Outing Report - Shoreline Trail (western end) Lake Wyaralong, 15 January 2022

Two of our members
disappearing into the distance
on the Shoreline Trail

Traditionally our January outing is an early morning bird walk. No matter the weather it always seems popular. This was true this year even with the cloud of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 hanging over us. It was great to see some members who hadn't been on an outing for a while and also to welcome our newest member, Maureen.

Everyone was eager to see plenty of birds. Unfortunately, with the great season we're having most of the water birds have dispersed and few were seen this morning. Even so large flocks of Great and Little Black Cormorants were recorded flying along one arm of the dam. Also, there were many bush birds in evidence. The Dollarbirds and Sacred Kingfishers in particular were very visible and vocal, and Fairy-wrens were in abundance - both the Red-backed and Superb species. 

The exotic Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) has started to build up again but the Comb-crested Jacanas and the Striped Marsh Frogs were loving it.

As usual we found far more than birds to catch our attention and a magic morning in the bush was rounded off with a social-distancing gathering at Lilybrook Recreation Area for refreshments in the welcome shade.

Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)
in Oaky Creek, Shoreline Trail

2 cicadas found dead on the Trail,
tentatively identified as a Black Prince (left), 
and a Black Tree Ticker (right).

Photographers: W. Dunn, N. Cooper, L. Beaton

Species List for Shoreline Trail Lake Wyaralong

Compiled from members’ sightings by Club Recorder

introduced species = _*

Fauna
Birds (72 species): Brown Quail, Black Swan, Australian Wood Duck, Grey Teal, Bar-shouldered Dove, Australian Darter, Little Pied Cormorant, Great Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Australian Pelican, White-faced Heron, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Whistling Kite, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Nankeen Kestrel, Purple Swamphen, Dusky Moorhen, Masked Lapwing, Comb-crested Jacana, Galah, Little Corella, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Rainbow Lorikeet, Scaly-breasted Lorikeet, Little Lorikeet, [Australian] King-Parrot, Pale-headed Rosella, Pheasant Coucal, Eastern Koel, Channel-billed Cuckoo, Little Bronze-Cuckoo, Brush Cuckoo,  Laughing Kookaburra, Sacred Kingfisher, Rainbow Bee-eater, Dollarbird, Superb Fairy-wren, Red-backed Fairy-wren, White-browed Scrubwren, Speckled Warbler, Striated Pardalote, Noisy Miner, Brown Honeyeater, White-throated Honeyeater, Blue-faced Honeyeater, Little Friarbird, Striped Honeyeater, Eastern Whipbird, Varied Sittella, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Golden Whistler, Rufous Whistler, Australasian Figbird, Olive-backed Oriole, Grey Butcherbird, Pied Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Pied Currawong, Spangled Drongo, Willie Wagtail, Torresian Crow, Leaden Flycatcher, Restless Flycatcher, Magpie-lark, Eastern Yellow Robin, Golden-headed Cisticola, Tawny Grassbird, Tree Martin, *Common Myna, Mistletoebird, Red-browed Finch, Chestnut-breasted Mannikin.
 
Amphibians: Striped Marsh Frog, Green Tree Frog.
 
Fish: *European Carp.
 
Butterflies: Fourbar Swordtail (Protographium leosthenes), Lemon Migrant (Catopsilia pomona), Common Grass-yellow (Eurema hecabe), Small Grass-yellow (Eurema smilax), *Wanderer (Danaus plexippus), Lesser Wanderer (Danaus petilia), Common Eggfly (Hypolimnas bolina), Meadow Argus (Junonia villida).
 
Damsel/Dragonflies: Common Bluetail (Ischnura heterosticta), Scarlet Percher (Diplacodes haematodes), Blue Skimmer (Orthetrum caledonicum), Graphic Flutterer (Rhyothemis graphiptera).
 
Other Invertebrates: Ants: Southern Meat Ant (Iridomyrmex purpureus); Beetles; Darkling Beetle sp., Eucalyptus Weevil (Gonipterus sp.), Red-blue Banded Leaf Beetle (Paropsis obsolete); Cicadas; Black Tree-ticker (Birrima varians), Black Prince (Psaltoda plaga).

Spiders: Australian Jewel Spider (Austracantha minax), Leaf-curling Spider (Phonognatha graeffei).
 
