Ringwood Field Naturalists Club Inc.

THE RINGWOOD FIELD NATURALISTS CLUB Inc. NEWSLETTER

Issue No.17 - October, 2003

EDITORIAL: The Club is nearing the end of another successful year, and the recent election of new Committee members and Office Bearers promises that the coming year will bring fresh ideas and experiences. We have been fortunate in being able once again to participate in a varied programme of speakers and excursions with many opportunities to learn more about the different aspects of our natural environment. One of the highlights of the year is the camp-out weekend, this year to Anglesea. These events allow more time for members to interact with each other and to come to grips with the intricacies of orchid identification, bird-watching, geology and so on. We hope that as many of our members as possible will be able to attend and put into practice all of the skills and knowledge they have accumulated during the past year.

SECRETARY'S ANNUAL REPORT 2002-3
In lieu of a President, I have compiled an Annual Report. A lack of a President is a definite setback for any organisation but we have battled on. That aside, the Committee has again worked hard during the last twelve months, especially chairing meetings and arranging the programme of speakers and excursions.
As in previous years, the Committee has set a high standard with a variety of speakers and topics ranging from birds, butterflies, frogs, the Tasmania south-west and Palaeontology. We also ran a 'hands-on' meeting to assist members identify ferns. The general concept was well received, and can be considered a success, but we need to refine this activity a little more. Excursions, both local and afar, were also varied and interesting.
A highlight of our year was the Club camp-out to Wilson's Promontory National Park. Prior to this weekend, Cecily Falkingham had provided an overview entitled 'Rambling around The Prom'. The camp-out was a success with 26 members in attendance. The weekend covered walks along Lilly Pilly Gully and the surrounding heathland, to Windy Saddle and to Millers Landing. Saturday evening was spent looking at Club videoes and discussing the day's events. At the December meeting we reviewed this very successful camp-out.
This year the Club stepped into the age of technology with the development of a website on the internet. Although still under construction, the site is very colourful and has received some positive feedback. This will help raise our profile within the community, and thanks to Alan Veevers for his hard work in getting this up and running.
As a Club, we are still involved in field care. This year members again spent time helping eradicate environmental weeds at Sandy Bay in Warrandyte State Park and at Hochkins Ridge, where their efforts are well appreciated. A 'one off' day weeding in Currawong Bush Park was also organised.
Members still travel in Victoria and around Australia, and this provides the basis for varied reports including: sightings of Rufous Bristlebirds at Loch Ard Gorge; first sightings of Oriental Cuckoo and Rose-crowned Pigeon whilst on a trip to Mackay Queensland; the expanses of Central Australia and the Northern Territory; sighting a Buff-banded Rail along the Mullum Mullum Creek; first sightings of Brahminy Kites, Blue-faced Honeyeaters and Friar-birds on a trip to Fraser Island; the wonders of various National and State Parks; male and female Black Honeyeaters sighted in the Bendigo Whipstick area.
As always there are people to thank for their efforts in and around the Club: those who chaired the General Meetings; the leaders of monthly excursions; those who assisted at general meetings with the hall setup, packing up afterwards, running the projector etc.; those who provided talks either as a full presentation or as member specials; those contributing with slides, reports and exhibits. Thanks, too, to Loris Peggie for again auditing the books. Finally, thanks to the Committee for their efforts and assistance throughout the year. Peter Rogers

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

April, 2003 - Excursion to Flinders    Leader - Joan Broadberry
On Saturday 12th April, 30 Ringwood members (a record number in recent times), and 3 from Peninsula FNC enjoyed a day at Flinders. The area visited was Mushroom Reef, below the Flinders golf course. The weather was perfect, warm and still with a clear blue sky. Even more wonderful was the cooperation of the tide. It was on the way out as we arrived, and we reaped the joys of very low water for most of the afternoon. This was not planned, just terrific luck. The aims for the day included geology, bird watching, shells and creatures of the rock pools.
First we checked out the birds. There were many, including cormorants, herons, oystercatchers and waders. Ruddy turnstones were present in numbers. We then walked west along the beach. Armed with some Gould League materials on basic shell identification, members had a feast as the wet sand was absolutely covered with shells. Cone shells, Conus anemone were particularly common. Judith gathered us together by the cliffs and related some geological history. It was absolutely fascinating to pick out recognisable marine fossils, such as urchins in the limestone.
During lunch a display was put out of items collected on the walk. It is in fact legal to collect shells etc. as Mushroom Reef is an offshore marine park, but some of us felt a little guilty when a Ranger appeared. After a leisurely lunch most people walked out onto the rocks of the reef and we enjoyed finding crabs, sea stars, elephant snails and other common rock pool creatures. It was a little off-putting to hear cannons being fired from West Head. This was a classic Ringwood Field Naturalist excursion. Good fellowship with a wonderful variety of interesting natural history subjects. We had a marvellous day.

