Springtime on Mt French

It might be blowing a gale and the temperature is dropping to under 10°C, but the spring flowers on Mt French are already blooming! Photos taken this week by one of our members, Aub Podlich.

Leucopogon is neoanglicus

Native Sarsaparilla (Hardenbergia violacea)

Bossiaea rupicola

Dusky Coral Pea (Kennedia rubicunda)

Glycine Pea

Outing Report - World's End Pocket, 17 July 2021

Wonga Vine (Pandorea pandorana)

Despite the blustery weather several members met at the yellow tank at World's End Pocket, Pine Mountain. The usual parking place was quite muddy but sheltered. We took off up the road with Scarlet Honeyeaters singing overhead. There was plenty to keep us interested. 

Hairy Rosewood (Dysooxylum rufum)

A number of plant species were fruiting and the bright red, orange and black berries were attracting the birds. We were particularly looking for White-eared Monarch and Black-breasted Button-quail. There were plenty of Monarchs calling but it took us a while to get a good sighting. 

The fresh platelets of the Bbbq will have to be a sufficient sighting until we come again. It's good to know they're still about.

White-eared Monarch

Black-breasted Button-quail platelets

Stinkhorn sp.

male Scarlet Honeyeater

Varied Triller

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

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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).

Outing Report - Mt Alford area, 23 November 2019

A dry gully on the property

It was hot, smokey and very, very dry but that didn't deter the Field Naturalists who gathered at Mary & Phil's place. Before we started on the first walk Mary issued a challenge to the group to find interesting flora (particularly any orchid) and fauna – especially birds not already on her list – and the challenge was accepted! We didn't disappoint.

Dendrophthoe vitellina with flowers
on top left of picture with Viscum articulatum

Despite the uncomfortable conditions we managed to find 2 new birds for the property list, an orchid, and expand the flora list considerably. We noticed that many of the trees had Broad-leaved or Long-flowered Mistletoe (Dendrophthoe vitellina) in flower. On that mistletoe and some Native Cherry (Exocarpos cupressiformis) there was Leafless Jointed Mistletoe (Viscum articulatum). This is a mistletoe found in tropical Asia, northern and eastern Australia down to the mid NSW coast. Click this link for more on this mistletoe. 

Viscum articulatum on Native Cherry

Several species of small colourful invertebrates caught our eye during our walks. One was a planthopper, Teeth-marked Gum Hopper (Platybrachys barbata). They are usually found on the trunks of gum trees but this one seemed to like our shirts. Planthoppers can be quite colourful underneath and in the photo you can just see some of it's red markings. Click this link for more on the Gum Hopper.

Flowers of Dendrophthoe vitellina

Like most properties at the moment Mary & Phil's dams are empty and the lovely rock pools are just rock. Mary has put a child's plastic pool among the rocks and although no birds came down while we were watching, a goanna came in for a drink late in the morning. A reptile that is rarely recorded in our survey area these days. After lunch in the welcome shade of the terrace there was much discussion about the plants we'd identified and the geology of the area. It was agreed that we needed to return when conditions were much wetter.

Teeth-marked Gum Hopper (Platybrachys barbata)

Fauna: compiled from members’ observations
Birds: Common Bronzewing, Crested Pigeon, Peaceful Dove, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Brush Cuckoo, Rainbow Bee-eater, Dollarbird, Red-backed Fairy-wren, White-throated Gerygone, Brown Honeyeater, White-throated Honeyeater, Varied Sittella, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Cicadabird, Varied Triller, Rufous Whistler, Grey Shrike-thrush, Grey Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Willie Wagtail, Torresian Crow, Leaden Flycatcher, Eastern Yellow Robin, Welcome Swallow.
Butterflies: Caper White (Belenois java), Lesser Wanderer (Danaus petilia).
Spiders: Australian Jewel Spider (Austracantha minax).
Damsel/Dragonflies: Blue Skimmer (Orthetrum caledonicum).
Other Invertebrates: Potter Wasp or Australian Hornet (Abispa ephippium), Teeth-marked Gum Hopper (Platybrachys barbata).
Reptiles: Goanna or Lace Monitor (Varanus varius).

