Excursion to Widgee Mountain Wilderness

The July excursion for the Field Nats was led by a former resident of the area, Cecilia, to the western extremity of Upper Thornside Road, Widgee for a exploration of a tract of land which now forms a link between Wrattens National Park and Oakview National Park.

The Early Birders enjoyed a short walk at State Forest 242 lot on Glastonbury Road. 

Binoculars at the ready

A riparian area along the dry creek allowed an escape route for birds venturing into the eucalypt trees.  An interesting variety of birds was recorded.  Alerted by their distinctive call, members were excited to see two black-chinned honeyeaters, a lifer for some and a bird which has provided numerous photo opportunities in 2020 for birders.   A pair of crested shrike-tits searched for insects under the bark of the eucalypts.  

Black-chinned honeyeater - Cameron Whiley

Crrested shrike-tit - Cameron Whiley

Moving on, we gathered at the Widgee Sports’ Complex to join the later group coming from Gympie.  The discovery of a mature koala in a tree, directly opposite the complex gate, caught everyone’s attention.   This sighting was later entered on the Koala section of the Wildlife Watch data base on the Gympie Regional Council website.

Do not disturb -Cameron Whiley

A long convoy of visitors and members set off for the final destination - the Widgee Mountain Wilderness.   The new Nation Park is situated at the very end of Upper Thornside Road.  On the drive into the house site, we passed mature Bunya trees (Arucaria bidwillii).  This site could have been on a well worn trail followed by the indigenous people on their trek to the Bunya Festival held when the trees were fruiting in January and February.  The house has been removed by National Parks but some remnants of the well-establised gardens remain.  

Cecilia delivered an interesting talk about the serious floods which hit the area in 2010 and 2013 when she and her late husband, Eric, were land owners on a near-by property Every road crossing was covered with metres of sand and locals were cut off.  Luckily, the Council came and recovered the sand and took it a few kilometres to a central spot.  Months later the sand was retrieved and used for Council works. We learnt that the block of land had  previously been owned by Des and Stella Simpson, as a grazing property.  The Simpsons were supporters of the Great Kilkivan Horse Ride and a memorial is placed on the route of the ride commemorating their providing refreshments to the riders.

Phyl Weiss and Brenda Nancarrow next purchased the property with plans to develop the property into a 4WD tourist adventure site.   The flood damage put paid to these plans.  The Government bought it later to link up two existing  National Parks:- Wrattens and Oakview.  This purchase of the 3,000 acre property necessitated the removal of all infrastructure- fences, yards, sawmill and house.  We were unable to identify the Solanum which grew thickly on the cleared area, but felt it must be a weedy species.    Help with identification would be appreciated.

Mystery solanum

After morning tea, we set out on our walk to the Rock Pool.  A majority of members opted to walk the track. 

We were promised 900metres!

On the way, we noticed many burrows in the cuttings made by striated pardalotes or  bee-eaters.  Gillian, Rahima and Dave identified interesting vegetation and trees along the way.  Along the track were banks of maiden-hair fern, some fine Smilax vines 

Barb-wire vine (Smilax australia)

and a predominance of Red Kamala (Mallotus philippinesis), and Soap Tree or Red Ash (Alphitonia excelsa).  Michelle and Will identified a number of butterflies and a dragonfly - Varied Eggfly, Wanderer, Common Crow and two Grass Yellows and a Red Skimmer  dragonfly which were surviving the cold weather. 

Small grass yellow (Euremia smilax)

A female Rose Robin was sighted and put on a display for us. Rob Farnham volunteered to drive along the ridge to the Rock Pool and pick up those who had run out of puff.  Costa, the swamp wallaby, came along for the day.  He enjoyed a bit of green pick along the way and a morsel of tender Callistemon. 

Just an entree.

The sight of two wedge-tailed eagles soaring above, lifted everyone’s spirits.  The brave (or foolhardy) ventured onto the rocks to explore further. Cameron identified an area he christened, “The Baby Bath.”  There was some discussion as to whether certain rock formations were natural or had been sculptured by previous indigenous occupants. 

