the clematis...general meeting, 7.30pm at the noweyung centre. speaker: david wakefield ‘focus on...
TRANSCRIPT
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The Clematis Winter 2012 Issue No 92
Quarterly Newsletter of theBairnsdale & District Field Naturalists Club Inc A0006074C
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BAIRNSDALE & DIST FIELD NATURALISTS CLUB INC. A0006074C
List of Office Bearers for 2012
President: Pat McPherson ph. (03) 5152 2614
Vice President: Andrew Bould ph. (03 51566494
Secretary: Fran Bright ph. (03) 5152 2008
Treasurer: Margaret Regan ph. (03) 5156 2541
Correspondence to: The Secretary,
P.O. Box 563,
BAIRNSDALE 3875
Web Site: www.bairnsdalefieldnaturalists.com.au General meetings take place at: Noweyung Centre, 84 Goold Street Bairnsdale
General meetings take place: as per program at 7.30pm sharp
Committee meetings take place: at members homes, at 4.00pm
(see program)
Group Co-ordinators: Botanic Group: James Turner Ph. (03) 5155 1258
Fauna Survey Group: Jenny Edwards Ph. (03) 5157 5556
Bushwalking Group: Noel Williamson Ph. (03) 5152 1737
Newsletter Editor: Pauline Stewart Ph. (03) 5152 1606
80 Bengworden Rd. Bairnsdale. 3875
email: [email protected]
All articles for Spring Clematis must be in by September 1st
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE 1. To further the study of natural history in all its branches, promoted by
periodical meetings, field excursions and other activities.
2. To observe and strengthen the laws for the preservation & protection of
indigenous flora and fauna and habitat and important geological features.
3. To promote the formation and preservation of National and State Parks
and Reserves.
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RULES TO OBSERVE ON FIELD TRIPS: 1. Excursions are cancelled on days of TOTAL FIRE BAN.
2. Participants to keep a visual on the car in front and behind.
3. When making a turn, give signal, and stay at intersection until
following car has also turned.
4. If separated from other cars, stop, and stay with your car.
Other members will return to find you.
5. The Car Pooling Cost Calculator is used to assist drivers and car pool
passengers to share fuel costs.
Responsibility for the accuracy of information and opinions expressed in this
newsletter rests with the author of the article.
SUBSCRIPTION FEES
Family membership $30
Single membership $20
Mid-year fee (new members only) $10
LIBRARY INFORMATION - Librarian - Dot Prout Phone: 5153 1303
• Books are generally borrowed for one month - however you can write on
the sign-out sheet if you wish to have it longer.
• Should any library materials need maintenance, please make me aware of
same.
• If you wish to recommend a book, this can be done by writing a short
recommendation for the Clematis. This information could be from our li-
brary books or from other books that you believe our library could look at
purchasing.
CONTENTS:
Program June to September 2012 5-6
The Wanderer Butterfly 7-10
Nunniong 11-13
Canni Creek 14-16
‘The Junction’, Lower Dargo 17
Bengworden - Swallow Lagoon 18-21
Spot Tail-Quoll at Providence Ponds 22-23
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CONTACT PHONE NUMBERS and email address’s for meetings and field trips.
Andrew Bould 51 566494 [email protected]
Fran Bright 5152 2008 [email protected]
Pat McPherson 5152 2614 [email protected]
Margaret Regan 5156 2541
Pauline Stewart 5152 1606 [email protected]
James Turner 5155 1258 m.0427 290838 [email protected]
Jen Wilkinson 51401258 [email protected]
Noel Williamson 5152 1737 [email protected]
DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY FOR BUSH WALKS
Easy Flat, good firm track.
Moderately easy Mostly flat, track in good to fair condition
Moderate May be undulating, track in good to fair condition
Mod. difficult May be some steep sections, track may be rough in
places
Difficult May have long steep sections, track may be non
existent at times
Walks vary in distance from 6 to 14 km.
Contact the leader of the walk for a rating if it’s not included in the program.
Please take note of safety procedures in your Bairnsdale & District Field
Naturalists Club Inc. ‘RISK MANAGEMENT POLICY’ booklet.
The Clematis is printed and supported by
Dept. of Sustainability and Environment,
Bairnsdale.
Front Cover:
Highland Copperhead (see article on page 11)
Photo by Fran Bright
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PROGRAM JUNE TO SEPTEMBER 2012
It is your responsibility to contact the co-ordinator of each field
trip to notify them of your intention to participate.
The co-ordinator can then notify you if the trip has to be cancelled
due to adverse weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances.
JUNE
Sun 17th Monthly excursion, meet at 9.00am at the Bridge Club or
Alpine Road at Nicholson River rest area just east of the bridge at
9.20am for the Sarsfield - Bruthen area.
Contact: James Turner
Sun 24th. Bushwalk, meet at 9.00am at the Bridge Club for the Fairy
Dell area.
Contact: Noel Williamson
JULY
Sun 22nd Monthly excursion, meet at 9.00am at the Bridge Club then meet
at Dead Horse Creek Road turn off on Bruthen-NowaNowa Road
at 9.30am for the Kenny forest area.
