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. 

Outing Report - Fassifern Rail Trail Boonah, 16 July 2022

We would like to respectfully acknowledge the Yuggera Ugarapul people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which our outing took place, and pay our respects to Elders both past, present and future.

Fassifern Field Nats taking pics on the Rail Trail

A stunning morning weather-wise was spent on the Rail Trail. It was interesting that a number of our members had not walked the Trail before. It is not a naturalist's paradise but it is a short, gentle walk through a pastoral landscape and in winter has crisp views of Mt French with the Main Range beyond. 

Punchagin (south peak)
with Main Range in the background

We were about one-third of the way along the Trail when a local farmer invited us onto his property. He told us his trees were full of birds. He wasn't wrong. His fig trees were, amazingly enough, full of Figbirds but there were Striated Pardalotes, Silvereye and White-throated Gerygones too. Mike also had a White-faced Heron nest in one of the trees earlier in the year. Two small dams provided a range of water birds as well.

There was a smattering of scrub trees along the trail and the Maiden's Wattle Acacia maidenii was in flower.

It wasn't long before we were in the cutting and down through the Baptist Cemetery on Red Bridge Rd. Here some members returned via the trail, others walked onto the lunch spot at Bicentennial Park, while some drivers were driven back to their vehicles. 

The park is a pleasant place to have lunch and there was much chatter and sharing of photos. Lastly, a quick walk around the park added a few more species to the lists.

Ficus macrophylla with figs and F. obliqua

Field Nats taking a tour
of a local property

 

Walking down from the fig trees

Baptist Cemetery on Red Bridge Rd

Lunch at Bicentennial Park

The pond at Bicentennial Park

Photographs by L. Beaton, N. Crepin, W. Dunn.

July Outing: Fassifern Rail Trail, Boonah - 16 July 2022

Fassifern Rail Trail

Time: 9.30 am

Meet: at the upper end of the rail trail in Pocock Rd, Hoya. There is plenty of parking on a wide section of the road verge.

Directions from:

- the roundabout on Coronation Drive, Boonah: turn left towards Kalbar and in 600 m take the first road on the right, Red Bridge Rd. Follow this for almost 2 km to the T-junction and turn right into Pocock Rd. Drive for another 500 m to a kink in the road. This is one end of the trail.

- Springleigh Park on Coronation Drive, Boonah: take the Hoya Rd and continue for almost 2km then turn left into Pocock Rd. Drive for another 400 m to a kink in the road. This is one end of the trail.

Bring: Refreshments; it could be a late morning tea or an early lunch. Seat and small table if desired. Drinks and nibbles. Usual other paraphernalia, i.e. field guides, camera, binoculars, eskimo suit.

Facilities: Toilets and shelter sheds at Bicentennial Park. This is where we’ll end up for our late morning tea or early lunch.

Activities: Usual Field Natting stuff.

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

Outing Report - Waterfall Creek Reserve, 18 June 2022

Crossing the creek on the waterfall track

 The brilliant but cool sunny day of our June outing brought out our newest members, a few we hadn't seen for a while,  some visitors, as well as the usual gang. 

First we went to look at the waterfall. It meant a bit of rock hopping and some of us didn't make it quite to the end but the geological scenery all along the creek gorge was magnificent. 

Amazing geology

We returned to the cars for morning tea and a chat. Then it was off to follow Waterfall Creek around the edge of the reserve. There was little bird life and less insect life as it was quite cool. The ferns and mosses were abundant and photos were taken for identification.

Maidehair Adiantum sp.

This was enough for some of the group and they decided to laze in the sun and chat about past outings and other memorable places. However, the majority decided to follow the rather overgrown track on the southern side of the reserve to the Mt Barney lookout. Here the birding was much better and they even saw a koala. On their return we all had lunch and then wandered on home.

Everybody agreed this was a wonderful spot and should be visited more often. Thank you Wendy for bringing us here. 
 

Species Lists
* = introduced species
Fauna
Arachnids: Jumping Spider sp.
Birds: Australian Wood Duck, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Lorikeet sp., Australian King-Parrot, Crimson Rosella, Eastern Rosella, Laughing Kookaburra, Rainbow Bee-eater, Spotted Pardalote, Striated Pardalote, Eastern Spinebill, Lewin's Honeyeater, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Noisy Miner, Scarlet Honeyeater, Brown Honeyeater, White-throated Honeyeater, Blue-faced Honeyeater, Striped Honeyeater, Eastern Whipbird, Golden Whistler, Grey Shrike-thrush, Grey Butcherbird, Pied Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Pied Currawong, Grey Fantail, Willie Wagtail, Torresian Crow, Silvereye, Red-browed Finch.
Marsupials: Koala. (Bandicoot sp. – diggings only)
Butterflies: *Wanderer Danaus plexippus, Evening Brown Melanitis leda, Small Green-banded Blue Psychonotis caelius.
 
