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 - 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).