On the road again - Inverell and Barraba

Inverell

6 – 9 November

On our way from Girraween National Park and the markets at Wallangara, we stopped for a cuppa in a park in Tenterfield and then realised that the contact Mick was hoping to go birdwatching with lived in Inverell not Glen Innes as he had first thought. Oh well, on to Inverell it was. We stopped at a nice rest area by a river at Swan Vale (I think). There was a toilet and picnic tables so suited us well. We made our way on the Inverell and settled into a caravan park.

Lots of birdlife around this park. Musk Lorikeet.

Australian Wood Duck in the campground

We ventured into town for some supplies and settled down for another very cold night. Mick had to be up early to meet Ian and it was a bit of a shock to the system to get out of bed in 8 degrees. Mick went out to photograph birds while I did some housekeeping and then ventured into town for a look around. After a good morning out, Mick returned before lunch and then we went back into town for a look at the op-shops using a list and map we had picked up at the Visitor Information Centre. After drinks at Ian’s we settled in for another cold night.

Fuscous Honeyeater

Mick and Ian went out again in the morning while I pottered around the camp. We spent the rest of the day doing some chores and having the local caravan repairer look at the problem we were having with the main zip on the canvas. During the evening a big storm rolled in, with thunder and lightening. We were glad to be able to retreat to the shelter and comfort of the camp kitchen during the worst of it.

About six fox cubs trotted toward Ian's car as it pulled up. We were unable to work out why these very secretive animals would behave in such a way. As they got closer, I moved to adjust my camera settings and they fled at top speed!

Fortunately the rain did not persist through the night so with clear skies the canvas was dry by the time we packed up to leave. We had intended to go out to Kwiambal National Park, but with more storms forecast we decided to move on to Barraba where Mick had read there are a number of bird trails.

Barraba

9 – 10 November 2016

We had a coffee before leaving Inverell and heading for Barraba. It wasn’t a very long drive so we arrived around lunch time. After setting up the camper trailer and having lunch we drove the short distance into town for a look around and to get some information about the bird trails – and to visit the couple of op-shops. There is no official visitor information centre in Barraba, but a sign outside the coffee shop indicates tourist information is available there so that’s where we started. They had a few brochures but nothing on the bird trails although the Tamworth booklet mentioned them and that information was available at the bakery or greengrocer, so over the road we went. The lady in the bakery said she was all out of the bird trails brochure so she checked next door with the greengrocer and he didn’t have any either. She rang the shire office and located some so we drove up there to collect one. It really shouldn’t be that hard.

A storm had been building and it started to rain so we spent some time in the camp kitchen before deciding to go to the local Bowling Club for dinner. What a bargain it was - $15 all you could eat Chinese and seafood buffet. The food was good and plentiful, and this Wednesday special was very popular.

We packed up in the morning with the canvas still damp and headed off in search of the possible location of the Turquoise Parrot. That’s when the trouble started.

On the road again - Girraween National Park

Bald Rock Creek Camping Area – Girraween National Park

2 – 6 November 2016

The drive from Stanthorpe to Girraween NationalPark is only about 35 km so we were there by morning tea time. After setting up camp and having a cuppa we headed out on one of the many walks that leave from this part of the park. The first one we chose was the Bald Rock Creek Circuit – an easy 2.2km. This track takes you along and across the creek and can be accessed from the campground or the day use area. It’s a well made, and well signposted, track as are all the walks in Girraween.

This copper-tailed skink was sunning itself near the amenities block

We were visited frequently by cheeky Satin Bowerbirds looking for food. We don't feed wildlife but this one helped itself to some banana scraps.

After lunch we took the circuit track from the back of the campground but this time we continued on to The Junction. This track is about 5.2km but is again quite an easy Grade 3 track. There were lots of wildflowers in bloom and many more close to opening. We made lots of stops also to try to photograph the many birds we could hear.

Male Variegated Fairy-wren, shame he's behind a branch.

Female Variegated fairywren

I was off to a good start by finding another lifer, the Chestnut-rumped Heathwren.

The night was cloudless and cold – fortunately we were well prepared for all types of weather so we retreated to the comfort of the camper trailer and a movie.

