Ringwood Field Naturalists Club Inc.

THE RINGWOOD FIELD NATURALISTS CLUB Inc. NEWSLETTER

Issue No.25 - October, 2007

EDITORIAL: The Newsletter has reached its quarter century with this issue. A huge thank you to all those who have contributed over the years and made it a valuable contact for members not able to attend regularly, enabling them to participate in the life of the Club. It is also an important historical reference, recording our interests, activities and observations in the field.
Without all the hard work carried out by a dedicated group of individuals, the Club would cease to function. Therefore, in order to maintain the prestige of the Club's current reputation, it is essential to ensure that all contributions are suitably acknowledged and recognised at every opportunity. Once again, the Newsletter is grateful to everyone who has taken the time and effort to provide articles and looks forward to continuing to serve the Club's interests in the years to come.

PRESIDENT'S ANNUAL REPORT 2006-7

This year we have consolidated our position in our new home in the Maroondah Federation Estate building in Ringwood. The general consensus of the membership is that the room provides an excellent venue for our meetings, with the audio and video aspects of it being extremely satisfactory.
Once again we enjoyed an excellent programme of talks and excursions. We were transported, without leaving our seats, to Antarctica, the Hattah Lakes, Inland Australia, Gold Mines, Ecuador Cloud Forests, and the Grampians by a range of first class speakers. A topic that provoked much discussion was Climate Change, with Dr Lynda Chambers presenting an authoritative view of its impact on plants and animals. Once again we offer special thanks to David Hewitt for his continued facilitation of the technical side of the presentations. I am happy to report that we now have our own multi-media projector, obtained through a grant from the Federal Government. Thanks to Ray Wall and Peter Rogers for pursuing the grant application to a successful conclusion.
Our annual weekend field trip was to Phillip Island where we enjoyed spectacular coastal scenery, birds, beach and bush. Other field trips were to Beenak, Point Cook, the Ada Tree, Murrundindi, Koomba Park, Sugarloaf Reservoir, Croydon Hills, and Point Henry. Thanks to all the leaders for making the trips so enjoyable, and particular thanks to Doug and David Alkemade for hosting one of the field trips at David's bush property in Christmas Hills. A joint excursion with the Peninsula Field Naturalists Club to Mushroom Reef at Flinders continued the collaboration between the two Clubs. Thanks to Judy Smart of PFNC and Alison Rogers of RFNC for organizing the day. Thanks also to those who participated in our Field Care Days at Warrandyte State Park and Hochkins Reserve.
The 45th Anniversary of the Club was celebrated in December with a picnic lunch at Pound Bend in Warrandyte State Park. Members, particularly the most long-standing, shared happy memories with old and new friends.
Reports of all these activities appear in our Newsletters, and we thank the Editor, Judith Cooke, for the time and effort this task demands.
I am pleased to report the addition of seven new members this year, an encouraging sign for the Club.
Another significant event for the Club will be our hosting of the South East Australia Naturalists Association weekend camp, which we have agreed to do in Healesville in October 2008. Organising is already well underway by a group of members and the results of their efforts will be known in detail by the 2008 AGM.
This year the Club lost three of its members with the passing of Bruce Burton, Geoff Christensen and Arthur Farnworth. Their contributions and very presence were of immense value to us all and will remain with us forever.
Once again, Committee members have made major contributions to the running of the Club. Alison Rogers and Marion King put together the programme, whilst our treasurer, Ray Wall, has continued his efficient management of the Club's finances. Thanks also to Loris Peggie for auditing the books. Ruth Christensen has, with the help of others, maintained the Library despite its fluid state. 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 retiring Secretary Lynn Smith, who has ably dealt with the Club's business throughout the year.
It is my pleasure to report that three of our senior members have been awarded Life Memberships for their dedicated and valued service to the Club over many years. At the AGM, members approved by acclamation the awards to Judith Cooke, Ella Thomas and Phil Daniell. Congratulations and many thanks to all of them.
    Alan Veevers

