31.10.21
Minnippi
With nothing to do – and no one to do it with – I had to get out, so Minnippi it was at 11.15. A cloudy, cool, blustery day, I didn’t expect much. And that was, more or less, what I got. A total list of 40 birds – which, actually surprised me, but had nothing noteworthy. 5 butterfly species and 1 Common or Blue-eyed Cranefly which I’ve seen before, but not at Minnippi.
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| Common or Blue-eyed Lacewing Nymphes myrmeleonides |
Meadow Argus 2
Common Crow 2, looked like new emergent, very fresh.
Monarch 5
Common Grass-blue ~20, feeding on the prolific clover in all grassy areas
Dainty Grass-blue 5, in a couple of locations, particularly along the Airfield Track.
Then it was back to bingeing Homeland…..
29.10.21
Manorina & Mt Glorious
On site at 7.45 and immediately a bit disappointed. The forecast had been for partially cloudy, very warm weather. There was, yet again, almost complete cloud, threatening rain, it was, relatively speaking, cool, and windy. Any hopes for butterflies went out along with my hopes of a happy future.
However, I set off up the track.
Didn’t see much at all on the way up, the birds were few and far between and nothing of any consequence apart from a pair of Grey Fantails building a very exposed nest which I doubt will survive beyond the first laying.
At the top, 3 Brown Ringlets, were the only butterfly of the morning. There were none of the several species Mr P and I had seen a couple of weeks ago.
Headed back down the fire trail and got the highlight of the morning – a female Painted Button Quail on the track ahead, casually crossing. Further down a Wompoo Fruit-dove sat for a viewing, also on the track, but other than that it was just a walk.
I went on up to Mt Glorious for coffee, but found the Elm Hause café closed for the weekend – I had planned only coffee there – and the Mt Glorious Café very busy with the usual bikies, powered and otherwise. There were bugger all butterflies visible along the road edges anyway, so went to Mt Nebo for coffee. The décor, service and, honestly, the coffee, could be better, but having three or four male King Parrots and several Rainbow Lorikeets feeding on (provided) seed on the table and from the hand made it worthwhile.
On the return trip via Samford I picked up a (very) recently dead Water Dragon in excellent condition on the road. It will join my ‘collection’ in due course.
27.10.21
Moggill
Seemed like a ‘sunny spells’ kind of morning so I headed out late and arrived on site at 11.15. It was 29c, humid, still – and almost dead. There were few butterflies around - again. I’m thinking now that there was a hatching in late September which Mr P and I both encountered a few weeks ago. Since then most of those seem to have disappeared – I’m assuming at this stage that they bred, then died, as butterflies do, and a re-occurrence of numbers will occur again? Maybe? I can’t see it being the weather, although admittedly when the sun did break through and shine, numbers did increase, but not significantly.
Typically by the time I got there the cloud had built up and I only got a few bright sunny periods – and after I left the sun seemed to shine eternally….
I ended up with 10 species and a total of (estimated somewhat) 50 insects. I did score two new site species, but nothing majorly new. I also had a Lace Monitor, my first on-site observation. I seem to be seeing these ‘everywhere’ at the moment and am thinking it’s because I’m out later in the day than I would be for birding – and they are more active. Bird-wise nothing recorded of any interest.
Orchard Swallowtail 4 or 5
Clearwing Swallowtail ~6, most looking a bit dilapidated.
Small Grass-yellow 4. At least I think that’s what they were. Appeared much smaller than the usual yellows we see around, but with ‘mixed’ underwing markings. New for me for site.
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| Small Grass-yellow Eurema smilax |
Caper Gull at least 4
Yellow Albatross 15
Striated Pearl-white 1
Brown Ringlet 3 – these too, looked shagged.
Purple Crow 2, one appeared to be laying on a vine
Monarch 8
Hairy Line-blue 1 – new for me for site, although not unexpected.
26.10.21
Minnippi
At a loose end, as usual, I decided to go butterflying, just to keep up to date with any recent hatchings or movements at the site.
It was a cloudy (100% cover), very humid, ‘close’ morning initially, although bright enough. Towards the end of my two hour wander the sun did start to break through and may have encouraged more species to ‘appear’, but I had had enough and headed home.