On Thursday morning we headed out early to walk the Granite Arch track. Again a fairly easy Grade 3 track through some spectacular country, with many granite outcrops featuring. In the afternoon we tried the Grade 2 Wyberba track and finished up along the Bald Rock Creek Circuit again. We also stopped in to the Ranger Station to take advantage of the free (limited) WiFi provided by Queensland National Parks. Later in the day we made the decision to add an extra night to our 3 night stay so I was able to do this online – very convenient. We stayed close to camp so Mick could prepare a fire – and the required coals – for a camp oven roast chicken dinner  – yum!

Granite Arch

A young White-eared Honeyeater

Meadow Argus

I love grass tree flowers because they attract so many beautiful creatures

Wildflowers and butterflies make great subjects when there are no birds around. Australian Painted Lady.

Red Wattlebird on a grass tree flower

Crimson Rosella

While this is a great place to experience the beauty of the Australian bush, you may be disappointed from a birding perspective. Some guide books cite the national park as a great spot for Spotted Quail-thrush and Turquoise Parrot but there were none around that I saw. A ranger said he hadn't heard of sightings of either bird for a year or more. I believe the problem may be that most of the park has been burned, presumably for fuel reduction, and therefore is now unsuitable habitat for these species. I am concerned about the impact these fires have on smaller, weak flying, sedentary species such as wrens and field-wrens. Mick

On Friday morning Mick set out very early on his own to try to get some bird photos in the early morning light. After an early morning tea we drove the short distance to Dr Roberts Waterhole and Underground Creek. Dr Roberts is credited as being the driving force behind the establishment of the Girraween National Park. Bald Rock Creek section was opened in 1930, then Castle Rock section in 1932, before additional land was added to become Girraween National Park in 1966. Good on you, Dr Roberts. Again there were lots of wildflowers and an easy walk. After lunch we walked about 1km along the Bald Rock Creek Circuit track again. This time we noted that there were even more wildflowers open now.

Flannel flowers were blooming along the tracks

Native iris

Ground orchid

Dianella flower

After another cold night, the day again dawned bright and clear. Mick had been given a tip by the Ranger about a possible location for some birds so we drove down the road towards the highway – without success, so we continued back up to the Underground Creek walk which was much more productive. We then drove back down past the campgrounds and on towards the highway again. No birds, but we did stop at Heavenly Chocolate for morning tea and to pick up some yummies.

A Brown Thornbill was the first bird we saw on the Underground Creek walk

Another lifer! Red-browed Treecreeper, encountered on the Underground Creek walk.

Golden Whistler and Rufous Whistler were seen on the walk

Before returning to our campground we took a drive around Castle Rock campground. This one is very close to Bald Rock Creek campground and the day use area but is quite different. It is more suitable for caravans and is much more open, but also with fabulous views.

In the afternoon we walked back up to the Granite Arch and then for a short way along the Pyramid walking track. This one starts as a Grade 3 but becomes a Grade 4 as you approach the Pyramid. We made it to the bottom of the stairs before conceding defeat and turning around. The afternoon was very warm and we had done heaps of walking over the previous few days so didn't feel we had to keep going.

The Pyramid from a distance

Yellow-tufted Honeyeater

Dusky Woodswallows

When we arrived at the campground on Wednesday it was fairly quiet with only a few other campers, but the weekend saw many families and others arrive, some in quite large noisy groups. I would definitely come back again, but during the week if possible. The excellent facilities include flush toilets and 5 minute timed hot showers. Just try not to be the first in the shower in the morning as it does take a while for the hot to come through the cold pipes, cutting into your five minutes. There are also picnic tables and bbq type fire pits which we found to be quite impractical for cooking in a camp oven, but not impossible.

We set off back to the highway on Sunday morning headed for New South Wales. Just before we reached the border we spotted a market at Wallangara so we stopped in for a look. We came away with a dozen farm fresh eggs. We bought fuel just across the border – about 500 metres away at Jennings – which turned out to be the last at Queensland prices – about 15c per litre cheaper than in NSW.

