Springbrook Birds Queensland Campout 2020

 Reflections from a weekend away at Springbrook, in Tallebudgera Valley, with Birds Queensland.

 

 Thursday 20th August – We arrived, after lunch, at Ankida the private property where we were staying.   

Rainforest Conservancy property

This 205 hectare property was gifted to the Rainforest Conservancy in 2009 and 2010.  The name, a Sumerian word, means “Where Heaven and Earth meet”.  We can vouch that this is true. It is a Nature Refuge, protected under State legislation. Unfortunately, this weekend was one of the coldest and windiest lately recorded so birds especially were hard to spot. The primary objective of this weekend was to carry out a comprehensive bird survey.  On a walk,

Kerrie discovered, to us, a new species of Violet (Viola silicestris) which is native to higher altitude areas such as Springbrook and Lamington NP. 

Viola silicestris

There were also large patches of the Blunt Green hood (Pterostylis curta) flowering on both sides of the track. 

Pterostylis curta

Throughout the property, bright yellow flowers of Mountain Guinea Flower (Hibbertia monticola) glowed in their dark green foliage and the white heads of the native Raspberry (Robus rosifolius) with their large pale green stamens, proved a hit with the tiny native bees.  

Hibbertia monticola

Robus rosifolius

Large-fruited Raspberry (Robus probus) was also found.

Friday – 5am Woken by the loud pre-dawn calls of the Whip birds and  Brown Thornbills.  

Brown Thornbill

Nearby the Rifle Bird was heard.  It was keeping out of sight.  Later in the afternoon a white form of the Grey Goshawk hovered over the campsite, shining in the afternoon sun.  No photo unfortunately.  A stunning Golden Whistler bathed in a garden pond.

Golden Whistler

A carefully constructed Bower of the Satin Bowerbird, at the entrance to 'Ankida', on the edge of the driveway, displayed (among other blue things) a bright blue child’s dummy.

Bower on edge of driveway

Friday 21st August - Twinfalls Circuit 4km  After an early start, we walked first across the top of the escarpment where we enjoyed the early Spring  blooms of wild flowers such as the white Pom Pom like flowers of the tall (Phebalium Leionema elatius ),two species of Zieria, (arborescens subsp) which is native to Springbrook and (Zieria colina.)
 The large Golden heads of Hairpin Banksia (Banksia spinulosa) providing nectar for many honeyeaters and the perfumed yellow clusters of the lovely Cuttsia viburnea were a highlight. 

Phebalium Leionema

Zieria colina

Cuttsia viburnea

Down on the dark Rainforest floor the path wound through giant palms and tall Eucalypt trees with their branches covered in large Elk Horn Ferns. We walked behind two waterfalls

Behind the waterfall

Twin Falls track

and then made the trek back up the steep path, through the narrow path between the rocky walls covered in green ferns, back to the top of one of the many waterfalls. 

The high road & low road

Friday pm - This was a walk on the property to the Horseshoe Falls.  The pale yellow robin was heard but not seen.  The peregrine falcon also eluded us.  Ankida is home for the peregrine falcon, a bird which holds a special place in Sumerian belief.  These majestic birds are a fixture at Ankida.

On the edge

Over the edge

Below the edge

Saturday 22nd August - Morning Walk at 'Ankida' – A return, in search for the robin and the peregrine, to the top of the waterfall where we had beautiful views across the valley below.  The waters of the Hinze Dam were just visible in the distance.  

View from the top of the falls

Two Orchids in flower were observed on the cliffs opposite, King Orchid (Dendrobium speciosum) and Lily of the Valley Orchid (Dendrobium monophyllum).  Cameron was perched on the edge of the cliff to photograph the Horseshoe Falls tumbling down into the valley from Waterfall Creek! 

Dendrobium speciosum

Peregrine falcon - female

A pair of falcons appeared and provided a thrilling sight and many photo opportunities.  The pale yellow robin also made an appearance.

Saturday pm -  After lunch, the excursion was to Warblers, another Rain Forest Conservancy, which comprises of two properties.  They have been owned for some years and care has been ongoing.  Natural revegetation is occurring.  The biggest problem is an imported plant Aristea eklonii which has proven almost impossible to deal with.  Ongoing weeding has reduced the impact but seed has a long life of viability. Teams of committed volunteers have been donating their time for some years to this cause. 

Aristea eklonii

Near the gate, Kevin who works for RC, pointed out a Log runner’s nest.  It had been damaged and partly pulled apart.  There are Log runner families resident and breeding on these properties.  The nest had been damaged.

Log Runner's nest

A mystery tree, growing prolifically on the property, was apparent.  Identification proved elusive.    On returning to Gympie, a local revegetation contractor, Rick Sizer was consulted. He immediately knew its family – Proteacea – and it was positively identified as Orites excelsus or Mountain Silky Oak.  It was in full flower and, therefore, visible everywhere. 

Orites excelsus

Sunday am. -  An early morning drive to Best of all Lookouts allowed a viewing of the Antarctic beech trees Nothofagus moorei, a species which retreated to this area when Australia’s climate started to dry and areas of rainforest began to shrink. 

Walk to the Lookout

An eastern view

Northofagus moorei

Unfortunately, the resident Albert’s lyrebirds were either put off by the atrocious weather or our presence and so did not put in an appearance.   A return to pack up our gear followed on from a walk down Couchy Creek Road.  We had previously planned to venture further west to explore the Killarney, Stanthorpe and Warwick areas but more news reports of Covid and the continuing bad weather encouraged us to return to Gympie. 

Elusive Paradise Riflebird

Juvenile Crimson Rosella

Thanks, Burney Starkey, for organising this weekend.  We thoroughly enjoyed it.

Text: Kerrie

Photographs: Kerrie & Cameron