Birdwatching 2926-09-20 Flinders Plum Picnic Area, Peak Crossing

Bird Walk Report from Flinders Plum Picnic Area, Flinders-Goolman Conservation Estate

Not a cloud in the sky and a predicted temperature of 31 degrees, the eager group of 5 explored the picnic area then moved over the dry creek towards the beginning of the Flinders Peak Track.  Many bird calls were heard from the thick vegetation here but few birds were seen.  Along the Sandy Creek Track, we passed an old and overgrown cattle yard before coming across what looked like would have been the formal entrance to a home, now demonished.  An old round  galvanised water tank situated on the rise, behind the flattened area of land, caught our attention and with further exploring a small pond, which still contained water, was a delightful find.  A peaceful few minutes of observation noted three red browed finches cautiously drinking from the pond before flying back into the protection of the thicket close by.  Despite the creek being so dry, a pool of water shaded by the tall bunya trees provided a spot for the birds to quench their thirst.

Back at the picnic area, a joey wallaby copying the antics of it’s mother provided a calming effect for those watching this scene.

Some of the group visited the Purga Nature Reserve, which is close by, and is the largest protected area of endangered Swamp Tea-tree forest in the world.  Sadly, the Reserve looked very dry and the frog pond was devoid of water.  In 2017, when Geraldine Buchanan lead these same walks (the bird walk and a visit to the Purga Nature Reserve) she noted a number of Tongue Orchids in flower at Purga.   To our great excitement, some Tongue Orchids were seen though not in flower.   The Ipswich Council have beautified the area by laying grass and concrete paths and providing several aluminium tables and benches as well as a covered barbeque section.  

Bird List from Flinders Plum Picnic Area:  Bar -shouldered Dove x heard, Buff-banded Rail x 1, Laughing Kookaburra x 4, Australian King Parrot x 1, Red-backed Fairywren x 1, Brown Honeyeater x 1,  Lewin’s Honeyeater x  9, Striated Pardalote x 1, Eastern Whipbird -heard, Pied Currawong x 3, Varied Triller – heard, Australian Golden Whistler x heard, Australlasian Golden Whistler x heard, Australasian Figbird x heard, Olive-backed Oriole x heard, Willie Wagtail x 1, Australian Rufous Fantail x 3, Spectacled Monarch – heard, Torresian crow x 1, Eastern Yellow Robin x 1, Silvereye x heard, Mistletoebird x heard, Red-browed Finch x 3, Little Shrike Thrush x 1. 

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Flinders Plum Picnic Area is within the Flinders-Goolman Conservation Estate.  The Conservation Estate is over 2,200 hectares in area and supports extensive forests and rugged volcanic peaks and slopes including Flinders Peak, Mt Blaine, Mt Catherine and Mt Goolman.  Last year we enjoyed a pleasant visit to  Hardings Paddock.  This year,  the plan is to  visit  another of the picnic areas within the Estate.  At Flinders Plum we will  follow the Sandy Creek track from the Picnic Area returning along the same path.   Brush tailed rock wallabies live in the Estate and were sighted close by the picnic area on my exploration of the area.

Directions:  Take the Ipswich-Boonah Road south from the Cunningham Highway at Yamato until you reach Mt Flinders Road on the left approximately 15-20km on the Ipswich-Boonah Road. (It’s well signposted).  The first 7 km on Mt Flinders Road is bitumen followed by 4km of graded gravel.  There are a few creek crossings.  All accessible in a 2WD.    Follow Mt Flinders Road until you reach the picnic area at the end of the road.

Meet:  At the Picnic area at 0800.  Note the change of meeting time.

Bring:  binoculars, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, water, chair, morning tea and lunch (optional)

There are toilets at the Picnic area.

If Brisbane has a wet weather event prior to this walk, the walk may have to be changed to Hardings Paddock as the creek crossings may become too dangerous to cross.