Nature and Wildlife

Explore diverse habitats and spot native wildlife along Oxley Creek.

Birdwatching at Oxley Creek Common

Despite the Common’s urban location just 7km from the Brisbane CBD, one quarter of Australia’s native bird species have been spotted onsite, along with migratory birds from as far away as Japan and Russia. The large open space hosts significant wetlands and is bounded on two sides by Oxley and Stable Swamp Creeks, which together provide habitat for diverse bird species.

Archerfield Wetlands Parkland

Archerfield Wetlands provide an important habitat for a diverse range of bird species, some of which are uncommon within the wider-Brisbane area. The parklands have a wide diversity of habitats: grassland, river, wetland and woodland. Over 170 species of birds have been recorded in those habitats in the last few years. A collaborative ongoing bird monitoring project between the Brisbane Sustainability Agency, BirdLife Southern Queensland and Birds Queensland commenced in early July 2021 with the establishment of eight 2-hectare transects along the length of the Wetlands Discovery Trail.

Birds are particularly good as indicators of environmental health and the state of an environment. Ongoing bird surveys will provide important information as to any habitat and environmental changes that may affect bird numbers and diversity.

An experienced birdwatcher may find 60-70 species of bird in a 3-4 hour morning walk through Archerfield Wetlands.

Double-barred finch

Superb fairy wren (female)

Tawny grassbird

Superb fairy wren (male)

Record your sightings for science!

You can become a citizen scientist by recording your own bird sightings as your walk along the Wetlands Discovery Trail. Your observations will contribute to scientific research and help gain an understanding of the abundance and diversity of bird species within Archerfield Wetlands over time.

To record your sightings online visit Ebird or Birddata.

Birds surveyed at Archerfield Wetlands to date

Below is a list of the bird species surveyed to date* within Archerfield Wetlands. Further information relating to these species can be found in the links below.

This eBird graph shows a visual representation of the variation in sighting frequency of birds at Archerfield Wetlands through the seasons.

