Goomboorian National Park - Birds & Plants in focus

Goomboorian National Park, in two sections, was gazetted in 2008 due to the area’s high conservation values.  The national park covers an area of 1,828ha.  The park is located 15km east of Gympie.

Recently, the Field Nats, on a Thursday excursion led by Lionel and Jeanette Muir visited the Park and enjoyed some interesting discoveries.

Six regional ecosystems are represented on the two parks with two listed as endangered and  two of concern.  These ecosystems contain several listed plant species, Vulnerable: Quassia (Samadera bidwillii) Mangroves to Mountains p414),  Ball Nut (Floydia praealta) M to M p344), Deep Creek Fontainea (Fontainea rostrata) M to M 305,  Near threatened: Rainforest Senna (Senna acclinis) M to M 415,  Hairy Hazelwood (Symplocos haroldii) M to M 346,  Symplocos stawellii var montana.  Around 50 per cent of the park is dominated by Gympie messmate, (Eucalyptus cloeziana) forest.  Gympie messmate was heavily logged in the past due to its valuable properties as a timber product.

The listed animal species are, Endangered: Giant Barred Frog

, Vulnerable: Tusked Frog

 Koala 

Grey Goshawk (White Morph) - Vince Lee

 Near threatened: Grey goshawk

Grey goshawk - Stephen Hey

 Black-necked Stork.

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The parks are covered by a native title claim on behalf of the Kabi Kabi First Nation. 

Goomboorian National Park can be easily accessed and holds lots of interest for bird and plant enthusiasts.   Birds species to be sighted can include:

Brown Cuckoo-Dove

White-browed Scrubwren

Yellow-faced Honeyeater

Spangled Drongo

Rufous Whistler - Kevin Bowring

Wonga pigeon

The far-carrying call of the Wonga Pigeon is repeated continuously particularly during the breeding season which extends from October to January.  The white underparts of its body show a series of attractive tiny arrowhead shapes in a series of rows - all part of its camouflage.  Often seen on the ground, the Wonga seems to take to flight as a last resort.

A migratory species, the Yellow-faced Honeyeater migrates, in Autumn, in large numbers from the southern states to the north and completes a return journey in the Spring.  The broad yellow face stripe, bordered with black, enables it to be recognized.

The distinctive fish tail and red eye, identify the hyper-active Spangled Drongo when in pursuit of insects (or small birds) dashes through the bush, often in a noisy family group.

Lurking in the undergrowth, a White-browed Scrubwren cannot resist the temptation to dress down any intruder and will often make a brief appearance.  They can also be spotted on the forest floor, among the leaf litter searching for food.

Brown Cuckoo Doves often feed on the introduced Tobacco Bush (Solanum mauritianum), inkweed and lantana when native fruits and berries are scarce.  Seen in the sunlight, their brown feathers take on an iridescent sheen.

With a wide variety of songs, the Rufous Whistler is often heard before it is seen, inconspicuous in the foliage.  The male's white throat, black head and rufous breast is distinctive when the bird is spotted often high in the tree canopy.

Goomboorian NP is a repository for a wide range of interesting flora.  A recent excursion resulted in the discovery of fruiting Fontainea rostrata trees.  This phenomena has been noted as occuring in the Gympie district on different sites.

Some local nurseries have plants propagated from local stock.  Fresh, treated seed has been identified as germinating in a matter of weeks. Good news for the future of this species. 

                                         

Prickly Heath (Leucopogon juniperinus)

The 6mm tubular flowers on the Prickly Heath develop into small, sweet, creamy fruit much enjoyed by wildlife:  a good habitat shrub which grows to 1m tall and can provide shelter for small critters.

Box-leaved wattle (Acacia buxifolia)

The countryside is experiencing the joy of the Acacias flowering.

Red Ground Berry (Acrotriche aggregata)

This dense shrub to 1m produces tiny white flowers (Spring to Summer) which are followed by small red berries which are quickly eaten by wildlife.  

Currant Bush (Carissa ovata)

The black fruit produced by this prickly shrub are also relished by wildlife.  The thickets of Currant Bush are a refuge for small birds, lizards, small mammals.

 Boobialla (Myoporum acuminatum)

There is some discussion about the status of this plant - Coastal, Forest or Montane. Better informed plant oficianodos will need to decide unequivocally.

Cyclophyllum comprismoides

 Thanks Bev and Wendy for the definitive identification of this plant.

Myrsine angusta

Please comment on Facebook post re identification of plant species.