Vice-President - John Sheridan (3371 9165)

Secretary Ð Bleuenn Marchand (3393 0418)

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

As we head into winter its time to reflect on that part of the year that's been and look forward to what is the come. First the year to-date. It has been a momentous year for Brisbane Branch. As indicated in the last newsletter it was our intention this year to try something different. As you could imagine we have experienced mixed outcomes, but all were enjoyable, worthwhile and usually well attended. (Our best attendance was the Wildlife show with approximately 120 people turning up).

It would be hard to pick the highlight as we have had some truly wonderful activities. I will long remember the instinctive recoil and wide-eyed look on the 50 or so children's faces when Martin Fingland pulled his giant Amber Python out at his show in the park. As for the Ultimate Light and Sound showÉ my daughter Celeste summed up the magical atmosphere as we walked through the mists when she pointed out the long line of torch beams eerily flickering along the narrow path through the huge rainforest trees and said; ÒDad I feel like we are in a Lord of the Rings Movie!Ó There is also the memory of that delightfully cool but sunny wander along the scenic shores of Lake Manchester on one of Greg's classic early morning bird walks.

Again, we were fortunate in having high quality speakers with Rick Natrass, Tim Heard and Brian Lowry. Brian thankfully filled in at the last minute when Robert Raven was unable to be back in Brisbane in time. Thanks again Brain. Many thanks to the many people who helped it all happen. You're a wonderful team.

But there is more to come in our celebration of the 40^th year of WPSQ. I hope people will join with us in the many entertaining and educational events we have organised for the remainder of the year.

Lastly I would like to warmly welcome our new members and encourage them to participate in WPSQ in any way that interests them.
John

PAST HAPPENINGS

We had 3 excellent speakers in the first half of 2003. Our first was the very well known Rick Natrass. True to form, Rick both entertained and challenged. Gasps and laughter were the audiences response to an extremely thought provoking talk.

Our next Speaker Tim Heard demonstrated how little most of us know about much of our wildlife. His fascinating account of his work with native bees further reinforced my awe of the amazing lives some of our wildlife have and has given me the desire to have my own native bee colony. (Better investment than a cat! - Low start up cost, little maintenance and great returns {Honey} and moral virtue!)

Brian Lowrie was a last minute substitute 3^rd speaker when Robert Raven was caught out by work commitments. Given Brain's brief preparation time (he was asked a few hours before the meeting) we wondered what he would be able to present. As it turned out Brian provided what was for me, one of the most interesting talks of the last few years. His theories and research on the evolutionary compatibility of dry rainforest scrub and the sustainably managed grazing of cattle, prompted much discussion. Brian totally changed my attitudes to the desirability of running cattle on Barkulla and other ecologically similar properties.

We were truly fortunate and thankful that Brian was able to step in at the last minutes. Certainly the caliber of our speakers has been of a high standard and we very much appreciate their time and efforts.

The ultimate sound and light show, Boombana, Saturday 1^st March 2003

The rain ceased just in time to allow us to eat our tucker, learn about, view and handle numerous museum specimens relevant to the planned experience, and listen to tapes of animal and bird-calls. Other highlights were luminescent fungi on rotting logs, several very large land snails, one of which was grazing on a freshly emergent giant fungus, a brushtail possum, and most spectacularly, 4 (or maybe 3 with one doing an encore) variously coloured greater gliders. We also experienced a mixed chorus of frogs and viewed a number of great barred frogs.

Birdwalk LAKE MANCHESTER WALK Ð Sunday 6 April 2003

21 members and friends, including a past State President, current and past Branch Presidents, Council and Committee members enjoyed a pleasant and educational outing led by Greg Miller and Leanne Bowden at Lake Manchester, on the western fringes of Brisbane. From a slightly cool 7.30am start, the morning remained calm, clear and sunny. The views across the lake and up into the surrounding forested hills were very tranquil and calming.

The education began right from the start of the outing, because for many, it was their first visit to this site. Lunch time chatter revealed that these avid travellers had trekked to the base of Mt Everest, climbed to Machu Pichu, sailed down the Nile, and ventured through the forests of South-east Asia, but now they were equally excited about one of the green areas of their own city. The area, approximately 27 kms from the Brisbane CBD, is within the Pullenvale Ward of the Brisbane City Council, and is an important habitat for our wildlife, as well as essential as a catchment for water supply for we humans.

The dam was built between 1912 and 1914 to capture Cabbage Tree Creek and Branch Creek, and its surrounding catchment areas lie within the Brisbane Forest Park. Northward, it connects with the Mt Nebo/Mt Glorious areas, and westward to the Enoggera Reservoir and Mt Coot-tha.