Birds were not too bad given my late start (9.45-11.45) and I totalled 49 species. Bird of the morning was definitely a Pacific Baza hunting through the canopy for stick- and leaf-insects along the second half of the Airfield Track. It was also nice to see a single Oriental Dollarbird back in the usual dead tree on the M1 track. My first for the season, but not particularly early by any means – a late observation in fact, I guess. I also flushed a Latham’s Snipe from the boggy path that was cut a while ago into the reed bed below the lookout, and which doesn’t seem to have served any purpose. Due to the recent rain the patch was inaccessible, but the Snipe was obviously enjoying the opportunity.
A Swamp Wallaby also 'perched' up nicely in The Avenue.
Butterflies were nor as prolific as my last visit with a total of 11 species – none new in any category.
Wide-brand Grass-dart 2
Large Grass-yellow 2
Cabbage White 3
Evening Brown 5, all along the Airfield Track
Meadow Argus 2
Common Crow 4
Monarch 12
Blue Tiger 3
Long-tailed Pea-blue ~6, beside the bridge
Common Grass-blue (conservatively) 30, on most of the open grass areas, in number.
Dainty Grass-blue ~10, along the Airfield Track.
Nesting birds-wise – the, or a, pair of Masked Lapwings were in the carpark field – but no chicks in evidence. That would suggest to me that the nest was destroyed. The Australian White Ibis was again sitting on the nest on the island – I suspect it’s a young pair of birds who don’t know what they’re doing, ‘cause the nest was built several months ago and appears to only get sporadic interest. The Black Swans (God help me….) appeared with one gosling which looked to be several days or a week old, i.e. not freshly hatched. It would seem that they have had less than a successful brood this season if that’s the total size of their family. They were heavily protecting it, but there’s always the eels below…. A Dusky Moorhen was in the process of building a nest just off the boardwalk at the ‘right hand end’. It’ll be interesting to see if it manages to raise young from there.
20.10.21
Toohey
This has become a habit…..5 days in a row?
But, with little to do and needing some sort of exercise for my body, and distraction for my head, I was on site at 12.30. Hot (27c), sunny, clear, a small, warm breeze – it looked perfect.
Maybe it wasn’t.
I saw a total of 4 species, 12 insects, on my hour-long amble around the dry tracks. I did see a smallish Lace Monitor – nicely marked – and a probable Laughing Kookaburra’s nest hole in a termite nest, but other than that it was completely uneventful.
Orchard Swallowtail 2
Orange Ringlet 3
Blue Tiger 6
Yellow-spotted Blue 1 (Female)
19.10.21
White's Hill
I must be ill.
Out again for the fourth day in a row?
Feel my head. Stick out my tongue.
Check my pulse.
Nope, seems OK. I’m sad, but not sick – well, physically anyway.
Butterflies calling again.
I headed for the pond at White’s Hill, but found the access closed for ‘improvement construction’. Yeah, yeah, yeah, DE-struction more like, they’re sure to take months doing fuck-all and generally fuck up the whole area into the bargain.
Frustration and near loss of what’s left of my mind ensued.
Then I remembered the ‘other’ end of White’s Hill – a small patch of rainforest/vine thicket along the creek, access from Pine Mountain Rd – so I went there.
I spent an hour hanging around the very small patch of forest on the edge of the dry eucalypt hillside. I had 6 species of butterfly – 3 new for me for site, but only 8 insects altogether. Even though it was warm (27c), calm and sunny they just don’t seem to have got off the ground yet. Mind you its only Spring and the nights can be cooler.
Splendid Ochre 1, typical? I saw my first on Sunday, now I’m going to see them everywhere…..
Wide-brand Grass-dart 2, tried to turn it into Narrow-brand, but just couldn’t make it work.
Orchard Swallowtail 1
Evening Brown 1
White-banded Plane 1
White-banded Line-blue 3, defending territory from all and sundry, aggressive little shits.
It wasn’t what I’d dressed for, but it did keep me occupied for an hour, which helped.
18.10.21
Moggill SF
With rain showers predicted for most of the week I thought I’d get in early and go out for the third day in a row! Exceptional behaviour, given my performance over the last few months….
I got on site at 10, deliberately going late to 1. Avoid the freaking traffic around the city that does my freaking head in and 2.’Cause I wanted it to warm up enough to get the best outcome, butterfly-wise.
I was disappointed for the most part.
Although it was 25c there was heavy cloud cover, threatening rain, it was still and humid, no direct sunlight and the butterflies just weren’t getting out and about.
In the end I saw 9 species which was about half of the number I expected and in total about 18 individual insects. There were a few white things that flew high and remained unidentifiable (at least to me) but were most likely Yellow Albatrosses, but only 2 or 3.
