Friends of Lake Apex Inc.

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Friends of Lake Apex Inc.

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Friends of Lake Apex are a not for profit, volunteer group dedicated to preserving the environment of the Lake Apex and Lake Freeman area in Gatton, QLD.

01/11/2026

Photos from Lake Apex & Lake Freeman - Saturday 31st October 2026

The Cattle Egrets have flocked to the Eastern Island Lake Apex. Very busy building nests and reserving their chosen nesting spots. Also building nests in trees surrounding the bird hide.

The Black Swan cygnets are now happily out on their own on Lake Apex and were observed flying away when people used the walking path between the Lakes. Landed safely on the western side of Lake Apex.

Great and Intermediate Egrets, one Magpie Goose, Little Black Cormorants, Australian Ibis and Pied Cormorant, Masked Lapwings, P*e Wees, Magpies, Pacific Black Ducks, Grebes, Dusky Moorhens all shared the Lakes on Saturday morning.

Arboretum and Bird Hide plantings - some well established displaying a few flowers. Most have survived the very dry, hot weather and are now looking very healthy after the recent rain.

Photos - Julie Reid Saturday 31st October 2026

26/10/2026

Plant in Lake Apex Dry Rainforest Arboretum - previous Post dated 25th October 2026.

"Clerodendrum floribundum
Common Names - Lolly Bush/Smooth Clerondendrum
Family - Lamiacea
Shrub or Tree - (small 2-10mtrs but can grow up to 30mtrs
Coloured fruit"

(The photo of Fruit from NT Native Plant website).

Julie Reid 26th October 2026

25/10/2026

Recent rain has brightened up Lake Apex Parklands and raised the water levels slightly in both lakes.

The Cattle Egrets have returned - " Non-breeding plumage snowy white. Rusty plumes are progressively acquired from mid-August and traces may remain until May"

Photos Julie Reid - Saturday 24th October 2026

(Note: A photo taken 23rd August 2026 is included as comparison to show difference in the area since the recent October rain).

12/10/2026

FOLA October Working Bee - Sunday 11th October 2026.

Photo and report by Di -

"7 volunteers at the Working Bee yesterday. We watered new and not so new trees, as well as anything else looking sad. Also, blew paths, cleaned the plaques, weeded, collected fallen sticks etc. and repaired a few tree protectors."

01/10/2026

I haven't seen this number of Pelicans on Lake Apex for many years. The Ducks, Swans and Pelicans are obviously finding something to sustain them during the very dry weather - fish, aquatic plant life and aquatic animals eg yabbies, tadpoles frogs etc.

"Pelicans herd fish on freshwater lakes by forming a synchronized line or semicircle and swim together to drive fish into shallow water."

This is fascinating to watch and today the Pelicans certainly gave a great display of synchronized herding !!

28/09/2026

Lake Apex & Lake Freeman
Sunday 27th September 2026 - Photos Julie Reid

A month since the last photos of the Lakes - no rain and the water levels are continuing to drop,

The 3 Black Swan cygnets are now venturing onto the Lake on their own with Mum & Dad keeping a close eye from the banks of the Bird Hide Peninsular.

Other birds and ducks spotted on Sunday afternoon were - 12 Australian Wood Duck chicks closely guarded by parents, Royal Spoonbill, Pacific Black ducks, Hardheads (White-eyed ducks), Masked Lapwings and chicks, Great Egret, Pelican, Eurasian Coot, Darters, Plumed Whistling Ducks, Little Black Cormorants, Australian Grebes, a Magpie Goose, Dusky Moorhens, Purple Swamphens, Australian White Ibis.

A turtle was spotted on a log, then there were two, then there were three on the same log!! Very fortunate to see these turtles out of the water.

13/09/2026

FOLA September Working Bee 13th September 2026.

Report & photos by Di -
"'On a beautiful September morning a few dedicated volunteers watered the National Tree Day plants, blew the paths and the Bird hide, collected dead branches and enjoyed morning tea with the locals. Every day we hope for rain!'

23/08/2026

Sunday 23rd August 2026 - Morning walk around the Lake.

With the lack of rain over the last few months the water levels in the Lakes are dropping. Hopefully Spring/Summer rains will fill the Lakes and green the surrounding Parklands.

The Black Swans were on Lake Apex for a morning outing with their three fast growing cygnets. Also I was very fortunate to spot two Masked Lapwin chicks being closely watched by Mum/Dad. These tiny chicks were difficult to spot at the edge of the Lake - another right spot right time photo !!!

Photos Julie Reid - Sunday 23rd August 2026

10/08/2026

FOLA 9th August Working Bee

Report & photos by Di

"Lovely to see 8 volunteers this morning, especially as the sad lack of rain is not helping our efforts to beautify the Lake Apex Parklands!

All the young plants, (and some not so young) needed a long drink - thanks to our volunteers this is what they received this morning - wonderful!!

Also, the leaves in the Bird Hide and on the paths were blown away, the plaques were all cleaned, we collected several large branches, as well as some sticks and Peter made more protectors for the newly planted National Tree Day trees.

Never doubt that we make a difference - we do! Everyone we meet thanks us for our efforts, we are appreciated by the people who walk in the park, especially through the Dry Rainforest Arboretum.

One more thing, this Eremophila, planted in the FOGO area, looks a bit odd but these plants are known for their strange habits and as you can see it is flowering happily! "

27/07/2026

National Tree Day - Sunday 26th July 2026

Photos and report by Di -

"FOLA’s National Tree Day celebrations – 26 July 2026

On this glorious sunny morning nineteen caring Friends and supporters of FOLA, including members of the Lockyer Valley Volunteers, gathered in the beautiful Lake Apex Parklands to celebrate this important day by planting trees.

Over 40 natives were planted in various areas around the parklands. FOLA will help care for these precious plants watering them until they become established.

Our thanks to everyone who helped to make this such a special day, enhancing the Lake Apex Parklands.'

Address

Lake Apex
Gatton, QLD
4343

Website

http://friendsoflakeapex.wordpress.com/

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