The Clematis

Autumn 2006 Issue No 67

BAIRNSDALE

POSTAGE

Victoria

3875 PAID

Quarterly Newsletter of theBairnsdale & District

Field Naturalists Club Inc A0006074C

24 1 BAIRNSDALE & DIST FIELD NATURALISTS CLUB INC. A0006074C List of Office Bearers for 2006 President: Pat McPherson ph. (03) 5152 2614 Secretary: Wendy Parker ph. (03) 5152 2615 Treasurer: Margaret Regan ph. (03) 5156 2541

Correspondence to: The Secretary, P.O. Box 563, BAIRNSDALE 3875 Web Site: www.eastgippsland.com/bdfnc

General meetings take place at: Noweyung Centre, 84 Goold Street Bairnsdale 3rd. Friday of the month at 7.30pm sharp. No meeting June, July, August Committee meetings take place: Thursday of the previous week before the 3rd. Friday of the month at members homes except June, July, August when held on field excursions if required. . Group Co-ordinators: Botanic Group: James Turner Ph. (03) 5155 1258 Fauna Survey Group: Jenny Edwards Ph. (03) 5157 5556 G.L.O.G. Lynn Turner Ph. (03) 5155 1258 Bushwalking Group: Noel Williamson Ph. (03) 5152 1737 Newsletter Editor: Pauline Stewart Ph. (03) 5152 2135 80 Bengworden Rd. Bairnsdale.3875 email: [email protected]

All articles for Winter Clematis must be in by June 1st.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE 1. To further the study of natural history in all its branches, promoted by periodical meetings, field excursions and other activities. 2. To observe and strengthen the laws for the preservation & protection of indigenous flora and fauna and habitat and important geological features. 3. To promote the formation and preservation of National and State Parks and Reserves. Jeremy and Nina

2 23 WEDDING OF THE YEAR RULES TO OBSERVE ON FIELD TRIPS: 1. Excursions are cancelled on days of TOTAL FIRE BAN. On Sunday March 12 at “The Junction”, Dargo, members Nina Wil- Members may proceed on the planned trip AT OWN RISK. kinson and Jeremy Stewart celebrated their marriage. The property, 2. Participants to keep a visual on the car in front and behind. 3. When making a turn, give signal, and stay at intersection until owned and developed over several decades as a walnut and sheep following car has also turned. enterprise by Nina’s parents, is located at the confluence of the Dar- 4. If separated from other cars, stop, and stay with your car. go and Wonnangatta rivers. Other members will return to find you. Not only are both Jeremy’s parents, Pauline and George, Club mem- bers, but Jen Wilkinson, Nina’s mother, is a member too. We are going to work on her father! SUBSCRIPTION FEES The wedding ceremony took place in a magical walnut grove setting beside the Wonnangatta River with the late afternoon sun slanting Family membership $25 through the trees. Guests were summoned to the site by the tolling Single membership $15 of a bell and were able to sit peacefully in the shade, listening to the Mid-year fee (new members only) $ 7.50 sounds of nature, while they waited for the bride and her parents to arrive by 4WD (a very clean one!). Bird calls noted while we await- ed the arrival of the wedding party included pied currawongs, rufous Responsibility for the accuracy of information and opinions expressed in this whistler, sulphur crested cockatoo, kookaburra, bellbirds, crimson newsletter rests with the author of the article. rosella, king parrot, white winged choughs, wood duck, black duck and bower birds. It was a wonderful green and peaceful setting. Nina, accompanied by her parents, one on each arm, walked to the site along a pathway of dried rose . The ceremony was simple CONTENTS and moving and the poetry readings left many moist eyes. Program - March to June 2006 5-6 Jeremy lit a brass welsh miner’s lamp as a symbol of the occasion Colquhoun & Lake Tyers 6-8 and indicated that this would occur at each anniversary of the day. Native Dog Campout 8-13 The reception took place within a marquee beside the homestead on Excursion program for Sale & Dist. Field Nat. Club and the property and guests not only enjoyed wonderful hospitality, but Latrobe Field Naturalists Club 13 were able to wander through the enclosed orchard and vegetable Falls Creek 14-18 garden and wonder at the evident productivity. The Great Wattle Debate 19-20 The nearly full moon which rose later in the evening was a fitting Snippets from Nature 21 end to a very happy occasion. Wedding of the Year 22-23 All members of the Club wish Nina and Jeremy a happy and joyous life together.

Wendy Parker

22 3 CONTACT PHONE NUMBERS and email address’s for meetings Snippets from “Nature Australia” and field trips. Spring 2005 Andrew Bould 5156 6494 [email protected] The DNA of animals can be extracted from their scats (poo). Brush-tailed Jenny Edwards 51575556 [email protected] Rock-wallabies are found in south-eastern Australia and their numbers Heather Oke 5156 3231 [email protected] have seriously declined due to massive hunting for pelts, habitat destruc- Pat McPherson 5152 2614 [email protected] tion and the introduction of predators such as foxes, cats and wild dogs. Wendy Parker 5152 2615 [email protected] Estimating their numbers to monitor their abundance is not easy. The Margaret Regan 5156 2541 rocky cliffs they inhabit are hard to access, and they are difficult to ob- Pauline Stewart 5152 2135 [email protected] serve and trap. Trapping may also cause stress to these animals. It was James Turner 5155 1258 [email protected] discovered that DNA could be obtained from scats that were less than a Noel Williamson 5152 1737 [email protected] week old and individuals could be reliably identified. This was found to be a non-invasive method of identifying animals in each colony.

DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY FOR BUSH WALKS Easy Flat, good firm track. Summer 2005-2006 Moderately easy Mostly flat, track in good to fair condition Until recently our knowledge of the sex life of the Common Wombat was Moderate May be undulating, track in good to fair condition a complete mystery. There had been no recorded observations of the Mod. difficult May be some steep sections, track may be rough in courtship and mating in wild wombats. There were no documented claims places of successful breeding in captive wombats. Biologists suspected that mat- Difficult May have long steep sections, track may be non ing occurred in the burrow and few attempts had been made to construct existent at times artificial burrows. When wombats were newly introduced, the male would Walks vary in distance from 6 to 12 km. attack the female, vigorously biting and clawing her hindquarters. The Contact the leader of the walk for a rating if it’s not included in the animals were then usually separated. It was in the German city of Hanno- program. ver that the first successful breeding of the Common Wombat was record- ed. It was observed that the mating was a physically demanding process, Please take note of safety procedures in your Bairnsdale & District complete with chasing, biting and grunting. The courting and mating of Field Naturalists Club Inc. ‘RISK MANAGEMENT POLICY’ wild wombats was then observed using infra-red film at a farm at booklet. Tonimbuk in . The female trotted in circles and figures of eight with the male chasing her. When he bit her on the rump, she stopped and allowed him to mate, both lying on their sides. This sequence was repeat-

Please note this program could be subject to change. ed seven times. It appears that a large amount of space is needed to allow the courtship routine. At the Hannover Zoo, the wombats were permitted It is your responsibility to contact the co-ordinator of each field trip to notify them of your intention to participate. The co- the free run of the elephant and rhinoceros enclosure at night. At Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo, NSW, by increasing the size of the wombat enclo- ordinator can then notify you if the trip has to be cancelled due to adverse weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances. sure, they had spectacular success with the first recorded instance of wom- bat twins. Evening committee meetings may not be required. Please check before arriving.

4 21 the genus and, in the case of Acacia, this has long been accepted as PROGRAM - MARCH TO JUNE 2006 A.nilotica, which is a native of Africa and Asia. Thus, in the event of Aca- cia being split, and with A. nilotica regarded as the ‘type species’ the name Acacia would have to be applies to subgenus Acacia, which is one MARCH of the smallest groups with only 163 species, 13 per cent of the total ge- Frid. 17th. General meeting 7.30pm. Speaker: Members from the EG nus. Bird Observers Club to help us with identification of birds Under this scenario, most of the Australian species would have to be given which may be seen or heard and the Waterholes Guest House. a new generic name, Racodperma. However, in circumstances that are 17,18,19,20 Fauna Survey at Waterholes Guest House. regarded as exceptional, the International Code of Contact: Jenny Edwards allows for the ‘type species’ to be changed. These exceptional circum- Sun. 18th. Monthly excursion 9.00 am (Bridge Club) to Waterholes stances must be ones that are judged to be in the best interest of stability Guest House. for the group concerned, and a formal process must be followed. Contact: James Turner Sun. 26th. Bushwalk 9.30am Bruthen Walking Trails Contact: Pauline Stewart WHAT’S IN A NAME Not yet graded. Nomenclature is the correct assignment of names to the kinds of groups APRIL of organisms in a taxonomic classification. Swedish naturalist Linnaeus Thurs. 6th. Committee meeting 7.30pm at Wendy Parker’s home. developed the current system of binomial nomenclature. Under this sys- Frid. 21st. General meeting 7.30pm. Speaker: Alan Scrymgeour tem, Latin scientific names consist of two parts: the generic name, which “The Sea Rules” A presentation on our unique marine life is a noun; and the specific epithet, which is a descriptive adjective. from Boyd’s Tower to the Gippsland Lakes. Sat 22nd. Monthly excursion. Paynesville - Afternoon and evening is the classification of organisms in an ordered system that sessions with Alan Scrymgeour—”Mud, Sand, Algae and ideally indicates natural relationships. It specifies a hierarchy under which Angiosperms!” Wade the shallows and observe the marine taxa are classified. environment in the late day. Together, nomenclature and taxonomy are fundamentally important in Details to be finalized with a list of what to bring. biology because they allow scientific communities to accurately communi- Contact: Andrew Bould cate and exchange information about species. They are essential to the Sun. 30th. Bushwalk 9.00am. To Sandy Creek off Mt. Baldhead Road. effective conservation, utilization and management of any biological or- Contact: Pauline Stewart ganism. MAY Thurs. 11th. 6.00pm Casserole dinner followed by committee meeting and 1. What are two things you cannot have for breakfast? planning meeting at Pauline Stewart’s home. 2. What’s easier to give than receive? Frid. 19th. General meeting 7.30pm. Speaker: Mary Cole speaking on 3. What’s the last thing you take off before bed? Fungi. 4. What bow can’t be tied? 5. What did Cinderella say when her photos didn’t arrive? Sun. 21st. Monthly excursion 9.30am (Bridge Club) 10.00 (Nowa 6. Why did the girl give cough syrup to the pony? Nowa) Lake Tyers House Rd. Fungi search with Mary Cole. 7. Why did Henry V111 have so many wives? Sun. 28th. Bushwalk 9.00am to Mitchelldale.

