Ringwood Field Naturalists Club Inc.

THE RINGWOOD FIELD NATURALISTS CLUB Inc. NEWSLETTER

Issue No.16 - April, 2003

EDITORIAL
   As we celebrated our 500th general meeting in March this year, it was pleasing to see that the Club remains active and its members enthusiastic. In our current environment, perceived threats to our way of life may loom large, from ongoing drought conditions to political instability. Our precious wildlife also has to confront various threats, for example the destruction of habitat. One of the best ways to counteract these problems is through knowledge and understanding. It is certain that Clubs like ours are repositories of much valuable knowledge and expertise, particularly with respect to our local area, which has been accumulated over many years. Such knowledge could well prove vital for the future protection of our native flora and fauna. May the Club continue to prosper and fulfil this important role in the community.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Wilson's Promontory Camp-out 11-13 October, 2002
Most members had arrived and settled in by Friday afternoon, in time to explore the area around the campsite, either following the bush track to the southern end of Norman Bay, lined with several species of orchids, or walking along the beach, where Sooty Oyster-catchers and Hooded Dotterels were seen.
On Saturday after breakfast we gathered in the car park opposite the Information Centre and travelled the short distance to the Lilly Pilly Gully car park. Here we set off on the first of the scheduled walks on the programme, led by Cecily Falkingham. We noted the diverse flora along the track, including some orchids and several members posed for photographs inside the hollow of a tall Eucalyptus globulus (Tasmanian Blue-gum). We were also able to observe a male Spotted Pardalote at close range and thought he was being most co-operative, until we realised we were standing in front of his nest, a hollow in the bank on the edge of the path! We circumnavigated the boardwalk and investigated the condition of the tree-ferns there, which were showing signs of stress. We then retraced our steps back to the car park for lunch.
Alan and Hazel Veevers were our leaders for the afternoon. We drove up to the Mt Oberon turntable, had a group photograph taken, and then those feeling energetic took the track towards Windy Saddle. Several different forms of spider orchid were found growing beside the track. We also observed several species of ferns, including fork fern. Those who made it all the way were well pleased with their efforts and photographs were taken to record this significant accomplishment! On the walk back we were able to enjoy the view and the colours of the sunset.
The Rangers allowed us free use of the Hall for our Saturday evening program, when videos, including some made by members were screened. Members were asked to share their most memorable experience from the weekend's activities so far, and these included:
•   The beauty and diversity of the heathland habitats
•   Seeing four broad-finned Galaxias under the bridge across Tidal River
•   Seeing a Sooty Oyster-catcher for the first time, feeding amongst the kelp
•   Finding a white-lipped snake
•   A male Spotted Pardalote at the nest in Lilly Pilly Gully
•   A group of Hooded Dotterels on the beach
•   The magnificent flowering of Kunzea ambigua, possibly the best ever
•   Watching wombats patrolling the campsite at night
The Prom has been called a place of many moods, and on Sunday morning we experienced an entirely different one, with thunder, lightning, and heavy rain. However, this did not dampen our spirits and after packing up we departed Tidal River, suitably attired, and headed in convoy towards Millers Landing, making a short stop en route to look at some of the wildflowers growing by the roadside at the turn-off to Picnic Bay. The track to Millers Landing provided plenty of interest, as well as numerous large puddles to negotiate. A group of Caladenia aurantiaca (Orange-tip Caladenia) was a special sight. When we reached the coast we walked over to the island, remarking on its unusual vegetation and geology. After returning via the same track, those members who remained had lunch and then farewells were said as most departed for home or other functions.
Up to nineteen species of orchid were identified during the weekend.

Some Orchids seen at the Wilson's Promontory Camp-out
Orange-tip Caladenia Caladenia aurantiaca
Pink Fairies Caladenia latifolia
Common Bird-orchid Chiloglottis valida
Wall-flower/Donkey Orchid   Diuris corymbosa
Hare Orchid   Leptoceras menziesii
Nodding Greenhood   Pterostylis nutans
Sun Orchid   Thelymitra sp