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

15 April, 2007 - Excursion to Murrundindi    Leader - Peter Rogers
A beautiful autumn day saw 15 members and 2 visitors meet at Devlins Bridge before travelling to Murrundindi. Although there had been recent rains, the area still showed the effects of the drought with a sparse understorey throughout.
Our first stop was the Suspension Bridge picnic/camp area. Here we crossed the suspension bridge and walked along the banks of the Murrundindi River, spending time botanising and bird watching. Three birds of interest were the Bassian Thrush, our own Golden Whistler and the Noisy Friarbird. Some members were fortunate to also see a Lyrebird scratching in the undergrowth.
Lunch was held back at the cars where we picked up a few more interesting birds, including a Satin Bowerbird and Brown Headed Honeyeaters.
Following lunch we travelled to the Cascades carpark. We climbed down the path through beautiful cool temperate rainforest, to look at the Murrundindi River cascading over granite rocks. Unfortunately we could not stay in this relaxing spot forever, so we reluctantly climbed back up the track to the cars and had a welcome cup of tea.
Even though the area was drier than normal, we still enjoyed our excursion to this wonderful area.

12 May, 2007 - Excursion to Koomba Park Leaders - Graeme and Helen Fernandes
Members who attended this excursion were provided with a beautiful day in which to explore the park. Those with the stamina managed to walk as far as the Winton Wetlands, which were clearly showing the effects of the drought. On the return we called in at the bird hides where several water birds were observed. Everyone was very glad of a reviving cup of tea at the conclusion of the day.

17 June, 2007 - Excursion to Sugarloaf Reservoir and One Tree Hill Reserve    Leaders - Alan and Hazel Veevers
Thirteen members enjoyed a fine day at Sugarloaf Reservoir. The level of the reservoir was alarmingly low at 21% capacity, but it was interesting to see numerous young wattles and eucalypts growing in the bed of the reservoir. Bird highlights included a pair of peregrine falcons soaring above the water and two pairs of scarlet robins. Members also enjoyed watching a mob of eastern grey kangaroos with the young males practising their boxing.
After lunch we visited One Tree Hill Reserve where we saw leaves of Glossodia major (Wax-lip orchid) and Leptoceras menziesii (Hare orchid), together with flowering Corunastylis despectans (Sharp Midge orchid), Pterostylis parviflora (Tiny greenhood) and Pterostylis melagramma (Tall greenhood), hopefully an indicator of a good season to come. The maidenhair fern and mosses had benefited from the recent rain, as had several species of fungi.

15 July, 2007 - Excursion to Croydon Hills    Leader - Judith Cooke
Despite the wintry conditions, 23 members assembled in the car-park at Yarrunga Community Centre in North Croydon. After a brief introduction, we all set off across the road into the bushland area to follow the Candlebark Walk to the wetlands. We took our time and made several interesting observations of plants and birds.   As we reached the open area at the far end of the walk, we searched the skies unsuccessfully for raptors. However, when we returned to the bridge over the lake we were delighted to observe a Darter in the reeds. We returned along the lake to the starting point via the path through the ponds beside the Community Centre. It was generally agreed that this area offered plenty of interest and was a worthwhile venue for the programme.

12 August, 2007 - Excursion to Point Henry and Geelong Botanic Gardens (21st Century Garden)    Leader - Ray Wall
Sixteen members enjoyed morning tea in sunshine before setting off along the Point Henry foreshore looking for waders. The extensive salt-works and adjoining Stingaree Bay are good places to look for waders. A group of 50 plus Hoary-headed Grebes was a highlight together with a close-up look at a group of Crested Terns. We then followed a circuit around the wetlands established by the adjacent Alcoa factory workers. There were several bird hides which also served to protect us from the elements as the rain began with a vengeance!   All was not lost as a number of bird sightings were made. With rain diminishing, a prudent withdrawal to the cars was in order.
On the drive from Point Nepean a short detour down Windmill Road found some Red-capped Plovers, Red-necked stints, White-fronted Chat, Pied Oystercatchers and a Little Grassbird.
Lunch in a shelter in Eastern Park dodging leaks from the roof (in need of repair) saw the clouds lessen and the rain stop. The afternoon was spent taking in the various aspects of the Geelong Botanic Gardens and the 21st Century Garden - a showcase of regional flora and the diversity of native and exotic plants. The 21st Century Garden also celebrates Geelong's heritage and location with ship-styled rock features and the striking link to the Geelong waterfront and Corio Bay.
The four local plant communities featured were of special interest (the Coast, the Heathlands associated with the Brisbane Ranges, Anglesea Heath and Grassy Ecosystems. Plants of Arid areas are also included in this garden.
Members then browsed at their leisure through other parts of the Geelong Botanic Gardens - the fourth oldest in Australia. An enjoyable day had by all.