Contact: Wendy Parker

told her it was a little horse 7.He liked to chop and change change and chop to liked 7.He horse little a was it her told Not yet rated. rainbow 5. “Someday my prints will come” 6. Because someone someone Because 6. come” will prints my “Someday 5. rainbow 1.Lunch and dinner 2. Criticism 3.Your feet off the floor 4.A 4.A floor the off feet 3.Your Criticism 2. dinner and 1.Lunch

20 5 Committee meetings and general meeting are now in recess for the winter. THE GREAT WATTLE DEBATE From Landscope Magazine Summer 2005-2006 JUNE Sun. 18th. Monthly excursion to Providence Ponds. One of the most significant developments in botanical nomenclature in Contact: James Turner recent years occurred in July 2005 at the International Botanical Congress Sun. 25th. Bushwalk to be announced. in Vienna. In a somewhat controversial decision, the congress voted to allow the Australian group of wattle species to keep its current scientific name, Acacia. The decision, based on the need to provide stability of naming, as well as logistical considerations, has avoided considerable sci- COLQUHUON AND LAKE TYERS entific disruption and saved millions of dollars. 18 December 2005 There are more than 1350 species of wattle recognized throughout the by Margaret Regan world, distributed through warm and temperate areas of the globe. Acacia This trip was principally to see the three local species of Hyacinth Orchid. is the second largest genus in the pea family. It is the largest genus of Our first stop was on the Lakes - Colquhuon Road where we saw Dipo- flowering in Australia and is an iconic national floral group. Of the dium roseum whose flowers have pink blotched reflexed petals, a striped 1350 or so species of wattle recognized, Australia is home to about 955, labellum and plain pale pink ovary and flower stalk. The flowers were while the Americas host 185, Africa 144 and Asia 89. There are two main borne on burgundy stems. There was also a bud of Dipodium variegatum. areas of richness for wattles in Australia: the arid inland region of south- Its flower petals are also spotted but against a background of white instead west and the tablelands associated with the Great Divid- of pink, and the flower stalk and ovary are also spotted. Also in flower ing Range in eastern Australia. were Nodding Blue-lily (Stypandra glauca) with its hanging bright blue flowers with yellow , and the Common Fringe Lily (Thysanotus WATTLE WE CALL IT? tuberosus) whose mauve flowers have their petals fringed with hairs; the Over the past few decades, it has become clear to scientists that most Aus- daisy Brachyscome spathulata which has largish purple ray florets and tralian wattle species are dissimilar in many ways from those found in Af- yellow tubular florets, and basal crenate leaves; Showy Violet (Viola rica, Asia and the Americas. The results of recent molecular studies con- betonicifolia); purple Hairy Fan-flower (Scaevola ramosissima); Blue Pin- firmed morphological evidence that a formal division of the genus Acacia cushion (Brunonia australis) whose flowers are held in a head at the top of into a number of separate genera needed to take place. This division the floral stalk; and the Small Grass tree (Xanthorrhoea minor). Further would trigger the need for several new generic names, and result in con- north along this road were more plants of Dipodium variegatum and the siderable nomenclatural disruption. One of the most important questions blue and white Tall Lobelia (Lobelia gibbosa). relating to the issue was: to which group should the original name Acacia be applied? On Ostlers Road the Holly Lomatia (Lomatia ilicifolia) plants which have Since 1986, considerable work has been undertaken to reassess the generic holly-shaped leaves were topped with large sprays of cream flowers (up to status of wattle. The previous system of classification recognized three 30cm). Further along were specimens of Tall Baeckea (Babingtonia pluri- subgroups: subgenus Acacia, subgenus Aculeiferum and subgenus Phyl- flora) which used to be named Baeckea virgata. They were about 4m high lodineae (the ‘Australian group’). New research suggests that there with opposite leaves and bear white flowers. A White-throated Treecreep- should really be five subgroups rather than three. er was heard to call. The rule of priority followed by the International Code of Botanical No- menclature means that, under usual circumstances, in the event of a genus In the wet area beneath the Nowa Nowa Trestle Bridge were the prostrate being split, the group containing the ‘type species’ retains the name of the Swamp Mazus (Mazus pumilio) with mauve snapdragon-like flowers; genus. The ‘type species’ is usually one of the first species to be named in

