April Outing: Wyaralong Shoreline Trail - Off Knehr Road Coulson, Saturday 15 April 2023

Ready to start
on one of our previous outings to Wyaralong.

Time: 8 am for 8.30 am start   

Where: the carpark at the western end of the Shoreline Trail

Directions: Knehr road is gravel with some small hills and winding parts to the road, however suitable for 2-wheel drive vehicles except after heavy rain.

From Boonah: drive along the Ipswich/Boonah Road approx. 7 km and turn right onto the Beaudesert/Gold Coast Road, drive 4.4km then turn left onto Old Beaudesert Road (western end). Drive 0.6kms then turn right onto Knehr Road. Drive 0.9km and then turn right, follow this section of road which goes over a flood causeway for another 0.9 km. Turn right again and follow the track down to the gate at the start of the trail and dam. Meet here.

From Beaudesert: Look for the Old Beaudesert Road turn off just towards the end of the newer section of the Beaudesert/Boonah Road, turn right here and follow the instructions above.

Activities: this is a popular easy walk, mostly a flat track. You can walk, stroll, while making your observations, as well as photograph, or just sit on a chair relaxing while watching the wild life. It is a shared trail, so watch for horses and a rare mountain bike.

Level of Fitness: easy walk, mostly a flat track.

Facilities: The nearest amenities are at Lilybrook Recreation area approx. 2-3 km from our turn off into Old Beaudesert Rd.

What to Bring: suitable clothing and footwear for walking in the bush, sunscreen, insect repellant, water, morning tea and lunch, chair, and the usual naturalist stuff of your choice; binoculars, camera, field guides, notebook, etc.

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

2023 AGM

Snare's Crested Penguins
Photo: L. Oliver

Linda enjoying the below 0° weather
with some mates
Photo: N. Crepin

Our AGM was well attended as usual. The formal business was dealt with quickly and we got onto the highlight of the evening -

"Macquarie Island and the Sub-Antarctic Islands of New Zealand 

- and the adventure there and back"

presented by Linda Oliver. The heat of Queensland was forgotten as we became engrossed in the landscape and wildlife of these remote and blizzard-swept islands. We were amazed at how close she could get to the penguins, albatross, and parrots (Yes, parrots in the Antarctic!)

View over Macquarie Island bluffs
(with a small view of King penguins
on the beach below)
Photo: M. Murphy - in the Public domain

Royal Penguins
Photo: L. Oliver

This was followed by a brief account by Keith McCosh of a project highlighting the once vast Rosewood Scrub to our north.

Keith explaining the expanse
of the Rosewood Scrub
Photo: N. Crepin

P.S. The usual gang was re-elected except for a Secretary, Linda resigning from that position. However a replacement has stepped forward since the AGM!

FFNC mid-week Walk – 2 March 2023. Cunningham’s Gap, Main Range National Park

(Adapted from the newsletter report.)

Our group in the rain forest. 
Unintentionally, the photo also shows 
a (possible) Yellow-throated Scrubwren
hanging nest.

The morning forecast was for showers which may have had an effect on the number of attendees. Showers barely eventuated and a fabulous morning was had. The views from the Fassifern Lookout were clear after the rain the previous day.

Birdlife was plentiful with a highlight being a pair of Logrunners frolicking in the leaf litter within reaching distance of entranced onlookers. A few butterflies and other insects were observed. An occasional leech or two attempted to hitch a ride but the spotting skills of natters thwarted their attempts. Ferns, moss, lichens and other rainforest plants appeared to be doing well. However, there appeared to be several trees that had fallen and opened up the forest canopy.

introduced species = *

Bird List: White-headed Pigeon, Brown Cuckoo-dove, Topknot Pigeon, Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, King Parrot, Crimson Rosella, Little Lorikeet, Albert's Lyrebird, Green Catbird, Satin Bowerbird, White-throated Treecreeper, Lewin’s Honeyeater, Bell Miner, Large-billed Scrubwren, Brown Gerygone. Brown Thornbill, Australian Logrunner, Grey Shrike-thrush, Golden Whistler, Pied Currawong, Grey Fantail, Black-faced Monarch, Silvereye, Eastern Yellow Robin.

Additional birds at Picnic area: Scarlet Honeyeater, White-naped Honeyeater, Spotted Pardalote, Rufous Fantail, Torresian Crow.

Butterflies: Orchard Swallowtail, Scarlet Jezebel.

Other Invertebrates: Leech sp., *Orange-Blue Narrow-Necked Leaf Beetle Criocerinae lema