Outing Report - Christmas Creek, Lamington via Stinson Park – Saturday, 15th February 2025

Christmas Creek was idyllic
Photo: C. Bonner

Fourteen members spent a relaxing morning at Christmas Creek in February. Surprisingly we had the place almost to ourselves. The creek was splashing over the rocks and crystal clear, the vegetation was verdant, and the weather was warm without being stifling. 

To begin with it was quite cloudy but as the sun came out so did the butterflies. At morning tea there was plenty of conversation about what we'd seen with photographs being scrutinized for identification.

Lunch was held in the shade at Stinson Park where more butterflies were seen.

Watch this space for the species lists and more.

Forest Day Moth Cruria synopla
Photo: L. Beaton

Forest Day Moth Cruria synopla
Photo: C. Bonner

Evening Brown Melanitis leda
Photo: G. Pardey

Black-faced Monarch
Photo: G. Pardey

    

  

Forest Darner Austroaeschna pulchra
Photo: G. Pardey

Black-headed Skimmer 
Crocothemis nigrifrons
Photo: G. Pardey

   

   

   

Lush vegetation
at Christmas Creek
Photo: L. Beaton

Christmas Creek
 at the car park causeway
Photo: L. Beaton

   

Pheasant Coucal
Photo: G. Pardey

      

Outing Report - Wharkuroogma Wetlands, Roadvale, 21 January 2023

Field Natters at the upper dam, Wharkuroogma

The Fassifern Field Naturalists Club Inc. would like to respectfully acknowledge the Ugurapul, and all those of the Yugambeh and Jagera  groups, Traditional Custodians of the Roadvale area on which our outing took place, and pay our respects to both the past and present first peoples, their elders, languages, customs, culture and connection to this wonderful country. 

As this was the annual "early morning bird walk", the bird list started at the front gate where the Crepins saw Brown Quail. 

We all gathered at the carpark and it wasn't long before we headed for the dams. Near one of the smaller dams it was thought a Horsfield's Bushlark was heard, and flying high but unfortunately this was not confirmed.The next stop did produce many different birds including Speckled Warbler, an immature Sacred Kingfisher, and over 200 Tree Martins gathering on the wires over the dam and the trees nearby.

As with all of the Fassifern area at the moment there were few waterbirds. A lovely sighting was a small family of Black Swan, two adults with two fluffy white cygnets.

Eventually we came together at the morning tea spot at the top end of the upper dam. Some of the group were lucky enough to get a sighting of a Latham's Snipe. 

After a welcome break we headed to a small patch of scrub. As it was mid-morning and getting quite warm there was not much activity, bird or human, though we were lucky enough to see two Yellow Thornbill. A bird we see so rarely in our area now.

Lunch was back at the nursery where owner, Claire Ekas, made us welcome and we told her of our morning.

Species Lists (* = introduced species)

Amphibians & Reptiles: Frogs & Toads; Green Tree Frog, Turtles; Freshwater Turtle sp.

Arachnids: Daddy Longlegs Spiders Pholcus phalangioides.

Birds (69 species): Brown Quail, Black Swan (2 families- 1 with 3 mature cygnets, other with 2 juvenile cygnets), Australian Wood Duck, Pacific Black Duck, Australasian Grebe, Common Bronzewing, Crested Pigeon, Peaceful Dove, Bar-shouldered Dove, Australian Darter, Little Pied Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, White-faced Heron, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Dusky Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Black-fronted Dotterel, Masked Lapwing, Latham’s Snipe, Galah, Little Corella, Rainbow Lorikeet, Scaly-breasted Lorikeet, Musk Lorikeet, Australian King-Parrot, Pale-headed Rosella, Pheasant Coucal, Brush Cuckoo, Laughing Kookaburra, Sacred Kingfisher, Rainbow Bee-eater, Dollarbird, Superb Fairy-wren, Red-backed Fairy-wren, White-browed Scrubwren, Speckled Warbler, White-throated Gerygone, Yellow Thornbill, Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Striated Pardalote, Lewin's Honeyeater, Noisy Miner, Brown Honeyeater, Striped Honeyeater, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Rufous Whistler, Grey Shrike-thrush, Australasian Figbird, Olive-backed Oriole, Pied Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Rufous Fantail, Willie Wagtail, Torresian Crow, Restless Flycatcher, Magpie-lark, Eastern Yellow Robin, Golden-headed Cisticola, Australian Reed-Warbler, Tawny Grassbird, Silvereye, Welcome Swallow, Tree Martin (200+), *Common Myna, Mistletoebird, Double-barred Finch, Plum-headed Finch, Red-browed Finch, Chestnut-breasted Mannikin.