Some Flora noticed along the way: compiled from members’ observations
Ferns: Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum aethiopicum), Rough Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum hispidulum), Robber Fern (Pyrrosia confluens).
Grasses, Sedges, Rushes, etc.: Barbed Wire Grass (Cymbopogon refractus), Blady Grass (Imperata cylindrical), Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra).
Herbs: Burr Daisy (Calotis cuneifolia), Yellow Buttons (Chrysocephalum apiculatum), Blue Flax Lily (Dianella brevipedunculata), Native Glycine or Twining Glycine (Glycine clandestine), Bluebell (Wahlenbergia sp.).
Orchids & Epiphytes: Channelled Boat-lip Orchid (Cymbidium canaliculatum), Elkhorn (Platycerium bifurcatum).
Vines, Scramblers & Climbers: Scrambling Lily (Geitonoplesium sp.), Lawyer Vine (Smilax australis).
Mistletoes: Broad-leaved or Long-flowered Mistletoe (Dendrophthoe vitellina), Native Cherry (Exocarpos cupressiformis), Broad-leaved Cherry (Exocarpos latifolius), Leafless Jointed Mistletoe (Viscum articulatum).
Grass Trees: Grass Tree (Xanthorrhoea sp.).
Shrubs: Chain Fruit (Alyxia ruscifolia), Coffee Bush (Breynia oblongifolia), Hop Bush (Dodonaea triquetra), Dogwood (Jacksonia scoparia), Muttonwood (Rapanea variabilis).
Trees: Hickory Wattle (Acacia disparrima), Maiden's Wattle (Acacia maidenii), Hairy Bird's Eye (Alectryon tomentosus), Red Ash or Soap Tree (Alphitonia excelsa), Broad-leaved Apple (Angophora subvelutina), Kurrajong (Brachychiton populneus), Pink Bloodwood (Corymbia intermedia), Moreton Bay Ash (Corymbia tessellaris), Queensland Ebony (Diospyros geminata), Yellow Tulipwood (Drypetes deplanchei), Narrow-leaved Ironbark (Eucalyptus crebra), Silver-leaved Ironbark (Eucalyptus melanophloia), Blue Gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis), Foambark (Jagera pseudorhus), Brush Box (Lophostemon confertus).

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). 

Outing Report - Lake Moogerah, 21 September

Strolling beside Reynolds Creek

A good contingent of members turned up at Haig Park ready to enjoy the tranquil surrounds of the parks near the dam wall. After signing on, socializing and naming the mountains which weren't shrouded in cloud most of us headed off for the lower picnic ground. Some people walked out on the dam wall to see if either Platypus or Brush-tailed Rock Wallabies could be seen. Neither showed their heads although they are seen below the dam wall on occasions. However there was plenty of activity in the Drunken Parrot Tree, Schotia brachypetala. This African native was heavy with blossom and the screeching of the Rainbow Lorikeets, Little & Noisy Friarbirds, Noisy Miners and Blue-faced Honeyeaters was loud enough to be heard in Brisbane!

Dead trees on Mt Edwards

It was heart-breaking to see all the dead and dying trees on the slopes of Mt Edwards. They are growing on a very thin layer of soil upon rock and there is no moisture for them. The only trees to show any life were beside the creek. The bottlebrushes were in flower and full of birds. Although we did see some friarbirds here it was mostly the smaller bush birds feasting on the flowers or insects; such as Eastern Spinebill, Scarlet Honeyeater, Silvereye and Black-faced Monarch. We wandered down to the weir and beyond. Skippers, butterflies and damselflies hovered over the Desmodium sp. 

Yellow-faced Honeyeater

Eastern Long-necked Turtle (Chelodina longicollis) sunning itself in Reynolds Creek

Morning tea was in one of the shelter sheds. It was so relaxing to be by the water and much catching up was done as well as trying to identify butterflies and dragonflies that had been caught on camera. Five Kookaburras entertained us and one was seen to go up to a nearby termite nest with a large hole in it. We searched for koalas but there was no luck with mammals on this outing. However more butterflies and dragonflies appeared as the day became warmer.  All sightings were recorded including 29 bird species. Wendy wasn't with us so we didn't go looking for that elusive 30th bird! 