Contact: James Turner
Sun 29th Bushwalk, meet at the Bridge Club at 9.00am for the west
side of the Mitchell River National Park.
Contact: Noel Williamson
AUGUST
Sun 19th Monthly excursion, meet at the Bridge Club at 9.00am or
Nowa Nowa at 9.45am for a trip to the Tostaree- Newmerella area
Contact: James Turner
Sun 26th Bushwalk, meet at the Bridge Club at 9.00am for a trip to
Stony Creek in the Mt. Alfred State Forest.
Contact: Noel Williamson
Committee meetings and general meetings will now resume after the winter
break
SEPTEMBER
Thurs 13th Committee meeting, 4.00pm at Pat McPherson’s home.
Frid 21st General meeting, 7.30pm at the Noweyung Centre.
Speaker: To be Announced
Sun 23rd Monthly excursion, meet at 9.00am at the Bridge Club for a
trip to the Freestone Creek area.
Contact: James Turner
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Sat 29th Annual Metallic Sun Orchid count at Blond Bay.
Contact: James Turner
Sun 30th. Bushwalk, meet at the Bridge Club at 9.00am for a trip to
Lanky Tom Creek area off Engineers Rd.
Contact: Noel Williamson
OCTOBER
Thurs 11th Committee meeting, 4.00pm at Pauline Stewart’s home.
Frid 19th. General meeting, 7.30pm at the Noweyung Centre.
Speaker: David Wakefield ‘Focus on Fauna—post fire surveys’
21,22,23rd Camp-out, meet at 9.00am on the 21st at the Bridge Club for a trip
to the Crooked River area. This excursion will involve new
country and will not be surveyed.
Contact: James Turner for excursion and accommodation
details
Sun 28th Bushwalk, meet at 9.00am at the Bridge Club for a trip to
German Gully off the Deptford Rd.
Contact: Noel Williamson
NOVEMBER
Thurs 8th Planning meeting followed by a committee meeting at
4.00pm at Margaret Regan’s home.
Frid 16th General meeting, 7.30pm at the Noweyung Centre.
Speaker: To be Announced
Sun 18th. Monthly excursion, meet at 9.00am at the Bridge Club or
9.45am at the Red Knob at the Buchan turn-off for a trip
along the Tulloch Ard Road.
Contact: James Turner
23,24,25,26th Camp-out, meet at 9.00am on the 23rd at Bruthen for
the Omeo Camp Park. Included will be day trips to
Cobungra, The Knocker and Buenba Creek. Will involve
some moderate walking.
Not to be missed. People will need to book their own
accommodation.
Contact: James Turner
No scheduled bushwalk.
DECEMBER
No scheduled committee meeting.
Frid 14th Annual General Meeting followed by the Christmas break-up,
at 7.30pm at the Noweyung Centre.
☺
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THE WANDERER BUTTERFLY, (Danaus plexippus plexippus)
Article and photos by Andrew Bould
The Wanderer Butterfly or Monarch Butterfly is a well documented North Amer-
ican butterfly that was first recorded in Australia in Sydney in 1871 and is now
distributed mainly across the eastern states of Australia and has been recorded in
South and West Australia and Northern Territory.
The butterflies form colonies called ‘clusters’ during cooler months for the pur-
pose of ‘over-wintering’ and clusters have been recorded in the Sydney, Hunter
Valley and Adelaide areas.
The species which is migratory, is a strong and fast and flyer with speeds record-
ed to 40km/h covering long distances during their adult life, which ranges from a
month to six weeks in summer. It is a well known urban inhabitant owing to the
availability of nectar flowering garden plants the adult butterfly needs for energy
and the introduced food plants (e.g. milkweeds family Asclepiadaceae) on which
the larvae or caterpillars feed.
The adult Wanderer Butterfly has a wingspan of 10-12cm making it one of our
larger species to occur in East Gippsland and the upper wings are orange-brown
with black wing veins and have a black and white spotted band along the mar-
gins of the wings. The under wings are a paler variation of the upper wing mark-
ings. The male has two black ‘sex marks’ on the hind wing which are clearly
visible when the wings are displayed and the female has broader black vein
markings.
Female Wanderer Butterfly showing broad black vein markings
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They occur in East Gippsland during the summer months and are seasonably vari-
able with some years being very abundant and other years with very few present
and a confirmed record of a butterfly collected at Paynesville in 1972 was banded
in Sydney in the same year.
Life Cycle
Male Wanderer Butterflies will often rest at the highest point of a bush or tree
waiting for a female to pass by and after a brief courtship, the pair will couple and
mate and the female then finds a milkweed plant on which to lay her eggs. The
preferred food plant in East Gippsland is the Swan Plant, Asclepias physocarpa.
The female deposits a small pearl coloured egg on the underside of the leaf and
repeating the egg-laying several times before flying away. Over the next few days
the caterpillar develops in the egg, to about 1mm high when the small caterpillar
of 2mm length eats an exit hole through the shell of the egg, emerges then imme-
diately turns around and commences to eat the egg shell, - its first food source.
Remaining on the underside of the leaf the small caterpillar eats the leaf leaving
the topside of the leaf intact. After a few days, the caterpillar eats the leaf from
the side and continues to feed taking in the milky sap, from which it derives dis-
tasteful toxins that deter predators from eating them.