2 September, 2007 - Excursion to Christmas Hills    Leader - Doug Alkemade
Twenty-one members enjoyed a glorious day at David Alkemade's property in the Christmas Hills, bird watching and hunting for orchids and other flora on the hillside. A relaxed lunch preceded the walk, using the spacious outdoor entertaining area overlooking the bush. Bird highlights included watching David's domestic male emu gently gathering up his eggs for incubation; seeing a raven mobbing a low flying wedge-tailed eagle and watching a pair of white-throated tree-creepers visiting their nest hollow. We found eight different species of orchid in flower and the leaves of several others. Swamp wallabies and an echidna also contributed to a delightful afternoon of 'Field Natting'.
Many thanks to Doug Alkemade for leading the excursion and to David and his wife for kindly allowing us to revisit their wonderful property.

15st September 2007 -Field Trip to Boomers Reserve, Panton Hill and Peter Franke Reserve, Smith's Gully.
Leaders - Alan & Hazel Veevers
Twenty-five members spent a very enjoyable day visiting two locations new to the Club's excursion list. Boomers Reserve was a delight to see on a beautiful spring day. The benefit of having a regular burning regime was demonstrated immediately on entry. The section burnt in April 2007 had a relatively bare understorey, except for masses of Scented Sundews and Early Nancys that had already emerged. The areas burnt just over three years ago had magnificent displays of spring flowers, with the Leopard Orchid (Diuris pardina) being abundant. Dense tufts of native grasses covered the ground, whilst the dominant shrub was Acacia genistifolia. Apart from the three common Pterostylis species, nutans, pedunculata and melagramma, other orchids were Caladenia praecox, C. carnea, Arachnorchis lindleyana (oenochila), A. parva, Glossodia major and leaves of a Thelymitra sp and of Diuris corymbosa.
From the ridge beyond the fenced areas protecting the rare spider orchids, a large mob of eastern grey kangaroos was visible, one of which appeared to be an albino. A modest bird list was compiled with a pair of scarlet robins being the highlight.
A wedge-tailed eagle soared serenely overhead as we took a well-earned lunch at the second venue, the Peter Franke Reserve. Afterwards we explored the mining relics as we followed the creek in search of a pair of powerful owls seen a week earlier. One of the owls was spotted and provided an interesting sighting and a good photo opportunity for many members. Numerous owl pellets were under the perch, suggesting that it had been a favourite place for some time. There were more birds to be seen here than at Boomers Reserve, with a pair of pallid cuckoos being watched for a while by several of the group. In the adjacent Queenstown Cemetery (long since abandoned but well looked after by a friends group) there was a profusion of spring flowers amongst the few remaining graves and on the hillside above them. A foraging echidna provided a fitting finale to a perfect day in the bush.


MEMBERS' CONTRIBUTIONS

MARCH FLIES    by Noel Schleiger and Dorothy Mahler

March Flies are stout-looking flies, very familiar to the bushwalker and the country farmer and outdoor worker. March flies belong to the insect order Diptera (two wings) and are members of the family Tabanidae. The genus Tabanus contains numbers of large, stout-bodied flies, usually with a dark banded abdomen. The species, T. indefinitus, has white patches along the abdomen.
The females have dagger-like mouth parts used to pierce the skins of animals and humans to suck blood which they need for protein to develop their eggs. They do not transmit diseases. However, some people react badly to their bites, maybe due to infection from bacteria on their mouth-parts.
The males are not blood suckers. They feed on flower nectar. The eyes of March flies are large and iridescent on wide heads. The eyes of males touch one another whilst the females' eyes are separate. March flies resemble bees 6-28 mm long. They buzz loudly in flight but the females land so lightly that the victim isn't aware of their presence until they penetrate the skin.
March fly larvae like moist conditions, damp soil and vegetable material and rotten wood. Some larvae are aquatic. They are spindle-shaped grubs feeding on other insect larvae and creatures like worms. As they like a damp environment they have been called MARSH FLIES by accident. However, they do burrow in drier soil before pupating. Because they bite prolifically in late summer and early autumn, they are called March Flies.

