Ringwood Field Naturalists Club Inc.

THE RINGWOOD FIELD NATURALISTS CLUB Inc. NEWSLETTER

Issue No.23 - October, 2006

EDITORIAL: The Club has now reached its 45th Anniversary and although membership numbers are dwindling, this milestone is nevertheless another reason to celebrate. A special day will be held when members can get together and reminisce over refreshments about the enjoyable times they've spent with one another. Hopefully as many members as possible will be able to be present on this occasion. As always, it is our members and their continuing contributions that make the Club viable and help us to maintain the high quality of activities that form our annual programme. The Newsletter wishes all our members a Happy 45th Anniversary and extends to them the compliments of the forthcoming Christmas season.

PRESIDENT'S ANNUAL REPORT 2005-6

This year marks a significant point in the history of the Club, being the year that we moved our monthly meeting venue from North Ringwood Uniting Church, "home" for more than forty years, into the Maroondah Federation Estate building in Ringwood. The move was precipitated by the closure of the Church for an extended period whilst building work was carried out. The Club is indebted to the Council of Ministry of the Church for granting us use of the facilities over such a long period and a letter expressing our sincere thanks was sent to the Church Council.
True to tradition, we had an excellent programme of talks and excursions. Speakers at General Meetings took us to such diverse places as Kinglake National Park, the Pilbara and WA, the Murray River, Queensland and the Galapagos Islands. More general topics included Palaeontology, birds of prey and local plants and animals. Special thanks are due to David Hewitt for facilitating the technical side of the presentations and, in particular, for his generosity in loaning us his own multi-media projector and laptop computer for General Meetings.
We began the season with a highly successful weekend field trip to Castlemaine, hosted by the local Field Naturalists Club, and followed that by an excursion to Crib point, hosted by Peninsula FNC. Thanks to Ern Perkins, a member of our club before moving to Castlemaine many years ago, for organising the former and to Judy Smart for organising the latter. Other distant destinations were Mount Piper, the Cathedral Ranges, Toolangi, Axedale and Cranbourne Botanic Gardens. The last mentioned introduced most of the participants to the recently opened Australian Garden - a place we must revisit periodically in the years to come. Thanks to those members who led the excursions so well, and especially to Marlene Lyell who gave us a memorable day at her family property in Axedale. Thanks also to those members who participated in our Field Care Days at Warrandyte State Park and Hochkins Reserve. All these activities are reported in full in our Newsletters, produced most ably by the Editor, Judith Cooke, to whom we offer our thanks.
This year the Club lost three of its valued members with the deaths of Charles Compton, Wes Dickson and Alan Moore, and also two of its regular associates Neil Archbold and Ellen McCulloch. Alan Moore was a founder member of the Club.
The Club could not function without the efforts of its Committee members. All of them have made major contributions to the running of the Club and we thank them for giving their time and energy so generously throughout the year. Alison Rogers and Marion King have, once again, put together excellent programmes for the year, whilst our treasurer, Ray Wall, has efficiently managed the Club's finances.
Thanks also to Loris Peggie for auditing the books. Our Library has been in a state of flux since we moved locations, but Ruth Christensen has, with the help of others, maintained the collection as well as possible under the circumstances. Peter Rogers, Phil Daniell, Judith Cooke and Hazel Veevers have each contributed in many ways, so thanks to them as well. Finally, special thanks to our Secretary Lynn Smith, who has dealt with much of the Club's business during and outside of our Committee and General Meetings. With all officers willing to continue in their posts, we look forward to another successful year.    Alan Veevers