At 5 days old, the caterpillar develops the distinctive black, white and yellow
stripes across its body. It has two pairs of black tentacles - a longer pair at the
head of the body and a shorter pair on the tail segment.
The caterpillars reach maturity between 14 and 21 days and often roam around the
defoliated host plant or move into neighbouring plants and structures to find a
suitable pupation site. The caterpillars' bright colouration is a warning to predators
that they are potentially toxic and effectively, many survive to pupate. The adult
butterfly is also toxic to most predators.
Most birds will become violently ill after feeding on the larva or adult butterfly
however bird predators recorded for the Wanderer Butterfly include Pied Curra-
wong, Strepera graculina and the Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Coracina novae-
hollandiae.
Pupation
On the milkweed plant, the mature caterpillar finds the underside of a leaf and
forms a small conical mass made from silken web spun from its mouth before
turning around and placing its tail over the web mass. Through a series of contrac-
tions the caterpillar attaches itself from the tail to the leaf and then inverts itself
suspended by the tail in a ‘J’ formation. The caterpillar can remain in this position
for as little as an hour or can even remain suspended overnight if required.
Over the next hour, when the bright body colours of the skin are dulled, the
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remarkable change from caterpillar to butterfly begins. Through a series of
stretching and contracting movements, a small split in the skin appears at the back
of the head as the caterpillar, now in metamorphic change begins to emerge as a
light green-coloured pupa.
The split in the skin progresses along the back as the pupa forces downward with
the skin eventually moving up to the tail attachment and through twists and turns
it is worked loose and falls free. The lower section of the pupa already has the
imprint of the head, wing margins and even the legs of the butterfly and with fur-
ther contractions, the upper section is compressed. After drying for at least an
hour, the final pupa or chrysalis is about 25mm in height and 12mm across, light-
green with golden markings.
Caterpillar suspended
Over the next two to three weeks, the green gradually changes to reveal a clear
chrysalis with the orange and black wing markings increasing to dark-black just
prior to the emergence of the adult butterfly. Emergence of the butterfly is again
remarkable as the butterfly breaks open the chrysalis from the bottom behind the
head and the butterfly emerges with a large abdomen and small crinkled wings.
For the next hour the butterfly remains attached to the chrysalis with wings held
downward while they are enlarged through the pumping of body fluids into the
wing veins.
During the wing expansion, they are regularly moved in a scissor motion, side to
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side or just slightly apart to ensure full development.
Once the wings are dry the butterfly exercises the full movement of the wings by
opening and closing them and with a tentative start launches itself into the breeze
to start the life cycle once more.
References:
Butterflies of Australia – I.F.B. Common & D.F. Waterhouse
The Butterflies of Australia – Albert Orr & Roger Kitching
Flying Colours – Pat & Mike Coupar
Website – Australian Musuem http://australianmuseum.net.au
Website – Brisbane Insects http://www.brisbaneinsects.com
☺
Butterfly emerging
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NUNNIONG - 19 February 2012 by Margaret Regan
Our first stop was at the Nunnett Plains Scenic Reserve!! What a misno-
mer!! The “Scenic Reserve” is under a cattle lease. The plains were
grazed, trampled and covered in cow pats. The wetland Blue Water Creek
(now muddy) was dammed (presumably by the cattlemen), the delicate
damp areas were pugged with cattle feet and the wetland plants grazed!!
The vegetation class is mountain herbfield at an altitude of 1100m. Trees
at the edge of the plain were Black Sallee (Eucalyptus stellulata) and
Snow Gum (E. pauciflora) whose leaves have parallel veins and the
smooth white bark has shades of olive-green or red. Shrubs were prickly
Small-fruit Hakea (Hakea microcarpa) and Mountain Beard-heath
(Acrothamnus hookeri) with deep pink berries. There was the rare herb
Alpine Seseley (Gingidia harveyana) which is in the same family, Apiace-
ae, as carrot, celery, dill, fennel and parsley. It has sprawling stems, small
compound umbels of white flowers and narrow leaves which smell of ani-
seed when crushed. In the water was Tufted Sedge (Carex gaudi-
chaudiana) whose narrow leaves were heavily grazed. Almost in the wa-
ter of the creek was the rare small white Marsh Daisy (Brachyscome radi-
cans) with a basal rosette of long narrow leaves; and a tiny prostrate suc-
culent whose white flowers had 4 petals, 4 stamens and 4 separate carpels.