In a leisurely 4 hours, we saw and heard 38 species of birds, including good sightings of Jacanas walking across the water lily pads that fringe the lakes edge; Great Crested Grebes majestically circling on the lake's smooth dark surface; a ÒraftÓ of cormorants soaring in formation overhead; and the long slow pass on uptilted wings of a White-bellied Sea Eagle. Across the dam wall, the Striated Pardalote put on a good display, leaving no doubt that his home was the hole in the mud in the bank near his perch. The squawking of Pale Headed Rosellas, Scaly Breasted Lorikeets and Musk Lorikeets, all seemingly squabbling over the same desirable hollow, highlighted the importance of tree hollows in old growth timber to the survival of tree nesters. We also observed what seemed to be a symbiotic relationship between a Pelican and a Little Black Cormorant, and, on a different occasion, a Grebe. As the Pelican floated, scanning the surface for tasty morsels below, the smaller birds darted underneath snatching their fill beneath the Pelican's shadow.

We learnt that the white mould we noted on a shrivelled cactus plant was in fact old dried bodies of female cochineal insects. Crushed, they produced a red dye, actually used to give Campari and sweet vermouth their ruby-red glow, and we now have living proof that it also makes good lipstick and Indian warpaint!

Members departed throughout the walk, due to other commitments, and the last few rounded off the very pleasant morning sharing a picnic lunch together.

WPSQ members will no doubt organise further outings to special sites within Brisbane Forest Park (BFP), but, if you wish to engage in other ventures, BFP do run canoeing and walking activities at Lake Manchester, and lots of other locations within the Park, plus educational talks. Information is available on the Environmental Protection Agency's website at www.epa.qld.gov.au or phone 3300 4855.

Birds seen included - Pelican, Darter, Pied Cormorant, Great Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Great Crested Grebe, Australasian Grebe, Black Swan, Pacific Black Duck, Dusky Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, White-faced Heron, Great Egret, Comb-crested Jacana, Whistling Kite, White-bellied Sea-eagle, Bar-shouldered Dove, Crested Pigeon, Pale-headed Rosella, Rainbow Lorikeet, Scaly Breasted Lorikeet, Musk Lorikeet, Laughing Kookaburra, Striated Pardalote, Yellow rumped Thornbill, Noisy Miner, Scarlet Honeyeater, Eastern yellow Robin, Rufous Whistler, Willie Wagtail, Australian Magpie, Welcome Swallow, Grey Butcherbird, Torresian Crow.

Birds heard - Eastern Whipbird, White throated Gerygone, Spangled Drongo, Variegated Wren, Pheasant Cougal.

Wildlife Show

It all happened at Orleigh Park on Sunday 18 th May. The time was 2.30pm. Martin Fingland (alias the Pied Piper) had arrived with a load of his wild friends (most of whom traveled in boxes). The tension grew, the crowd thickened. Children came from all of the surrounding picnics and beyond. Somehow they made their way to his feet through the throngs of surrounding adults. The show had begun. First a green tree frog followed byfamiliar blue tongue and less familiar pink tongue lizards,a bearded dragon and a frightening frilly-necked lizard! (Not so close children!) Then the snakes; two common tree snakes one a sky blue the other brown,a carpet python and an olive python (from which the rainbow serpent legend came) that were fun to touch. (Touch, don't pinch,move back kids,...where have their parents gone?) Then the furry creatures. A fine looking northern brown bandicoot, followed by an eastern quoll (wow what jaws you have) and a fabulous potoroo. Howtime flew, soon it was 4.00pm and time to finish. It was a great show. Thanks again Martin. (Martin does party visits with his wildlife friends Ð just give him a call. Phone.3289 4709

Clarence River

Our Easter campout was attended by 11 people (though not all at the same time!) and the children almost outnumbered the adults. This was one of our smallest attended events this year but it was no hardship virtually having the place to ourselves (no queues at the toilets and wood heated showers etc.). I even thought I'd seen a bird never described to science and field guidebooks, but was suitably admonished and enlightened by our resident twitcher Greg Miller. Other branch members meanwhile were enjoying a Queensland Field Naturalists Camp Ð not that far away in the Border Ranges National Park.