6 19 pine Ash (Eucalyptus delegatensis). Some of the understorey were Elder- Austral Brooklime (Gratiola peruviana), a lush small herb with tiny pale berry Panax (Polyscias sambucifolia), a tall shrub with very large and var- pink tubular flowers; yellow Swamp Goodenia (Goodenia humilis) and iable dissected leaves; Derwent Speedwell (Derwentia derwentiana); and Lanky Goodenia (G. elongata); the Angled Lobelia (Lobelia anceps) the two daisies, yellow Fireweed Groundsel (Senecio linearifolius) which which has tiny light blue flowers; and the very spiky (don’t sit on it and is a common coloniser after fire, and Ovens Everlasting (Ozothamnus stir- it’s common) Prickly Starwort (Stellaria pungens). One orchid was the lingii), a shrub with large aromatic leaves and dense terminal clusters of delicate and lovely Austral Ladies Tresses (Spiranthes sinensis). The sci- white flower heads with the tubular florets very prominent. entific generic name arose from the fact that the pink flowers with their white labellums are arranged in a tight spiral around the floral stalk. The We visited Bogong Village for afternoon tea by the dam attended by hun- other two orchids were Sickle Greenhood ( furcata) and Com- gry Pacific Black Ducks and a very pushy Muscovy. After we crossed the mon Onion Orchid (Microtis unifolia). There was Fishbone water-fern dam wall and followed the track encircling the dam. Another very active (Blechnum nudum) and Common ground-fern (Calochlaena dubia) which day had been had. is often mistaken for bracken, but is a much lighter green. The Leafy Flat -sedge (Cyperus lucidus) is a tussock of long leaves with umbels of brown On our final day we trekked to McNamara’s Hut along McNamara’s spikelets of flowers and a height of up to 150cm. A true water was Track. The original hut built in the late 1940s was of a chock log con- Water Ribbons (Triglochin procerum) with strap-like leaves up to 350cm struction. That hut was destroyed in the 2003 fires and a splendid new hut and emergent hollow flowering spikes. has been built. Along the track the Mountain Beard-heath (Leucopogon hookeri) was covered with red and white berries. There was Tall Bluebell In Lake Tyers Park on the Lonely Bay Track we were shown the () which has a paler blue flower than Royal Bluebell miniscule (and how was it ever discovered?) Elbow Orchid which we also saw here; and a lovely clump of the daisy Alpine Podolepis (Thynninorchis huntianus) with its bizarre pollination equipment. They (Podolepis robusta) with its large yellow flower heads. Lining a stream were growing beneath She-oaks. The perianth parts of this orchid are very was the Mountain Teatree. On the plain near the hut were swathes of small, but the labellum is highly modified to attract males of a thynnid bright gold Alpine or Orange Everlasting with one patch being orange, wasp. The labellum has a basal stalk which is hinged and the lamina of with Scaly Buttons and finished Billy Buttons. The pale inflorescences of the labellum is covered with long purple or red glandular hairs. The label- the Tussock-grass waved gently in the breeze. All beneath the Snow lum also has two black claspers presumably for grasping the pollinating Gums. A magic scene! In the background was a large clump of Elderber- wasp. The male wasp believes the hairy labellum is a female wasp and ry Panax. Back along the track were some lemon Alpine Everlastings. pollination occurs when the wasp tries to carry off the labellum for copula- Some of the keener Field Nats walked down to near the stream to find the tion. Another similarly peculiar orchid was the Large Tongue Orchid rare yellow Rough Eyebright (Euphrasia scabra) which looks like a pale (Cryptostylis subulata). The Tongue Orchids have upside-down flowers lemon snapdragon. This form is apparently different from those seen at with very small perianth parts and an enlarged labellum as does the Elbow Mundy Plain on Nunniong Plateau and has a smaller flower. The leaves Orchid. Again the aim is to attract a wasp (this time a male Ichneumon are dissected and the inflorescence is terminal. It was growing with wasp) to achieve pollination. The large labellum projects forward and its Chamomile Sunray, Orange Everlasting, and Brachyscome spathulata. surface is glandular-hairy with two purple ridges. Near Snuff Gully Road (is that a ghastly name??) were the two Duck Orchids, the Large Duck All had a wonderful weekend and very fine warm weather. Thank you, Orchid (Caleana major) and the Small Duck Orchid (Paracaleana minor). James. Both these orchids also have upside-down flowers with irritable labellums, and they act like the pollinating mechanism of a Triggerplant. The Large Duck Orchid is pollinated by male sawflies. There was also the Common Onion Orchid (Microtis unifolia) and the Tall Lobelia (Lobelia gibbosa)