Other daisies were yellow Scaly Buttons (Leptorhynchos squamatus), Pale
Everlasting (Helichrysum rutidolepis), yellow Alpine Podolepis
(Podolepis robusta) which has bright green rosettes of broad leaves and
white or pale blue Tufted Daisy (Brachyscome scapigera) with a basal
rosette of entire leaves. There was the tiny yellow lily Golden Weather-
glass (Hypoxis hygrometrica), Alpine Trachymene (Trachymene humilis),
a small herb which forms a mat and has its pale flowers in heads, purple
Self-heal (Prunella vulgaris) and the very nasty Scrub Nettle (Urtica in-
cisa). Scrub Nettle is more commonly called Stinging Nettle, referring to
the stinging hairs on the leaves. These long hairs resemble a capillary
tube closed at the top by a round tip. When the hair contacts skin the
round tip breaks off, leaving a sharp edge which penetrates the skin. Pres-
sure on the basal portion of the hair then forces the irritant muscle-
stimulating contents into the wound. Ouch!!! Some weeds were the yel-
low daisy Flatweed (Hypochoeris radicata), the purple daisy Spear Thistle
(Cirsium vulgare) which has copious small prickles on the leaves, Black-
berry (Rubus sp.) and the pea White Clover (Trifolium repens). On the
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ground was a large White Punk fungus (which is a woody bracket fungus)
which had fallen from an overhead tree. It was itself being grown over by
a green alga. Kerry told us that these fungi were used by the aborigines
to carry fire from camp to camp. They must have burnt very slowly.
There were several orange and black crane flies. These flies have slim
bodies and very long legs, and are the largest family of flies in Australia
with 704 species, most of which are in southeastern Australia. Weevils
are the largest beetle family in Australia with perhaps 8000 species, and
we saw a dark grey one with the characteristic elongated snout. One of
the many spiders whose webs hung between the shrubs had impeded our
progress had captured a wasp and as we watched, a fly.
Just a little way along the Mt Deception Road was a small foot track lead-
ing to a wet plain undamaged by cattle. Along this track were Myrtle
Teatree (Leptospermum myrtifolium) whose leaves are silky on both sur-
faces, the prostrate yellow Dwarf Geebung (Persoonia chamaepeuce),
mauve Coarse Daisy (Brachyscome spathulata) and a large Bluebell
(Wahlenbergia sp.). Near the beginning of the track we disturbed a High-
lands Copperhead snake. This very handsome snake went into defense
position, raising the head and the flattened upper part of the body and
looking just like a Cobra. The back of the snake was black, but the un-
dersurface was cream with distinct narrow black stripes. It must have
been terrified surrounded by avid photographers! Highland Copperheads
are dangerously venomous, are livebearing and mostly feed on frogs and
skinks. They often occupy habitats too cool for other snakes. Down on
the wet plain was white Gunn’s Coral Heath (Epacris gunnii), Mountain
Baeckea (Baeckea utilis) with tiny white flowers, the very spiky Candle
Heath (Richea continentis), a dense much-branched shrub whose leaf ba-
ses encircle the stem, Fairy Aprons (Utricularia dichotoma), the newly-
named Parson’s Bands (Eriochilus magenteus) with pink bands (lateral
sepals) rather than the usual white, Peat Moss (Sphagnum sp.) and a tiny
rare yellowish plant with bright red berries Alpine Ballart (Exocarpos
nanus). On the far side of the plain was a symphony of gold with Alpine
Podolepis and Orange Everlasting (Xerochrysum subundulatum) which
has orange buds and bright yellow flowers. A large white daisy was Sil-
ver Daisy (Celmisia asteliifolia) whose leaves have a close mat of silvery
hairs beneath. The only orchid here was Summer Greenhood (Pterostylis
decurva).
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We travelled to one of our favourite destinations – Bentley Plain Reserve
with Moscow Villa, where we have also seen cattle in the past, but fortu-
nately not in the area where there are designated walks. Unfortunately the
roads to and from Bentley Plain pass through logged coupes with much of
the vegetation smashed and lying on the ground. We were also horrified
to see that for some distance north of Bentley Plain the edge of the road
had been logged and bulldozed. It was suggested that this was cleared to
make a break for stopping bushfire. This seems unlikely as much of the
vegetation was still lying on the ground. The presence of bulldozers and
trucks meant the road surface was damaged and needed careful negotia-
tion. Time being short we walked a little of the Douglas Track at Bentley
Plain to see the flash new metal walkway which puts one level with the
canopy. Some of the plants seen were Mountain Pepper (Tasmannia lan-
ceolata) with hot spicy leaves and even hotter black berries; River or
Long-leaf Lomatia (Lomatia myricoides) with toothed leaves; Banyalla
(Pittosporum bicolor) with black empty seed pods; and Soft Treefern
(Dicksonia antarctica). Beneath these taller plants were Ray water-fern
(Blechnum fluviatile) and Alpine water-fern (B. penna-marina subsp. al-
pina). The water-ferns typically have once-pinnate fronds. Most species,
including these two, have separate barren and fertile fronds with the fertile
fronds being central and their pinnae much reduced. The sori containing
the spores form continuous bands either side of the midrib of the fertile
fronds and are protected by a membranous cover. The Alpine water-fern
has a creeping rhizome and is usually less than 15cm tall. Ray water-fern
has an erect rhizome with the fronds (to 75cm) in a rosette above. There
were also mounds of Peat Moss.
Another lovely day in the high country, thank you James.
