On Sunday 22 March, a group of Field Naturalists explored Stony Creek Nature Reserve on the Captains Flat Road. We met at Queanbeyan for car-pooling, then headed off to the bush shortly after 8:30am.
The weather was fine and cool, but the woodlands in the reserve were quiet. For some reason, there were few birds. In a place where Wedge-tailed Eagles nested last spring, and Gang-gang Cockatoos have nested for the last two seasons, at least, we were hoping to find more bird activity. The eagle nest wasn’t located either, but the gang-gang trees were found. Perspex stockings had been placed on their trunks to help protect chicks from possum predation, and no doubt kept in place for next season.
The woodlands looked good after recent rain, except for many of the Red Stringybarks, which showed signs of die-back. This species is especially sensitive to the moisture stress caused by a warming climate.
Participants enjoyed themselves, and many discoveries were made – insects, autumn flowering plants, such as orchids, and fungi featured. Kevin and Sonja even found some interesting old rocks.
Many thanks to John Brickhill and Isobel Crawford for suggesting this outing and for sharing their knowledge!
– John Stein
Here is Alison Miltons account of the outing:
“It was a coincidence that both John Stein and Isabelle and John had been thinking about an excursion to the Stony Creek Reserve near Queanbeyan at the same time so this became our March excursion destination.
Seventeen members met at Spotlight Queanbeyan for car pooling. The reserve was only a short drive down the Captains Flat road.
I think most members were mostly interested in botanical specimens but my greater interest lies in insects.
It was a bit late in the season for most insects but we did discover some. Sharp eyes found a stick insect on a Cassinia bush. Since it was first spotted on twigs it was indeed a lucky observation. Looking closer, there was also a tiny red and blue pollen beetle on the same bush.
Nearby, we found two Parson’s Bands orchids: an autumn flowering species. A third one we found later had a small midge sitting on a flower petal There were also a few Brachysomes and sticky everlasting daisies. Though the flowers of the latter were not open as the sky was still overcast. The recent rain had prompted the emergence of quite a few species of fungi, including the edible mushroom, but of course we didn’t pick any.
There were also a few species of lichens on the rocks or dead tree branches and the tiny yellow lichen that can be mistaken for toadstools growing out of the ground. Nearby, we found two Parson’s Bands orchids: an autumn flowering species. A third one we found later had a small midge sitting on a flower petal There were also a few Brachysomes and sticky everlasting daisies. Though the flowers of the latter were not open as the sky was still overcast.
The recent rain had prompted the emergence of quite a few species of fungi, including the edible mushroom, but of course we didn’t pick any. There were also a few species of lichens on the rocks or dead tree branches and the tiny yellow lichen that can be mistaken for toadstools growing out of the ground.
A tiny red flower looked like a fungus popping out of the ground, but was in fact the flower of Styphelia humifusum (Cranberry Heath).
John S. was looking for the Wedge-tailed Eagle’s nest he had seen from the ridge last year. Heading up to the ridge I spotted a Golden Orb Weaver and nearly walked into the web of another later on. My camera lens touched the web disturbing the spider and avoided me walking into it.
Surprisingly, birds were scarce. There were Magpies, Crimson Rosellas, a couple of Galahs and John heard Pardalotes. There was another small bird calling but I couldn’t place it. Other than thee there was not much else.
I was delighted to find two Greenhood orchids near the ridge, though I can’t claim credit for finding them.
A few of us ended the excursion with a coffee at the cafe at spotlight.
Personally, I’d like to go back in spring when my beloved insects will be back. Nevertheless, it was an interesting excursion and I thank both John’s for the suggestion and organisation.”
