Species Lists
* = introduced species
Fauna
Arachnids: Jumping Spider sp.
Birds: Australian Wood Duck, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Lorikeet sp., Australian King-Parrot, Crimson Rosella, Eastern Rosella, Laughing Kookaburra, Rainbow Bee-eater, Spotted Pardalote, Striated Pardalote, Eastern Spinebill, Lewin's Honeyeater, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Noisy Miner, Scarlet Honeyeater, Brown Honeyeater, White-throated Honeyeater, Blue-faced Honeyeater, Striped Honeyeater, Eastern Whipbird, Golden Whistler, Grey Shrike-thrush, Grey Butcherbird, Pied Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Pied Currawong, Grey Fantail, Willie Wagtail, Torresian Crow, Silvereye, Red-browed Finch.
Marsupials: Koala. (Bandicoot sp. – diggings only)
Butterflies: *Wanderer Danaus plexippus, Evening Brown Melanitis leda, Small Green-banded Blue Psychonotis caelius.
 
Flora discussed or taken note of on the day (not a comprehensive list):
Ferns: Maidenhair Fern Adiantum aethiopicum, Rough Maidenhair Fern Adiantum hispidulum, Basket Fern Drynaria rigidula.
Vines, Scramblers & Climbers: Hoya Hoya australis, Pandora sp.
Shrubs: Brown Wattle Acacia brunioides, Chain Fruit Alyxia ruscifolia, Cocaine Bush Erythroxylum australe, *Lantana Lantana camara.
Trees: Hairy Bird's Eye Alectryon tomentosus, Small-leaved Scrub Ironbark Bridelia leichhardtii, Bursaria sp. – probably Sweet Bursaria Bursaria spinosa, River She-oak Casuarina cunninghamiana, Smooth-branched Ironbark Eucalyptus dura – some in flower, Tallowwood Eucalyptus microcorys, Ribbonwood Euroschinus falcatus, Small-leaved Fig Ficus obliqua, Brush Box Lophostemon confertus, Black Tea Tree Melaleuca bracteata. 

Camp Report - Queen Mary Falls, 20, 21 and 22 May 2022

Only the 6 people booked into cabins made it to Queen Mary Falls. The caravan park was water-logged but the cabins were dry and inviting. As we arrived Crimson Rosellas and a Wonga Pigeon were feeding near the kiosk, and Red-necked Wallabies including two females with joeys were grazing nearby. 

Friday afternoon was grey and cold but three intrepid members braved the uninviting conditions and walked to the Falls lookout. Well, the falls were spectacular. We could hear them before we saw them. The spray, high above the plunging water, drifted through the trees as we walked towards Spring Creek. This was a roiling mass of water hurtling under the bridge to the edge of the scarp. Once we were at the lookout we could see the full force of the water thundering to the rocks 40 metres below. 

As we walked back, it started to rain and didn't stop for over 24 hours. We spent most of Saturday in front of the wood stove in the camp kitchen. As it didn't look very much better on Sunday morning, we all packed up and went home!

Species Lists for Queen Mary Falls Camp: 20-22 May 2022

Birds: Australian Wood Duck, Bar-shouldered Dove, Wonga Pigeon, Masked Lapwing, Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Australian King Parrot, Crimson Rosella, Eastern Rosella, Laughing Kookaburra, White-throated Treecreeper, Eastern Spinebill, Lewin's Honeyeater, Bell Miner, Noisy Miner, Eastern Whipbird, Pied Butcherbird, Pied Currawong, Australian Magpie, Grey Fantail, Willie Wagtail, Eastern Yellow Robin, Torresian Crow (though I think it was an Australian Raven).

Mammals: Red-necked Wallaby

 

June Outing: Waterfall Creek Reserve, Maroon - 18 June 2022

Day use area, Waterfall Creek Reserve

The Field Nats have been to Waterfall Creek Reserve twice. Once in March 1987, then again for an afternoon/evening outing in February 1988. Seeing it is now 2022 it's time, after 34 years, to once more visit the area. The Reserve is managed by the Scenic Rim Regional Council. It’s a large flat area surrounded by hills; plenty of vegetation with a creek flowing along the bottom of the hill.

Time: 9am

Where: Waterfall Creek Reserve, Maroon. The Day Use area is on the right as you drive into the Reserve, camping area is on the left.

Directions from Boonah: Drive 24.5 km south on the Boonah-Rathdowney Rd. Turn right onto Burnett Creek Rd. Drive 2.5 km and turn left onto Newman Rd which is gravel. Drive for 1.8 km then turn right at the junction with Waterfall Creek Rd and continue for 1 km to the reserve. Watch for cattle on the road.

Activities: We will be staying on the flats. There is a rough walking track near the end of the camping area to the falls with stepping stones across the creek. It was checked out in mid-May but it was very over grown and tangled with vines. 

Look for Monitors, signs of Sugar Gliders, frogs, birds etc. In 1988 a Lesueur’s Velvet Gecko was seen. This is the club’s only record of this species. So, Field Nats, let’s try for another one

Level of Fitness: As easy or as tough as you like. You can set up your chair near the creek, or take the walk to the falls. If the falls are running you can still view them without going over the stepping stones. I would advise walking poles if you have them. 

Waterfall Creek Reserve Flora

Facilities: None. You'll have to find a lav-a-tree. No shelter sheds but plenty of shade. No coffee shops within kilometres, so bring your own. Don’t let that turn you off because, if you have never been here, it’s well worth the visit.

What to Bring: Morning tea and lunch. Drinks and nibbles. Seat and small table. Walking pole if you have one. Insect repellent, hat, sun screen, camera, binoculars.

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