Butterflies: Orchard Swallowtail Papilio aegeus, 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, White-banded Plane Phaedyma sheperdi.

Marsupials: Marsupials; Common Brushtail Possum.

Other Invertebrates: Damsel/Dragonflies; Black-Headed Skimmer Crocothemis nigrifrons, Scarlet Percher Diplacodes haematodes, Blue Skimmer Orthetrum caledonicum, Fiery Skimmer Orthetrum villosovittatum, Graphic Flutterer Rhyothemis graphiptera. Moths; Wasp Moth sp. Subtribe Ctenuchina.

Outing Report - Palm Grove N.P., Mt Tamborine, 21 November 2020

Members fascinated with some fungi.
Photo: N. Crepin

The members and friends of the Fassifern Field Naturalists Club had a very 'naturalistic' day at Palm Grove N.P. Here they are going ga-ga over fungi. No wonder. This fungi certainly deserves its name, Dead Man's Fingers.

Dead Man's Fingers (Xylaria polymorpha)
Photo: J. Cornwall

Photo: J. Cornwall

Then they found some Richmond Birdwing Butterfly eggs on a Richmond Birdwing Butterfly Vine and many photos were taken.

Recording the Richmond Birdwing Butterfly eggs
Photo: N. Crepin

Photo: W. Dunn

They also loved the Yellow Carabeen (Sloanea woollsii) trees.

Photo: W. Dunn

Photo: N. Crepin

Photo: N. Crepin

Mt Mathieson Trail Reconnoitre

The leader and I went to check the Mt Mathieson Trail for the July outing on Friday. 

Grasstree spikes on a burnt ridge, Mt Mathieson

It was beautiful weather, warmer than usual for this time of the year. We only went as far as the Lookout, about 2 km. It was upsetting to see how bushfire damaged the area was. A phantom of its former glory. 

Yes, shoots are coming back on the trees and the Xanthorrhoea (grasstrees) are looking healthy but so little canopy and few birds. By the time of our outing the grasstree flower spikes should be fully out. Already some of the early bloomers were attracting bees and butterflies.

Large Grass-yellow on grasstree flower spike

Not all the grasstrees survived however. The one below had this fungi growing on its rotting stem. Don't know which species of fungi it is.

Fungi growing on burnt grasstree

Although fire-ravaged it was a lovely walk with amazing views at the lookout and plenty of birdlife in the thicker scrub. I'm looking forward to our return on Saturday July 18. See previous post for details.

Out and About in Your Garden

Varied Eggfly (Hypolimnas bolina) female
Photo: L. Beaton

Naturalists can't stop natting and social distancing doesn't mean you can't get 'up close and personal' with the natural world in your garden. Everybody has seen the explosion of butterflies and moths recently. This is a good chance to enjoy them.        
This butterfly is a native of Madagascar, India, South-east Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Here we call it a Varied Eggfly or, even worse, a Common Eggfly. A rather banal name for such a lovely butterfly. In New Zealand they're called Blue Moon and seeing a male's colours catch the sunlight, it is not surprising.

Varied Eggfly (Hypolimnas bolina) male
Photo: A. Podlich

The males' white markings are supposed to look like eggs; hence their name. Varied is because the females vary in pattern. Usually they have an orange patch on their fore wing, but can be from no orange markings (rare) to orange on both fore and hind wings. While Kiwis believe the bright blue circular patches resemble the full ‘blue moon’ in the dark sky.            
However, could their name be linked to the fact that the females are so particular with their eggs. They very carefully select the leaf on which to lay them. Scientists believe they are checking the plant is free from predators such as wasps and ants. Then they are one of the very few butterflies or moths to guard their eggs and sometimes even the newly hatched larvae. Not all females do this but the survival rate is better when they do.
The males also guard the host plants, defending their patch by chasing off unwelcome butterflies of any species. They will even investigate large mammals that enter their territory, often landing on humans.

Photo: L. Beaton

The caterpillars eat a variety of plants, including Sweet Potato and Eggplant leaves, as well as native and exotic weeds. They feed at night and hide away from the plant during the day.

Although they are butterflies of the wet tropics where they fly all year, they have also been recorded in arid areas such as western Queensland and even Alice Springs!

Acknowledgements:

"Butterflies of Australia" I.F.B. Common & D.F. Waterhouse 1981

"Australian Butterflies" Charles McCubbin 1985

"The Complete Field Guide to Butterflies of Australia" Michael F. Braby 2004

http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/nymp/bolina.html Coffs Harbour Butterfly House

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0003347288802136 "Animal Behaviour" Volume 36, Issue 5, September–October 1988, Pages 1425-1431

https://www.lfwseq.org.au/blue-tiger-migration/ Deborah Metters

https://australianbutterflies.com/the-common-eggfly-butterfly-10-incredible-facts/ Australian Butterfly Sanctuary

https://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/19494200 Project Noah

https://www.butterflyidentification.com/blue-moon-hypolimnas-bolina.htm Butterflies in USA

Outing Report - Odonata at Lilybrook, 15 February 2020

What a day! 