Lunch was back at the shelter shed

Reflections on Reynold's Creek

Dusky Moorhens by the creek

On the side of Little Mount Edwards

Looking for dragonflies at the weir in the lower picnic ground

Fauna

Birds: Australian Wood Duck, Australasian Grebe, Australian Darter, Little Pied Cormorant, Dusky Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Rainbow Lorikeet, Azure Kingfisher, Laughing Kookaburra, Striated Pardalote, Eastern Spinebill, Lewin's Honeyeater, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Noisy Miner, Scarlet Honeyeater, Brown Honeyeater, White-throated Honeyeater, Blue-faced Honeyeater, Noisy Friarbird, Little Friarbird, Striped Honeyeater, Grey Butcherbird, Pied Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Pied Currawong, Torresian Crow, Black-faced Monarch, Silvereye, Welcome Swallow, Mistletoebird.

Butterflies: Greenish Grass Dart (Ocybadistes walker), Orchard Swallowtail (Papilio aegeus), Chequered Swallowtail (Papilio demoleus), Lemon Migrant (Catopsilia pomona), Common Grass-yellow (Eurema hecabe), Wanderer (Danaus plexippus), Lesser Wanderer (Danaus petilia), Common Crow (Euploea core), Meadow Argus (Junonia villida), Small Dusky Blue (Candalides erinus.

Damsel/Dragonflies: Common Flatwing (Austroargiolestes icteromelas), Australian Emperor Dragonfly (Anax papuensis), Blue Skimmer (Orthetrum caledonicum), Common Glider (Tramea loewii).

Other Invertebrates: Native Bee sp., Paper Wasp (Ropalidia sp.).

Reptiles: Eastern Long-necked Turtle (Chelodina longicollis).

Flora especially noted:

Ferns: Common Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum aethiopicum).

Grasses, Sedges, Rushes, etc.: Blady Grass (Imperata cylindrical), Lomandra sp.

Trees: Weeping Bottlebrush (Melaleuca viminalis).

Outing Report - Aloomba Lavender Farm Camp, Liston NSW, 19-22 October 2018

Fassifern Field Naturalist members at Undercliffe Falls, Liston NSW

Girraween's loss was Bookookoorara Creek's gain. Or it was the gain for the Fassifern Field Nats. Originally we were going to have our October camp at Girraween National Park but due to the dry conditions and consequent water shortages, the campground was closed. Never daunted, our fearless leader, Wendy, transferred to the Aloomba Lavender Farm at Liston only 20 kilometres from Stanthorpe. The weather forecast was ominous and though there was some fierce storms about our four days were not marred by rain.

Day 1: was a time for setting up camp and familiarising ourselves with our surroundings.
Day 2: heralded fine weather so we set off for Undercliffe Falls a quarter of an hour away. The storms from the previous days meant that there was plenty of water cascading over the rocks though we only had glimpses of the 150 metre waterfall through the trees. Everyone felt the scramble to the bottom of the falls was just a bit too slippery.

Bookookoorara Creek above the falls had plenty to occupy us. Wildflowers were in bloom, insects on the plants, frogs' spawn and tadpoles were in the quiet pools, the geology was fascinating and everywhere was lichen starting to expand with the welcome rain.

Leaf Beetles, Lamprolina aeneipennis (perhaps?) 

at Undercliffe Falls

Another view of the Leaf Beetles

The 150 m drop of Undercliffe Falls

It was back to camp for lunch and then Peter Bonner (our host) took us to another block of their property called The Glen. We drove through cattle paddocks until we came to a small creek. Here we explored the small spring-fed creek with amazing rock formations which sheltered ferns, staghorns and orchids. We could only imagine how cool and lush this would be in wetter times. 

Rock formations at The Glen

Tongue Orchid, Dockrillia linguiformis

Pineapple Orchid, Bulbophyllum elisae

Wheat-leaved Orchid, Bulbophyllum shepherdii

Day 3: for some it was packing up, while others went on a morning jaunt to Storm King Dam amd Dr Roberts' Waterhole.

Aub and Linda moth hunting at Storm King Dam

Willow-herb Day-moth, Phalaenoides tristifica

Dr Roberts' Waterhole

Narrow-leaved Grevillea, Grevillea viridiflava

Day 4: four members went back to The Glen to explore a little further. Then it was time to pack up and leave. What an absorbing and sociable camp. Thanks, Wendy.