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Banyule Yarra Wetlands Excursion - 19 March, 2006
    by Leader - Cecily Falkingham
Approximately twenty members met with leader, Cecily. at 10.30 am on a sunny Autumn morning at Banyule Wetlands car park. The day started well with Musk Lorikeets sighted in a flowering Eucalypt beside the cars. Our first walk led along the Banyule Billabong to where the Plenty River flows into the Yarra. We observed lots of Amyema qnandang (Grey Mistletoe) on Acacias. This lovely plant hung in huge, thick bunches and housed many Ringtail Possum dreys, with a Ringtail at home in one of them. Muellerina eucalyptoides (Creeping Mistletoe) was also plentiful. Everyone in the group saw the bright red and blue/black male Mistletoebird dangling on a branch over the track.
We retraced our steps to a vantage-point on the wetlands that allowed close observation of water fowl as well as bush birds, parrots, Galahs and raptors. Some members were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the resident Buff-banded Rail. Other sightings included Black-winged Stilts, Swans and Australasian Grebe. We continued walking to a location with an overview of the wetland, allowing us to pick up additional species. A highlight of the return journey was a pair of Tawny Frogmouths beside the track.
Everyone drove the short distance to Birrarrung Park for lunch in the shade of some old Eucalypts. Our afternoon walk along bush tracks around the wetland there added another twenty-seven species. Members were delighted with wonderful views of an Azure Kingfisher that posed beautifully for all to see. A raptor seen in flight was eventually spotted at a nest high in a pylon and was possibly an Australian Hobby.
At the conclusion of the excursion at 3:30 everyone was pleased with the number of birds seen without needing to drive far from home.

23 April, 2006 - Excursion to Mt Cathedral
    Leaders - Graeme & Helen Fernandes and Ray Wall
Once members had gathered at the meeting place in Cathedral Lane, we spent some time bird-watching there and saw quite a lot of birds, including the Club bird, Golden Whistler, sitting in a tree opposite the cars.
We drove into the Cathedral reserve and had morning tea, then set off on the walking track towards the summit, being assured we were not going that far. We saw a large lyrebird mound and 3-4 female lyrebirds actively scratching and collecting nesting material. We realised that there were lots of fungi present and began to focus on trying to identify them.
We returned to the cars and drove to another area where we had lunch. Dark clouds loomed over the ranges but there were only a few spots of rain. In the afternoon we took another walk through very tall Manna Gums where we saw several koalas. One was scratching his ear, but without binoculars he looked as if he was waving frantically to us so, naturally, we all waved back. Some members became engrossed in the fungi and with the aid of Bruce Fuhrer's book we ended up with quite an impressive list of around 15 species that we identified with reasonable confidence; there were some that remained unidentified. Nevertheless, we made some good progress in coming to grips with that huge subject and learnt quite a lot. Eventually, we reached the Cook's Mill site, which we investigated, before returning to the cars for afternoon tea.
This was an excellent and well organised excursion and those who attended enjoyed it very much.

13 May, 2006 - Excursion to Churchill National Park and Police Paddocks Reserve    Leaders - Alan and Hazel Veevers
Seventeen members enjoyed an overcast day on which birds were hard to find but fungi were abundant following the recent heavy rain. One of the FungiMap Target species observed was Mycena nargan. In the morning we started on the level Aqueduct Track before climbing gradually to the highest point in the Park via the Ridge Track. Apart from the fungi, we were occupied with the changing landscape and the associated changes in flora, most noticeable in the dominant tree species. An area of Messmates (Eucalyptus obliqua) near the northern boundary is usually good for birds, but this occasion proved to be an exception. Similarly, a known orchid area nearby had little to show at this time of the year. On completion of the circuit we were treated to a flock of Musk Lorikeets noisily helping themselves to a feed from a Spotted Gum (E. maculata) in the picnic area. Sightings of Eastern Grey Kangaroo and Swamp Wallaby added interest to the walk.
After lunch, we enjoyed the short nature walk adjacent to the picnic area. A pleasant circuit, partly on boardwalk, leads through a healthy stand of Muttonwoods (Rapanea howitteana) then another of Swamp Paperbark (Melaleuca ericifolia) before completing the loop. More interesting fungi were evident alongside the track. We then drove the 2km to the northeast corner of Police Paddocks Reserve where we enjoyed the walk and the spectacular lookout over the grassy plain. An excellent view of a Nankeen Kestrel perched on a treetop (below us), coupled with a bird "hot spot" near the end of the walk, gave us a feeling of satisfaction to fortify us for the drive home.

