Outing Report - Purga Nature Reserve and Hardings Paddock - 20 August 2022

Frog pond at Purga Reserve

17 members participated in this outing.  Firstly we visited Purga Melaleuca Reserve strolling both the Tea Tree Boardwalk Circuit and the Melaleuca Circuit.  

The Swamp Paperbark Melaleuca irbyanas, although spring and summer flowering, did not show any obvious signs of budding. The Tick Orchids Dockrillia linguiformis did not look all that healthy as they clung precariously to loose bark, although there were some sprays of white flowers visible. The weeds were prolific amongst the understory grasses. The yellow flowering Fireweed was everywhere, the purple flowers of the Trailing Lantana Lantana montevidensis and the long pink-red flowering stems of the Mother of Millions Kalanchoe daigremontiana stood out as the main understory plants. A few Boobialla Myoporum montanum with just a couple of tiny white flowers were observed and also some Maidens Wattle Acacia maidenii. The Dianellas were lush and green around the dam area.The large clumps of grey green, fine foliaged Mistletoe on the melaleucas also caught our attention.

Many arboreal termite nests, all with stalactite bases, were seen in the trees. 

Members at Hardings Paddock

After morning tea at Purga, we car trailed off to Hardings Paddock. Birdlife was more prolific here, with the Blue Gums Eucalyptus saligna in full flower. Lots of noise from parrots and especially the Scarlet Honeyeaters could be heard. We tracked along the Bush Tucker Trail with Keith assisting us with the identification of the many plants. The Brisbane Wattle Acacia fimbriata was in full flower. The Foambark Jagera pseudorhus was an absolute picture with its beautiful green foliage and bunches of hairy bronze-orange fruit.

Bush Stone Curlews at Hardings Paddock

Over lunch we learned a little more about the traditional owners history around Purga including about the Aboriginal Mission, the Purga Aboriginal Cemetery and the famous aboriginal opera singer Harold Blair who was raised at the Mission.

The highlight of the day was the sighting of 3 Bush Stone-curlews which, despite being disturbed from their rest, posed beautifully for photos.

Photos: N. Crepin, J. Flanagan

Purga Nature Reserve Species Lists:

Birds: Galah, Little Corella, Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, Rainbow Lorikeet, Scaly breasted Lorikeet, King Parrot, Pale headed Rosella, Fan tailed Cuckoo, Rainbow Bee eater, Noisy Miner, Scarlet Honeyeater, Brown Honeyeater, White throated Honeyeater, Striped Honeyeater, Rufous Whistler, Australian Magpie, Grey Fantail, Torresian Crow, Magpie lark.

Butterflies:  Common Jezebel, Common Crow, Evening Brown.   
Moths:  Tiger Moth

Mammals:  Red necked Wallaby

Hardings Paddock Species Lists:

Birds: Aust. Wood Duck, Aust. Grebe, Brown Goshawk, Bush Stone Curlew, Masked Lapwing, Rainbow Lorikeet, Scaly Breasted Lorikeet, Pale headed Rosella, Laughing Kookaburra,

Satin Bowerbird, Superb Fairy Wren, Red backed Fairy Wren, Speckled Warbler, White throated Gerygone, Striated Pardalote, Noisy Miner, Scarlet Honeyeater, Brown Honeyeater, Blue faced Honeyeater, Little Friarbird, Golden Whistler, Rufous Whistler, Olive backed Oriole, Pied Butcherbird, Magpie, Pied Currawong, Willie Wagtail, Torresian Crow, Silvereye, Welcome Swallow, 
Red browed Finch, Whipbird.  
Butterflies: Small Grass Yellow, Common Jezebel, Glasswing, Common Crow, Wanderer
Insects: Hibiscus Harlequin Bug
 

August Outing: Purga Nature Reserve - 20 August 2022

Field Nats at Purga Nature Reserve

Time: 8.30 a.m.

Where: Purga Nature Reserve Middle Rd., Peak Crossing

Directions: From the round-about on Coronation Drive, Boonah head to Peak Crossing where you take the turn at the hotel into Flinders St and then immediately right into Peak Crossing Churchbank Weir Rd. Continue for about 2 km then turn right into Middle Rd. Purga Nature Reserve is on the right at 5 km.

To Hardings Paddock from the Nature Reserve: Continue along Middle Rd and after 3 km turn right into Purga School Rd, travel on for just over 3 km until we reach the junction with the Ipswich-Boonah Rd. Turn right and after about 300 m. turn left into Carmichaels Rd which is clearly marked Harding’s Paddock. On weekends there could be numerous picnickers enjoying the area so drive past the picnic area down towards the camping area where you should find parking. Find the nearest shelter shed in this area and we will gather here to commence our strolls.

Activities: This is an outing in two parts in the Purga District – we did this same outing in February 2018.

Part 1: We will start at Purga Nature Reserve where we will walk the boardwalk and very easy walking tracks to observe especially the largest protected area of endangered Swamp Tea-tree forest in Australia; just under 65 hectares. The self guided walks will give us the opportunity to check out the flora and fauna in and around this habitat. There are a couple of picnic tables where we can congregate for morning tea at about 10 - 10.30 a.m. and to discuss our finds.

Part 2: Then we will go by car to Hardings Paddock where we can traverse the Bush Tucker gardens, and check out the dams. All very easy walking on maintained trails. Interpretive signage along the trails inform us about the plants from an Indigenous and also a European perspective. We can meander by the horse yards and bush areas beside the campground. There are other much longer trails to be explored in the area but these can be left to another day for a full day outing. We will all gather to have lunch at about 1 pm.  

Level of Fitness: Flat walking on tracks.

Facilities: Picnic tables and toilets are available both at Purga Reserve and Hardings Paddock.

What to Bring: Bring your usual items for a field outing – don’t forget morning tea and lunch.

Upon Arrival: Please register in the Attendance Book and pay your $2 per person participant fee.