Bat Count

Around a dozen or so enthusiastic Òbat countersÓ turned up at the Sparkes Hill Flying fox camp, led by Gail Brouwer, to await the very timely fly out of hundreds of Grey-headed flying foxes just before 6.00pm. With counters in hand and heads held high we clicked away (one click for every 10 bats counted) very intensely for about ten minutes at our designated spot. Interestingly, I counted 68 clicks (680 bats) and my son counted 67 clicks, so we were quite impressed with our accuracy. The survey is an annual event, which takes place at different camps around South-East Qld, Sunshine and Gold Coasts.

FUNDRAISING RAFFLE

We are raffling off a limited edition print of one of Louise Saunders exceptional and collectable paintings. For those who don't know Louise, she is one of Australia's pre-eminent botanical and natural history artists and illustrators. Louise's dedication and discipline to botanical correctness has rewarded her with solo and joint exhibitions at high profile regional and private galleries, publications in journals and scientific books and she has been illustrator for two Earth Watch Expeditions to Cape York Peninsular. The University of Malaysia, Sarawak has granted Louise a Research Fellowship, further acknowledging her skills and versatility as an illustrator.

If you would like a chance to own this beautiful work or help others to own it by selling raffle tickets, please contact John on 3870 8252.

JOIN AN OUTING OR BE A LEADER FOR A FUTURE TRIP..

For a Society that is committed to an Òecologically sustainable future for people and wildlifeÓ, an outing, such as our recent visit to Lake Manchester, contributes greatly to our understanding of what this means and how we can contribute. For our Branch, our focus is on Brisbane, and it's great to learn as much about the wildlife that lives within our Council boundaries as possible.

Attending an outing can introduce you to parts of Brisbane that you may have never visited before; highlights that you often don't really need to drive too far at all to feel Òaway from it allÓ; and allows you to meet other members in an informal environment.

An additional bonus is the amazing amount of knowledge that our members collectively hold and are willing to share while on a stroll through the bush or over a picnic lunch. On Sunday's walk, as well as the advertised knowledge on birds, we had experts and hobbyists skilled in arid lands, botany, wetlands, sailing, four-wheel driving, camping, overseas adventure travel, Asian cooking, photography, teaching and printing Ð to name but a few!!

If you haven't been on an outing or attended a meeting in a while Ð please come and join us.

If you haven't led a trip, don't be afraid to offer to lead one. All you need to do is to suggest an interesting location and a date and be there to meet the crowd. The expertise and knowledge amongst the members and like-minded friends who attend is bound to broaden everyone's wildlife and environmental awareness anyway.

NEW MEETING VENUE FOR 2003

The Queensland Museum South Bank has kindly agreed to allow us to hold our meetings in their Museum Theatre. Entry is via the Dinosaur Garden in Grey Street. Once inside the building take the lift to level 2. A Society member will be on duty at this entry between 7 and 7:30pm. The entry will then be closed. Anyone arriving later may however still gain access by calling Cultural Centre Security on 3840 7216 or using the intercom on the wall at the back of the loading bay, along Grey St just before the corner with Peel St. Dial 6, 8 or 223. Identify yourself as a Society member. Security staff will then open the small door in the large black gates of the Dinosaur Garden, but please close it behind you. They will also unlock the glass doors.

Free parking after 6 pm is available alongside the State Library in nearby Stanley Street. More affluent members may wish to use the car park beneath the Museum, cost $6.60. Entry to the car park is from the Stanley Street tunnel beneath the Art Gallery plaza.

Land clearing

Please consider writing a letter to Peter Beattie and or John Howard encouraging them to maintain their commitment to reign in land clearing. The forces of the Òdark sideÓ are gathering to try and overturn the government's present position. So lobby them please. Hon John Howard Ð Prime Minister Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600 Fax: 02-6273 4100 or email: http://www.pm.gov.au/your_feedback/feedback.htm Hon Peter Beattie MLA Ð Premier of Queensland PO Box 185, Albert Street Post Office, Brisbane QLD 4002 Fax 07-3221 3631 or email: premier@ministerial,qld.gov.au
CALENDAR July - December 2003

The publics are most welcome to attend any of the following activities and public talks.

August 24-24^th BINNA BURRA WEEKEND AWAY

(Saturday and Sunday)

For our annual cool weather trip to Binna Burra we have again booked Groom's Cottage and Bunkhouse from the afternoon of Friday 22^nd August 2003 through to after lunch on Sunday 24^th August 2003. We have booked for 20 to 30 people. The cost should be in the range of $20 - $30 per adult with children half price. Final costs depend on how many people come.