18 7 which has blue flowers with three large petals and two small ones at the cemes; the Alpine Gonocarpus; and Yam Daisy (Microseris sp.3) which top and a white centre. Beneath the powerlines on the firebreak on Black- looks a bit like a large Dandelion and whose roots were an important fellows Road was the Horned Orchid (Orthoceras strictum) which has a source of food for the Aborigines. The only orchid found was the Leek hood formed by the dorsal and two narrow erect lateral (hence Orchid (Prasophyllum alpestre). Small shrubs were Alpine Baeckea the ‘horned’). The Horned Orchid is self pollinating. There was again (Baeckea gunniana), and the prostrate Yellow (Kunzea muelleri); the Large Tongue Orchid and masses of Swamp Goodenia. the two epacrids, Candle Heath (Richea continentis) which has dense prickly leaves and spikes of cream flowers, and Mountain Beard-heath Near Lake Bunga we searched for the third species of Hyacinth Orchid (Leucopogon gunnii); Alpine Orites (Orites lancifolia) which also has (Dipodium punctatum) and found them mostly in bud. There were many spikes of creamy flowers but these are Grevillea-like; and the Alpine Ev- plants of Dipodium roseum with green stems and pale flowers. Was this erlasting (Ozothamnus alpinus) whose branchlets are cottony and whose because of the dense shade beneath the Teatree? There was the daisy florets have outer which are rosy-red in the bud. Everywhere was Scented Groundsel (Senecio odorata) with large grey-green leaves and masses of introduced Sheep Sorrel (Rumex acetosella) and Dandelion large inflorescences of up to 500 flower heads, each head with only tubu- (Taraxacum officinale) - what a shame! lar florets; and Coast Beard-heath (Leucopogon parviflorus) with juicy From the top of Mt McKay (at 1848m) we had a spectacular 360o view of green fruits. the alps and saw in clockwise order, Feathertop, Fainter, Buffalo, Bogong (Victoria’s highest mountain at 1986m), Spion Kopje, Nelse and Hotham. Once again, thank you to James. ☺ Just before Pretty Valley Dam, probably a juvenile Australian Hobby or Little Falcon, was perched on a large rock beside the road and didn’t fly NATIVE DOG CAMPOUT - 6-9 January 2006 off until the second car was passing. On rocks in the dam were Great Cor- by Margaret Regan morants and a Pacific Heron. Pacific Black Duck swam in the water. Be- On our first day we drove to Native Dog on the Limestone - Black Moun- side the dam was the daisy Brachyscome sp. 3 which has a leaf with an tain Road between Benambra and Wulgulmerang in the Alpine National obovate shape and a crenate margin. On the way back to the village on the Park. The lovely campsite is at the foot of the Cobberas, near the headwa- ski field, was the very small mat-forming daisy Silver Ewartia (Ewartia ters of the Buchan River and beneath Black Sallees (Eucalyptus stellula- nubigena). Its leaves are silvery due to a dense covering of hairs. Other ta). The Black Sallee is a small tree with mostly grey to olive-green daisies were Snow Daisy (Brachyscome nivalis) and a Cudweed (Euchiton smooth bark, and buds and fruits in a star-like clusters of 8-20 (hence the sp.). In the wettest area which was now dry, was the prostrate tiny Mud specific epithet of ‘stellulata’). Pratia (Pratia surrepens) with little star-like pale violet flowers. There was In the afternoon we visited Cowombat Track where there is an open, al- one bush of Mountain Plum Pine in this normally windswept environment. most treeless plain surrounding a creek in the subalpine vegetation. Here the shrubs were Small-fruit Hakea (Hakea microcarpa); Alpine Baeckea Now we drove down to Howmans Gap below Falls Creek and stopped at a (Baeckea gunniana); a prostrate (15cm) Bush-pea (Pultenaea tenella); the delightful tiny waterfall bordered by Silky Daisy. Again also beside the soft grey Swamp (Myrtle) Teatree (Leptospermum myrtifolium); and mass- water was the Alpine Groundsel which has leaves very like a Buttercup es of Gunn’s Coral Heath (Epacris gunnii) which had finished flowering. and without flowers could be mis-identified in this environment. Waxy Some herbs were the lovely deep pink and fascinating Trigger-plant Bluebell (Wahlenbergia ceracea) had pale blue flowers in comparison to (Stylidium sp.); Mountain or Purple Milkwort (Comesperma retusum); the the deep blue jewels of the Royal Bluebell. A male Mountain Grasshop- blue four-petalled Slender Speedwell ( gracilis); an almost white per was found. He is slimmer than the female with the same colouring, Showy Violet (Viola betonicifolia); Common Avens (Geum urbanum), a but he can fly. They have to get together somehow!! As the road dropped member of the rose family with raspberry-like yellow flowers; a tiny na- in altitude the vegetation changed with the major eucalypt now being Al-

8 17 to visit Wallace’s Hut, then on to the road and back. Along the aqueduct tive Plantain (Plantago sp.); and the carnivorous bladderwort Fairy track was Scaly Everlasting (Ozothamnus sp.1). It has leaves appressed to Aprons (Utricularia dichotoma). Fairy Aprons are common in damp or the stem and the plants were covered with flowers. This plant is also wet habitats and have bladder-like traps at the base of the plant which called the Kerosene Bush as it smells of this and burns readily, but usually catch and digest small aqautic animals. There were three members of the regenerates more densely after fire. A large skink (maybe a water skink) carrot family (Apiaceae) where the flowers are in an umbrella-shaped in- was flattened on a rock sunning itself. Again we saw Tall Rice-flower florescence. These were Australian Carraway (Oreomyrrhis eriopoda); with little red and black ladybirds. There was Alpine Mint-bush, Sticky Alpine Trachymene (Trachymene humilis) with tiny white or pink flowers; Everlasting (Helichrysum thyrsiodeum), Mountain Teatree (Leptospermum and Mountain Celery (Aciphylla simplicifolia) which has separate male grandifolium) and the true red-flowered tall shrub (to 3m) Royal Grevillea and female plants with the leaves being undivided. Daisies were Hill Dai- (Grevillea victoriae var. victoriae). A find was the rare herb Milfoil sy (Brachyscome aculeata) and Tufted Daisy (B. scapigera) with white or Speedwell (Veronica nivea) which has feathery leaves and an inflo- blue solitary flowers and simple leaves; Showy Podolepis (Podolepis ja- rescence of blue flowers held above the leaves. This Milfoil Speedwell is ceoides) which has large yellow flowers encircled with long ray florets; rare Australia wide. On the track beneath some taller trees were a whole and large and small yellow Billy-buttons (Craspedia spp.). Lilies were troop of young robins, probably flames. A very tiny plant was the Alpine Golden Weather-glass (Hypoxis hygrometrica) with star-like flowers; Pale Colobanth (Colobanthus affinis). It forms a clump to 10cm with narrow Vanilla-lily (Arthropodium milleflorum) whose pale mauve hanging flo- leaves and many solitary flowers. The plants we saw carried open cap- rets have bearded staminal stalks; and the Bulbine Lily (Bulbine bulbosa) sules filled with seed. Sharp eyes spotted a female Mountain Grasshopper which was still flowering although they were finished along the coast. which is very plump with aqua and black stripes. The stripes are only The only orchid was the Alpine Leek Orchid (Prasophyllum sphacelatum). seen when she raised her wing cases when disturbed. She however has no Right beside the small creek was the yellow Alpine Bottlebrush wings. The Silky Daisy (Celmisia sericophylla) was seen along the aque- (Callistemon pityoides). Also along the creek were tunnels and runways duct. It only seems to grow almost in running water. It is endemic to the which may have been made by Broad-toothed Rats. A small black velvet Bogong High Plains and between Mt Hotham and Mt Loch. It has a tall butterfly with yellow spots flitted amongst the Baeckea. There was a huge white solitary flower and the large drooping leaves are covered with silky old Black Sallee with grey and fawn streaked bark. Crossing the track as hairs. On some snow gums sprouts were large oval orange beetles, whose we left was a dark snake with a yellow belly stripe which was probably a defence mechanism seemed to be to drop to the ground the second they Copperhead. were touched. There they disappeared amongst the ground cover. We spent some time photographing the picturesque Wallace’s Hut. It is the My first night camping I had to leave the tent in the middle of the night as oldest remaining hut in the Victorian Alps on Public Land. It was built in some of us do, and zips on tents are very loud. I therefore left the door 1889 by John Wallace and his three sons. It is classified by the National ajar. On my return, I heard a chittering noise and wondered which animal Trust. The huge 2003 fire had come to within about 10m of the wooden at the back of my tent was vocalising. Then my torch light picked up a structure. Maybe the firefighters had surrounded the hut with fire retard- furry critter running up and down the side of the tent - inside!! And on the ant. side with my bed!! I re-opened the door (much zip noise - again). Then I couldn’t find the animal at all. I was worried it might have wriggled into On Sunday we climbed up Frying Pan Spur which is within the skiing area my sleeping bag, but as there was no more chittering, I assumed the smart of Falls Creek. There was Twin-flower Knawel (Scleranthus biflorus), a little critter had shot out first chance. So I noisily zipped up yet again. In tiny cushion plant in the carnation family Caryophyllaceae with the Alpine the morning I asked Noel who was my nearest neighbour, if I had woken Colobanth; a clumping rare prostrate Trachymene; the mat-forming Alpine him. He complained that it wasn’t the zip noises, but the fact that I was Stackhousia (Stackhousia pulvinaris) which has solitary tubular creamy talking to the animal that woke him!! flowers unlike Creamy Candles whose flowers are borne in dense ra- On our second day we investigated Limestone Creek upstream of the

