Ringwood Field Naturalists Club Inc.

THE RINGWOOD FIELD NATURALISTS CLUB Inc. NEWSLETTER

Issue No.24 - April, 2007

EDITORIAL: Having just experienced another summer of record-breaking temperatures and the worst bushfire season Victoria has ever known, it is only too apparent that there will be significant changes in the environment. Terms such as global warming and climate change are becoming familiar to us all. As Field Naturalists, we are well placed to take note of such changes. Whenever we make observations and record them we are accumulating a valuable resource that may contribute significantly to our understanding of natural phenomena. Excursion lists and members' reports are important activities as these may provide the evidence needed as a basis for future planning and management of our natural heritage.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Excursion to Langwarrin Wildflower Reserve - 14th October, 2006    by Leader - Loris Peggie
Ten members met in the carpark off McClelland Drive for a cuppa before setting off to the left of the main central track. The day was mild but overcast, then sunny and quite warm. The drought was very obvious with the bush crackly dry. Some plants were struggling to flower and everywhere obviously needing a good drink of water. First we found quite a large area of Caleana major (large flying duck orchids) in bud. At the reservoir we spent quite a long while listening to the birds, with quite a good recording at this spot. As we moved on other birds and a few more orchids were seen - these included Pterostylis nutans (nodding greenhood) Pterostylis melagramma (tall greenhood) and a Microtis species (onion orchid). There were a surprising number of white flowering plants - tea trees and wedding bush to name a couple. We returned to the cars for lunch under the canopy of the tall eucalypts where the birds were again a pleasure to see and hear.After lunch we walked Break Track and found an abundance of Thelymitra (sun orchids) in flower - ixioides (dotted), rubra (salmon), flexuosa (twisted) and pauciflora (slender). As the day warmed up, the birds were fewer except for a highlight I did not expect to see - the mistletoe bird. There was certainly a lot of mistletoe in the reserve so there will be no lack of food for the young if they nest in the reserve and were not just passing through.It was quite worrying to find that the reserve has been closed on the right side of the main track because of Phytophthora (Cinnamon Fungus) which seems to be spreading into many areas of the bush. We should all be taking care we always thoroughly clean our footwear between each visit to the bush and make sure we are not the carriers of this disturbing problem.It would certainly be worth a visit to this area again in Spring, after more normal rains, to see the difference a good season makes to this very sandy reserve.

Camp-out to Phillip Island - 27-29th October 2006    by Leaders - Alan and Hazel Veevers
Twenty-six members enjoyed a weekend of spectacular coastal scenery beachcombing, bushwalking and bird watching. The Friday evening walk from Grossard Point was curtailed by horizontal rain and gale force winds, but the weather for the rest of the trip was fine. Highlights on the Saturday included viewing the seabird breeding colonies at the Nobbies, beachcombing at Kitty Miller Bay and witnessing the amazing sight of thousands of Short-tailed Shearwaters (mutton birds) flying in from the sea to their burrows at dusk. Standing on a boardwalk in the middle of the burrowed area at Swan Lake as the birds come in is an experience everyone should have at least once in their life.On Sunday. we met at Fishers Wetland on the approach to Churchill Island where Cape Barren Geese and a flock of Royal Spoonbills greeted us. Many other water birds were seen, including several Australian Spotted Crakes. After driving on to Churchill Island, we walked around the northern section where the ancient Moonah trees with their gnarled and interwoven trunks were much admired. After lunch the final activity was a walk at Wonthaggi Heathland reached by a short drive from Phillip Island. The Heath was looking reasonably healthy, despite the drought, with many small grass trees in full flower providing a spectacular show. Orchid species found included sun orchids, brown beaks and spider orchids.Everyone found the weekend an enlightening experience in some way, and the trip was voted a resounding success as we parted company and headed for home.

Excursion to Beenak - 11th November 2006    by Leader - Peter Rogers
An excursion was held on a hot and sunny Saturday, 11th November 2006. Ten members met at Shiprock Falls and spent some time botanising in and around the carpark. Yellow Goodenias, blue Dampieras and pink Tetrathecas provided colour with eastern spinebills entertaining us. Blue sun orchids were plentiful, more so along the roadsides leading to Kirth Kiln. Although Kirth Kiln was busy with other visitors, we walked through the bush to look at the clubmoss, still going strong despite the dry conditions. Back at the cars we finished the afternoon by having a welcome cup of tea and listening to some of the birds.