Impressive rock formations - Cameron Whiley

Jean, Lionel and Cameron explored for orchids on a cliffside.  After a time, we set off to return to the flat area for lunch, under the shade of a large Small-leaved fig (Ficus obliqua).

Leader: Cecilia Michaelowitz

Text: Rahima Farnham, Cecilia Michaelowitz, Annette Bourke

 

 

 

Brooloo to Imbil rail trail

Members of the Gympie Field Naturalists and visitors gathered at Brooloo to undertake the 4.7 Km walk to Imbil via the refurbished Mary Valley rail trail. Leader Allan spoke about the early establishment of this area.

In the early eighteen fifties (1851) the first pastoral activities occurred around the noted geographical landmark known as "The Brooloo Bluff". Progressively over the years the name established on the first map known as Derarill ( origin unknown) to Bluff Plains or Downs, part of Imbil Pastoral lease, with the Bluff School opening in 1897. Finally when the big pastoral leases were divided the township became known as Brooloo. The rail line from Gympie to Brooloo was opened in 1915 becoming the economical  hub satisfying the needs of a rather large local population.The central gathering point being the Grand Hotel, with a school of arts being built around 1920.

Grand Hotel , Brooloo ---- built 1914 and destroyed by fire 1957. Note small shop
beside hotel.

Leaving the site of the old rail station we were greeted by a pair of Pacific Baza flying overhead and then landing in a large tree close to the track.

Pacific Baza.

     

A little further along, before leaving the town proper, a large stand of Blue Gum were in full blossom.

A ready food source for the thirteen (13) species of honeyeater recorded on the day. A rather rare Fuscous Honeyeater (for this area) was spotted sitting on its nest close to the track. Close I mean, small bush about one metre of the ground and 2 metres from the track edge. As expected the bird flew as we approached , must be a bad spot to raise a chick.

Fuscous Honeyeater nest ----- chick in the centre of the nest. -----
read the text for further details

Moving towards the first of a series of earth cuttings, a very, very old open style building was observed, with a "Loo with a View" rather close to the rail embankment. Later a little research may suggest this could be the site of the Brooloo Rifle Range. Official records show a rifle range was listed for Brooloo and Kandanga in 1912, and by my family record it was still operating during world war two. 

"loo with a view"

The start of a series of major earth cuttings and embankments made me reflect on the enormity of this task to undertake a development with the limited powered support as we have to-day  On the sheltered and moister sides of the embankment a special environment  with a variety of vegetation growing in the shale rock has developed. 

Basket Fern  ----- Drynara rigidula

Look !!! ---- fungus.

Example of the sedimentary layers on the earth cuttings ---- the history of each layer would be interesting.

Part of a deep cutting ---- note the differing vegetation on either bank.

The next section of interest is the Bellbird habitat. This colony has been present in this area for many years and  "George Burtenshaw Protection Area Bellbird Habitat" is the centre of this colony. The local Webb brothers song "The call of the Bellbird" comes to mind (1958). Correct name Bellminer.

Breakneck Creek with its feeder gullies runs past this park providing a moist wet environment and resulting lush vegetation. Gold and silver mine was short lived on this creek in the mid eighteen hundreds.

Bellminer

The section between Bellbird park and Western Creek Rd.much drier eucalyptus forest, little blossom and less bird life. This section is all downhill a plus for us oldies.

Art or Graffiti on the trail.

Paper Daisy ---- Xerochrysum bracteatum, in full sun.

Winter Apple ----- Eremophila debilis ,growing on a rocky bank ---- flowers most of the year

 The last section to Imbil, moving back in to a more populated area with dams providing an area for water birds and grazing land for grass bird. An easy walk with the reward of coffee and cake at the finish.

      

A view of the public hall from a distance, welcome to Imbil.

A very pleasant walk suitable for most people, credit to the vision of our local council. Very well patronized for a non holiday Thursday Morning. Seventy One (71) species of birds recorded for the walk. A return visit is a must do.

Contributor Lionel and Jeanette Muir