Chris Burwell entertaining the Field Nats

Due to the heavy rain and closure of the Coulson road junction in the days before our outing, we moved Chris Burwell's presentation on Odonata to the first activity of the day. The shed soon became full with many members remembering Chris as a lad chasing insects on our early Field Nats outings. Did FFNC have a little input into his being senior curator of Entomology at the Queensland Museum? We like to think so.

After knowing a lot more about damsel/dragonflies and being enthused to find our local species we set off for Lilybrook as the junction had opened that morning. They were ideal conditions and a total of 14 different damsels & dragons were identified and one other at the Coulson shed. As well, there were other invertebrates, 13 different butterflies and 41 species of birds.

Starting out for the water with nets to the ready

Plenty of dragonflies here

Capturing a damselfly for identification

Up close and personal

 Fauna  introduced species = _*

Birds: Brown Quail, Plumed Whistling Duck, Australian Wood Duck, Pacific Black Duck, Crested Pigeon, Peaceful Dove, Bar-shouldered Dove, Great Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Australian Pelican, Whistling Kite, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Australian King Parrot, Pale-headed Rosella, Pheasant Coucal, Little Bronze-Cuckoo, Brush Cuckoo, Laughing Kookaburra, Sacred Kingfisher, Rainbow Bee-eater, Weebill, White-throated Gerygone, Striated Pardalote, Noisy Miner, Brown Honeyeater, White-throated Honeyeater, Blue-faced Honeyeater, Striped Honeyeater, Grey-crowned Babbler, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Cicadabird, Rufous Whistler, Olive-backed Oriole, Pied Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Willie Wagtail, Torresian Crow, Restless Flycatcher, Magpie-lark, Tawny Grassbird, Welcome Swallow.

Butterflies: Blue Triangle, Orchard Swallowtail, Lemon Migrant, Common Grass-yellow, Small Grass-yellow, Australian Gull, Caper White, Lesser Wanderer, Blue Tiger, Common Crow, Meadow Argus, Spotted Grass-blue, Common Grass Blue.

Spiders: Australian Jewel Spider (Austracantha minax).

Damsel/Dragonflies: Wandering Ringtail (Austrolestes leda), Eastern Billabongfly (Austroagrion watsonia), Redtail (Ceriagrion aeruginosum), Aurora Bluetail (Ischnura aurora), Common Bluetail (Ischnura heterosticta), Gold-fronted Riverdamsel (Pseudagrion aureofrons), Blue Riverdamsel (Pseudagrion microcephalum), Australian Tiger (Ictinogomphus australis), Palemouth (Brachydiplax denticauda), Wandering Percher (Diplacodes bipunctata), Scarlet Percher (Diplacodes haematodes), Black-faced Percher (Diplacodes melanopsis), Water Prince (Hydrobasileus brevistylus), Blue Skimmer (Orthetrum caledonicum), Short-tailed Duskdarter (Zyxomma elgneri).
Moths: Joseph's Coat Moth (Agarista Agricola) 1.

Other Invertebrates: Christmas Beetle (Anoplognathus porosus), Orange Potter Wasp (Eumenes latreilli), Cherrynose [cicada] (Macrotristria angularis).

Amphibians: *Cane Toad.

Reptiles: Red-bellied Black Snake.

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).

Grass-blues at Wyaralong

Spotted Grass-Blue, Zizeeria karsandra,

underside (Photo A. Podlich)

As the waters recede at Wyaralong and herbage grows on the exposed soil, small grass butterflies are bountiful. Illustrated is the Spotted or Dark Grass-Blue. Its wing span when fully open is only about 2 cm. They are found across the world from the eastern Mediterranean, through India & Sri Lanka, south-east Asia, New Guinea, Australia and over to the Philippines.

Spotted Grass-Blue, Zizeeria karsandra
(Photo A. Podlich)

At Wyaralong they are using many different exotic weeds which have sprung up in the rich soil. Two other species seen are Common Grass-Blue, Zizina otis, and Dainty Grass-Blue, Zizula hylax, one of the smallest Australian butterflies. We have no images for either of them yet, but click on the links for more information.