 
Flora discussed or taken note of on the day (not a comprehensive list):
Fungi: Termite-mound Fungus (Podaxis beringamensis) – old fruiting bodies.

Aquatic Plants: *Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes). 

Outing Report - Ballow View Nature Reserve, 20 November 2021

Finding a seat at morning tea

A very still morning with no wind saw a combined group of Natters and members of the Native Plants Queensland – Logan River Branch, plus some friends enjoying this mountain property. Our host, Hugh Wackwitz, gave us some background information. Known as "Burnup", it covers almost 52 hectares and lies in the foothills of the Main Range close to the Queensland-New South Wales border.  Approximately one third was cleared over 50 years ago for grazing, and currently the block is lightly grazed by cattle which helps with fire management. The rest consists of intact open forest with significant stands of Allocasuarina torulosa. 

Blushing Bindweed
(Convolvulus erubescens)

As we waited for the last arrivals, on the road verge only a few birds were calling. Possibly because there was no blossom in the massive Grey Gums (Eucalyptus biturbinata) that stood majestically overhead. In fact the birds were heard more than seen for the whole outing; 27 species altogether.

However, this was a botanical day rather than a birdwatching day. The botanists soon broke up into small parties wandering off the track to identify that elusive plant. There were plenty of wildflowers out. Most of them had very small flowers and sharp eyes were needed to pick them out of the leaf litter or grass. 

Botany Bay Weevil
(Chrysolopus spectabilis)

Millipede sp.
(possibly Heterocladosoma bifalcatum)

Looking at plants meant we found quite a number of insects, especially the sparkling Botany Bay Weevil (Chrysolopus spectabilis). 

Our butterfly list is excellent and has some species we don't usually record.- see list below. Thanks John & Wes. 

Photographers: L. Beaton, N. Crepin, M. Kenny, P. Shields.

introduced species = *

Fauna

Birds: Crimson Rosella, Pheasant Coucal, Brush Cuckoo, Laughing Kookaburra, Sacred Kingfisher, White-throated Treecreeper, Buff-rumped Thornbill, Lewin's Honeyeater, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Noisy Miner, Scarlet Honeyeater, Noisy Friarbird, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Cicadabird, Golden Whistler, Rufous Whistler, Grey Shrike-thrush, Grey Butcherbird, Pied Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Pied Currawong, Spangled Drongo, Torresian Crow, Leaden Flycatcher, Eastern Yellow Robin, Mistletoebird, Red-browed Finch.

Butterflies: Greenish Grass Dart (Ocybadistes walker), Banded Grass-skipper (Toxidia parvulus), Splendid Ochre (Trapezites symmomus), Southern Silver Ochre (Trapezites praxedes), Orchard Swallowtail (Papilio aegeus), Fuscous Swallowtail (Papilio fuscus capaneus), Striated Pearl-white (Elodina parthia), Caper White (Belenois java), *Wanderer (Danaus plexippus), Orange Ringlet (Hypocysta adiante), Ringed Xenica (Geitoneura acantha), Brown Ringlet (Hypocysta metirius), Common Brown (Heteronympha mirifica), Fiery Copper (Paralucia pyrodiscus), Imperial Hairstreak (Jalmenus evagoras evagoras), Common Grass Blue (Zizina labradus).

Moths: Green Blotched Moth (Cosmodes elegans), Australian Magpie Moth (Nyctemera amicus).

          Burr Daisy 

    (Calotis cuneifolia)

Other Invertebrates: Beetles: Leaf Beetle (Callidemum sp.), Botany Bay Weevil (Chrysolopus spectabilis). Millipedes: Millipede sp. (possibly Heterocladosoma bifalcatum).

Spiders: Leaf Curling Araneus (Araneus dimidiatus), White-spotted Sandalodes (Sandalodes scopifer).

Flora discussed or taken note of on the day (not a comprehensive list): [Many more plants were identified. A more inclusive list will be added later.]

Herbs: Burr Daisy (Calotis cuneifolia), Blushing Bindweed (Convolvulus erubescens), White Root (Lobelia purpurascens),

Trees: Grey Gum (Eucalyptus biturbinata), Thin-leaved Stringybark (Eucalyptus eugenioides) flowering, Tallowwood (Eucalyptus microcorys), Gum-topped Box (Eucalyptus moluccana).