May, 2003 - Excursion to Murrundindi    Leader - Peter Rogers
Twenty members gathered at Devlins Bridge in light rain. After a short morning tea, the convoy headed to the camp ground at the suspension bridge. Using the suspension bridge to cross the creek, we followed one of the meandering paths along the banks of the creek.
The recent wet weather had caused an eruption of fungi. We were able to study many varieties without having to stray from the path. Of particular interest was finding and identifying two FungiMap target species. These were Mycena viscido-cruenta and Dermocybe austroveneta. Birds were few and far between due to the wet conditions although a Golden Whistler (our Club emblem) was a wonderful sighting.
Lunch was held in and around one of the picnic shelters, surrounded by box and stringybark, with some light rain. After lunch we had just returned to our cars to travel down the road when we were pelted by a short burst of torrential rain.
Fortunately the rain had stopped before we arrived at the Cascades carpark. Along the way members in the lead cars were fortunate to see a couple of Lyrebirds crossing the road.
At the Cascades the group negotiated the steps down to the first landing area. Further tuition on ferns was provided by Doug & Ella Thomas, helping us work out and understand such ferns as Scrambling Coral-fern (Gleichenia microphylla), Rough Tree Fern (Cyathea australis), Austral King-Fern (Todea barbara). A few hardy souls ventured down to the bridge across the creek.
In all a great day was had by everyone despite the weather.

June, 2003 - Breakfast Excursion Jells Park      Leader - Lynn Smith
We managed to pull another reasonable day out of a pretty unpromising forecast for our breakfast excursion to Jells Park. We met in pitch darkness at the entrance and our leader appeared right on 7:00 am with the key to open the gate. She'd picked it up from the Park Ranger at the Information Centre the day before and was told they weren't sure if it would open the East Entrance gate. So poor Lynn was down there the previous afternoon in the pouring rain making sure it did. She also picked up copies of several handouts on the park and its plants and wildlife. Certainly dedication above and beyond for a first-time leader!
Just as we started preparing breakfast the rain started, but only a light shower, and after that the weather gradually improved. The barbecue kept us warm and umbrellas kept rain off the porridge and the sausages. After that we explored the indigenous trail until the Ranger arrived to collect the key and open the toilets. Then we set off on the walk right around the lake. We didn't see large numbers of birds, but there was a substantial flock of Ibis and we achieved a total bird count of 34 species. We arrived back at the cars around 10 am for a very welcome hot cuppa as rain again threatened, then all dispersed and headed home.

July, 2003 - Excursion to La Trobe University Wildlife Reserve Leaders - Alan and Hazel Veevers
This excursion demonstrated once again that less than favourable weather forecasts, hip replacements and shredded fan-belts are not enough to keep a good field naturalist from getting out into the bush! The sunny day was unexpected and most acceptable and the 26 members who attended enjoyed an excellent outing. We were met by Andrew a recent graduate in ecotourism who gave us an introductory talk in the office, showing camera images from some of the nesting boxes hooked up to the computer. He then acted as our guide as we explored the reserve, an area with many old eucalypts and diverse habitats, although the understorey was rather sparse. We learnt about the history of the reserve and some of the activities that are carried out there. During a very interesting two-and-a-half hour walk, we saw lots of birds and a mob of grey kangaroos. We were also intrigued by the quirky sculptures scattered through the reserve. Afterwards, some members took the opportunity to visit the indigenous nursery, before returning to the car park and having lunch together on the lawns beside the lake. Those who took another short walk through the University grounds saw several more birds.

August, 2003 - Excursion to Woodlands    Leader - Marlene Lyell
On 16th August on a glorious Melbourne day, 22 members had a morning stroll through a small area of the 'Back Paddock' of the Woodlands Historic Park.
We had a relaxed lunch sitting in the sun at the Somerton Road picnic area under the magnificent river red gums being entertained by a willie wagtail continually attacking a little raver A wander along the Moonee Ponds creek in the afternoon with sightings of a flame robin and a wedge-tailed eagle finished off a very pleasant day's birding Some members climbed Gellibrand Hill and then visited the Woodlands Homestead, which was built in 1840. The Historic Park covers 700 hectares and was first established as a public park in 1980.
In the 'Back Paddock' the red-capped robins were a delight and we had good sightings of both the male and female birds. We also watched the striated pardalotes flying into a hollow in a dead tree. Several red-rumped parrots, tree martins and wood ducks were also interested in hollows. The many dead trees make this a good area for hollow-nesting birds especially the parrot family, with galahs, crimson and eastern rosellas, red-rumped parrots and sulphur-crested cockatoos seen. One of the highlights was the sighting by Ella Thomas of two tawny shouldered frogmouths snuggled up in the fork of a tree.
A very impressive bird list was compiled during the day. Also we were lucky to have sightings of an echidna and kangaroos. The golden wattles, hedge wattle, tree violet and clematis added colour to the grassy woodland open forest of red gums, grey box, yellow box and the drooping she-oke.
Many thanks to Marlene and lan Lyell for their preparation, birdlist and information of the park.     Marion King and Marlene Lyell

Field Care Days 2003

Jumping Creek - Saturday, 21st June
Eleven members attended the Smilax eradication project in Warrandyte State Park: David Barclay, Joan Broadberry, Ruth and Geoff Christensen, Judith Cooke, Cecily Falkingham, Marion King, Jean Neville, Hazel and Alan Veevers, Margaret Yii. We spread out around the perimeter of the car park at Sandy Bay and after two hours' work had accumulated a good number of bags full of Smilax. We also took the opportunity to dispose of other nasties such as blackberries, pinus radiata seedlings and flat weeds. David and Brian the Rangers then put on a barbecue lunch for us which we ate together under the shelter, watched by several birds keen to pick up any leftovers. A successful and enjoyable day.

