Nature notes for June 2010

A quieter month, for new and interesting sightings. However the observers have enjoyed outings to see other areas of biodiversity. Members of the Wedderburn Conservation Network, Friends of Kooyoora and St Arnaud Field Naturalists had a combined outing to St Arnaud Ranges State Park. The Wax Gardens provided a most interesting diversity of flora. We also had an opportunity to view Grass Trees at two different sites. Although burned in the past two years the grass trees have recovered and other flora has started to regenerate. The grass trees at the burnt site were in flower. WCMN members also attended the North Central Catchment Management Authority (NCCMA) Riparian land management field day at Appin South, and the Landcare tour of indigenous cultural heritage near Kerang. Locally, Scarlet mint bush plants have been seen flowering. These beautiful plants, with dark green foliage, brilliant red (and occasionally orange) flowers, also have a distinctive and pungent smell. Another plant which is taking on a generalised red coloured hue is the Heath Myrtle. Its flowers will change from red in the early stages, to white in full bloom.

With the rainfall this month some interesting and unusual fungi have started to emerge. Basket fungi have been seen in moderate numbers, mostly in areas of well grazed native pasture. These have not been seen very much during the drought years.

The importance of standing dead trees was demonstrated recently. We were admiring the numbers of hollows in a very large, old, dead yellow gum on the edge of a paddock and adjacent to open woodland. An antechinus was seen running along the branches between three different hollows, at least 10 metres off the ground.

At this time of year many duck species are looking for prospective nest hollows in large trees. It is a good time to observe bird behaviour in all species as it comes closer to nesting time.

Wedderburn Conservation Network “Observers”

(Photograph attached is of a Basket Fungi)

The Outrage of Litter

Do we have to have this!

Littering is the deliberate action of depositing items of waste rather than using the correct means of disposal. It is one of the most visible and frequently encountered signs of pollution in the community. It has social and environmental consequences as litter tends to “stick around’ until someone makes the effort to clean it up or until it rains and it finds it way into our local water ways. Aesthetically, litter degrades our ‘special’ places which has social and economic impacts on our society – who wants to visit parks and reserves that have more litter than flora and fauna?!

Over 10,000 birds, whales, seals and turtles are killed worldwide by plastic rubbish each year. When the animal dies and decays, the plastic can then repeat the deadly cycle before it breaks down in 20 to 1000 years. Cigarette butts take up to 5 years to breakdown, aluminium cans are up to 500 years, glass is estimated to hang around for 1000 years and polystyrene will still be here in 2000 years! Cigarette butts also have the serious potential to spark a fire which is a deadly hazard in rural landscapes such as Wedderburn.

What can you do to help? If you spot someone littering you can call the EPA Litter Report line 1800 LITTER (1800 548 897).

Article by Susie Deason, Regional Education Officer

Central Murray Regional Waste Management Group

The Beginning of the Wedderburn CMN speaker Program

DATE: Monday 31 May 2010

TIME: 7.30 p.m.

VENUE: Wedderburn Community House – Meeting Room

SPEAKER: Paul Haw

TOPIC: “Revegetation, and why it’s important”

COST: No Charge

SUPPER: Will be provided (yum)

FURTHER INFORMATION? Annette Robertson Ph: 5494 3650 (AH), Email: billabongs@activ8.net.au