*Note: survey last conducted August 2023

	Common name	Species name and link to further information
1	Australasian darter	Anhinga novaehollandiae
2	Australasian figbird	Sphecotheres vieilloti
3	Australasian gannet	Morus serrator
4	Australasian grebe	Tachybaptus novaehollandiae
5	Australasian swamphen	Porphyrio melanotus
6	Australian bittern	Ixobrychus dubius
7	Australian brushturkey	Alectura lathami
8	Australian golden whistler	Pachycephala pectoralis
9	Australian hobby	Falco longipennis
10	Australian kestrel	Falco cenchroides
11	Australian king-parrot	Alisterus scapularis
12	Australian magpie	Gymnorhina tibicen
13	Australian pelican	Pelecanus conspicillatus
14	Australian reed warbler	Acrocephalus australis
15	Australian tern	Gelochelidon macrotarsa
16	Australian white ibis	Threskiornis molucca
17	Azure kingfisher	Ceyx azureus
18	Bar-shouldered dove	Geopelia humeralis
19	Black kite	Milvus migrans
20	Black swan	Cygnus atratus
21	Black-faced cuckoo-shrike	Coracina novaehollandiae
22	Black-faced monarch	Monarcha melanopsis
23	Black-fronted dotterel	Elseyornis melanops
24	Black-necked stork	Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus
25	Black-shouldered kite	Elanus axillaris
26	Blue-breasted quail	Excalfactoria chinensis
27	Blue-faced honeyeater	Entomyzon cyanotis
28	Brahminy kite	Haliastur indus
29	Brown cuckoo-dove	Macropygia phasianella
30	Brown falcon	Falco berigora
31	Brown goshawk	Accipiter fasciatus
32	Brown honeyeater	Lichmera indistincta
33	Brown quail	Coturnix ypsilophora
34	Brown songlark	Cincloramphus cruralis
35	Brown treecreeper	Climacteris picumnus
36	Brush cuckoo	Cacomantis variolosus
37	Buff-banded rail	Gallirallus philippensis
38	Bush stone curlew	Burhinus grallarius
39	Cattle egret	Bubulcus ibis
40	Channel-billed cuckoo	Scythrops novaehollandiae
41	Chestnut-breasted mannikin	Lonchura castaneothorax
42	Chestnut teal	Anas castanea
43	Collared sparrowhawk	Accipiter cirrocephalus
44	Comb-crested jacana	Irediparra gallinacea
45	Common myna	Acridotheres tristis
46	Common starling	Sturnus vulgaris
47	Crested pigeon	Ocyphaps lophotes
48	Double-barred finch	Taeniopygia bichenovii
49	Dusky moorhen	Gallinula tenebrosa
50	Eastern barn owl	Tyto javanica
51	Eastern cattle egret	Bubulcus coromandus
52	Eastern koel	Eudynamys orientalis
53	Eastern spinebill	Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris
54	Eastern whipbird	Psophodes olivaceus
55	Eastern yellow robin	Eopsaltria australis
56	Eurasian coot	Fulica atra
57	Fairy martin	Petrochelidon ariel
58	Fan-tailed cuckoo	Cacomantis flabelliformis
59	Forest kingfisher	Todiramphus macleayii
60	Galah	Eolophus roseicapilla
61	Glossy ibis	Plegadis falcinellus
62	Golden-headed cisticola	Cisticola exilis
63	Great cormorant	Phalacrocorax carbo
64	Great egret	Ardea alba
65	Grey butcherbird	Cracticus torquatus
66	Grey fantail	Rhipidura albiscapa
67	Grey goshawk	Accipiter novaehollandiae
68	Grey shrike-thrush	Colluricincla harmonica
69	Grey teal	Anas gracilis
70	Hardhead	Aythya australis
71	Horsfield’s bronze cuckoo	Chrysococcyx basalis
72	Intermediate egret	Ardea intermedia
73	Jacky-winter	Microeca fascinans
74	Latham’s snipe	Gallinago hardwickii
75	Laughing kookaburra	Dacelo novaeguineae
76	Leaden flycatcher	Myiagra rubecula
77	Lewin’s honeyeater	Meliphaga lewinii
78	Lewin’s rail	Lewinia pectoralis
79	Little black cormorant	Phalacrocorax sulcirostris
80	Little bronze-cuckoo	Chrysococcyx minutillus
81	Little corella	Cacatua sanguinea
82	Little eagle	Hieraaetus morphnoides
83	Little egret	Egretta garzetta
84	Little friarbird	Philemon citreogularis
85	Little grassbird	Poodytes gramineus
86	Little lorikeet	Parvipsitta pusilla
87	Little pied cormorant	Microcarbo melanoleucos
88	Little wattlebird	Anthochaera chrysoptera