☺
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CANNI CREEK - 18 March 2012 by Margaret Regan
On our way to Canni Creek Racecourse we first explored the beginning of
Molly Plains Road. About 300m along the road were the trees Silver-
leaved Stringybark (Eucalyptus conspicua) and Red Ironbark (E. tricar-
pa). Silver-leaved Stringybark is a small misshapen attractive tree with
fibrous bark and silvery leaves. Red Ironbark is a larger tree with deeply
fissured dark bark with the smaller branches smooth and white. The in-
florescences of the Red Ironbark are 3-flowered, hence the scientific spe-
cies name of ‘tricarpa’. A common shrub in this environment was Scrub
She-oak (Allocasuarina paludosa), found especially in near coastal areas
on poorly drained sandy soil in association with stringybarks. At this time
of the year very little was in flower, but the earliest wattle Sunshine Wat-
tle (Acacia terminalis) was. This wattle is usually a shrub. It has bipin-
nate foliage and round flower-heads in racemes (an inflorescence of
stalked flowers with the youngest at the top). Other plants flowering were
a soft pink Common Heath (Epacris impressa); the small shrub Prickly
Broom-heath (Monotoca scoparia) which has white tubular flowers; the
pretty purple straggling herb Hairy Fan-flower (Scaevola ramosissima);
and with white buds a small climbing semi-parasitic Dodder (Cassytha
sp.). The only orchid was Parson’s Bands (Eriochilus cucullatus). In the
flower the well developed, usually white, though sometimes pink, lateral
sepals are held down, resembling certain clergymen’s apparel. We heard
Laughing Kookaburra and Magpie. Everywhere throughout the day we
saw Common Brown butterflies, with the first seen a rather sleepy cold
female. Also common, stretched between shrubs were the webs of Leaf-
curling Spiders with the spiders hidden in the middle of the web inside a
curled up leaf. A little further along the road just opposite a fallen-down
hay shed in a similar environment, with a ground cover of Tussock Grass
(Poa sp.) and Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra), was a white Common
Heath; Cranberry Heath (Astroloma humifusum), a prostrate tiny shrub
with pointed leaves and brilliant red tubular flowers; Silver Banksia
(Banksia marginata), a smaller banksia whose leaves have entire margins
and notched tips; and yellow Narrow-leaf Geebung (Persoonia linearis)
which has dark peeling bark. The inside layers of the bark are a beautiful
burgundy hue and are apparently used to make a dye for wool. Very
sharp eyes discovered Tiny Greenhood (Pterostylis parviflora) which has
a stem to 25cm with up to 12 green and white striped flowers with erect
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partly fused lateral sepals enclosing the labellum. There was also Autumn
Wasp-orchid (Chiloglottis reflexa), formerly called the Autumn Bird-
orchid. The paired basal leaves have wavy margins and the labellum of
the single purplish flower has a mass of shiny black calli with one major
notched callus. In a wet patch was Necklace fern (Asplenium flabellifoli-
um). A new orb web spider was Spiny or Jewel Spider which has a large
black abdomen with a mottled white and yellow pattern and six large pro-
jecting spines.
The Canni Creek combined race and golf courses is a usually a great area
for spotting birds. Some of the migratory ones may already have moved
north.
Birds we saw or heard were:
Bell Miner Welcome Swallow
Willie Wagtail Crimson Rosella
Eastern Rosella Raven
White-throated Treecreeper White-eared Honeyeater
Grey Shrike-thrush Rufous Whistler
Magpie Superb Fairy-wren
Jacky Winter Eastern Whipbird
Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike Eastern Yellow Robin
A Black Wallaby was seen grazing on the golf course. Orchids were
again Parson’s Bands with both pink and white bands, and a nearly fin-
ished Sharp Midge-orchid (Corunastylis despectans). Some of the area
can be very wet with a thicket of Red Bottlebrush (Callistemon citrinus)
which must be stunning in spring and Scrub She-oak. In the open areas
we saw tiny pale Blue Bottle-daisy (Lagenophora stipitata); a few out-of-
season Swamp Daisy (Allittia cardiocarpa) which has grass-like leaves
and was a Brachyscome; yellow prostrate Swamp Goodenia (Goodenia
humilis); the lily Golden Weather-glass (Hypoxis hygrometrica); blue An-
gled Lobelia (Lobelia anceps) which has irregular 5-petalled flowers with
the stamens fused into a tube around the style; and Swamp Selaginella
(Selaginella uliginosa). Swamp Selaginella is a fern ally. Like ferns the
selaginellas are spore-bearing plants with leaves, stems and fine roots. As
in ferns, their spores produce tiny gamete-bearing plants from which, after
fusion of the sperm and egg, new spore-bearing plants grow. The specific
name derives from ‘uligino’ which is Latin for ‘moisture’. Swamp Selagi-
nella is a low-growing herb whose erect stems bear tiny leaves in four
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rows around the stem, with spore-bearing structures borne at the ends of
lateral stems. A plant of the weed Blue Pigroot (Sisyrhychium iridifoli-
um) in the iris family was seen. In the wetter area were yabby holes and
the cast of one with large blue nippers was found. Here also was the tiny
brown gilled fungus Omphalotus with its dimpled cap. Some of the thick-
et was still under water with a chorus of frogs of which one was identified
as a Southern Toadlet. The Southern Toadlet is a smallish frog with
coarse black and white marbling, with the ventral surface having a bright
orange throat, lower belly and legs. Near the entrance to the race course
from the Buchan Road was a small fairly damp track where we searched
for Turquoise Parrot. Some were seen briefly by persons leading the
group. Other new birds were Yellow Tufted and Yellow-faced Hon-
eyeaters and Dusky Woodswallow.