 

  

Non-outing Report - Heritage Rd, Spicers Gap, 21 August 2021

Austral Indigo
(Indigofera australis) 

Although the change in the COVID-19 restrictions came too late to resurrect our outing, five of our members decided it was too beautiful a day to miss. They were rewarded with some lovely naturalizing (Is that a word?) at Spicers Gap.

The first stop was the campground where they checked out the previously burnt areas in and around the monument. The undergrowth in this area had been thoroughly burnt out in the 2019 fires. You would not know that it had happened now with lots of new growth taking place. Plenty of weed species are emerging too. The dominant plant in this area, especially in and around the car park is the lovely Austral Indigo (Indigofera australis) which is spring flowering. Mostly the shrubs were in bud, but Noela managed to find a couple of good sprays of flowers to take a photo. The area should be lovely in just a couple of weeks’ time.  

Also around the monument area, the spikes of Donkey Orchids (Diuris sulphurea) were showing themselves in the grassy areas. 

Donkey Orchid (Diuris sulphurea)

The other plant which has been noticed on Mt French and elsewhere this year is the beautiful Native Sarsaparilla (Hardenbergia violacea) which probably has had its most prolific flowering season for a couple of years. This was trailing all over the campground, attaching itself to sticks, tree trunks and other plants to climb higher to display its lovely purple sprays of flowers. It certainly is putting on a good show. 

Native Sarsaparilla (Hardenbergia violacea)

On the walk up to the Heritage Road, on the moist sheltered banks, we found numerous Greenhood Orchids in flower, all the same species, Pterostylis curta.

Easily identified by its slightly off centre twisted tongue. Here, also, the Hardenbergias were the dominant flowering species.

All of the Xanthorrhoeas in the National Park were sprouting new pale green heads, no flower spikes, but recovering well, as they do, after the fires. Really quite spectacular with their clean black trunks and heads of green. 

Thanks to Noela, Tricia and Wendy for their lists and reports.

Greenhood Orchid
(Pterostylis curta)

Greenhood Orchid
(Pterostylis curta) -
showing twisted tongue

Australian Buttercup or Yarrakalgamba
(Ranunculus lappaceus)

Rock Felt Fern
(Pyrrosia rupestris)

Scopula sp.

Fauna

Birds: Spicers Gap Campground: Brown Quail, Rainbow Lorikeet, Scaly-breasted Lorikeet, Little Lorikeet, Australian King-Parrot, Laughing Kookaburra, White-throated Treecreeper, Superb Fairy-wren, Spotted Pardalote, Lewin's Honeyeater, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Bell Miner, Noisy Friarbird, Eastern Whipbird, Rufous Whistler, Grey Shrike-thrush, Olive-backed Oriole, Willie Wagtail, Torresian Crow.
Moss’s Well area: Brown Cuckoo-Dove, Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Golden Whistler, Red-browed Finch.
Heritage Road area: White-throated Treecreeper, Lewin's Honeyeater, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Bell Miner, White-throated Honeyeater, Noisy Friarbird, Eastern Whipbird.
Moths: Scopula sp.
Other Invertebrates: Planthopper - unknown species.

Flora discussed or taken note of on the day (not a comprehensive list):
Ferns: Prickly Rasp Fern (Doodia aspera), Resurrection Fern (Doryopteris concolor), Rock Felt Fern (Pyrrosia rupestris).
Grasses, Sedges, Rushes, etc.: Blady Grass (Imperata cylindrica), Wattle Mat-rush (Lomandra filiformis), Broad-leaved Mat-rush (Lomandra laxa), Spiny-headed Mat-rush (Lomandra longifolia),  Weeping Grass (Microlaena stipoides),  Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra).
Herbs: Blue Flax Lily (Dianella brevipedunculata), Purple Running Pea (Kennedia procurrens), Australian Buttercup or Yarrakalgamba (Ranunculus lappaceus), Dwarf Darling-pea (Swainsona luteola).
Orchids & Epiphytes: Donkey Orchid (Diuris sulphurea), Blunt Greenhood (Pterostylis curta).
Vines, Scramblers & Climbers: Native Sarsaparilla (Hardenbergia violacea), Rubus sp., Barbed Wire Vine (Smilax australis).
Grass Trees: Johnson’s Grass Tree (Xanthorrhoea johnsonii).
Shrubs: Austral Indigo (Indigofera australis).