89	Little x long-billed corella (hybrid)	Cacatua sanguinea x tenuirostris
90	Long-billed Corella	Cacatua tenuirostris
91	Magpie goose	Anseranas semipalmata
92	Magpie-lark	Grallina cyanoleuca
93	Mallard	Anas platyrhynchos
94	Maned duck	Chenonetta jubata
95	Mangrove gerygone	Gerygone levigaster
96	Masked lapwing*	Vanellus miles
97	Mistletoebird	Dicaeum hirundinaceum
98	Muscovy duck	Cairina moschata
99	Musk lorikeet	Glossopsitta concinna
100	Noisy friarbird	Philemon corniculatus
101	Noisy miner	Manorina melanocephala
102	Nutmeg mannikin	Lonchura punctulata
103	Olive-backed oriole	Oriolus sagittatus
104	Oriental cuckoo	Cuculus optatus
105	Oriental dollarbird	Eurystomus orientalis
106	Osprey	Pandion haliaetus
107	Pacific baza	Aviceda subcristata
108	Pacific black duck	Anas superciliosa
109	Pacific heron	Ardea pacifica
110	Pale-headed rosella	Platycercus adscitus
111	Pale-vented bush-hen	Amaurornis moluccana
112	Pallid Cuckoo	Cacomantis pallidus
113	Peaceful dove	Geopelia placida
114	Peregrine falcon	Falco peregrinus
115	Pheasant coucal	Centropus phasianinus
116	Pied butcherbird	Cracticus nigrogularis
117	Pied cormorant	Phalacrocorax varius
118	Pied currawong	Strepera graculina
119	Plumed egret	Ardea plumifera
120	Plumed whistling-duck	Dendrocygna eytoni
121	Powerful owl	Ninox strenua
122	Rainbow bee-eater	Merops ornatus
123	Rainbow lorikeet	Trichoglossus moluccanus
124	Red-backed fairy-wren	Malurus melanocephalus
125	Red-browed finch	Neochmia temporalis
126	Restless flycatcher	Myiagra inquieta
127	Rock dove	Columba livia
128	Rose robin	Petroica rosea
129	Royal spoonbill	Platalea regia
130	Rufous fantail	Rhipidura rufifrons
131	Rufous night heron	Nycticorax caledonicus
132	Rufous shrikethrush	Colluricincla rufogaster
133	Rufous whistler	Pachycephala rufiventris
134	Sacred kingfisher	Todiramphus sanctus
135	Scaly-breasted lorikeet	Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus
136	Scarlet myzomela	Myzomela sanguinolenta
137	Shining bronze cuckoo	Chrysococcyx lucidus
138	Silvereye	Zosterops lateralis
139	Slender-billed cicadabird	Edolisoma tenuirostre
140	Southern boobook	Ninox boobook
141	Spangled drongo	Dicrurus bracteatus
142	Spectacled monarch	Symposiarchus trivirgatus
143	Spotless crake	Zapornia tabuensis
144	Spotted dove	Streptopelia chinensis
145	Spotted harrier	Circus assimilis
146	Spotted pardalote	Pardalotus punctatus
147	Square-tailed kite	Lophoictinia isura
148	Straw-necked ibis	Threskiornis spinicollis
149	Striated pardalote	Pardalotus striatus
150	Striped honeyeater	Plectorhyncha lanceolata
151	Sulphur-crested cockatoo	Cacatua galerita
152	Superb fairy-wren	Malurus cyaneus
153	Swamp harrier	Circus approximans
154	Tawny frogmouth	Podargus strigoides
155	Tawny grassbird	Cincloramphus timoriensis
156	Topknot pigeon	Lopholaimus antarcticus
157	Torresian crow	Corvus orru
158	Tree martin	Petrochelidon nigricans
159	Varied triller	Lalage leucomela
160	Variegated fairy-wren	Malurus lamberti
161	Wandering whistling-duck	Dendrocygna arcuata
162	Wedge-tailed eagle	Aquila audax
163	Welcome swallow	Hirundo neoxena
164	Whistling kite	Haliastur sphenurus
165	White-bellied cuckooshrike	Coracina papuensis
166	White-bellied sea eagle	Haliaeetus leucogaster
167	White-breasted woodswallow	Artamus leucorynchus
168	White-browed scrubwren	Sericornis frontalis
169	White-faced heron	Egretta novaehollandiae
170	White-headed pigeon	Columba leucomela
171	White-throated gerygone	Gerygone olivacea
172	White-throated honeyeater	Melithreptus albogularis
173	White-throated needletail	Hirundapus caudacutus
174	White-throated treecreeper	Cormobates leucophaea
175	White-winged triller	Lalage tricolor
176	Willie wagtail	Rhipidura leucophrys
177	Yellow-faced honeyeater	Caligavis chrysops