Outing Report - Lilybrook Recreation Area, 19 October 2019

Varied Sitella, Lilybrook Recreation Area

20 members arrived at Lilybrook Recreation Area, Coulson. It is at the western end of Lake Wyaralong and the original Lilybrook Homestead is still there. We were greeted by a cacophony of sound from the Noisy & Little Friarbirds, Rainbow Lorikeets and Brown Honeyeaters feasting in the flowering Silky Oaks and Bottlebrushes. It wasn't long before there was a scatter of Natters along the banks of the Teviot Brook. 
Nine different honeyeaters were taking advantage of the bottlebrushes. Though they weren't the only birds to catch our eye. The Azure Kingfisher posed grandly, while the Welcome Swallows wheeled and dived over the water. Varied Sittella searched for insects on the branches as well as Striated Pardalotes and Weebills which were both feeding young. More than 50 species of birds were seen.
We were impressed with the growth and survival rate of this section of the 300,000 native trees planted to form environmental corridors by seqwater almost 10 years ago. 
After exploring along the water we gathered at the picnic shelter for morning tea and a chat. 

Having a cuppa in the picnic shelter

The second walk took us away from the homestead and past the stockyards. Up against one of the fence posts was a termite nest with the remains of two Termite-mound Fungi looking like sticks that the termites had built around.

Termite-mound Fungus
(photo taken in April 2019 on the same track)

We continued under the Beaudesert-Boonah Road where we were able to see partially built Fairy Martin nests (though no Martins) and last season's Potter Wasp nests. 

The botanists were also in their element as a number of wildflowers were emerging after the recent - few drops of - rain. Unfortunately most of the ones on the mown tracks were exotic weeds: Yellow Wood Sorrel (Oxalis stricta), Fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis), Condamine Couch (Phyla canescens) which by its name sounds like a local but is actually a native of South America, Blue Heliotrope (Heliotropium amplexicaule) another South American, and Phasey Bean (Macroptilium lathyroides) to name a few. It was pleasing to see our native Australian Bluebell (probably Wahlenbergia stricta) flowering profusely. Not only were the melaleucas and grevilleas in flower but also some eucalypts and mistletoe. It was while we were heading for the Goan Track that a rather threatening storm loomed from the south-west with dark clouds and rolling thunder. Not wanting to get caught in a downpour we headed back for the shelter shed and lunch. Of course, a few drops were all we got!

Fairy Martin & Potter wasp nests

Yellow Wood Sorrel (Oxalis stricta)

Condamine Couch (Phyla canescens)

Australian Bluebells

Soldier Beetles on left, Lycid Beetles on right - Lilybrook, October 2019

More photos in the Gallery.

Fauna

Birds: Brown Quail, Australian Wood Duck, Pacific Black Duck, Crested Pigeon, Bar-shouldered Dove, Australasian Darter, Australian Pelican (overhead), White-faced Heron, Straw-necked Ibis, Brown Goshawk, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Nankeen Kestrel, Brown Falcon, Little Corella, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Cockatiel, Rainbow Lorikeet, Scaly-breasted Lorikeet, Australian King-Parrot, Pale-headed Rosella, Azure Kingfisher, Laughing Kookaburra, Sacred Kingfisher, Rainbow Bee-eater, Dollarbird, Superb Fairy-wren, Red-backed Fairy-wren, Weebill - feeding young, White-throated Gerygone, Striated Pardalote - feeding young, Eastern Spinebill, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Scarlet Honeyeater, Brown Honeyeater, White-throated Honeyeater, Blue-faced Honeyeater, Noisy Friarbird, Little Friarbird, Striped Honeyeater, Grey-crowned Babbler, Varied Sittella, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Varied Triller, Rufous Whistler, Olive-backed Oriole, Australian Magpie, Willie Wagtail, Torresian Crow, Leaden Flycatcher, Magpie-lark, Silvereye, Welcome Swallow, partially built Fairy Martin nests but no Fairy Martins.

Butterflies: Caper White (Belenois java), Wanderer (Danaus plexippus), Common Crow (Euploea core), Glasswing (Acraea andromacha.

Moths: Black Thorax Wasp Moth (Amata trigonophora) - copulating.

Other Invertebrates: Native Bee sp., Lycid Beetle sp., Soldier Beetle Sp.

Some Flora noticed along the way:

Fungi: Termite-mound Fungus (Podaxis beringamensis).

Herbs: Yellow Wood Sorrel (Oxalis stricta), Condamine Couch (Phyla canescens), Australian Bluebell (Wahlenbergia stricta).

Mistletoes: Variable Mistletoe (Amyema congener), Melaleuca Mistletoe (Amyema gaudichaudii), Grey Mistletoe (Notothixos incana).

Trees: Hoop Pine (Araucaria cunninghamii), Narrow-leaved or Queensland Bottle Tree (Brachychiton rupestris), Silky Oak (Grevillea robusta), Weeping or Creek Bottlebrush (Melaleuca viminalis).