Ringwood Field Naturalists Club Inc.
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RINGWOOD FIELD NATURALISTS CLUB Inc.
SEANA Spring Weekend – Healesville – 18-19 October 2008
Excursions to Badger Weir
SEANA Spring Weekend – Healesville – 18-19 October 2008
Excursions to Badger Weir
Three excursions were conducted to Badger Weir.
Saturday 18th morning and afternoon and Sunday 19th morning only.
Saturday was warm and sunny approximately 28 degrees C. with Sunday being considerably cooler about 17.degrees C.
On setting off from the car park along the Coranderk Track our first flowering plant was the Bootlace Bush (Pimelea axiflora). From then the area turned into cool temperate forest of tall eucalypts and fern gullies. As we walked along the track some of the more interesting ferns sighted were Fishbone Water Fern with spore fronds (Blechnum nudum), Gristle Fern (Blechnum cartilagineum) and the Bat’s-wing Fern (Histiopteris incisa).
We were able to find a few orchids beside the track. One of the orchids sighted was the Maroonhood (Pterostylis pedunculata).
As the track rose and neared Badger Weir the forest changed to tall eucalypts and fern trees.
There are three tree ferns found along Badger Creek. The Soft Tree Fern (Dicksonia antarctica), Rough Tree Fern (Cyathea australis) and the Slender Tree Fern (Cyathea cunninghamii). The moist gully at Badger Weir reveals beautiful tree ferns that are covered in Austral Filmy Fern (Hymenophyllum australe) and Finger Fern (Grammitis billardieri) with some Kangaroo Ferns (Microsorium diversifolium) to name just a few.
An interesting sighting at Badger Weir was the Helmet Orchid growing on the tree ferns .
They usually flower between August to October and unfortunately for us they had just finished flowering. Of the many Helmet orchids growing on the tree ferns only a few produce a flower in any one year.
From Badger Weir returning along the Slip Track a number of Lyrebirds were sighted scratching amongst the leaf litter. The Slip Track provided us with some more interesting ferns and a small variety of fungi. The number of fungi species was quite low due to the dryer than normal conditions.
From this higher track one could easily see the magnificent eucalypts. The main eucalypts for this area consists of Mountain Ash (Eucalyptus regnans), Manna Gum (Eucalyptus viminalis) Mountain Grey Gum (Eucalyptus cypellocarpa) and Messmate (Eucalyptus obliqua). The Manna gum bark commonly has horizontal “cuts” due to insect lavae. We were just a little early to see the plentiful growth of Hazel Pomaderris in full bloom.
During the walk there were always plenty of birds to see and hear. Some of the more interesting birds were the Lyrebird, Gang Gang Cockatoo, Yellow Tailed Black Cockatoo, Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, Australian King Parrot, Eastern Spinebill, Rose Robin, Golden Whistler, and many Crimson Rosellas.
The excursions were completed with a brief wrap up and a short trip back to the Badger Creek Hall.
Thank you to the people who attended the Badger Weir excursions.
Graeme Fernandes
Saturday was warm and sunny approximately 28 degrees C. with Sunday being considerably cooler about 17.degrees C.
On setting off from the car park along the Coranderk Track our first flowering plant was the Bootlace Bush (Pimelea axiflora). From then the area turned into cool temperate forest of tall eucalypts and fern gullies. As we walked along the track some of the more interesting ferns sighted were Fishbone Water Fern with spore fronds (Blechnum nudum), Gristle Fern (Blechnum cartilagineum) and the Bat’s-wing Fern (Histiopteris incisa).
We were able to find a few orchids beside the track. One of the orchids sighted was the Maroonhood (Pterostylis pedunculata).
As the track rose and neared Badger Weir the forest changed to tall eucalypts and fern trees.
There are three tree ferns found along Badger Creek. The Soft Tree Fern (Dicksonia antarctica), Rough Tree Fern (Cyathea australis) and the Slender Tree Fern (Cyathea cunninghamii). The moist gully at Badger Weir reveals beautiful tree ferns that are covered in Austral Filmy Fern (Hymenophyllum australe) and Finger Fern (Grammitis billardieri) with some Kangaroo Ferns (Microsorium diversifolium) to name just a few.
An interesting sighting at Badger Weir was the Helmet Orchid growing on the tree ferns .
They usually flower between August to October and unfortunately for us they had just finished flowering. Of the many Helmet orchids growing on the tree ferns only a few produce a flower in any one year.
From Badger Weir returning along the Slip Track a number of Lyrebirds were sighted scratching amongst the leaf litter. The Slip Track provided us with some more interesting ferns and a small variety of fungi. The number of fungi species was quite low due to the dryer than normal conditions.
From this higher track one could easily see the magnificent eucalypts. The main eucalypts for this area consists of Mountain Ash (Eucalyptus regnans), Manna Gum (Eucalyptus viminalis) Mountain Grey Gum (Eucalyptus cypellocarpa) and Messmate (Eucalyptus obliqua). The Manna gum bark commonly has horizontal “cuts” due to insect lavae. We were just a little early to see the plentiful growth of Hazel Pomaderris in full bloom.
During the walk there were always plenty of birds to see and hear. Some of the more interesting birds were the Lyrebird, Gang Gang Cockatoo, Yellow Tailed Black Cockatoo, Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, Australian King Parrot, Eastern Spinebill, Rose Robin, Golden Whistler, and many Crimson Rosellas.
The excursions were completed with a brief wrap up and a short trip back to the Badger Creek Hall.
Thank you to the people who attended the Badger Weir excursions.
Graeme Fernandes
Another Report on the Badger Weir Excursions
On Sunday morning, in cool conditions, 18 participants visited Badger Weir.
The walk to the Weir took longer than expected with participants keenly interested in locating the elusive small birds hiding in the dense bush. Although there wasn’t much in flower, small amounts of fungi were to be found. Lyrebirds were calling from the surrounding bush, adding to the already numerous birds calling.
Tree ferns at the weir provided a lot of interest, some covered with filmy fern and others with helmet orchid leaves on the trunks (the orchids having already flowered in Autumn ).
The tall thick trunks of the tree ferns were rising from the forest floor with rosettes of new growth springing from the top. The tan colour of the crosiers contrasted with the bright green of the fronds.
A few members of the group were lucky enough to spot a rose robin flitting around the weir area.
The return walk was just as interesting, again fungi and ferns featuring highly. At the top of the steps under the tree ferns, a large colony of Ramaria filicicola provided a talking point and photographic challenge. The population of Austral King-fern (Todea barbara) along the track was of considerable interest to participants as well as lush plants of Strap Water-fern (Blechnum patersonii). On the embankments, the colonies of the giant moss (Dawsonia longiseta) provided yet another highlight.
Birds were quite plentiful with Golden whistlers, Lewin’s honeyeaters, King parrots and Gang gangs among the sightings. For the morning walk, 23 birds were sighted.