For those who don't know Binna Burra it is situated on a ridge off the McPherson Range and gives access to many graded track towards the NSW border and through to O'Reilly's Green Mountains. There is a lot of wildlife that now has a restricted habitat in the Border Ranges and similar elevated rainforest areas. Last year lots of Paddy Melons come out to feed on the lawn at night and we saw an unusual Satin Bower Bird's bower in Bellbird Clearing. The bower was a ÒduplexÓ - two bowers alongside each other. We also sighted between 20 and 30 different bird species, last year.

For those who don't know the buildings, Grooms Cottage is an ÒAÓ type frame building with a bunkhouse behind. The main building was Arthur Groom's slab house but it has been considerably rebuilt since. (Arthur Groom was one of the founders of Binna Burra). It is fairly basic but has a great atmosphere. . Most people cook their own meals however meals can be booked at Binna Burra Lodge by prior arrangement. It is used a lot for school groups and it overlooks a lawn sloping down to rainforest below, with views over the Gold Coast in the distance

To reserve a place in the cottage for the weekend please ring John or Leonie Markwell on 33786974 (home no) out of working hours.

August 27th STEVE PARISH Ð SLIDE SHOW EXTRAVAGANZA

(Wednesday) Queensland Museum Theatre (*), South Bank from 7.30pm

COME AND BE DAZZLED BY ONE OF AUSTRALIA'S leading Nature and Wildlife Photographers. Steve talk will feature material from his new book Photograph Australia. This unique and important book (released in August) contains only Australian imagery and there's a whole section devoted to photographing Australia's Wildlife. The last time Steve presented one of his mesmerizing shows there was standing room only. His multi-projector slide show and talk will leave you spellbound and inspired. Bring your family and friends; they will not be disappointed. To cap it off there will be a lucky door prize of Steve's new book!

(*) Entrance to the theatre is only through the dinosaur gardens entrance on Grey Street. Remember if you park on the top floor of the Museum car park it is only a 50-metre walk to the Dinosaur Gardens entrance (from the cark park entry/exit on Grey Street)

August 31^st (Sunday) 7.30am BIRDWALK "A walk on the North side"

Join birdos, Greg Miller & Leanne Bowden for a walk in Boondall Wetlands. We'll be walking on boardwalks andtracks, visiting parts of this 1000 ha mosaic of coastal habitats, including tidal flats, mangroves, salt marshes, freshwater wetlands, melaleuca swamps, and associated open forest and woodland systems. This Brisbane City Council managed parkis part of a chain of coastal wetlands on Moreton Bay, the conservation of which is nationally and internationally important. It won't yet be time for the wader birds to migrate back from the north, but we should see a variety of other bush and water birds, plus a great variety of vegetation. Further information is available at:

http://www.brisbane-stories.powerup.com.au/boondall/

http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/community_facilities/parks_gardens/natural_areas/wetlands/boondall_wetlands/index.shtml

Meeting time: 7.30am

Meeting place: UBD Map 121 M2 Park along Nudgee Road, Nudgee,near the entrance to the bike path. You'll pass the Transfer station on your left, then the boat ramp on your right(which has toilet facilities if they haven't been vandalised), before you reach the bike path on your left.

Wear/Bring: shoes that you don't mind getting muddy (just in case - after all, it is a wetland); insect repellent; sunscreen; hat, binoculars.

Morning tea:a snack that you can carry andeat somewhere out in the wilds

Lunch: we'll drive further down the road to Nudgee Beach (Map 111 M15) where there's picnic tables, toilets etc, and see where we can find a place. Bring a picnic and a folding chair (in case all the facilities are occupied). Further info: Greg & Leanne on 3357 9009

September 24^th THE ROLE OF TRAPDOORS, TARANTULAS &

PUBLIC TALK FUNNEL WEBS IN CONSERVATION ISSUE

Queensland Museum Theatre, South Bank from 7.30pm (for building access see elsewhere)

Speaker: Dr. Robert Raven (Queensland Museum)

No this is not a re-run of the prior advertise talk. Robert was unfortunately unable to make his last advertised talk so anxious not to disappoint us he has kindly offered to speak to us on the above date. He is one of Australia's foremost authorities on spiders and is often sought by TV and Newspapers for his expert commentary. The talk Robert has chosen is going to prove highly topical over the coming months and my suspicion is that his audience will be startled and intrigued by his groundbreaking ideas.