On to the Buchan Cemetery where the orchid aficionados found Fisch’s
Greenhood (Pterostylis fischii) under the trees. Fisch’s Greenhood is
quite rare and small. The single flower is borne on a stem to 20cm with
the hood to 17mm. The green and white striped erect flower has brown
tonings towards the tips. Large Autumn Greenhood (P. sp. aff. revoluta)
was seen out in the open – still surviving even though the “carers” of the
cemetery in their wisdom had some 2 or 3 years previously poisoned the
whole area!! Large Autumn Greenhood obviously has large flowers with
the hood to 35mm long.
We enjoyed our afternoon tea in the Buchan Caves Reserve where we
were entertained by family groups of White-winged Choughs raucously
roaming about, socializing and searching for food.. We also admired the
many large trees planted around the picnic and camping areas. Many of
these are introduced and include both deciduous trees, eucalypts and coni-
fers. There is a huge beautiful specimen of a Coast Redwood (Sequoia
sempervirens). This species is native to the Pacific coast of the United
States from Oregon to California. One in California reached a height of
111m and is thought to be the tallest tree in the world. It is certainly the
tallest conifer. The tallest flowering plant is Mountain Ash (Eucalyptus
regnans) at up to 100m.
☺
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‘THE JUNCTION’, LOWER DARGO
by Pauline Stewart
The March bushwalkers were invited by members Norm and Jen
Wilkinson to their home at Lower Dargo where Jen led us on a tour of
part of their outstanding property.
‘The Junction’ is a walnut and sheep farm situated in a magnificent area
on the confluence of the Wonnangatta and Dargo Rivers. The drive in to
the house from the front gate rises above the junction giving a bird’s eye
view of the valley and surrounding mountains. The house is happily
situated overlooking the verdant walnut trees on the bank of the swiftly
flowing Wonnangatta River where members were treated to morning tea
before setting off on the bushwalk.
Farm tracks led us up and down hills leading from one enchanting view to
another. The 723metre Mt. Thomson rose in front of us as the river
snaked around bends. Lunch was enjoyed sitting in the sun shine on the
pebbly banks of the Wonnangatta River.
On completion of the walk Jen and Norm were warmly thanked for
allowing us to visit and we were sent off with bags of new season apples
from their extensive orchard. ☺
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BENGWORDEN – SWALLOW LAGOON
22 April 2012 by Margaret Regan
Our first stop in the rain was along Boundary Road at the Bengworden
Nature Conservation Reserve. Andrew stepped from his vehicle and de-
clared: “Red Gums – mosquitoes”, which turned out to be very true on
both counts. The vegetation for the most part was an overstorey of pre-
dominantly Forest Red Gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis) which has bark
which sheds in large flakes leaving a smooth surface with many colours,
long narrow leaves and clustered stalked buds with long conical caps;
with some Lightwood (Acacia implexa), a wattle similar to Blackwood,
but the trees are smaller and the phyllodes narrower and curved; with in
most areas a grassy understorey. The new growth on the young Forest
Red Gums was a lovely lime green. Major plants in the grassy layer were
Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra); Spiny-headed Mat-rush (Lomandra
longifolia) with long strappy leaves and tall spikes with clusters of small
flowers; Nodding Saltbush (Einardia nutans), a small sprawling perennial
with grey pointed leaves and red berries; and Narrow rock-fern
(Cheilanthes sieberi). There were a few of the small shrub Forest Night-
shade (Solanum prinophyllum) with its fiercely-spined leaves and stems;
the herb Trailing Speedwell (Veronica plebeia) with heart-shaped toothed
leaves and stalked pale blue flowers; and the herbaceous daisy Common
Sneezeweed (Centipeda cunninghamii) and a Flax-lily (Dianella sp.).
Very few plants were flowering, except the prostrate shrub Cranberry
Heath (Astroloma humifusum) which has spiky leaves and bright red up-
right tubular flowers; very tall Showy Violet (Viola betonicifolia) with
leaf stalks to 22cm and flower stalks to 25cm; the small purple pea Twin-
ing Glycine (Glycine clandestina); the tiny white scented Slender Mint
(Mentha diemenica); and the lilies Yellow Star (Hypoxis vaginata) and
Pale Vanilla-lily (Arthropodium milleflorum). In some areas the shrub
Burgan (Kunzea sp.) was invading.
Part of the reserve was obviously usually wetter than the rest, and here the
ground layer was mostly Thatch Saw-sedge (Gahnia radula) with long
basal leaves and a drooping brown inflorescence. Here was also the shrub
Rough-bark Honey-myrtle (Melaleuca parvistaminea). About 2m from
the ground on the trunk of a red gum was a very vigorous growth of Aus-
19
tral bracken (Pteridium esculentum). There were no bracken plants in the
vicinity, so a spore must have blown into the indentation in the trunk and
germinated. Fertile plants of Austral bracken are apparently not common.