NATURE NOTES FOR APRIL 2010

Autumn has been announced by the appearance of the early orchids of the region – appropriately named, Autumn Greenhoods. These striking orchids, as well as midget greenhood orchids have been seen in large numbers at many locations. The wetter weather of recent months seems to have contributed to a wonderful proliferation of these orchids and also holds a lot of promise for wildflowers blooming in the coming months. A hint, when observing notable or unusual plants, such as these orchids - have a good look at them, take photos, because they may not be there the next day when you return. The orchids are palatable to many animals, and sadly we have found simply bare green stems the very next day where previously there were beautiful orchids.There are a number of other plants drawing attention to themselves by flowering at present. The spreading wattle one of the earliest to bloom, has masses of pale yellow flowers. Guinea flowers, also yellow, started to bloom earlier in the month, but did not keep it up for long. The critically endangered group of spiny rice flower plants are also flowering, much earlier than usual. Yellow paper daisies are flowering too. They usually bloom much later in the year.The change in season has also brought a proliferation of moths, butterflies, insects (and locusts). All of these creatures are intent on mating and laying eggs. The numbers of insects have provided increased food sources for many birds, as have the grasses that are in seed, and the trees currently in blossom. We have been entertained at several sites by the antics of grey fantails and restless flycatchers. Diamond firetails and southern whiteface birds are busy feeding on grass seeds. Lots of interesting plants, birds and animals to be seen in our area – keep your eyes and ears open.

Wedderburn Conservation Management Network “Observers”

Photo: Autumn Greenhood Orchid

Photo Point Monitoring Workshop

What are these people doing? They are demonstrating one method to create shade which might enhance photographing the seed trial site at their feet. On 21^st April, the Wedderburn Conservation Management Network conducted a workshop on Photopoint monitoring. It was attended by members of WCMN, Friends of Kooyoora, Parks Victoria, and Department of Sustainability and Environment. Professional photographer Alison Pouliot presented a stimulating and educational workshop which covered theoretical and practical aspects of Photopoint monitoring - a method of taking replicable photographs as a tool for natural resource management. Two field locations were used to experiment and practice different photographic methods. At Skinners flat participants learned about the effects of light, using different camera settings, how much sky was necessary to include in a photograph, and the importance of taking photographs that realistically illustrate requirement for taking the photograph. The second field site was at the Korong bushland reserve. This presented very different photographic challenges with vegetation, lighting, shadow and colour. Participants also had the opportunity to refine their skills in macro photography as several plants were flowering at the time. The Wedderburn Conservation Management Network (WCMN) “Observers” will have the opportunity to put into practice the skills they learned at the workshop, having volunteered to assist DSE Biodiversity Officer Julie Whitfield to monitor seed trials of the Velvet Daisy Bush for the next six months.

Photograph captions: People making shade are:- from Left to right - Peter Watts, Jade Logie, Alison Pouliot, Jean McLymont, Jeanette Schultz, Alison Jeavons, Parks Victoria Ranger Nick Van Den Brock and Presenter Alison Pouliot.

Article by Annette Robertson

The ultimate sacrifice

Circa 1987 whilst returning from Perth to my home near Esperance, I saw a pair of Mallee Fowl emerge from some trees about 60 meters ahead and to my right. The male bird launched into flight and headed straight toward the car and thankfully he chose to hit the radiator grille and not the windscreen.

With my speed dropping to approx' 80 kmh plus his flight speed he lost all his feathers on impact and no doubt broke every bone because whilst removing him from the mangled front grille he felt like a balloon full of jelly. This must surely count as the supreme sacrifice for the protection of its mate.

Campbell Holmes, Secretary, Korong Historical Society, Wedderburn

Volunteer weekends at the Bush Heritage Reserve in Wedderburn

With the change of seasons comes the start of another series of volunteer working bees at the Nardoo Hills Reserve of Bush Heritage Australia. Tasks include controlling invasive weeds like Wheel Cactus (Opunta robusta) and Paterson’s Curse also fencing. A moderate fitness level is required as some of the work involves the carrying of knapsacks over hilly terrain. Wear sturdy shoes and bring a hat. The first weekend is scheduled for the 29nd and the 30^th of May, the second for the 12^th and the 13th of June. Four more weekends will follow in the months after. These weekends are increasingly popular, so places need to be booked. Please contact Heidi Fisher at Bush Heritage to register your interest and to make a booking: hfisher@bushheritage.org.au ; phone: 8610 9102