45th Anniversary Lunch, Pound Bend - 3rd December 2006    by Peter Rogers
On Sunday 3rd December Ringwood Field Naturalists Club held its 45th anniversary celebrations in the form of a picnic lunch at Pound Bend, Warrandyte.Twenty-two members attended and had an enjoyable time reminiscing and chatting with each other. Following lunch, some members went for a short walk along the river edge. Others stayed in the picnic area, enjoying the company and looking at old photos of Club activities. When members returned from their walk a group photo was taken to celebrate and record the event. Happy Birthday Ringwood Field Naturalists Club - we hope we will continue to grow and to enjoy a mutual love of nature and the Australian bush. Club members getting together to celebrate 45 years of Natural History in Ringwood.

Excursion to Point Cook Coastal Park - 13th January 2007    by Leaders - Alan and Hazel VeeversTwenty-five members enjoyed a mild sunny day. We met in the Beach Car Park and searched unsuccessfully for the elusive brown quail that inhabit the area. We then walked down to the beach and studied various shells and seaweeds that were evident. Several small red-necked stints were seen scurrying about amongst the debris at the high tide mark. Various bush-birds were spotted in the trees around the car park and picnic area, including four thornbill species. After a relaxed lunch, we drove to the Cheetham Wetlands car park and walked to Point Cook, enjoying the variety of flora growing in the seemingly harsh conditions behind and on the dune barrier. At the Point we saw various cormorants, terns and sandpipers occupying their favourite positions on the rocky outcrop that stretches some distance out into the bay.We returned via the Homestead site, where a lone pelican flew overhead looking like an elegant mini jumbo-jet approaching the runway. Afternoon tea capped off a most enjoyable day. We departed for home pondering the fact that both Spectacle Lake and the RAAF Lake were completely dry: a situation that must reduce the diversity of bird species in the area.

Excursion to Mushroom Reef, Flinders - 24th February 2007    by Judith Cooke
Members from our Club met at Flinders Back Beach and joined members from Peninsula FNC for a combined excursion, exploring Mushroom Reef at low tide. Judy Smart from Peninsula FNC led us out to the edge of the reef and delighted everyone by turning over rocks to see what was hiding underneath. We were fortunate to observe a range of marine creatures, including brittle stars and an octopus and admired the multi-coloured display of seaweed in the rock pools. The bird-watchers were also successful with a reasonable bird list, including Sooty Oyster-catchers. We returned to the cars for lunch together, then everyone went their separate ways, some to visit Balbirooroo Wetlands at Balnarring.

OBITUARIES

Geoffrey Neil Christensen PhD Nov. 7 1921 - Nov. 26 2006
Geoff Christensen joined the Club when he and Ruth moved to North Ringwood following retirement. He brought with him a wealth of experience from his involvement with the Native Plants Preservation Society and Photoflora. Geoff's association with the Club began long before he became a member as he had been a guest speaker in its early years. Talks given by Geoff were very popular and always illustrated by his splendid photographs. He quickly became an active member of the Committee (1994) and served as Club President 1995-97. He and Ruth led a number of excursions and memorable camp-outs to the Grampians and Holey Plains. His expertise and positive outlook will be sadly missed and we join with his family in mourning his loss.

Arthur James Farnworth MBE, PhD 30.9.1923 - 10.12.2006
Members were saddened by the news of Arthur's sudden death following a recent stroke that put him in the nursing home with his wife, Edith, after a long struggle with her debilitating illness. We regret that in retirement he was unable to pursue for long those pastimes that brought him pleasure, his love of the natural world and his photography. Nevertheless, he has left a legacy of extraordinary images of insects and other subjects, many of them appearing in nature publications, some of which he generously donated to the Club library. Arthur served on the Committee 1990-94 and his entertaining talks at meetings were enlivened by his sometimes outrageous sense of humour. We send our condolences to his family.

Dates for your Diary
Field Care Days - Warrandyte State Park June 2007- Hochkins Ridge - Friday, 17th August 2007 at 10:30 am
RFNC Annual Camp-out - The Grampians October 2007