Another shot of the falls

Aloomba Farm camping area and surrounds. Bird list 19/20/21 October 2018

Birds: Australian Wood Duck, Pacific Black Duck, Crested Pigeon, Tawny Frog mouth, Straw-necked Ibis (40), Masked Lapwing, Galah, Musk Lorikeet, Little Lorikeet, Australian King Parrot, Red-winged Parrot, Crimson Rosella, Eastern Rosella, Red-rumped Parrot, Channel-billed Cuckoo, Southern Boobook, Laughing Kookaburra, White-throated Treecreeper, Satin Bower bird, Superb Fairy-wren, White-throated Gerygone, Buff-rumped Thornbill, Spotted Pardalote, Eastern Spinebill, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Noisy Miner, Red Wattlebird, White-naped Honeyeater, Black-chinned Honeyeater, Blue-faced Honeyeater, Noisy Friarbird, White-winged Triller, Varied Triller, Rufous Whistler, Grey Shrike-thrush, Grey Butcherbird, Pied Butcherbird, Australian Magpie (12), Pied Currawong, Grey Fantail, Willie Wagtail, Torresian Crow, Leaden Flycatcher, Magpie-lark, White-winged Chough, Welcome Swallow.
Other Animals: Echidna, Copper-tailed Skink (Ctenotus taeniolatus), Blue Tongue Skink (Tiliqua scincoides), Rabbit, Eastern Dwarf Tree Frog or Sedge Frog (Litoria fallax).

On road side between Aloomba and The Glen (part of the property)
Pheasant Coucal, Turtle, Painted Lady, Orange Ringlet.

The Glen: 
Birds: Australian Wood Duck, Pacific Black Duck, Grey Teal, Straw necked Ibis, Wedge-tailed Eagle (eating a rabbit), Whistling Kite, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Galah, Brush Cuckoo, Laughing Kookaburra, Dollarbird, White-throated Tree-creeper, White-throated Gerygone, Striated Thornbill, Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Spotted Pardalote, Eastern Spinebill, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Noisy Miner, Red Wattlebird, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, White-winged Triller, Grey Shrike-thrush, Pied Currawong, Pied Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, White-winged Chough, Dollar bird, Spangled Drongo, Grey Fantail, Willie Wagtail, Australian Raven, Torresian Crow, Leaden Flycatcher, Black-faced Monarch, Jacky Winter, Silvereye, Welcome Swallow.
Reptiles: Red-bellied Black Snake, Eastern Water Dragon, Frogs (not identified).
Butterflies: Orchard Swallowtail, Common Grass Blue, Meadow Argus, Wanderer (Monarch). 
Dragonflies: Graphic Flutterer. 
Mammals: Rabbits. 
Of interest: Many different types of lichen on the rocks. Owl pellets, Koala scats. Tongue Orchid in flower, Wheat-leaved Orchid and others mentioned in the separate article.

Undercliffe Falls via Liston
Birds: Straw-necked Ibis, Wedge-tailed Eagle, King Parrot, Crimson Rosella, Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Laughing Kookaburra, White-throated Tree-creeper, Superb Fairy-wren, White-throated Gerygone, Striated Thornbill (breeding), Brown Thornbill, White-browed Scrubwren, Spotted Pardalote, Eastern Spinebill, Lewin’s Honeyeater, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Noisy Miner, New Holland Honeyeater, Golden Whistler, Rufous Whistler, Grey Shrike-thrush, Pied Currawong, Pied Butcherbird, Australian Magpie,  Grey Fantail, Torresian Crow, Leaden Flycatcher, Black-faced Monarch, Magpie-lark, Mistletoebird, Red-browed Finch.
Reptiles: Eastern Water Dragon, Garden Skink, Turtle, Blue tongue Skink, Unknown rough skinned Skink.
Mammals: Red-necked Wallaby.
Butterflies: Meadow Argus, Glasswing, Yellow Spot Blue, Bright Copper, Orchard Swallowtail, Wanderer, Common Brown, Grey Ringlet.

Storm King Dam
Birds: Pacific Black Duck, Grey Teal, Hardhead, Australasian Grebe, Peaceful Dove, Common Bronzewing, Great Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Little Pied Cormorant, Australian Pelican, Great Egret, Intermediate Egret, White-faced Heron, Australian White Ibis, Royal Spoonbill, Yellow-billed Spoonbill, Purple Swamphen,  Black-winged Stilt, Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo, Laughing Kookaburra, Sacred Kingfisher, Noisy Miner, Grey Shrike-thrush, Dusky Woodswallow, Pied Currawong, Pied Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Magpie-lark, Dollarbird, Welcome Swallow, Tree Martin.
Others: Turtle, Willow-herb Day-moth, (Phalaenoides tristifica).