Hochkins Ridge Reserve - Friday, 22nd August
Five members were able to attend this week-day event, the second we have held at the reserve: Ruth and Geoff Christensen, Judith Cooke, Reg Falkingham, Marion King. We met Helen Moss and her mother and walked through the reserve to the north facing slope, which was infested with weed species of Acacias - elata and longifolia - some up to 2 meters or more in height. We worked energetically and managed to uproot or cut off virtually all of these plants, so that the area's overall appearance was significantly improved, looking much more natural and attractive. We completed a circuit walk, continuing to remove other weeds, including Pittosporum, returning to the cars for a very welcome cup of tea. Helen was most impressed with the amount of clearing we had been able to accomplish in the time allotted.

NATURE NOTES

Bird List - Jells Park June, 2003 (34 species)
Rainbow Lorikeet; Coot; Superb Fairy Wren; Galah; White faced Heron; White-browed Scrub Wren; Eastern Rosella; Black Duck; Grey Fantail; Sulphur-crested Cockatoo; Hoary-headed Grebe; Welcome Swallow; Red Wattlebird; Dusky Moorhen; Black-shouldered Kite; Bell Miner; Black Cormorant; Kookaburra; Noisy Miner; Straw-necked Ibis; Pied Currawong; Masked Lapwing; White Ibis; Magpie; Little Pied Cormorant; Purple Swamphen; Grey Butcherbird; Grey Teal; Wood Duck; Mudlark; Chestnut Teal; Darter; Australian Raven; Cattle Egret.

Bird List - Latrobe University July, 2003 (34 species)
Wood Duck; Rainbow Lorikeet; Eastern Rosella; Noisy Miner; Coot; Gang Gang; Bell Miner; Red Wattlebird; Magpie; Australian Raven; Superb Fairy Wren; Grey Butcherbird; Hardhead; Chestnut Teal; Grey Shrike-thrush; White-plumed Honeyeater; Musk Lorikeet; Spotted Pardalote; Kookaburra; Purple Swamphen; Mudlark; Eastern Shrike-tit; Dusky Moorhen; White-browed Scrubwren; Brown Thornbill; Yellow Thornbill; Eastern Spinebill; Buff-banded Rail; Crested Pigeon;Willie Wagtail; Sulphur-crested Cockatoo; Masked Lapwing; White-faced Heron; Australasian Grebe.

Bird List - Woodlands August, 2003 (36 species)
Wood Duck; White-faced Heron; Brown Goshawk; Black Duck; White Ibis; Wedge-tailed Eagle; Galah; Sulphur-crested Cockatoo; Crimson Rosella; Fan-tailed Cuckoo; Tawny-shouldered Frogmouth; Eastern Rosella; Red-rumped Parrot; Grey Fantail; Tree Martin; Laughing Kookaburra; Striated Pardalote; Yellow-rumped Thornbill; Brown Thornbill; Yellow Thornbill; Striated Thornbill; Superb Fairy Wren; Weebill; White-plumed Honeyeater; Red-capped Robin; Flame Robin; Brown-headed Honeyeater; Varied Sittella; Golden Whistler; Grey Shrike-thrush; Magpie Lark; Willie Wagtail; Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike; Magpie; Little Raven; Welcome Swallow.

Disa bracteata Menace
Loris Peggie has provided an update on the spread of this introduced weed orchid (syn. Monadenia bracteata) from South Africa, which was reported in a previous issue of the Newsletter.
"This menace has already reached Victoria with infestations found in the Lower Glenelg National Park, in Stawell close to the Grampians National Park, near Bacchus Marsh, Ballarat, Hurstbndge, Lake Eppalock and French Island.
The Department of Sustainability and the Environment says the orchid poses a threat to native flora and fauna in Victoria. It competes for moisture and nutrients with many small understorey plants such as lilies and our precious local indigenous orchids. Unlike our native orchids that are dependent on specific insect pollinators, D. bracteata is self-pollinating, producing up to 10,000 seeds that may be active for seven years,
You should remove every D. bracteata plant you see. This must be done carefully to avoid spreading seeds. First bend the seed head into a plastic bag, then use a tool to lever the two tubers at the base of the plant out of the ground. Dispose of thoughtfully, to ensure no seed escapes. Flowers (October-December) 5 mm across, greenish white, segments tipped tan/red, yellow labellum. Hard to confuse with any native orchid."