16 9 Black Mountain Road, travelling up to its junction with Waterfall Creek Saturday morning we all met at the eastern end of the Rocky Valley Dam and then up Waterfall Creek to see its falls. The day was fine and sunny, wall to walk to Ropers Lookout. While driving over the wall we observed with the sun being very hot. The 2003 fires had been through this area, two Nankeen Kestrels hovering, swooping and landing on the rocks of the and although regeneration was good, the trees only had leaves from epi- wall. We also saw Magpies and there were Richards Pipits everywhere. cormic shoots up their trunks and there weren’t any proper canopies as The track to the lookout mostly followed an aqueduct. Along the track yet, therefore shade was a bit limited. Pat and I decided that reaching the were the daisies Bogong Daisy-bush (Olearia frostii), Orange Everlasting, falls was beyond us, but Noel and James soldiered on until the falls were Scaly Buttons (Leptorhynchos sp.1); and mauve Creeping Fan-flower found. The creek further down was dry, so presumably the falls weren’t (Scaevola hookeri). Two grasses were a gorgeous Tussock-grass (Poa) very spectacular at this time of the year, but were over 20m high and nar- with burgundy-coloured flowering stalks and a Wallaby-grass row, so they climbed to the top. (Austrodanthonia) with very fluffy and spiky heads. In one area on the bank right beside the water was a male plant of the Mountain Plum Pine There were of course many new plants along the creeks. Overhead trees (Podocarpus lawrencei) with tiny cones shedding their pollen. This plant were Mountain Swamp Gum (Eucalyptus camphora) with Candlebark (E. is a conifer reproducing by cones and not flowers, and the Mountain Plum rubida) along the creek. The eucalypt vegetation was mostly from epicor- Pine is in the same family as the Tasmanian Huon Pine. The female plant mic shoots on older trees or seedlings. The juvenile leaves of the Candle- bears a small green fruit above a red juicy stalk, very like the fruit of the bark are very distinctive, being rounded, grey-green, opposite and sessile Cherry Ballart. Below on the water’s edge was Bog Moss (Sphagnum (no stalks). Some shrubs were the daisies, Dogwood (Cassinia aculeata), cristatum), and the Alpine water-fern (Blechnum penna-marina). There Silky Daisy-bush (Olearia myrsinoides) and the Daisy-bush (O. alpicola); was Alpine Pepper (Tasmannia xerophila); the yellow daisy Alpine white-flowered Mountain Baeckea (Baeckea utilis); the greyish hairy Groundsel (Senecio pectinatus), a rayless Groundsel; and many of the Woolly Grevillea (Grevillea lanigera) whose flowers may be red, pink or bright blue Royal Bluebell (Wahlenbergia gloriosa). cream; the rare Australian Anchor-plant (Discaria pubescens) which has anchor-shaped spines and is almost leafless; Poison Rice-flower (Pimelea Climbing up the hill to the lookout we noticed lots of nasty spitfire cater- pauciflora) which has stiff reddish stems and red-orange poisonous ber- pillars chewing on the new growth sprouting from the lignotubers of the ries; the prostrate white Dwarf Boronia (Boronia nana); and Round-leaf snow gums. The spitfires were tapping the leaf surface with their rear Mint-bush (Prostanthera rotundifolia) which seemed unusual at this alti- ends. There were a couple of theories. One was that this may be how they tude. communicate with each other. The other was they discovered where the end of the leaf was as they worked backwards while chewing the edge of Smaller herbaceous daisies were Grass Daisy (Brachyscome graminea), the leaf. There was also along the track, mauve Leafy Daisy Pale Everlasting (Helichrysum rutidolepis), Bracteantha palustris, Scaly (Brachyscome rigidula); Gunn’s Willow-herb (Epilobium gunnianum); an Buttons (Leptorhynchus squamatus) and the purple Rough Burr-daisy egg and bacon pea Alpine Shaggy-pea (Podolobium alpestre) and purple- (Calotis scabiosifolia ). The Burr-daisies differ from Brachyscome in hav- flowered Rusty Pods (Hovea montana); and Alpine Mint-bush ing a burr-like fruiting head. Other herbs were Dusky Scurf-pea (Cullen (Prostanthera cuneata) which has white or pale mauve flowers and round- microcephalum); two Speedwells, Derwent Speedwell (Derwentia der- ed leaves. The dark green Mother shield-fern (Polystichum proliferum) wentiana) which has large serrated leaves and a tight terminal inflo- was quite common in sheltered spots. rescence of up to 100 tiny white flowers, and Diggers Speedwell (D. per- foliata) whose opposite leaves are grey-green with entire margins and of- After lunch at Langfords Gap we had quite a strenuous bush and road ten joined at the base and whose inflorescence of many mauve flowers is walk. Actually the road bit was the most uncomfortable, as the road was quite loose; a prostrate circular Alpine Crane’s-bill (Geranium sessiliflo- surfaced with quite large jagged pieces of rock. We made a loop walk rum); and Showy Willow-herb (Epilobium pallidiflorum). The Willow- along an aqueduct (great walking as they are pretty level), then turned off

