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Meetings are held at the Royal Geographical Society's Rooms, 237 Milton Rd Milton (opp. the Railway Station) on the first Thursday of each month except January. Doors open at 7:15pm, the meeting starts at 7:40pm with a short talk followed by notices and other business. This is followed by the main address. Following questions members are invited to raise further business, announcements or issues. Supper is provided after the meeting.
Birds Queensland Monthly meeting talks
The short talks evolve to suit the time slot required by the Main speaker for the evening. I have others on hold but if you want to cover a particular topic or if any member would like to present a talk - please contact me. Thank you for supporting our Society's activities with your presence. A good speaker appreciates a good audience.
SEPTEMBER 4: The topic for the meeting on September 4th is Surveying the Mulligan River Nature Reserve and Cravens Peak by Eric Anderson, Sandra Harding and David Milton. This was part of a major expedition organized by the Royal Geographic Society in 2007. It will be held at the Royal Geographical Society's rooms 237 Milton Road, Milton (opposite the Milton Railway Station).
OCTOBER 2: ‘Identification of Owls’ by Dr Stephen Debus, then ‘Some Ornithological History’ by Robert Mahoney
NOVEMBER 6: ‘Habitat Fragmentation- A Conservation Issue for Southeast Queensland Birds’ by Danielle Shanahan
DECEMBER 4: Annual General Meeting ?
Sheena Gillman
Speakers Co-ordinator
These are normally on the third Saturday of each month. For details, contact Paul at 07-3391-8839
Camp Fees To cover the costs of running camps, and to finance the occasional gift to those who invite us to use their properties for camps, all members attending each camp are asked to donate a fee of $1 per camp. This is run on an honour system where we rely on people to place their $1 in the donation box. Thank you for supporting this scheme.
Please Take Note Outing and campout organisers should provide the following minimum information to the newsletter editor about the event they are organising. Name and contact details of the organiser; day; date; start time; estimated duration (half day, full day) UBD reference where applicable or detailed directions; what to bring; brief details of outing.
You are most welcome at any of the following activities designed to focus on learning more about birds. The Birds Queensland brochure, Bird Places of Brisbane, is useful. You will have the opportunity to ask questions, meet others of the society, watch birds in their natural habitats, and contribute to the society's data base of bird observation. Dawn Muir (3870 8076) Email
SAT 6 SEPTEMBER - ARAUCARIA WALK, ENOGGERA RESERVOIR
LEADER: ALAN BOARDMAN PH 3300 1412.
This is a mornings birdwatching walk around part of the Enoggera Dam on a graded track. Starting time will be 7.00am at the Brisbane Forest Park Headquarters car park. The walk is an easy circuit, 5km in length with only one hill and mostly in the shade. Bring Morning tea and the usual sunscreen, hat and insect repellent and water. I do the walk regularly and it takes between 3 and 4 hours but anyone can turn back at any point if desired.
Directions: From Brisbane take Waterworks Road to The Gap. Continue to the Brisbane Forest Park Headquarters – 1 Mt Nebo Road.
SUN 7 SEPTEMBER - THREATENED SPECIES DAY, DOWNFALL CREEK BUSHLAND CENTRE
12-14 SEPTEMBER CAMP- UTOPIA ENVIR RESERVE, WEST OF MARYBOROUGH
LEADER: TONY BAYLIS 07 4129 9060
This will be the first visit by Birds Queensland to the property of Tony Baylis – Utopia Environmental reserve. This reserve is located c.70 km west of Maryborough in SE Queensland. The Utopia Environmental Reserve (UER) was established just over 34 years ago when the former diary farm was purchased. It is 1300 acres and adjoins Mount Walsh National park. Today much of UER is forested with areas of mature eucalypt and acacia interspersed with regrowth of various stages. There are a few pockets of vine/rain forest in some of the larger gullies and a number of small dams scattered through the UER. The adjoining Mount Walsh NP is a small range with the peak at 711 m. The National park is a wilderness area and consequently has very little easy access. There is one path from UER to an area called t e Rock pools, very scenic and about 45 min easy to moderate walk. The only other access is at the Bluff at Biggenden and that is a strenuous walk up onto the bluff. However, UER is at the end of the public road and there is no through traffic at all and this makes it excellent for birding. With 30km of tracks through UER, all walkable and some accessible by conventional vehicles there is plenty of scope. The current bird list is at 150 species ( a previous list of c.180 species was lost in a fire). There are a number of other animals including gliders possums, wallabies, dingoes etc and probably an isolated population of Pebble-mound mice. Accommodation for non-campers consists of one room with two beds, shower and basin with use of shared toilet @ $50.00pp per night, linen provided. Also there is a hut nearby which has two very basic bedrooms, no linen, which will sleep 4-5 people Persons staying here and those in the camping area will be at $5.00 per night
There is a fire pit at the camp. This is the only permitted open fire. BBQ hot plates etc are available. A camp kitchen provides basic facilities for cooking, fridge, washing up area with hot water etc. and a large under-cover area. Plenty of tank water is available. The camp is powered by solar power but there are no powered sites. Two showers and toilets are available.
The camping area with ample grassy sites is a few hundred metres past the house, so directions are required on arrival.
Directions: From Brisbane turn left off the Bruce Highway 12 kms north of Gympie. Turn onto the Wide Bay Highway, signed for Kilkivan. After 25 km turn right to Woolooga. Proceed through Woolooga and after 10 km turn left, signed Biggenden. Within 3km two signed creeks will be crossed Sandy and Eel. One km after Eel Creek turn right into Utopia Road and continue for 6.5 km, on a winding gravel road to where assign for Utopia Environmental Reserve will be seen. Shortly after there is a junction with a small brick building. Keep to the left and straight on to the house on the left after 200m. Allow 3-4 hours from Brisbane.
THURSDAY 18 SEPTEMBER - HARDING’S PADDOCK, PURGA
LEADER: MARGARET CAMERON Ph 3282 9151
Margaret recommends this as a good birding spot and they did manage 43 species in June last year.
Directions: Take the Ipswich -Boonah Road south from Yamanto and turn left into Carmichael Road about 6km past the Bypass/ Cunningham Highway. Follow this road to the end where there is a picnic area and walks. Meet at 7am and bring morning tea plus insect repellent, a hat and sunscreen.
SUN 28 SEPTEMBER – PHOTOGRAPHIC SUB-GROUP - KUMBARTCHO SANCTUARY
LEADER: RUSSELL SHARMAN Ph 3325 3044
The sanctuary as several trails to explore along the South Pine River and adjacent remnant Riparian Rainforest. A circular trail crosses the river close to the sanctuary and returns near Bunya Crossing. There is also a walking trail, complete with bird hide, around a nearby dam. For more details visit Kumbartcho's website - ttp:// www.kumbartcho.org.au , and a small map can be provided on the day. Sturdy footwear is recommended.
Directions: From South Pine Road, Eaton’s Hill turn west into Eaton’s Crossing Rd. Turn south into Queen Elizabeth Drive. Travel straight through 6 roundabouts (QE Drive turns into Bunya Crossing Road) then right into Drapers Rd. Bunya Pine Court is the second street on the left UBD Map 107 M16.
19 September BIRD IDENTIFICATION CLASS FOR BEGINNERS
RING DAWN 3870 8076 OR JEAN 3398 5118
Last modified: 19 August 2008