Ringwood Field Naturalists Club Inc.

Eighteen people met with their leaders at Fernshaw Reserve, Maroondah Highway, Healesville
We strolled around the formal section of the Reserve exploring the beauty of the old European tress and bird watching. Birds seen were Australian King Parrots, Pied Currawong, and a Black-backed Magpie. The leader saw Gang Gang Cockatoo, Magpie Lark, Superb Fairy Wrens, Sulphur-crested Cockatoos and we all heard Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Striated Pardalote and saw many Crimson Rosellas.
Many people commented on Eucalyptus regnans and the lush green forest understorey. Cyathea australis (Rough tree fern), Polystichum proliferum (Mother Shield fern), the delicate Stellaria flaccida (Forest starwort) and we discussed the important role of Tetrarrhena juncea(wire grass) in the forest ecology.
We identified and discussed many of the plants that make the forest an interesting place to explore. One member climbed up a steep embankment to explore and found some fungi that the leader identified as Trametes versicolour, possibly over 50 of them, and some of them covered in a fine green moss. Then we found Pycnoporus coccineus growing on a small log, this and some of the Rainbow bracket was taken back to a table and photographed causing great interest. Chiloglottis valida was one of the highlights.
After a short break for morning tea we then drove up the Black Spur to Dom Dom Saddle where the wildflowers were abundant.
The bird orchid was seen again and many flowering plants recorded. Goodia lotifolia, a few flowers lingered on the tall growing Correa lawrenceana, Pimelea axiflora, Zieria arborescens, Pittosporum bicolour with masses of yellow flowers and Acacia obliquinervia (Mountain Hickory Wattle), Tetratheca ciliate, Comesperma volubile, Platylobium formosa and thick carpets of Bauera rubiodes were just some of the plants in the understorey.
A Golden Whistler sang a chorus in the car park as we all left in our cars to return to the Hall and a delicious BBQ lunch.
 
Cecily Falkingham