Outing Report - Mt French, Saturday, 16 September 2023

 A Botanical Outing with a Birdo as Leader

Mt Barney from Mee-bor-rum Lookout

A very small group met at Mt French as more of our members were enjoying a tag-along in the cool, breezy climes of northern NSW.

Meanwhile, we meandered through the Mee-bor-rum Circuit. The first part of the walk was still showing the effects of the burning earlier in the year, so there were no orchids to be found. In fact, very few wildflowers were in flower.

After admiring the south-east view towards Mt Barney we entered the heath where there was some blossom. Luckily, somebody in our small band knew the plants. She pointed out acacias, both Brown Wattle A. brunioides and Sticky Wattle A. viscidula. The leptospermums were also in flower making a white haze around us.

Red-necked Wallaby and joey

Back at the picnic area we sat at a shady table and enjoyed the company of a Red-necked Wallaby and her joey which peeped out from her pouch. We thought a goanna was going to join us but it just sauntered past on its way to somewhere far more interesting. After the break we went to Logan’s Lookout because one can never get enough of this breathtaking view. Then all too soon it was time to go home after another pleasant stroll on our iconic mountain.

Species Lists introduced species = _*
Fauna
Reptiles: Lace Monitor or Goanna Varanus varius.
Birds: Shining Bronze-Cuckoo, Lewin's Honeyeater, Noisy Miner, Scarlet Honeyeater, White-throated Honeyeater, Eastern Whipbird, Australasian Figbird, Pied Butcherbird, Pied Currawong, Mistletoebird.
Marsupials: Brush-tailed Wallaby (on the way up the mountain), Red-necked Wallaby & joey.
Butterflies: *Wanderer Danaus plexippus, Lesser Wanderer Danaus petilia, Orange Ringlet Hypocysta adiante, Meadow Argus Junonia villida.

Flora discussed or taken note of on the day (not a comprehensive list):
Vines, Scramblers & Climbers: Native Sarsaparilla Hardenbergia violacea.
Grass Trees: Johnson’s Grass Tree Xanthorrhoea johnsonii.
Shrubs: Brown Wattle Acacia brunioides, Sticky Wattle Acacia viscidula, Small-fruited Tea Tree (Leptospermum microcarpum.