Outing Report - Lake Moogerah, Saturday, 19 August 2023

 Adapted from the Fassifern Field Naturalists Club Inc. Newsletter

Plan B: Moogerah Dam and Below the Dam

With the cancellation of the Moon View outing, due to fire threat, our leader had to quickly come up with a Plan B. So, seven hardy Natters turned up at Haigh Park overlooking the Moogerah dam wall on a very windy and cold but sunny morning. A few more joined the group later, making eleven.

A walk across the dam wall was abandoned at the first shelter point, as we attempted to shelter from the cold westerly wind. After photos were taken, we headed for our cars and drove the short distance down to the Lower Recreation area along Reynolds Creek, below the dam wall.

As we set off, one member’s hat was blown into the water, luckily it was reached with a walking pole before it could sink! We strolled downstream to the weir at the end of the picnic area, the wind kept the birds away. Most noted were two Welcome Swallows doing circuits over the area, and four pelicans circling up above.

At the weir our leader told us of the Rhyolite plugs of Mt Edwards towering ahead on the other side of Reynold’s Creek (NNW) and Little Mt Edwards on our side of the creek ahead to NNE. While most returned for morning tea, one went on along the rough track downstream from the weir, to see the huge rock slabs of rhyolite rising up on the right; which had been mentioned.

Then on the grassy bank of the creek with the warm sun and the wind at our backs, a long morning tea was enjoyed with great conversation. We looked at a rock with fish scales and bones fossilized in it, from the Richmond area. The small bird count grew as we sat there. A pair of Rainbow Lorikeets came to check out a hollow in a big tree, and a Kookaburra sat and watched us for a bit. In the end it was so pleasant chatting in the sun that no one wanted to leave!

Birds of August Field Trip

Australian Wood Duck, Little Pied Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Australian Pelican, Dusky Moorhen, Gull-billed Tern, Rainbow Lorikeet, Scaly-breasted Lorikeet, Laughing Kookaburra, Striated Pardalote, Spotted Pardalote, Striped Honeyeater, Scarlet Honeyeater, Brown Honeyeater, Noisy Miner, Restless Flycatcher, Willie Wagtail. Australian Magpie, Torresian Crow, Pied Currawong, Welcome Swallow, Mistletoebird.

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).

STOP PRESS! Outing reschedule

Lake Moogerah with more water than it has at the moment. 

The Spicers Gap venue has been changed due to the closure of the Mt Mathieson track, and the high bushfire danger. Now meeting at Haigh Park, Lake Moogerah, 8 am for 8.30 am start.