Flora discussed or taken note of on the day (not a comprehensive list):
Ferns: Maidenhair Fern Adiantum aethiopicum, Rough Maidenhair Fern Adiantum hispidulum, Basket Fern Drynaria rigidula.
Vines, Scramblers & Climbers: Hoya Hoya australis, Pandora sp.
Shrubs: Brown Wattle Acacia brunioides, Chain Fruit Alyxia ruscifolia, Cocaine Bush Erythroxylum australe, *Lantana Lantana camara.
Trees: Hairy Bird's Eye Alectryon tomentosus, Small-leaved Scrub Ironbark Bridelia leichhardtii, Bursaria sp. – probably Sweet Bursaria Bursaria spinosa, River She-oak Casuarina cunninghamiana, Smooth-branched Ironbark Eucalyptus dura – some in flower, Tallowwood Eucalyptus microcorys, Ribbonwood Euroschinus falcatus, Small-leaved Fig Ficus obliqua, Brush Box Lophostemon confertus, Black Tea Tree Melaleuca bracteata. 

Camp Report - Queen Mary Falls, 20, 21 and 22 May 2022

Only the 6 people booked into cabins made it to Queen Mary Falls. The caravan park was water-logged but the cabins were dry and inviting. As we arrived Crimson Rosellas and a Wonga Pigeon were feeding near the kiosk, and Red-necked Wallabies including two females with joeys were grazing nearby. 

Friday afternoon was grey and cold but three intrepid members braved the uninviting conditions and walked to the Falls lookout. Well, the falls were spectacular. We could hear them before we saw them. The spray, high above the plunging water, drifted through the trees as we walked towards Spring Creek. This was a roiling mass of water hurtling under the bridge to the edge of the scarp. Once we were at the lookout we could see the full force of the water thundering to the rocks 40 metres below. 

As we walked back, it started to rain and didn't stop for over 24 hours. We spent most of Saturday in front of the wood stove in the camp kitchen. As it didn't look very much better on Sunday morning, we all packed up and went home!

Species Lists for Queen Mary Falls Camp: 20-22 May 2022

Birds: Australian Wood Duck, Bar-shouldered Dove, Wonga Pigeon, Masked Lapwing, Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Australian King Parrot, Crimson Rosella, Eastern Rosella, Laughing Kookaburra, White-throated Treecreeper, Eastern Spinebill, Lewin's Honeyeater, Bell Miner, Noisy Miner, Eastern Whipbird, Pied Butcherbird, Pied Currawong, Australian Magpie, Grey Fantail, Willie Wagtail, Eastern Yellow Robin, Torresian Crow (though I think it was an Australian Raven).

Mammals: Red-necked Wallaby

 

June Outing: Waterfall Creek Reserve, Maroon - 18 June 2022

Day use area, Waterfall Creek Reserve

The Field Nats have been to Waterfall Creek Reserve twice. Once in March 1987, then again for an afternoon/evening outing in February 1988. Seeing it is now 2022 it's time, after 34 years, to once more visit the area. The Reserve is managed by the Scenic Rim Regional Council. It’s a large flat area surrounded by hills; plenty of vegetation with a creek flowing along the bottom of the hill.

Time: 9am

Where: Waterfall Creek Reserve, Maroon. The Day Use area is on the right as you drive into the Reserve, camping area is on the left.

Directions from Boonah: Drive 24.5 km south on the Boonah-Rathdowney Rd. Turn right onto Burnett Creek Rd. Drive 2.5 km and turn left onto Newman Rd which is gravel. Drive for 1.8 km then turn right at the junction with Waterfall Creek Rd and continue for 1 km to the reserve. Watch for cattle on the road.

Activities: We will be staying on the flats. There is a rough walking track near the end of the camping area to the falls with stepping stones across the creek. It was checked out in mid-May but it was very over grown and tangled with vines. 

Look for Monitors, signs of Sugar Gliders, frogs, birds etc. In 1988 a Lesueur’s Velvet Gecko was seen. This is the club’s only record of this species. So, Field Nats, let’s try for another one

Level of Fitness: As easy or as tough as you like. You can set up your chair near the creek, or take the walk to the falls. If the falls are running you can still view them without going over the stepping stones. I would advise walking poles if you have them. 

Waterfall Creek Reserve Flora

Facilities: None. You'll have to find a lav-a-tree. No shelter sheds but plenty of shade. No coffee shops within kilometres, so bring your own. Don’t let that turn you off because, if you have never been here, it’s well worth the visit.

What to Bring: Morning tea and lunch. Drinks and nibbles. Seat and small table. Walking pole if you have one. Insect repellent, hat, sun screen, camera, binoculars.