My luck was in though, to a certain extent, getting my third new butterfly in as many days….
Wide-brand Grass-dart 1
Orchard Swallowtail 2
Clearwing Swallowtail 4
Yellow Albatross 4 – identified
Caper White 2
Striated Pearl-white – 1, lifer, female, a bit tatty. Very similar to Southern Pearl-white, but subtle differences, visible, I believe, in my photos.
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| Striated Pearl-white Elodina parthia |
Brown Ringlet 3 – yes, THREE, Jesus Mary & Joseph. 13 days ago there were (conservatively) 100 plus.
Monarch 4
Blue Tiger 1
Nothing remarkable bird-wise - given the conditions and time that wasn’t a surprise and I wasn’t trying real hard - 14 species listed.
17.10.21
Minnippi
A calm, windless, hot, bright, sunny, clear morning – and I decided at the last minute to go butterflying at Minnippi – the conditions were perfect.
I recorded the birds (41 species) but saw nothing noteworthy apart from a male Pacific Koel fly low overhead as I left the car and a pair of Noisy Miners which at first I thought had been struck down by some horrendous pestilence, but then realised they were ‘anting’ – at least I assume that was what they were doing. When approached they upped and high-tailed it, quite fit and healthy.
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| Noisy Miners 'anting'? |
Butterflies being my main target I was a little disappointed in some ways in that the range of species was not what I’d hoped for (13 species) but quantity and quality were acceptable.
Splendid Ochre 1, lifer, although it’s a common enough Hesperidae.
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| Splendid Ochre Trapezites symmomus |
Orchard Swallowtail 3
Dainty Swallowtail 1
Large Grass-yellow 2
Caper White 6
Varied Eggfly 1
Meadow Argus 4
Common Crow 5
Monarch 10
Blue Tiger 50 – conservatively, they were flying past at all locations.
Long-tailed Pea-blue 5
Common Grass-blue 20
Dainty Grass-blue 5
16.10.21
Manorina walk, Mt Nebo & Mt Glorious
Mr P picked me up at 7 and we were on site at the start of the Manorina walk, just outside Mt Nebo village at 7.45.
We were specifically targeting butterflies, hence the late start, but it was a much cooler and windier morning than we had anticipated. The track up was dead for butterflies and pretty quiet for birds, but we did have spectacular views of a male Paradise Riflebird that came in when encouraged. Unfortunately, its jet black plumage confused the focus on my camera and I failed to get what could have been amazing photos, however….
At the top at the lookout there was some butterfly activity with Macleay’s Swallowtails and Blue Triangles floating and chasing over the lower foliage – but not landing. We also had an Ochre sp, which remained unidentified as no photos achieved, and a large dark Swallowtail drifted past briefly and was either an Orchard or Fuscous, but again…..
When we headed back down the fire trail we had:
Black Jezebel 3
Yellow Albatross 2
Caper White 1
Brown Ringlet 10
Wonder Brown – 1 male, a lifer for me and a scarce butterfly in SEQ - unfortunately underwing photos only obtained.
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| Wonder Brown Heteronympha mirifica |
Monarch 2
Blue Tiger 2
Common Grass-blue 5
A decent sized Lace Monitor also appeared and perched up quite obligingly.
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| Lace Monitor Varanus varius |
Back at the car we headed up to Mt Glorious and coffee and something to eat at Elm Hause café. The coffee was OK, but the ‘Brekky Burger’ was one of the most disgustingly sloppy, expensive ($15) breakfasts I have had in a long time. I won’t be eating there again. The service was poor too, considering we were noted as being at the same table but my breakfast didn’t arrive until Mr P had finished his and the coffees arrived at sporadic intervals. Good location – disappointing service and quality.
While trying to control my slippery, disintegrating breakfast, a pair of Regent’s Bowerbirds made an appearance and a Brown Cuckoo-dove sat up in the open nearby.
We walked the road outside and around the picnic area looking for butterflies, but the numbers and range were a little disappointing. The Lantana, although an invasive plant and hated by purists is super-attractive to butterflies, was barely in flower. Another month and things should be taking off properly.