Bush resources at Archerfield Wetlands District Park

For thousands of years, First Nations communities have thrived in diverse environments, relying on the abundance of native plants and animals for sustenance and raw materials.

The intricate knowledge of these resources and their uses is passed down through generations, forming an essential part of First Nations people’s cultural practices, stories, and spiritual connection to the land.

Understanding these traditional resources fosters respect and appreciation for the wisdom and resilience of First Nations people, strengthening cultural heritage and promoting cultural diversity.

Plants and animals found here were an essential source of food and medicine, and provided raw materials for things that were required to support daily life such as shelter, tools and weapons. The Archerfield Wetlands District Park Bush Resources Garden provides information on a selection of local native plants and their traditional uses by First Nations people.

The plant species within the Bush Resources Garden have been selected by Brisbane Sustainability Agency in consultation with the Yuggera Ugarapul People and their Ethnobotanist. Ethnobotanists study the traditional knowledge and customs of the people of a particular culture and region and how they use native plants for things such as food, medicine, tools and weapons.

To note: Information provided on the plant species included within the Bush Resources Garden has been prepared by Brisbane Sustainability Agency using information contained within the Archerfield Wetlands Parkland – Cultural Heritage Recommendations Report, 2024, prepared by Wright, N & Ustunkaya, C (Archaeobotanika).

Bush resources garden – species list & traditional uses

References to edible fruits or plants within the Archerfield Wetlands District Park Bush Resources Garden is for information only
Some native plants are poisonous and correct identification before consumption is essential.
Certain bush foods require special preparation before eating and may cause illness if not prepared correctly.

To note: The hyperlinks contained in the below table link each plant species to their respective page in the Atlas of Living Australia (ala.org.au).

Common name	Species name and link to further information	Traditional uses
Midyim berry	Austromyrtus dulcis	Endemic to the coastal areas of South-East Queensland and northern New South Wales, this plant has round, light blue-grey spotted fruits. The sweet berries can be eaten raw or pounded into a jam-like paste and are considered one of the tastiest bush tucker fruits.
Pink-fruited lime tree	Glycosmis trifoliata	This bushy shrub, or small tree, produces tiny white fragrant flowers followed by clusters of small pink juicy fruits that taste sweet with a flavour similar to honey. It is also a host plant for the Swallowtail Butterfly.
Native ginger	Alpinia caerulea	A versatile plant, pulp from the young stems and its bright blue berries can be eaten raw, while the roots can be used in cooking. Historically, the leaves were used for thatching as well as to wrap food for cooking.
Ruby saltbush	Enchylaena tomentosa	Commonly known as salt bush, most of this low-growing groundcover is edible. The tiny red fruits can be eaten raw when ripe. The fleshy green leaves are also edible, but should be cooked before eating or consumed in small quantities.
Zig-zag vine	Melodorum leichhardtii	A vigorous evergreen climber with edible tangy orange fruit. The fruit was often maggot infested which increased nutritional value, making them particularly attractive as food for some First Nations communities.
Black apple	Planchonella australis	A slow growing rainforest tree found along the eastern coast of Australia. The black fruit is edible and roughly the size and shape of a plum.
Shrubby plum vine	Podocarpus spinulosus	A small, shrubby conifer that produces cones on a blue-black, fleshy, fruit-like stalk which can be eaten raw or cooked. Male and female plants are required to be in proximity for the plants to fruit.
Slender palm lily	Cordyline stricta	An evergreen understorey plant with edible purple-black berries that are highly prized bush tucker. It is the only species of cordyline with black fruits in Australia. The plant is also butterfly attracting.
Scrambling lily	Geitonoplesium cymosum	This spreading vine has small, fragrant, star-shaped flowers, and black edible fruit. New shoots can be eaten raw or cooked. The shoots and leaves can also be boiled to make a tea and poultice.
Sandpaper fig	Ficus coronata	The small fig tree is common around water courses in South East Queensland. It has brown-purple fruits which are edible raw (after processing), or can be cooked. Historically, the leaves were used as sandpaper and the bark string used to make dillies (woven bags).
Blue tongue	Melastoma affine	The sweet, blue-black berries can be eaten raw. The common name ‘Blue tongue’ refers to the pulp within the fruit which stains the mouth. The purple flowers can be boiled to make a tea. Historically, the pulp and juice of the berries was used as a natural stain or dye in ceremonies.
Whip vine	Flagellaria indica	A vigorous vine with curled leaf tips that allow it to climb strongly. While not edible, historically, this vine was widely used as a rope for climbing trees. The rope was soaked in water after use to keep it supple.
Green mat rush	Lomandra hystrix	Much of this plant is edible. The flowers can be soaked for nectar, the seeds can be ground into flour and the pale-green base of the leaves can be chewed. Historically, the long smooth leaves were used for weaving baskets, nets, ropes and traps.