Bib:    Child, J. Australian Insects (1964) p.54
    P.W. Hadlington and J.A. Johnston An Introduction to Australian Insects (1982) p.72

BIRDWATCHING from a BIKE TRACK    by Cecily Falkingham

Every Monday morning I set off on my bike to cycle to the Koonung Wetlands. The ride starts from my home in Donvale and crosses over numerous bridges on the Koonung creek. The track continues to the city and can include Bushy creek.
As an experiment, I was curious to see how many birds utilize our urban creeks and shared footways. I made a target of at least one new bird each week. The list is now nudging forty. For those reading this article, whether walking or riding, I recommend this experiment, but of course you can travel longer distances on a bike.
I do get some amused glances from other cyclists and walkers as I pedal along with my binoculars around my neck.
There have been many highlights, not the least the early morning light in Summer, misty Autumn and Winter wetland scenes where I reach for the camera. The ride passes through a Melaleuca swamp, several remnant patches of bushland, small wetlands, sporting ovals and open parklands, all good habitat for birds.
Other highlights have been: a Kookaburra a few metres from me snatched up a skink lizard, smashed it to a pulp and down the hatch it went; twenty-five Crested Pigeons on a football oval; a male Mistletoe-bird in Grey Mistletoe (I have recorded five Honeyeaters feeding on the Grey and Drooping Mistletoe, which, between them, provide nectar for almost 5 months of the year); a Little Pied Cormorant drying its wings on top of the ten metre noise wall beside the freeway and a White-faced Heron using the same wall as a vantage point. A Little Falcon provided half an hour of entertainment one summer morning, together with flocks of Galahs, Crimson Rosellas and Eastern Rosellas.
I also spent many happy hours on close observation of the feeding habits of Purple Swamphens, how long Grebes can stay under water and the tightly-packed brown feathers on the head of the Hardhead or White-eyed Duck which, when examined closely looks like fur! And did you know that the female Chestnut Teal cackles like a Kookaburra?
The Koonung Wetland is the highlight of the ride with boardwalks, observation points, seats and mass plantings of indigenous plants. I wonder how long it will take me to get to fifty bird species for the ride.

Field Care Days - 2007

The Common, Warrandyte State Park Saturday, 24 June
Participants: Joan Broadberry, Ruth Christensen, Judith Cooke, Marion King and Peter Rogers
Upon arrival, it was noted that the reserve had had a burn in March. Consequently, the area was relatively free of weeds. Members met Ranger David van Boekel and entered the fenced orchid enclosure where a large clump of Smilax was removed. Other invasive weeds taken out included Acacia baileyana and Pittosporum undulatum. There was time to find a few early orchids as well. Thanks to those who attended.

Hochkins Ridge Reserve, Croydon North, Friday, 17 August
Participants: Ruth Christensen, Judith Cooke, Alan Veevers, Hazel Veevers
The four members who attended met Helen Moss and were guided to a large thicket of the invasive weed, Polygala. We commenced at the perimeter of the thicket and worked steadily inwards. Fortunately, the plants, which were about a meter to two meters high were fairly easy to uproot without the aid of tools. After an hour and a half of hard work, the thicket had been entirely removed, much to everyone's satisfaction. Congratulations to all.

BRUCE BURTON
The Newsletter records with regret the recent death of former member Bruce Burton who made many important contributions to the Club's activities, including excursions to Powlett River and the organization of the camp-out to Moondarra Reservoir in 1997. The Club has expressed its condolences to his wife, Margaret, and his family.

Dates for your Diary

12-14 October - RFNC Annual Weekend Field Trip, The Grampians