Outing Report - Helidon Hills, 17 April 2021

Tent spider in her web

Tent spiders build horizontal webs.
Here the spider is on the outer limit of her web
 and the dome of the tent is seen rising
on the right-hand side.

Tent spider egg sacs
above her web

 

We had a marvellous day in the Helidon Hills. It is not an area that the Fassifern Field Nats have visited in the past. 

We were quite surprised at how many wildflowers were blooming at this time of year and put it down to the recent rains. Mistletoe was one of the flowering plants and they were attracting plenty of birds including one we don't see at home, the Fuscous Honeyeater.

Scaevola sp.

 

Flat-stemmed Wattle
 (Acacia complanata)

Rough Bush-pea (Pultenaea scabra)

Are you sure it's a ..........

Pretty sepals of the Pomax umbellata

Close-up of Pomax umbellata

It wasn't only natural things that were interesting.
This antique steam crane left over from earlier quarrying days
of the beautiful Helidon sandstone caught our members' attention.

Discarded piles of Helidon sandstone

Helidon Hills Species Lists, 17 April 2021

introduced species = _*

Fauna

Birds: Peaceful Dove, Bar-shouldered Dove, Rainbow Lorikeet, Little Lorikeet, Pale-headed Rosella, Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Brush Cuckoo, White-throated Treecreeper, Buff-rumped Thornbill, Brown Thornbill, Spotted Pardalote, Striated Pardalote, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Fuscous Honeyeater, Noisy Miner, Scarlet Honeyeater, Brown Honeyeater, White-throated Honeyeater, Noisy Friarbird, Little Friarbird, Striped Honeyeater, Eastern Whipbird, Varied Sittella, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Cicadabird, Rufous Whistler, Grey Shrike-thrush, Grey Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Pied Currawong, Grey Fantail, Willie Wagtail, Torresian Crow, Welcome Swallow, Mistletoebird.

Butterflies: Black Jezebel (Delias nigrina), Orange Ringlet (Hypocysta adiante), Glasswing (Acraea andromacha), Imperial Hairstreak (Jalmenus evagoras).

Damsel/Dragonflies: male Scarlet Percher (Diplacodes haematodes).

Spiders: Tent Spider (Cyrtophora moluccensis), Australian Jewel Spider (Austracantha minax), Flat Rock Spider (Hemicloea major), Leaf-curling Spider (Phonognatha graeffei).

Flora discussed or taken note of on the day (not a comprehensive list):

Grasses, Sedges, Rushes, etc.: Barbed Wire Grass (Cymbopogon refractus), Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra).

Herbs: Daisy Goodenia (Goodenia bellidifolia), Guinea Flower (Hibbertia stricta), Lady’s Slippers (Hybanthes monopetalus), Slender Bottle-daisy (Lagenophora gracilis), Purple Fan-flower (Scaevola ramosissima), Fringe Lily (Thysanotus tuberosus),

Vines, Scramblers & Climbers: Rusty Tick-trefoil (Desmodium rhytidophyllum), Glycine cyrtoloba, Barbed Wire Vine (Smilax australis).

Mistletoes: Native Cherry (Exocarpos cupressiformis).

Grass Trees: Xanthorrhoea latifolia - sandy or gravelly soil.

Shrubs: Flat-stemmed Wattle (Acacia complanata), Chloanthes parviflora, Four-Tailed Grevillea (Grevillea quadricauda), Dogwood (Jacksonia scoparia), *Lantana (Lantana camara), Lance Beard-heath (Leucopogon affinis), Urn Heath (Melichrus urceolatus), Orange Pultanaea (Pultenaea euchila), Rough Bush-pea (Pultenaea scabra).

Trees: Forest She-oak (Allocasuarina torulosa), Red Ash or Soap Tree (Alphitonia excelsa), Bailey's Stringybark (Eucalyptus baileyana), Helidon Mahogany (Eucalyptus helidonica), Blackbutt (Eucalypt pilularis), Woody Pear (Xylomelum pyriforme).