September 28^th DRIVE YOU WILD (with the indomitable Ric Nattrass)

Well you read all about eco-tourism in the current edition of Wildlife Australia, now experience it for yourself. Join Ricin a guided self-drive tour of the Òwildlife capitalÓ of Australia. Yes Brisbane has the richest and most diverse wildlife of any capital city. In one very relaxed day you will be surprised at what can be seen; everything from Koalas and Kangaroos through to those marvels of endurance flight Ð the waders of Moreton Bay. You will be surprised and delighted discovering the wildlife secrets of Brisbane with Wildlife expert and media personality Ric Nattrass. Numbers are limited so book early by ringing John on 3870 8252

General information Ð The day will roughly go from 9-4 but people can do part of the day if they wish. We would like people to car pool for obvious reasons and each car will need a UBD ( or similar) and mobile phone. Participants will need to BYO food and binoculars etc. and casual gear is suggested. Meeting place to be advised on booking.

October 10 - 12 MORETON ISLAND WEEKEND

(Friday Ð Sunday)

Again, there is a Friday night barge. The semi-camping semi-catered formula at Alan Genninges' Blue Lagoon encampment is well known to many members. If you haven't been before, it is a great way to get to know something about one of southeast Queensland's natural wonders, with great company, and reasonable cost. Tents and camp beds are provided.

For more information and bookings, you can contact Karen Welsh on PH 3399 1933

October 26th BATTY BOAT CRUISE

Come and see one of the natural wonders of the world. The flying foxes fly off at sunset over the Brisbane River and you can enjoy it all from the comfort of the cruise boat while enjoying food and drink. A truly delightful and enjoyable cruise with bat experts and the likelihood of real bats on board. Since this is our major fundraiser for the year, please invite all your friends.

For more information and bookings, you can contact Karen Welsh on PH 3399 1933

October 29^th

Things that go bump in the night and how not to be afraid

PUBLIC TALK

Queensland Museum Theatre, South Bank from 7.30pm (for building access see elsewhere)

Speaker: Dr. Jeff Smith

Dr Geoffrey Smith of the Environmental Protection Agencyhas studied nocturnally active, ground-dwelling rats and wallabies, hollow-dependent mammals,nocturnal birds and reptiles. The bumps, scratches, scrapes, ker-loos, gobbles, hoots and barks that these various nocturnal creatures make can fill the nocturna-phobe with horror or will sound like an orchestral movement to the nocturna-phile. Some (e.g., our primary producers, graziers, men and women of the land) aren't so much worried about the noises but sweat more about the damage that is being caused by nocturnally active vertebrates. No matter which camp you belong in come along: you can either come to terms with your fears or delight in the rarely seen, cryptic fauna that are so active, vocal or noisy at night.

November 23rd

BATTY BOAT CRUISE

(Sunday)

See above Ð same details as for October 26^th

November 9th BATTY BOAT CRUISE

Sunday

See above Ð same details as for October 26^th

December 7^TH CHRISTMAS BREAK UP

Orley Park, West End 3pm onwards.

We'll be close to the largest playground. The ABC on Coronation Drive is on the opposite side of the river. BYO and plate to share? BBQ facilities are on hand. Come one come all to enjoy a pleasant summer's afternoon on the river with the usual fun and frivolity.

Binna Burra Weekend Requirements:

At the Lamington Natural History Association's, A-Frame Cottage

Bring:

Bedding (sleeping bag or blankets, sheets pillow)

Clothing (it will be cold!)

Toiletries, medical needs

Torch (spare batteries)

Hat and Raincoat

Insecticide (leeches, mossies)

Food

Daypack and Water bottle

Camera and binoculars (optional)

Plates, cutlery and mug (although some is available)

Saucepan eg if you are cooking spaghetti

Cooking:

Gas BBQ outdoors but under cover

Small electric hotplate and oven and

Microwave oven both in the community room

Jugs and Urns for hot water

Large Fridge but still may need eskies depending on numbers

Facilities:

Two bedrooms in the A-Frame (one sleeps 2 and the other 6)

Four bunk rooms each sleeping 9 (stacks of 3)

Campground toilets and hot showers

Campsite reception area (key available here on Friday)

Fireplace in the community room (bring your own wood)

Meals: (if you want to eat out)

Teahouse:

If you want to eat an evening meal on Fri or Sat, phone them and they will oblige up to 8:00 pm. Otherwise they close at 5:00 pm.

They sell food like milk, bread and snacks.

The Lodge:

If you want to eat here you need to ring to book.

Phone: 55 333 622 (for both the teahouse and the lodge)

The cottage will be available for occupancy from 3:00pm on Friday to 5:00 pm on Sunday.

Information Centre: You can visit this on the way up to the cottage and purchase track guided by the Lamington Natural History Association ($1.00) and National Parks

Information.