On the road again - Murphy's Creek and Stanthorpe

Murphy’s Creek

29 – 31 October

Mick had read about a spot just out of Laidley where there might be some good birdwatching so we headed towards Toowoomba and on to Gatton where we stopped for coffee and a look around the visitor centre. We picked up some brochures including one for Lake Dyer where we hoped to stay. Mick’s calls went unanswered so he tried the number for the other place he had brochures for – Murphy’s Creek Escape. We booked a spot and almost immediately after he hung up, the gentleman from Lake Dyer called back. Oh well, Murphy’s Creek had answered first so that was to be our destination even though it meant some backtracking.

A pair of goannas sunning themselves in front of our camp

It was only a short drive really and we were set up with a view of the (mostly dry) creek and the hills beyond in time for lunch. This place has something for everyone – powered and unpowered camping, luxury tents, remote camping, a spring-fed swimming hole as well as adventure activities (ropes, abseiling, and flying fox). Even though there were quite a few people here it still didn’t feel crowded. We had originally only intended to stay for one night, but decided to make it two.

This is a nice place to stay though nothing really special as far as birding goes. Still, I am breaking in a new camera, a Canon 5D Mark 4, and there were plenty of welcome opportunities to practice. There is an area where the staff feed the birds at 4pm each day and there were some pigeons around that area most of the day. Lorikeets wait for the designated time to come in. After the rush, when the lorikeets have left, Pale-headed Rosellas and Australian King-parrots came in for their share.

The highlight for me was the presence of small flocks of Little Lorikeets feeding high up in flowering gum trees. I suspect that these little parrots are rarely seen by non birders as they are barely larger then the leaves they feed among and are all green except for a red face. This was a new bird for me and it was a huge challenge to get a decent photo of one. Apart from the extreme height and diminutive size, the constant movement made capturing the birds very difficult. To make things worse, aggressive Noisy Miners would often chase the lorikeets at a crucial time. Mick

Little Lorikeet

Little Lorikeet. It's difficult to catch them without their face buried in a flower.

Crested Pigeon

Common Bronzewing

Rainbow Lorikeet down for some free seed

Scaly-breasted Lorikeet

After a bit of a sleep in and a cooked breakfast we set off to walk up the hill behind the main camping area in search of birds. We had been warned that it was quite steep and this was accurate. We took it easy and enjoyed the surrounds. We only walked about 400 metres of the walking and mountain biking track before meeting up with the 4WD track. We decided to walk back the way we had come as the 4WD track looked extremely steep and the surface was very loose. The short distance we walked did have an elevation rise of 60 metres. There are a couple of remote campsites up on the ridge which would be very nice for self-sufficient campers.

Pacific Baza from the 4WD track behind the camp.

We made a leisurely start to the day on Monday. Mick took some time to stake out some birds up on the ridge and we had a coffee before we set off again, bound for Stanthorpe.

Storm King Dam – Stanthorpe

31 October – 2 November

We decided to take the back roads to Stanthorpe instead of going back up the range to Toowoomba so we set off towards Gatton again, turning on to Highway 80 just past Granthan. This turned out to be a beautiful drive through farming land and up into the mountains. Although windy in parts, it was not a difficult drive and we reached Warwick by lunch time. After lunch in a park on the highway, we made our way to Storm King Dam, just out of Stanthorpe.

Eastern Rosellas are common around the campground.

The caravan park is well laid out with lots of room between sites. We settled into one with a very nice view of the dam, and with lots of trees nearby, but little shade. The lack of shade wasn’t a problem as the weather was cool (and cold at night) despite the time of year. We came south to escape the heat and it certainly worked.

We headed off to town in the morning, starting with the visitor information centre, then the op shops and a coffee shop. Unfortunately the deli from which we had been hoping to purchase some goodies was closed for Melbourne Cup Day. Instead we headed north back to Thulimbah and Vincenzo’s. There we found some tasty treats which we supplemented with some lovely cheese from Stanthorpe Cheese.

We returned home for lunch and spent the rest of the day around the caravan park. As the wind had come up we retreated to the communal kitchen / lounge area for dinner and some TV – a real treat. This area is very well set up with 4 kitchenettes as well as a spacious lounge and two dining tables.

In the morning we set off for Girraween National Park, taking the back road through Eukey.