Outing Report - Wyaralong Shoreline Trail, 16 January 2021

One of the birds that delighted us on our walk
at Wyaralong, Red-backed Fairy-wren
Photo: L. Oliver

26 members and friends met early for our first outing in 2021. It was for a short stroll along the shore at Wyaralong. 73 bird species were seen, Chestnut-breasted Mannikins being a highlight. The invertebrates were out early with 15 different butterflies identified, 5 dragonflies and other cicadas, flies, beetles and spiders adding to the total.

It didn't take long before we were scattered along the track with birdos out front keeping away from the chattering botanists who don't have to worry about the plants hiding from them. The photographers tend to lag behind intent on getting that extra shot of the spider or the sun on the water.

The bridge over Oaky Creek is always a popular spot to rest and hopefully see the Azure Kingfisher which some members did. Here also we try to identify the dragonflies and observe their different behaviour - the Blue Skimmers constantly patrolling and fending off any interloper; the Australian Tiger finding the highest perch and just ..... perching; the Australian Emerald with its brilliant eyes gleaming in the sunlight.

Oaky Creek with Water Snowflake
Photo: J. Cornwall

Once we were around the corner and back to the main body of water there were more birds including Pelicans, Spoonbills and Black Swans. By now it was time to turn back before we expired of heat exhaustion. Once back in the car park we found a shady place to have morning tea and chat about our walk, our families and the universe in general! 

A longicorn beetle, Rhytiphora diva
Unfortunately no common name
Photo: L. Beaton

This Mimetic Gumleaf Grasshopper 
is doing exactly what its name suggests
Photo: J. Cornwall

introduced species = _*

Fauna

Birds: Brown Quail, Black Swan, Australian Wood Duck, Grey Teal, Pacific Black Duck, Australasian Grebe, Peaceful Dove, Bar-shouldered Dove, Australasian Darter, Little Pied Cormorant, Great Cormorant (300+), Little Black Cormorant (20+), Australian Pelican, Great Egret, Intermediate Egret, White-faced Heron, Little Egret, Royal Spoonbill, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Purple Swamphen, Black-winged Stilt, Black-fronted Dotterel, Red-kneed Dotterel, Masked Lapwing, Latham’s Snipe, Galah, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Rainbow Lorikeet, Scaly-breasted Lorikeet, Little Lorikeet, [Australian] King-Parrot, Pale-headed Rosella, Pheasant Coucal, Channel-billed Cuckoo, Brush Cuckoo, Azure Kingfisher, Laughing Kookaburra, Sacred Kingfisher, Rainbow Bee-eater, Dollarbird, Superb Fairy-wren, Red-backed Fairy-wren, White-throated Gerygone, Noisy Miner, Brown Honeyeater, White-throated Honeyeater, Blue-faced Honeyeater, Little Friarbird, Striped Honeyeater, Eastern Whipbird, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Cicadabird, Rufous Whistler, Australasian Figbird ♀ & ♂, Olive-backed Oriole, White-breasted Woodswallow, Grey Butcherbird, Pied Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Spangled Drongo, Willie Wagtail, Torresian Crow, Restless Flycatcher, Magpie-lark, Golden-headed Cisticola, Tawny Grassbird, Silvereye, Welcome Swallow, Tree Martin, *Common Myna, Double-barred Finch, Red-browed Finch, Chestnut-breasted Mannikin.

Marsupials: Eastern Grey Kangaroo.

Butterflies: Orchard Swallowtail (Papilio aegeus), Lemon Migrant (Catopsilia pomona), Yellow Migrant (Catopsilia gorgophone), Common Grass-yellow (Eurema hecabe), Small Grass-yellow (Eurema smilax), Caper White (Belenois java), *Wanderer (Danaus plexippus), Lesser Wanderer (Danaus petilia), Blue Tiger (Tirumala limniace), Common Crow (Euploea core), Common Eggfly (Hypolimnas bolina), Meadow Argus (Junonia villida), Australian Painted Lady (Vanessa kershawi), Glasswing (Acraea andromacha), White-banded Plane (Phaedyma sheperdi), Common Grass Blue (Zizina labradus).

Damsel/Dragonflies: Australian Tiger (Ictinogomphus australis), Australian Emerald (Hemicordulia australiae), Scarlet Percher (Diplacodes haematodes), Blue Skimmer (Orthetrum caledonicum), Graphic Flutterer (Rhyothemis graphiptera.

