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