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

May Outing - Autumn Camp, Queen Mary Falls near Killarney

Daggs Falls
downstream from Queen Mary Falls
photo: N. Crepin

Weather permitting

Time: 20, 21 and 22 May 2022, walks will commence from the QMF National Park car park at 9 am and after lunch outings will commence from the same car park at 1.00 pm .

Where: Queen Mary Falls near Killarney: the falls (Queen Mary, Browns and Daggs) are spectacular after all the recent rain.

You should have booked your site by now as the cabins and powered sites are often booked out, but you're still welcome as a day visitor. In case of changes to arrangements, please advise us of your attendance. Contact us at our email address before the 19th May while we are still at home. 

Directions: If you are towing a camper or caravan the route from Boonah through Cunningham's Gap is the only way to Queen Mary Falls. Once above the Main Range, whether you go through Yangan or Warwick is up to you. Yangan is about 10 minutes shorter but with many twists and road junctions. 

The Head Road cannot be accessed by caravans and the gravel road through Carneys Creek, White Swamp and Koreelah is very rough and potholed.

Activities:  walks to the different falls and nearby rainforest, frog spotting, birding, fungi hunts,

Fungi near Queen Mary Falls
photo: N. Crepin

spotlighting at night, marveling at the spectacular scenery and, of course, we can guarantee good company. We are allowed a campfire so please pack in some suitable wood. We will gather together for Happy Hour each evening so pack in your favourite nibblies.

Level of Fitness: as unfit as you like. You can sit in camp and let the wildlife come to you.

Facilities: There is very limited mobile contact at Queen Mary Falls. 

Campers At the caravan park there is an amenities blocks for showers and laundry facilities, a camp kitchen with wood heater for those cooler nights, gas BBQ, fridge, microwave, electric stove . Campfires are allowed in designated areas around the caravan park. Wood for campfires is supplied at $10 for a large bag or you can bring your own. BBQs are also available around the Park.

Day trippers: You will need to park in the public car park at the Q M Falls opposite the caravan park. Toilets, bbqs and picnic tables are there. It is a very popular spot and tables may be at a premium.

What to Bring: Everything you need for a good camp.

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

AGM - Boonah 19 March 2022

35th Anniversary Cake

Presidents Report for 2021/22

In spite of COVID we had a good year. We only cancelled one outing and generally kept safe. We normally spread out like “brown’s cows” so social distancing is not a problem – no mosh pits for us.
If you remember the AGM from last year, Darren Schneider highlighted EJ Smith from Kalbar. And nobody has found a Basket-nest Spider yet.

We seemed to go far and wide this last year. Helidon Hills, Glen Rock, World’s End Pocket, and Stanthorpe. Closer to home we had field outings at Carneys Creek, Spicer’s Gap, Wyaralong and Black Rock Scrub. And don’t forget the Shed Day when the Stenzels told us about all the rare things in their herbarium.

The Club has new insurance through Queensland Water and Land Carers (QWALC) at a great saving to members. Because of this we hope to keep a higher cash balance for contingencies and also subsidize the occasional bus trip. Fees will remain the same.

Our secretary Mary won’t be continuing in the role and we would like to thank her enormously for filling the role this last year.

This coming year we may have a few extra outings for members to enjoy. Stephen is arranging for some mid-week trips, and I am organizing some special visits to Land for Wildlife properties. 

My thanks go to all the executive members and leaders of field outings. Thanks to all members who make field outings so enjoyable. You all do a great job and we have a great club.

April Outing - Shed Social, Coulson, 20 April 2022

 Please note this is a mid-week get-together due to Easter and Anzac Day.

Perhaps not this shed

Time: 9 am for 9.30 am start

Where: Coulson

Directions: Please contact us 

Activities: 

• Presentations by two of our members on wildlife photography
• Stroll around the regrowth and replanted native vegetation areas
• If you have anything in the naturalist world you would like to display, bring it along.

Facilities:  a BBQ and fridge will be available.

There are plenty of chairs though none have side tables.

What to Bring: Photos you would like to share with us all (on a USB stick or CD/DVD)

Your own drinks, morning tea and lunch as well as your own plates, cups, cutlery.

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

AGM Report - 19th March 2022

The Cake

Our 35th AGM was the usual social evening with much chatter and laughter. The official part of the evening was soon over; reports given and officers elected. The only changes in the committee are that Secretary Mary Corbett has resigned (Thanks, Mary, for all your work throughout the past term.) Also Tricia Shields resigned from the committee after six straight years and a couple of other years. 

Jan Glazebrook ably assisted by Denis Cox, both co-authors of “Mangroves to Mountains” and  members of Logan Branch of Native Plants Queensland, gave an illuminating talk on “Small Plants of the Peaks of Boonah”.

Then it was time for supper, starting with the celebratory 35th Anniversary cake.

Jan giving her talk on
"Small Plants of the Peaks of Boonah"

Attentive FFNC members
at the AGM talk by Jan Glazebrook