Other Invertebrates: Bees & Wasps; *European Honey Bee (Apis mellifera), Yellow Potter Wasp (Delta campaniforme), Orange Potter Wasp (Eumenes latreilli), Beetles; Longicorn Rhytiphora diva (Rhytiphora diva), Cicadas; Black Tree-ticker (Birrima varians), Razor Grinder (Henicopsaltria eydouxii), Flies; Yellow-headed Snail Parasitic Blowfly (Amenia imperialis), Grasshoppers; Mimetic Gumleaf Grasshopper (Goniaea opomaloides),

Spiders: Garden Orb Weaver (Eriophora transmarina), Australian Jewel Spider (Austracantha minax), Humped Silver Orb Spider (Leucauge dromedaria), Leaf-curling Spider (Phonognatha graeffei).

Some Flora of interest:

Aquatic Plants: Water Snowflake or Marshwort (Nymphoides indica), *Water Hyacinth (Pontederia crassipes).

Grasses, Sedges, Rushes, etc.: Cockatoo Grass (Alloteropsis semialata) – in head, Barbed Wire Grass (Cymbopogon refractus) – in head, Green Couch (Cynodon dactylon) – in head, Curly Windmill Grass (Enteropogon acicularis) – in head, Wild or Native Sorghum (Sorghum leiocladum) – in flower, Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra) – in head.

Herbs: Yellow Buttons (Chrysocephalum apiculatum) – in flower, Darling Lilies (Crinum flaccidum) – in flower, *Baby Blue Eyes (Nemophila menziesii) – in flower, Native Sensitive Plant (Neptunia gracilis), *Condamine Couch (Phyla canescens) – in flower, Australian Buttercup (Ranunculus lappaceus) – in flower.

Vines, Scramblers & Climbers: Glycine sp., *Siratro (Macroptilium atropurpureum).

Trees: Broad-leaved Apple (Angophora subvelutina) in flower

 

Outing Report - Mt Mathieson Trail, 18 July 2020

Spotted Amber Ladybird
(Hippodamia variegata)
Photo: M. Podlich

Sorry, somehow I forgot to post this! (Adapted from our Club newsletter)

A beautiful day and great scenery greeted 30 Field Nats on our first outing since February (due to COVID restrictions). It appeared all of us wanted to get out in the bush once more and soak in the smells, sounds and sights. Not only our club, but a whole bunch of bush walkers were congregating and assembling at the entrance to the Mathison Trail as well, but they had long gone by the time we got our act together. 

The track was a bit stony and tree-root riddled at the start, but towards the top of the 2km walk the journey was easier to negotiate. There were a few larger rocky outcrops but that did not cause too much effort to pass through. The past fires in late 2019 had left much of the forest blackened with many of the older trees severely damaged as well. However, a lot of the bush was recovering and clumps of fresh eucalypts sprouting out of the sides of the trunks. It lifts the spirit to see this growth after the fire devastation. The grass trees Xanthorrhoea had spouted fresh upright grass-like leaves and many had formed a flowering spike, but alas we were a few weeks short of the prime blooming period and missed out on birds and bugs feeding on the tiny flowers. 

Mt Mitchell from the lookout
Photo: F. Shute

Those who made it to the lookout were well rewarded with some magnificent scenery. The Cunningham Highway leading up to The Gap was clearly visible. Mt Mitchell looked stunning from a different angle. Plenty of rocks around made great seating for morning tea. 

Looking around it was hard to imagine that we were standing on what was once an active volcano. The eastern part of this volcano once spread over the Fassifern Valley, Boonah, and even to Ipswich. The western side spread towards Warwick. 

The return 2km journey was mostly downhill and quicker than the upward journey. However, there were a few stops to see fauna, at one in particular a male Rose Robin was seen.

The picnic spot soon had a large circle of Field Nats seated around to chat and compare photos, notes and generally socialize. Thanks to all who attended including new members and guests. 

Correct social distancing at lunch, Spicer's Gap campground
Photo: L. Beaton

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Notes on Vegetation and Other Things at Mt Mathieson by the President

Our first outing since the Covid-Crash was a very pleasant affair. Everyone was ready for some fresh air and company. It was good to check-out this particular landscape after the fires late last year. 