10 15 FALLS CREEK - 3-6 February 2006 herbs have blue-mauve flowers with four notched petals and a very long by Margaret Regan ovary. The long splits into four and each piece arches back to re- On our drive to the Bogong High Plains we stopped at the junction of the lease the seeds which are each tipped with a tuft of fine hairs to facilitate Bundara and Mitta Mitta Rivers. The landscape and the watercourses wind dispersal. There were masses of a small-flowered white Swamp were very rocky and picturesque. This area had been badly burnt during Starwort (Stellaria angustifolia) in one damp area along Limestone Creek. the horrific 2003 bushfires, but we found the rare Omeo Grevillea (Grevillea willisii) resprouting. This grevillea has lobed pointed leaves Two orchids we saw were Common Onion Orchid (Microtis uniflora) and and a one-sided of pink flowers. It is only found in the catchments Sickle Greenhood (Pterostylis monticola). When walking we tried to fol- of the Mitta Mitta River and Nariel Creek, among granite rocks near low brumby tracks through the vegetation for easier access. James found streams. One of the eucalypts was Candlebark (Eucalyptus rubida) where the remains of an old water race near Limestone Creek, presumably built the seedlings have circular juvenile leaves. Other plants were Sweet Bur- to divert water for the purposes of gold mining. In the Limestone Creek saria (Bursaria spinosa) with sprays of cream, perfumed flowers; and the at one point was the beautiful Tassel Sedge (Carex fascicularis). This wa- daisies Clustered Everlasting (Chrysocephalum semipapposum) which has ter plant to 1m has tall narrow leaves and an inflorescence with 3-6 long small yellow flower heads in terminal groups, and Sticky Everlasting drooping spikes, the uppermost of which are male and the lower female. (Bracteantha viscosa), a much-branched orange paper daisy. Everywhere Another Copperhead Snake was seen along the track basking in the sun. over the next few days we found many species of grasshoppers. At this particular site were a number of European Wasps, so we postponed lunch On Sunday we visited a plain between Rocky Plain and Square Plain to to another site on the Mitta Mitta which was shadier (it was a very hot search unsuccessfully for the rare Marsh Leek Orchid (Prasophyllum ni- sunny day) and not wasp-infested. phopedium). There were quite a number of the common Alpine Leek Or- chid (P. sphacelatum). At the lower edge of the plain was the Summer When we drove into Buckety Plain which is just off the Bogong High Greenhood (Pterostylis decurva). The solitary flower of the Summer Plains Road. The campsite was so attractive that the non-campers were Greenhood has brown on the edges of its galea or hood which also has a almost wishing they were camping too!! It was nestled in amongst lovely long point, and the lateral sepals are very long and narrow. Here in the Snow Gums (Eucalyptus pauciflora) with the ground covered with tiny forest the shrub was Alpine Baeckea while the overstorey trees were blue-green Tussock-grass and daisies and even had a very salubrious toi- Mountain Gum (Eucalyptus dalrympleana) which has smooth white or let!! About 1km downhill on Buckety Plain Creek was Faithfulls Hut. grey bark which develops pink colours mostly in late summer, Snow Gum This corrugated iron hut was built in 1962 by the Faithfull family and Per- (E. pauciflora) whose leaves have several conspicous parallel veins and cy Huggins. Along the way to the hut were Silver Daisy (Celmisia asteli- Black Sallee. ifolia), Pale Everlasting (Helichrysum rutidolepis), Orange Everlasting (Bracteantha subundulata), Chamomile Sunray (Rhodanthe anthemoides), Further east off the road were the Greenhood Pterostylis montana and and two Brachyscomes, Tall Purple Daisy (Brachyscome spathulata) and again the Summer Greenhood. Amongst the Mountain Baeckea was Blunt Hill Daisy (B. aculeata) which has white flowers. By the creek was Tall -tongue Greenhood (Pterostylis atrans). This time we found a small num- Rice-flower (Pimelea ligustrina) which has white tubular flowers in balls, ber of the rare Marsh Leek Orchid (Prasophyllum niphopedium). Every- and prostrate yellow Ivy Goodenia (Goodenia hederacea). The non- where were signs of brumbies. Any water seepage was trampled. We saw campers drove on an extra half an hour to our very comfortable accommo- a dust bowl they had created, presumably for rolling in. This was quite dation in the ski village of Falls Creek. We were mainly the only guests is close to the rare Leek Orchid. There were trails and piles of manure eve- a six storey apartment complex, so had our own swimming pool and spa rywhere. Flies were very prevalent and unpleasant, presumably encour- which were most welcome after a hard day’s walking. aged by all the manure that our native dung beetles couldn’t cope with. We had two sightings of members of the same small group of three mares

