Nature Notes for June / July

The most welcome rain has had quite an effect on the local natural environment. Colour changes are very noticeable. The bright yellow of the prickly wattle, flowering in profusion at present, vivid green mosses are thick and spongy on rocks and previously bare ground. Lichens are re-hydrated and prolific, with beautiful grey and pale green colours. Some heavy dews have made the scented sundews obvious. Large patches of them are visible now; red and green, adorned with droplets of moisture and the sticky substance that helps them attract insects. The critically endangered spiny rice flower is flowering. Its tiny yellow flowers and small size bushes are difficult to spot from the roadside, in a location so close to paddocks in crop. The brightly coloured red capped robin is still regularly sighted, and in the same bush area a hooded robin has been seen a few times. Observing the behaviour of local wildlife can be an interesting and enlightening pastime. For example, two wedge tailed eagles, in flight, being harassed by crows and totally ignoring the crow's intrusion. Wood ducks can be observed in pairs flying from prospective nesting hollows in trees. The white winged choughs are gathering in very large, and sometimes very vocal, family groups. The moisture in the ground this year will make their task of building mud nests much easier than the last few years. Native mammals have adapted to live in conjunction with human habitation near their environment. The yellow footed antechinus sometimes lives around houses. A couple from near Wedderburn were pleased to have one positively identified and can relax now they know the small furry creature they have seen in the fernery is not a household rat. There is much to observe in our local natural environment. Enjoy the changes, particularly evident after the recent rain.
Nature Notes result from our members observing the environment as they go about their daily work or relax in their environment.

"WCMN Observers"

Ploughshare Wattle Discovery

A healthy stand of the rare Ploughshare Wattle, Acacia gunnii, was discovered during the first week of July by Alison Jeavons of Greenhouse Balanced. The stand included some 12 individuals of which two were flowering prolifically. Alison was busy seeding the new Greenhouse Balanced block wedged between the Skinners Flat and Woosang blocks of the Wychitella Nature Conservation Reserve when she noticed the creamy colours of the flowers of the rare plants out of the corner of her eye.

The flowers look very much like the flower of the Spreading Wattle, Acacia genistifolia, which is also present at the block in large numbers. However, Alison noticed that the prostrate growing habits of the Ploughshare were very different and on closer inspection made the exciting identification.

There have only been two previous recordings of this species in our district, both in the Korong Vale block of the Wychitella NCR. Wedderburn is on the furthest north-western edge of the natural range of this plant, which occurs in all Eastern States but in very low numbers. The newly discovered stand will be protected as the revegetated Greenhouse Balanced blocks in Wedderburn are all covenanted through Trust for Nature. Good news for the long term survival of this species in our region.

Article and photograph by Jeroen van Veen

Native Species Use Revegetated Land

The earliest revegetation project in Old Boort Rd is showing encouraging signs that this project is bearing fruit in terms of its use by local birds for shelter and food foraging. This year the Spreading Wattle has already bloomed and the Golden Wattle, Wallowa, Grey Mulga, Mallee Wattle and Gold-dust Wattle are all heavily budded. These indigenous native plants were all part of the original vegetation of this land and all are regarded as important sources of seed for Mallee Fowls.
A variety of birds have been observed using this revegetated area including: the chestnut-rumped thornbill, the yellow- rumped thornbill, superb fairy wrens, willie wagtails, the restless flycatcher, jacky winter, variegated wrens, and the white browed babbler. Overall, very satisfying results to date.

Article by Doug Pocock