The orchid hunters found Large Mosquito Orchid (Acianthus exsertus)
which has a heart-shaped basal leaf, and a stem to 30cm with 10 tiny dark
brown flowers; and greenhood leaves. There were some fungi around
with the season being autumn and damp. We found the puffballs; proba-
bly Saucered Earth Star (Geastrum triplex) whose outer layer splits to
form the star and reveal the inner thin-walled sac with the spores; and
Horse Dung Fungus (Pisolithus arhizus) with a round mottled fruit body
to 12cm whose skin erodes and releases the brown spores; the gilled all-
white fungus Amanita ananiceps which has the ragged fragments of the
annulus around the edge of the cap; and the brown-orange gilled fungus
(Gymnopilus junonius) which can have caps to 40cm across. With the
damp, in many places there were carpets of lush lichen, possibly
Cladonia. Birds we saw or heard were Wood Duck, Sulphur-crested
Cockatoo and Grey Butcherbird. We also found the brilliantly coloured
remains of Christmas (or Easter, as was suggested) beetles. These gor-
geously shining beetles feed on grass roots as larvae, and can defoliate
trees as adults. Three Eastern Grey Kangaroos bounded away from us,
and a macropod skull was found. The presence of multiple burrows in the
sandy soil and droppings indicated an infestation of rabbits which should
be dealt with. Everywhere there were shrubs were strung between them
the webs of Leaf-curling Spiders. Hanging beneath a tree branch on long
stalks were the tiny white eggs of an insect belonging to the Order Neu-
roptera which includes lacewings (which we recognize as adults), and ant-
lions where we recognize the nymph with its sandpit trap.
We moved on, to the reserve south of the railway line and west of the
township of Lindenow South. The overstorey tree here was Black Sheoak
(Allocasuarina littoralis). Here we saw tunnels running through the
grasses made by Swamp Rats. Grasses and sedges form their staple diet,
supplemented, when available, by insects. Birds here were Superb Fairy-
wren, Laughing Kookaburra and a Raven. There was Kangaroo Grass;
Bluebells (Wahlenbergia sp.); Grey Parrot-pea (Dillwynia cinerascens), a
small shrub with fine leaves and yellow and orange flowers densely clus-
tered along the stems; mauve Twining Fringe Lily (Thysanotus paterso-
nii); Yellow Rush Lily (Tricoryne elatior); Narrow rock-fern and the dai-
sy weed Tall Fleabane (Conyza bonariensis). The only orchid was Par-
son’s Bands (Eriochilus cucullatus). The generic name comes from the
20
Greek “erion” meaning wool and “cheilos” meaning lip, referring to the
woolly labellum. An interesting tiny plant was Austral adder’s-tongue
(Ophioglossum lusitanicum). This plant grows in damp areas in colonies
with 1-4 simple fronds and a fertile spike (to15mm) on the same stem.
Sporangia are borne in two rows at the top of the spike and spores are
released from these. Another very common spider on this day was the
Spiny or Jewel Spider. These spiders have a large round black abdomen
with a mottled yellow and white pattern and six spines.
By now the rain had stopped, the sky was blue and the sun very warm.
We moved along the railway line to Fernbank and searched around on the
south side, again in Forest Red Gum vegetation, this time with Black
Wattle (Acacia mearnsii). Some of the understorey was grassy with
Weeping Grass (Microlaena stipoides), a slender grass whose inflo-
rescence nods gracefully and whose seeds are terrible in boots and socks,
some with Austral bracken and some with Burgan. There were quite a
number of Large Mosquito Orchid with Parson’s Bands and the buds of
probably Trim Greenhood (Pterostylis concinna). Other small plants
were the daisies Blue Bottle-daisy (Lagenophora stipitata) and branching
Wiry Buttons (Leptorhynchos tenuifolius); Kidney-weed (Dichondra re-
pens) (not a weed!!), a prostrate perennial with kidney-shaped flat leaves,
which roots at the nodes and has tiny cream unnoticed flowers; and the
also prostrate Cranberry Heath. The birds were Eastern Yellow Robin
and Satin Bowerbird, and evidence of Emu with a very large fresh scat.
Much further west, almost to Munro and still in the railway reserve north
of the line is a patch of Snow Gums (Eucalyptus pauciflora). There are
some patches of low altitude Snow Gums, including some on the side of a
hill adjacent to Macleods Morass, near Bairnsdale. This area near Munro
had been burnt, probably in 2011. It looks as if some of the gums had
been killed. Here we saw some very small specimens of Austral moon-
wort or Parsley fern (Botrychium australe). Austral moonwort is in the
same family of primitive ferns, Ophioglossaceae, as Austral adder’s-
tongue. Austral moonwort normally has two fronds too, one a parsley-
like vegetative one, and the other fertile frond, narrower with a longer
stalk, and crowded with sporangia. They may only just have emerged
because all the plants only had the vegetative frond and no fertile frond.