17 June, 2006 - Breakfast at Badger Weir   by Leader - Peter Rogers
Fifteen members braved a chilly and slightly foggy morning with a breakfast BBQ at Badger Weir. Breakfast was accompanied by the dawn chorus with lyrebirds and currawongs leading the way.
After breakfast, the group meandered along the track to the weir, stopping regularly to look at anything of interest. The return trip to the carpark was via the Lyrebird Track. Although lyrebirds were calling all around they were not easily sighted. Some members were able to get a quick sighting of one male bird just as the walk commenced. The normal bush birds could be heard calling in and around the bush with Cockatoos, King Parrots, Currawongs, Kookaburras calling overhead or in the distance.
Due to recent rains, fungi were especially plentiful and some members spent some time trying to identify and photograph the specimens. One of the more spectacular finds was a couple of large clusters of the white stalactite-type fungus, Mucronella pendula. In all we were able to identify 13 species with a good many causing frustration and not identified.
Some members decided to remain for the morning and spend extra time in chasing a decent sighting of the elusive lyrebirds and enjoy the beauty of the park. In all an enjoyable morning was had by all.

15 July, 2006 - Excursion to Toolangi    Leader - Bruce Fuhrer
The forecast for the day was far from promising - rain and a maximum temperature of 11 degrees. Optimism soon faded as the forecast proved correct. Consequently, a pathetically small number of people met at the Myers Creek road and Sylvia Creek road intersection for our winter rainforest excursion. We remained huddled in our cars while we waited, dubiously eyeing through our rain-spattered windscreens the leaden skies and large puddles on the muddy ground. At 10:05 we abandoned all hope of our numbers increasing and travelled in convoy to the Wirra Willa Forest Walk. There our leader, Bruce, pointed out that we were, after all, in a rainforest and the conditions were entirely appropriate.
We set off along the board-walk and soon all that could be seen was a group of bobbing umbrellas amongst the fronds of the tree ferns. All thought of photography and microscopic examination of species in the field was forgotten as the rainforest environment lived up to its name. Even stretches of the board-walk were under water. Everything was so sodden that Bruce began to complain the specimens were too wet and clumping together, a far cry from the situation in recent years when a misting bottle was an essential item of equipment.
Below the canopy of magnificent rainforest trees it was quite dark, making identification and examination of species difficult. Nevertheless, Bruce, in his usual manner, clambered on and off the board-walk, continually producing new finds and explaining the differences. Soon we were immersed in a bewildering array of mosses and liverworts, with scarcely any time to look at the fungi, ferns and flowering plants around us. On the walk back, we picked up several additional species and heard a lyrebird calling in the distance. We then drove to the Forest Education Centre to see if we could find some dry cover to eat our lunch.
Although the Centre was closed we were able to eat lunch under the nearby shelter in reasonable comfort, with soup and hot drinks most welcome. Bruce set up his microscope and we examined the intricate structures of some species under high magnification. As we said our farewells and departed Toolangi, the conditions remained misty, gloomy and, you guessed it, wet.
Over the car radio on the homeward trip came the quote from Billy Connolly - "There's no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes." Those who went equipped with waterproof coats, woolly hats and gloves, gumboots and umbrellas as well as a towel and a complete change of clothing were not all that far off the mark. This will be yet another of those excursions fondly remembered and talked about in years to come by the fortunate few who attended.
Many thanks to Bruce (and Irene) for turning out and giving us a real insight into the beauty and variety of rainforest Bryophytes. A special thanks also to Neal Smith and Graeme Fernandes - the only non-Committee members present.

