Of Worms and Birds

Finally, the tracks have been identified! For many years the observers have noted the tracks of large earthworms seen on moist ground at the edge of a local unsealed road. Recently in the early morning they were fortunate to sight not one, but two of these worms some 500m apart. The road has forest on one side, and large trees on the other side with plenty of leaf litter providing good habitat for not only the worms, but many other important insects.

Bird observations have also featured this month. Studying birds around your home environment is indeed an enjoyable experience. It can also be exciting when a new bird, previously not seen from your kitchen window, is identified. A Spotted pardalote has been added to the Observers “seen around our house” list.

Many of the large yellow gums are flowering. The blossom attracts several different bird species. At present sulphur crested cockatoos are enjoying the flowers and associated insects. Their feeding habits drop plenty of small branches, twigs and flowers on the ground below creating quite a carpet. Casuarinas are also flowering and provide a lot of interest for smaller birds.

Orchid leaves are starting to appear. By carefully noting where many orchids were seen last year it encourages the observer to revisit the site more frequently now to watch for any developing orchid plants.

Attending the recent fungi workshop presented by Alison Pouliot has stimulated an increased interest and understanding of fungi species, and in particular just how many can be found in our area. It is exciting to anticipate the proliferation of fungi with the increased moisture in the environment this year. Be observant, look in likely and not so likely places and you will be rewarded with sighting of many of this interesting species.

Wedderburn Conservation Management Network “Observers”

Photo Caption: Large earthworm seen on roadside.

Vulnerable Birds Appear on the Increase

Slowly but surely the high rainfall over the last year and a half is working its miracles throughout the landscape. After a really good year for native grasses and a boom-year for insects, there are now signs the birds are starting to make a comeback as well. There were a lot of bird species suffering in the drought, especially in places where they had to compete for seeds and fruits with introduced and native grazers and browsers. 2008 in particular saw a steep decline in some of the most endangered bird species of the Wedderburn district, the Diamond Firetail (Stagonopleura guttata) and the Hooded Robin (Melanodryas cucullata), but now these birds are slowly coming back. It is too early to tell if they will make a full recovery, but the signs are promising.

Breeding pairs of Hooded Robins have been reported on the North, Northwest and the East side of town, whereas Diamond Firetails have been reported in little flocks in those areas in the district where the native grasses have been allowed to grow big unhindered. On this picture a small group of them is mingling with a flock of Southern Whiteface (Aphelocephala leucopsis), another species that is generally declining in numbers in Victoria. The photo was taken close to Mt Korong and it is assumed the large volume in native grasses in that area is contributing to these birds doing well. A continued rabbit control program at the mount should benefit these species even further as the competition for their food declines.

The diversity of bird life, or avifauna as it is also called, is a particular natural asset of the Wedderburn district. That our most vulnerable bird species appear to be increasing in number is therefore great news.

Jeroen van Veen