Bird List - Wilson's Promontory Camp-out, October, 2002
Emu; Laughing Kookaburra; Pied Cormorant; Welcome Swallow; Little Pied Cormorant; White's Thrush (Ground, Bassian); Black Cormorant; Rose Robin; Little Black Cormorant; Scarlet Robin; White-faced Heron; Eastern Yellow Robin; Black Swan; Golden Whistler; Pacific Black Duck; Rufous Whistler; Chestnut Teal; Grey Shrike-Thrush; Brown Goshawk (Australian); Grey Fantail; Wedge-tailed Eagle; Willie Wagtail; Marsh/Swamp Harrier; Eastern Whipbird; Australian Hobby (Little Falcon); Superb Fairy Wren; Nankeen Kestrel; White-browed Scrub Wren; Masked Lapwing; Brown Thornbill; Hooded Dotterel; Red Wattlebird; Silver Gull; Little Wattlebird; Pacific Gull; Yellow Faced Honeyeater; Sooty Oystercatcher; Brown-headed Honeyeater; Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo; Crescent Honeyeater; Gang Gang; New Holland Honeyeater; Galah; Eastern Spinebill; Rainbow Lorikeet; White-throated Tree-creeper; Crimson Rosella; Spotted Pardalote; King Parrot; Silvereye (Grey-backed); Blue-winged Parrot; Australian Magpie; Fan-tailed Cuckoo; Grey Currawong; Ash Cuckoo; Australian Raven; Southern Boobook.

GUEST SPEAKERS

January, 2003: Peter Rogers based his talk entitled "Birding in Central Australia and Northern Territory" on a trip to the region in July 2002. The talk concentrated mainly on some of the birds found in two particular regions, the Central Desert and The Top End. He had obtained a bird list of 194 species of which 48 were new sightings for him, as well as seeing some magnificent countryside and a range of new plants. Apart from showing photographs of the birds, Peter also presented slides illustrating the various habitats and the plants found within the regions concerned. He provided descriptive details of the birds illustrated, including distribution, call, aids to identification, etc.

February, 2003: Professor Neil Archbold made his second visit to the Club and continued his informative and entertaining discourse on Palaeontology. He discussed the different groups of life forms which lived and became extinct throughout the geological record. At intervals he rummaged in a cardboard box and withdrew fossil specimens to illustrate his remarks, so that at one time, his audience found themselves face to face with the skull of an Allosaurus, a ferocious carnivorous dinosaur from the Mesozoic. Various forms of marine life were also illustrated, and the differences between brachiopods (Phylum Brachiopoda) and bivalves (Phylum Mollusca) pointed out. Neil was quickly surrounded after the meeting and he readily responded to a barrage of questions. Evidently, Part 3 of the story will be met with equal enthusiasm.

March, 2003: We were fortunate to have Trevor Blake as our Guest Speaker for the Club's 500th meeting, and his audience was treated to a magnificent presentation on South-West Tasmania where he had undertaken several walking trips over a number of years. Using two projectors simultaneously, Trevor illustrated his talk with breathtaking panoramas of unspoilt wilderness and a spectacular array of indigenous plants of the region. Everyone marvelled at the sight of the razor-edged, saw-toothed ridges that the walkers were required to negotiate. This was a truly memorable evening's entertainment. The meeting concluded with a celebratory supper.

EXCURSIONS

January, 2003 - Excursion to Mt Worth    Leader - Judith Cooke
Members gathered for morning tea at Darnum, most of them wearing their new Club polo shirts for the first time, and very smart we all looked, too! We then headed southward in convoy into the Strzlecki Ranges, arriving at the car-park at Mt Worth State Park shortly before 11:00 am. After a quick introduction to the area we set off on the Giant's Circuit, stopping for a while to admire the huge girth of the Standing Giant, a 300 year old Mountain Ash (Eucalyptus regnans). We quickly identified most of the fern species listed for the park, with assistance from our fern enthusiasts, Doug and Ella Thomas, enjoying the cool, moist conditions their luxuriant growth provided. We investigated the site of Trevorrow's Mill before returning to the cars for a picnic lunch. A second short walk was undertaken in the afternoon along the Moonlight Creek track, in the direction of Maslin's sawmill site. Altogether, 22 species of fem were identified and, similarly, 22 bird species were recorded. In addition, several other interesting creatures were observed, including an echidna, a red-bellied black snake, and several different butterflies. Before dispersing for the homeward journey, members joined in Jean Neville's special anniversary by singing Happy Birthday to her.

February, 2003 - Excursion to Organ Pipes    Leader - Judith Cooke
Our visit to the Organ Pipes National Park this year was in sharp contrast to our previous visit in 1996, when we had torrential rain. The effects of six years of drought were clearly visible, the whole park was very dry and large numbers of plants, particularly Black Wattles, had died.
With the aid of the display boards in the Information Centre, we familiarised ourselves with the geological history of the area, noting that we were sitting on a small scoria cone which had been erupting quantities of gas-charged molten basaltic rock during the Tertiary era. After taking in the panoramic view from the observation deck, we walked down into the valley of Jackson's Creek, investigating the Tesselated Pavement, the Rosette Rock, and finally the Organ Pipes themselves, discussing the conditions required for their formation. A short distance further downstream, we were able to observe the contact between the lava and the ancient Silurian sedimentary rocks which comprised the earlier land surface. A small number of plants were in flower, we particularly noted the bluebell growing between the cracks in the Tesselated Pavement. Despite the conditions, we added 11 new birds to our list for the park.