13 August, 2006 - Excursion to Axedale    Leader - Marlene Lyell
Members attending this excursion had an early start, travelling by a variety of routes northward. Coincidentally, although it was not the official meeting place, the majority of members found each other in Heathcote where they stopped for a rest and refreshment. Everyone then continued the drive another 23 km to Axedale, followed the directions provided and found Marlene's 20 acre property on the banks of the Campaspe River. Here about twelve of us gathered in Marlene's kitchen for morning tea. Marlene's husband showed us his "shed" containing his collection of vintage cars before we set off with Marlene for a walk around the property looking for birds. We saw lots of cockatoos, galahs, corellas, and lorikeets making a noise in the big river red gums along the river. Marlene's little grandson also showed us a blue-tongue lizard under a log and a member found a spotted frog (later identified as a Pobblebonk) under another. We continued out the gate and along the roadside, identifying more birds and several flowering plants. After that, we drove in convoy back to Heathcote and out the Northern Highway to Mt Ida for lunch in a forested area not far from the entrance. We then drove and walked up to the summit to admire the view. We stopped on the way back to look at some of the wildflowers coming into flower and took a few photographs. We made a final stop for afternoon tea before saying farewell and thanks to Marlene for a most enjoyable day and the journey home.

2 September, 2006 - Excursion to Cranbourne RBG
    Leader - Alison Rogers
Sixteen members enjoyed a warm sunny day looking around the new Australian Garden inside the Botanic Gardens at Cranbourne. The visual impact as we entered the garden, seeing the "red centre", was stunning. Our Guide, Sharon, enthusiastically explained the design features of the garden, telling us why different rocks and plants had been used in the various sections. Although lots of trees and shrubs were still relatively small, our overall impression was very positive and we came away vowing to return periodically to experience the maturing of the garden. As lunchtime approached, some members chose to stay around the garden and spend further time exploring at their own pace. Others proceeded to the Stringybark car park for a picnic lunch.
The picnickers were delighted to be joined for lunch by Gordon and May Coutts who were staying in the area that day. Gordon, a founder member of the Club, exchanged a few yarns with senior members present. After lunch, most people walked to Wylies Creek Wetlands where the highlights included sighting several Blue-billed Ducks in breeding plumage, a Copperhead Snake (causing an ear-splitting shriek from one female member who nearly stood on it), and a Southern Brown Bandicoot with a very full pouch. An Echidna strolling along the verge as we left the car park rounded-off a most enjoyable day.

FungiMap Update

Five new species have been added to the list of 100 Target Species, bringing the total up to 105. The new species are:
Favolaschia calocera Orange Ping Pong Bats; Fuligo septica Dog Vomit Slime Mould; Lycogala epidendrum Wolf's Milk; Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa Icicle Fairy Fans; Hemitrichia serpula Yellow Scribbles.
Target Species have generally been chosen for their distinctive appearance and ease of identification.
Further details may be found on the FungiMap website:
http://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/fungimap_/target_species

FIELD CARE DAYS - 2006

Blacks Flat, Warrandyte State Park, Saturday, 23rd July
Participants: Cecily Falkingham, Joan Broadberry, Marion King and Peter Rogers
Despite the very small turn-out for the day, those who attended managed to remove considerable quantities of Smilax from the park. Their efforts on behalf of the Club are very much appreciated. Congratulations to all.

Hochkins Ridge Reserve, Croydon North, Friday, 18th August
Participants: Barbara Burns, Ruth Christensen, Judith Cooke, Cecily Falkingham, Reg Falkingham, Alan Veevers, Hazel Veevers
Guided by Helen Moss, members proceeded to an area where the non-indigenous wattle, Acacia longifolia, had gained a foothold. After two hours' hard work, it was estimated that several hundred plants had been uprooted, preventing the flowers from setting seed and perpetuating the problem in future years. Thanks to all who attended.

MEMBERS' CONTRIBUTIONS

South African Weed Orchid (Diza bracteata). A reminder that continued vigilance is required to combat the spread of this invasive species. Extensive areas of Western Australia and South Australia have been invaded since the orchid was first discovered in 1944 near Albany WA. In Victoria, there have been outbreaks at a number of localities. These include Hurstbridge, Eppalock, Mt Beckworth near Ballarat, Trentham, Gippsland, Mt Mercer past Geelong and a large population to the west of the Grampians where trailer loads of plants were dug up. There is a potential threat that up to 3/4 of the State could become affected. Sightings should be reported to DSE, Parks or DPI.
Information provided by Loris Peggie

Dates for your Diary
27-29 October - Annual Weekend Field Trip, Phillip Island
RFNC 45th Anniversary celebrations