Outing Report - Fassifern Rail Trail Boonah, 16 July 2022

We would like to respectfully acknowledge the Yuggera Ugarapul people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which our outing took place, and pay our respects to Elders both past, present and future.

Fassifern Field Nats taking pics on the Rail Trail

A stunning morning weather-wise was spent on the Rail Trail. It was interesting that a number of our members had not walked the Trail before. It is not a naturalist's paradise but it is a short, gentle walk through a pastoral landscape and in winter has crisp views of Mt French with the Main Range beyond. 

Punchagin (south peak)
with Main Range in the background

We were about one-third of the way along the Trail when a local farmer invited us onto his property. He told us his trees were full of birds. He wasn't wrong. His fig trees were, amazingly enough, full of Figbirds but there were Striated Pardalotes, Silvereye and White-throated Gerygones too. Mike also had a White-faced Heron nest in one of the trees earlier in the year. Two small dams provided a range of water birds as well.

There was a smattering of scrub trees along the trail and the Maiden's Wattle Acacia maidenii was in flower.

It wasn't long before we were in the cutting and down through the Baptist Cemetery on Red Bridge Rd. Here some members returned via the trail, others walked onto the lunch spot at Bicentennial Park, while some drivers were driven back to their vehicles. 

The park is a pleasant place to have lunch and there was much chatter and sharing of photos. Lastly, a quick walk around the park added a few more species to the lists.

Ficus macrophylla with figs and F. obliqua

Field Nats taking a tour
of a local property

 

Walking down from the fig trees

Baptist Cemetery on Red Bridge Rd

Lunch at Bicentennial Park

The pond at Bicentennial Park

Photographs by L. Beaton, N. Crepin, W. Dunn.

July Outing: Fassifern Rail Trail, Boonah - 16 July 2022

Fassifern Rail Trail

Time: 9.30 am

Meet: at the upper end of the rail trail in Pocock Rd, Hoya. There is plenty of parking on a wide section of the road verge.

Directions from:

- the roundabout on Coronation Drive, Boonah: turn left towards Kalbar and in 600 m take the first road on the right, Red Bridge Rd. Follow this for almost 2 km to the T-junction and turn right into Pocock Rd. Drive for another 500 m to a kink in the road. This is one end of the trail.

- Springleigh Park on Coronation Drive, Boonah: take the Hoya Rd and continue for almost 2km then turn left into Pocock Rd. Drive for another 400 m to a kink in the road. This is one end of the trail.

Bring: Refreshments; it could be a late morning tea or an early lunch. Seat and small table if desired. Drinks and nibbles. Usual other paraphernalia, i.e. field guides, camera, binoculars, eskimo suit.

Facilities: Toilets and shelter sheds at Bicentennial Park. This is where we’ll end up for our late morning tea or early lunch.

Activities: Usual Field Natting stuff.

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