Cunningham’s Gap area was repeatedly hit by serious bush-fires. Some areas seemed to be totally devastated, with lots of black dead trees, whilst some areas were nice and green with minimal coppicing. Most areas though were blackened, with lots of resprouting going on. Of course, some big trees fell down and some large logs disappeared into a pile of ash. 

Burnt out tree trunk
on the edge of the escarpment
Photo: F. Shute

The burnt understorey was a mass of regenerated weeds mixed with natives. Inkweed (Phytolacca octrandra) was thick and it shows the resilience of weed seeds to remain dormant for decades, waiting for a fire to release them. Silvereyes were having a ball with the quickly ripening fruit – they go from green to black. Another weed (or perhaps a native – some botanists think it is native) was Indian Weed (Sigesbekia orientalis) with tiny yellow flowers. Indigo (Indigofera australis), a native, was prolific and almost ready to start flowering. 

The drier areas are dominated by Tallowwood (Eucalyptus Microcorys) and some Yellow Stringybark (E. acmenoides) and the understorey was thick with younger trees. They were all black sticks but resprouting from the base. I did notice a lot of fresh galls on the new branch tips. They were small ball-shaped growths coloured green or white or red. Once again it shows how some organisms (gall wasps or mites) wait a long time, perhaps decades, to go through their lifecycles.

Grass tree flower spike with fly sp.
Photo: L.Beaton

Of particular note were the Grass Trees (Xanthorrhoea latifolia?). They were in flower everywhere. The flower arrangements – comprising a scape (or tall woody stalk good for making temporary walking sticks) and a spike with tiny white flowers – were not very tall. They were in a rush to flower, so didn’t have much time for making tall spikes.

With so much growing going on, insects were still busy and the birds seem to have stayed for winter – they usually leave and come down to my place closer to the coast. Yellow-faced Honeyeaters were common, which is quite unusual.

Species Lists for Mt Mathieson Trail, 18 July 2020 from members' observations

Birds: Brown Cuckoo-Dove, Wonga Pigeon, Australian Pelican, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Rainbow Lorikeet, Little Lorikeet, King Parrot, Crimson Rosella, Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Shining Bronze-cuckoo, Laughing Kookaburra, Satin Bowerbird, White-throated Treecreeper, Superb Fairy-wren, Variegated Fairy-wren, Striated Thornbill, Brown Thornbill, Buff-rumped Thornbill, White-browed Scrubwren, Large-billed Scrubwren, Spotted Pardalote, Eastern Spinebill, Lewin's Honeyeater, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Bell Miner, White-naped Honeyeater, Noisy Friarbird, Eastern Whipbird, Varied Sittella, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Varied Triller, Golden Whistler, Rufous Whistler, Grey Shrike-thrush, Olive-backed Oriole, Pied Currawong, Torresian Crow, Grey Fantail, Rose Robin, Eastern Yellow Robin, Silvereye, Mistletoebird, Red-browed Finch.

Butterflies: Lemon Migrant, Common Grass-yellow, Small Grass-yellow, Meadow Argus.

Other Insects: European Honey Bee (Apis mellifera), Grey Rhiniin Fly (Metallea incisuvalis) – on grasstree flowers, Spotted Amber Ladybird (Hippodamia variegata).

Outing Report - Lilybrook Recreation Area, 18 January 2020

Committee meeting in the shelter shed
(Photo J. Ball)

Well, at least the committee turned up, and as it was still pouring with rain we decided to have our committee meeting there and then. We were so busy that we didn't notice until later that an Orange Potter Wasp (Eumenes latreilli) was building her nest under our Secretary's knees!

Orange Potter Wasp
(Photo L. Beaton)

The rain eased as we finished the meeting and a couple of other members turned up so off we went on the walk. As we came down the Goan Track towards the underpass of the Beaudesert-Boonah Rd we were surprised to find the little gully with enough water to make it impassable, and frogs calling vociferously. We followed the gully and eventually our fearless leader found some frogs to identify. "There," he pointed, "their heads are sticking out of the water!" It took some time to convince him that it was kangaroo poo floating in the water! However one head was seen and identified as a Spotted Marsh (or Grass) Frog, and one of the calls as the Graceful Tree Frog. 