The understorey had lots of Spiny-headed Mat-rush, with larger and tiny
Bluebells, the orange-yellow herb Small St John’s Wort (Hypericum gra-
21
mineum), Yellow Rush Lily, yellow Clustered Everlasting
(Chrysocephalum semipapposum) and Large Autumn Greenhood
(Pterostylis sp.aff. revoluta). We heard Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Pied
Currawong and Magpie calling. Again we found Spiny Spider, but also
Garden Orb-weaving Spider. This area also contained the tunnels of
Swamp Rat. An insect was Salt and Pepper or Heliotrope Moth. This
moth has black and red spots on the white forewings with the white
hindwings with black blotches at the edges. The hindwing has a pouch.
They are quite small, with a wingspan of 30-35mm and can be seen day or
night. Their caterpillars are called woolly bears
Our last visit was to Swallow Lagoon Conservation Nature Reserve.
There were again Mosquitoes of the flying variety, but also plenty of
Large Mosquito Orchid. We searched for Dark Midge-orchid
(Corunastylis sp. aff. rufa), but were unsuccessful. We did find some
plants of Fisch’s Greenhood (Pterostylis fischii). Fisch’s Greenhood has a
single erect green and white striped flower with some reddish tonings to-
wards the tips. We needed to watch out for the large shrubs of Hedge
Wattle (Acacia paradoxa) – they are very prickly, but not flowering at this
time of the year. Austral adder’s-tongues with spore sacs were seen. In
some areas there were quite large patches of Common maidenhair
(Adiantum aethiopicum). The very pretty gilled fungus Russula lenkunya
was discovered. This has a pink cap with white stalk and gills. There was
a fox skull with large canines and later a living fox was unfortunately
sighted. The feral European Red Fox is predominantly carnivorous (hence
the large canines), but it does eat fruit, insects and carrion. With such a
varied diet it is a great survivor.
Thank you once again, James. ☺
Austral Moonwort
Photo by Pauline Stewart
22
QUOLL AT PROVIDENCE PONDS
by Jenny Edwards
Photo by Peter Lawrence
Late afternoon on March 27, my partner Peter Lawrence and I were travelling
between Bairnsdale and Stratford late in the afternoon. Peter was driving and as
we crossed the bridge at Providence Ponds I commented that there was a dead
animal on the bridge that appeared to be tan coloured with spots. The only animal
that in any way fitted the description would have been a Spot-tail Quoll, but as
we both said at the time “What were the chances of it being a Quoll at Provi-
dence Ponds?” We were both tired and I’d endured a long dentist appointment
that afternoon so knowing we had to pass that way again in the morning, we con-
tinued on.
The following morning we were keen to investigate and as we drove slowly
across the bridge our suspicions were confirmed as it did appear to be a Quoll
dead on the side of the bridge. Pulling off the road, we walked back. The Quoll
were quite intact, but beginning to decompose and the smell was pretty over-
whelming as Peter carried it back across the bridge and onto a sandy track away
from the highway.
Neither of us have ever seen a Quoll close up (or indeed ever seen one in the
wild) so it was very exciting to be able to inspect this one close up (on the up-
wind side anyway!!!). It was a male and we presume adult size. Its injuries were
consistent with being hit by a vehicle, with one side of the head and jaw along
with one shoulder badly damaged. We estimate the animal may have been dead
for between 3 days and a week, it was still very intact, however had advanced
maggot infestation in a small area.
Peter took a number of photos. The coat pattern was really beautiful with back-
ground colour ranging from dark brown on the back to tan sides and a much
lighter underside, but all with really clear white spots varying in size and shape.
In common with other members of the Dasyurid family, the Spot-tail Quoll has a
tuft of bushy hairs at the end of the tail.
We contacted Mick Bramwell, DSE Bairnsdale to report the find and hid the
body, so DSE could later retrieve it if DNA or other samples were of interest. We
understand from Mick that this is the first record of this species on the Gippsland
Plains since the 1970’s.
The site where it was found was on the other side of the road to a planned burn
that occurred at Providence Ponds a week earlier. Given that this animal was
likely killed on the road soon after the burn was completed, it was interesting to
23
hear discussions about whether the burn could be implicated in the death of this
animal.
Andy Murray (DSE Orbost) instigated a Press Release which resulted in some
good coverage in local press, which in turn raised some interesting questions and
discussion about planned burns and threatened species management. Parks Vic-
toria have conducted fox baiting in Providence Ponds Reserve for a number of
years now which could be of benefit to Quolls.
Andy believes that the Gippsland Plains is not currently capable of supporting a
population of Spot-tailed Quolls, but “green” corridors may allow the species to
travel down from more suitable habitats in the mountains. Male Quolls it seems
move very large distances in search of mates during autumn and it is not uncom-
mon for them to become road casualties during these travels.
We would like to think that this unfortunate incident could be used to further our
knowledge of this threatened species and hope that some further survey work
will be conducted around Providence Ponds to establish of other Quolls are pre-
sent.
For a number of years, the Mammal Survey Groups of the Field Naturalist Club
of Victoria have surveyed at Providence Ponds, both trapping and using camer-
as. In the past they have regularly recorded New Holland Mouse, White-footed
Dunnarts and other small mammals. They are keen to return to do a post burn
survey after wildlife have had some time to recover from the burn and I hope to
keep in touch about the time of year this might occur. It would be good in local
club members could join their group for a day as visitors to assist or even just as
onlookers. ☺
24
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