We did see:
Macleay’s Swallowtail 1
Blue Triangle 6
Yellow-spotted Jezebel 5
Black Jezebel 8
Yellow Albatross 5
Caper White 5
Southern Pearl White 1
Brown Ringlet 10
Monarch 4
Common Grass-blue 20
We gave it away at 13.00 and drove down the back road to Samford. About 500 meters down from the top a pair of Painted Buttonquails were attempting a road crossing, but returned to the verge given the chance, following hasty braking and avoidance skills by Mr P.
10.10.21
Minnippi
Mr P had been requested to assist with a group of ‘new’ birders at Minnippi and asked if I’d like to join him? I picked him up at 6.30 and by 7 we’d checked the Masked Lapwing nest in the ‘carpark’ field – still sitting on 4 eggs, that's 21 days since I first noted it sitting – and met the group and the organiser at the boardwalk beside the lake.
Along the way we picked up a Pale-vented Bush Hen on the island – and were able to show it to two of the ‘budding’ birders before moving off and around the Airfield Track.
It was a nice slow, interesting two hours pointing out Channel-billed Cuckoos, Sacred Kingfishers and the like and trying to get everyone onto each sighting – not always the easiest task….
We had some good birds – and some good views of some of the commoner stuff which seemed to please everyone.
We also picked up a few butterflies: (Blue numbers conservative and approx)
Dingy Grass-skipper 1
Wide-brand Grass-dart 2
Orchard Swallowtail 1
Cabbage White 2
Glasswing 2
Common Crow 2
Monarch 10
Blue Tiger 4
Long-tailed Pea-blue 5
Spotted Pea-blue 5
Common Grass-blue 40
Mr P and I retired for breakfast to Café 63 @ stoned Corner as, yet again, Nine Bar & Kitchen was crowded.
8.10.21
Oxley
After a rather restless, disturbed, unhappy night I got out later than normal and wandered around Oxley mainly looking for butterflies.
Hot, sunny and initially windless, but by 9 the breeze picked up and increased until I left at 10.30.
Birds – mostly the usual stuff, although a flock of about 50 Topknot Pigeons flew overhead on one of their presumed feeding forays – only my 3rdsite record.
Butterflies were a bit disappointing – not helped by the increasing wind – but I listed 6 species, nothing new in any category.
Monarch ~20
Wide-brand Grass-dart 2, at the ponds.
Blue Tiger 5 or 6, first of this season.
Cabbage White ~5
Chequered Swallowtail 1, also first for this season.
Common Grass-blue ~20 on the clover in the short grass out to the ponds.
5.10.21
Moggill
Following Mr P’s record of Grey Ringlet which, it turned out, I hadn’t ticked, I thought I’d make the effort so headed out at 7.30 to brave the traffic around the city and get on site by 8.15.
A warm, initially, calm morning and there were plenty of butterflies along the track. I spent 2 hours taking photos and trying to identify whatever came across my path.
Firstly - birds were pretty thin on the ground – but I wasn’t paying them a lot of attention, ending up with only 16 species, mostly heard, although I did see 2 Little Shrike Thrushes very well.
I identified 18 species of butterfly – no Grey Ringlets – 1 new site record and 1 lifer.
Caper Gull – at least 3 or 4 ID’d but probably more
Common Crow – 4
Glasswing – 1
Orchard Swallowtail – 10 (failed to turn any into Fuscous, although I tried)
Brown Ringlet – 100, most dominant sp and I checked all of them….
White-banded Plane – 2
Monarch – 3
Large Purple Line-blue – at least 1, but blues were few and far between
White-banded Line-blue – 10
Wide-brand Grass Dart – 2
Clearwing Swallowtail – 6, several females appeared to be egg laying
Jezebel Nymph – 4 at least
Yellow Albatross – 30, assuming most high flying whites were this species
Purple Crow – 2
Southern Pearl-white – conservatively 10, a lot of whites I didn’t get to ID
Orange Ringlet – 4, site tick for me.
Dingy Grass-skipper – 1
Orange Ochre Trapezites eliena – 2, a lifer, ID established with the kind assistance of Martin Purvis.
Out for a walk on a damp (following heavy rain the previous evening) cool morning. The tracks were semi-birdy and the lake quite active. Ended up with 54 species – best bird probably 2 Buff-banded Rails together near the bridge. I don’t think I’ve seen two together here, although single bird observations are not uncommon. A Brown Goshawk crossed the Airfield Track, quietly hunting.
The Australian White Ibis, Black Swan and Masked Lapwing all still nest sitting.
Butterflies: 2 Evening Browns and 1 Monarch, but it was earlyish (6.15 start) and damp and cool.