14 11 (black, brown and grey) and a small white stallion. It is to be hoped that Gang Gang Cockatoo, Crimson Rosella, Grey Shrike-thrush, Red Wattle- now the cattle have been removed from the high country that the Govern- bird, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, White-faced Honeyeater, Fuscous Hon- ment will turn its attention to the wild brumbies. I am also surprised that eyeater, White-naped Honeyeater (nest hanging low in eucalypt re- riders are still allowed to take their horses, and ride and camp inside the growth) Alpine National Park, again contributing to the fly problem. They also do White-plumed Honeyeater, Willie Wagtail, Grey Fantail, not necessarily camp in the site allocated to them at Native Dog, but use Rufous Songlark, Diamond Firetail, Gold Finch, White-throated the other campsites, and if their visit has been recent, the smell at the Treecreeper, Common Bronzewing Pigeon, Welcome Swallow, campsite is offensive. Presumably their manure is also full of weed seeds. Dusky The high country is already full of weeds. Woodswallow, Tree Martin, Brush Cuckoo, Fantail Cuckoo, Superb Fairy Wren (nest), Spotted Pardalote, Striated Pardalote, Flame From Square Plain we had a view of the mountain Cobberas No. 1. Dai- Robin, White-browed Scrubwren, Olive Whistler, Rufous Whistler, Black sies were Snow Daisy (Brachyscome nivalis), Orange Everlasting -faced Cuckoo-shrike, Superb Lyrebird, Kookaburra, Sacred Kingfisher, (Bracteantha subundulata), the white chamomile-scented Chamomile White-backed Magpie, Pied Currawong, Boobook Owl. Sunray (Rhodanthe anthemoides) which has leaves along the stems, and Mammals encountered were: Clustered Everlasting (Chrysocephalum semipapposum). There were two Red-necked Wallaby, Eastern Grey Kangaroo and Brushtail Possum gentians, Mountain Gentian (Chionogentias muelleriana) which is a low Thank you James for a very energetic fascinating four days. herb (to 25cm) with delightful white petals with purple stripes, and Forest ☺ Gentian (C. polysperes). A VROT (very rare or threatened) plant was the Wedge Oschatzia (Oschatzia cuneifolia), a tiny herb with 5-petalled white flowers. We again saw the Alpine Riceflower and Swamp Heath (Epacris Sale & District FNC Latrobe Valley FNC paludosa) which has white tubular flowers. There were Veined Sun Or- March 25 Duck Point, Yanakie chids (Thelymitra cyanea) which have bright blue striped flowers but most Apr 3,4,5 Healesville Camp-out were finished flowering.. 29 Geology Excursion May 9 Tru Energy Wetlands On the way out east on Monday we visited a plain behind the old stock- 27 Melbourne Zoo yards to seek the Marsh Leek Orchid, but only found some crossbreeds. June 4 Mushroom Rocks We made a diversion down the Little River Road towards McKillops 24 Baw Baw weed Excursion Bridge in the hope of seeing the Yellow Hyacinth Orchid (Dipodium ham- July 9 Mullundung Forest iltonianum). The country is rainshadow White Box woodland so it was 29 Uralla Reserve—millipedes very dry with no shrubs, just grass and herbs beneath the eucalypts. The August 6 Nicholson Rocks 26 Yallourn Open Cut Cicadas were really loud. The temperature was 38oC and there was no Sept 3 Dudson Downs breeze!! No orchids!! The road was narrow with steep drops and fortu- 23 Heyfield & Glenmaggie nately we didn’t see the car that sometime before had tumbled over the Oct 8 Holey Plains State Park edge, until we were on the way back up and on the inside of the road!! 6,7 Camp at Wilsons Prom 28 Bunyip State Park The dawn chorus at the camp was joyful, if a little early at 5.30am. The Nov 5 Strathfieldsaye Orchid Count first and last callers each day were the Brush Cuckoos whose call is really 25 Mt. Worth State Park weird. The list for the four days over all sites : Japanese Snipe, Masked Lapwing, Wedgetail Eagle,

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