Graceful Tree Frog
(Photo L. Cross - not taken at Lilybrook)

Frogs or poo?
Shallow end of the gully
(Photo W. Dunn)

We were hoping to see plenty of butterflies, but unfortunately it was too overcast. Only four butterfly species were seen but eggs and caterpillars of the Wanderer (or Monarch) were found on several exotic Balloon Cotton Bush (Gomphocarpus physocarpus). 

Wanderer caterpillar
on Balloon Cotton Bush
(Photo L. Beaton)

Wanderer eggs on Balloon Cotton Bush
(Photo L. Beaton)

As with our last outing there were plenty of wildflowers although mostly exotic. Here's a couple of natives though.

Blue Trumpet (Brunoniella australis)
(Photo N. Crepin)

Winter Apple (Eromophila debilis)
(Photo N. Crepin)

The humidity had started to rise and the shelter shed was a welcome retreat for morning tea. While we had a cuppa and talked about our observations an Australian Emerald dragonfly hovered over a large puddle dipping her abdomen in the water as she laid her eggs. 

Lastly, here is a beautiful natural piece of artwork found on one of the tracks near Teviot Brook.

Snake skeleton
(Photo A. Podlich)

Fauna: compiled from members’ observations

Birds: Brown Quail, Aust. Wood Duck, Pacific Black Duck, Crested Pigeon, Bar-shouldered
Dove, White-throated Needletail, Aust. Darter, Great Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Aust. Pelican, White-faced Heron, Great Egret, Straw-necked Ibis, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Whistling Kite, Nankeen Kestrel, Buff-banded Rail, Dusky Moorhen, Masked Lapwing, Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo, Little corella rainbow Lorikeet, Pale-headed Rosella, Pheasant Coucal, Eastern Koel, Channel-billed Cuckoo, Little Bronze Cuckoo, Brush Cuckoo, Laughing Kookaburra, Sacred Kingfisher, Rainbow Bee-eater, Dollarbird, Superb Fairy-wren, Red-backed Wren, White-throated Gerygone, Striated Pardalote, Noisy Miner, Brown Honeyeater, White-throated Honeyeater, Little Friarbird, Striped Honeyeater, Grey-crowned Babbler, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Cicadabird, Rufous Whistler, Aust. Figbird, Olive-backed Oriole, Grey Butcherbird, Pied Butcherbird, Aust. Magpie, Willie Wagtail, Torresian Crow, Leaden Flycatcher, Magpie-lark, Jacky Winter, golden-headed Cisticola, Tawny Grassbird, Silvereye, Welcome Swallow, Tree Martin, Common Myna, Mistletoebird, Double-barred Finch, Chestnut-breasted Mannikin           67 Birds.

Reptiles: Red-bellied Black Snake

Amphibians: Spotted Marsh (or Grass) Frog, Graceful Tree Frog

Mammals: Eastern Grey Kangaroo      

Butterflies: Small Grass yellow, Wanderer (eggs & caterpillars), Lesser Wanderer, Meadow Argus,

Spotted Pea-Blue. 

Other Invertebrates: European Honey Bee, Orange Potter Wasp, Australian Emerald (dragonfly), Blue Skimmer (dragonfly), Variable Ladybird, Striped Ladybird, Grass Faerie (cicada), Clanger (cicada), Banded Sugar Ant.

Flora seen along the way:

Slug Herb (Murdannia graminea), Yellow Buttons (Chrysocephalum apiculatum), Australian Dodder (Cuscuta australis), Twining Glycine (Glycine clandestine), Blue Heliotrope (Heliotropium amplexicaule), Lantana (Lantana camara), Phasey Bean (Macroptilium lathyroides), Siratro (Macroptilium atropurpureum), Dwarf Morning Glory (Evolvulus alsinoides), Condamine Couch (Phyla canescens), Warrigal Greens (Tetragonia tetragonoides), Blue Bells (Wahlenbergia spp.), Poison Pratia (Lobelia concolor), Bristle Cloak Fern (Cheilanthes distans), Native Sensitive Plant (Neptunia gracilis), Blue Trumpet (Brunoniella australis), Winter Apple (Eromophila debilis), Bladder Cotton (Gomphocarpus physocarpus).