March, 2003 - Excursion to Doug Grant Reserve, Altona Leader - Chris Tsaros (Threatened Bird Network, Birds Australia)
This excursion required an early start as the meeting time at Grant's Reserve was 9:00 am, the best time for observing birds! Nevertheless, when our leader arrived promptly at 9:00, he was impressed by the size of the turn-out. After the usual morning cuppa, the group set off to explore the wetlands near the mouth of the Laverton Creek. We quickly added to our bird list and were able to obtain excellent views of the birds, with the aid of the telescope Chris carried with him.
We traversed the creek at the bridge, and continued downstream with the intention of walking along the beach. Here we struck an impediment, as one of the channels had more water in it than had been expected! While some members had no trouble removing shoes and socks and wading across, this was more difficult for some of our "senior" members. In the best traditions of chivalry they were offered a piggy-back ride and, after much excitement and hilarity, most of us reconvened on the opposite bank in good order.
Our bird list was increased by several more wading species and ocean birds as well, in particular an immature Gannet. Chris pointed out the very limited extent of suitable habitat remaining for the endangered Orange-bellied Parrot. The return trip found the water in the channel had risen and one or two additional members took the piggy-back option.
Eventually, we all made it back to the cars in time for a well earned rest and a picnic lunch in the shade. No doubt this was an expedition which will be recalled with fond memories for years to come.

NATURE NOTES

Fern List - Mt Worth State Park Excursion, January, 2003
Common Maidenhair    Adiantum aetheopicum
Mother Spleenwort    Asplenium bulbiferum
Necklace Fern    Asplenium flabellifolium
Gristle Fern    Blechnum cartilagineum
Ray Water Fern    Blechnum fluviatile
Fishbone Water Fern    Blechnum nudum
Strap Water Fern    Blechnum patersonii
Hard Water Fern    Blechnum wattsii
Rough Tree Fern    Cyathea australis
Soft Tree Fern    Dicksonia antarctica
Austral Lady Fern    Diplazium australe
Finger Fern    Grammitis billardieri
Batswing Fern    Histiopteris incisa
Common Filmy Fern    Hymenophyllum cupressiforme
Shiny Filmy Fern    Hymenophyllum flabellatum
Ruddy Ground Fem    Hypolepis rugosula
Shiny Shield Fern    Lastreopsis acuminata
Kangaroo Fern    Microsorium diversifolium
Veined Bristle Fern    Polyphlebium venosum
Mother Shield Fern    Polystichum proliferum
Austral Bracken    Pteridium esculentum
Shield Hare's-foot    Rumohra adiantiformis

Bird List - Mt Worth State Park Excursion, January, 2003
Sacred Ibis; Grey Fantail; Rufous Fantail; Brown Thombill; Buff-rumped Thornbill; Willie Wagtail; White-browed Scrub-wren; Blue Wren; Silvereye; Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo; Crimson Rosella; Yellow Robin; White-throated Treecreeper; Golden Whistler; Grey Thrush; Wedge-tailed Eagle; Black-shouldered Kite; Kookaburra; Mudlark; Magpie; Raven; Lyrebird (heard).

Bird List - Organ Pipes NP Excursion, February, 2003
Crimson Rosella; Grey Fantail; Little Thornbill; Brown Thornbill; Striated Thornbill; White Plumed Honeyeater; Spotted Pardalote; Willie Wagtail; Dusky Woodswallow; Silvereye; Blue Wren; Red Browed Finch; Rufous Whistler; Brown Falcon; Raven; Black Faced Cuckoo Shrike; White Browed Scrubwren.

Bird of the Day - Excursion to Altona March, 2003
Some of the more interesting birds which members observed during the day included the Pied Oyster-catcher and Greenshank. However, it was generally agreed that the Gannet came at the top of the list.
A large bird, the individual sighted had immature plumage, grey-brown, speckled with white.
The strong, direct flight with wings held stiffly, is characteristic; wing-beats alternating with glides. Gannets are common in Victorian coastal waters, including Port Phillip and Westernport Bays. A nesting colony has been record on Wedge-light in Port Phillip Bay. Gannets feed on pelagic fish, especially shoal fish such as pilchards and mackerel.

Plant Profile - Mt Worth Excursion February, 2003
One of the easiest plants to identify in the Family Hymenophyllaceae (Filmy Ferns) is Polyphlebium venosum (Veined bristle-fern). The veins in the transparent frond which give it its name are clearly visible through a hand lens. Then, if you feel carefully along the margins of the frond you may pick up the indusium, or protective cover containing the reproductive parts of the fern, which has a sharp bristle, again a diagnostic feature of the plant.