NEWSLETTER OF THE FRIENDS OF OCEAN GROVE NATURE RESERVE ISSUE 58 DEC 2018
President: Fiona Topolcsanyi 5255 4067 Vice President: Beth Ross 0428 124 363 Treasurer: Jack Renzenbrink 0400 076 373 Secretary: Bernie Lingham 5255 4291 Activities coordinator: Peter Sullivan 0417 356 981 Committee members: Jen Carr 0439 523 830 Suzanne Hudgell 0428 556 646 Barry Lingham 5255 4291 Margaret Alcorn 0448 788 295 Mick Shipley 0400 234 362 Chris Klitzing 0412 475 286 Parks Vic: Brooke Connor 0428 137 392 Newsletter: Chris Tsernjavski 0409 971 705
In this issue • Parks Vic update • Best Friends Award 2018 • President’s report • Connecting with history • Under survey Close-range photography can reveal • Local heroes some surprising details that are easily • Reptiles of the Nature Reserve • A walk with the birds overlooked by human eyes. The plants • Distinguished service awards pictured here are commonly seen in the Reserve. It’s easy to see why they are so attractive to birds and insects.
Main image: Dianella revoluta var. revoluta (Black-anther Flax-lily). Dark brown anthers containing pollen hang below the petals. Photo: John Sharp
Above right: Tricoryne elatior (Yellow Rush Lily). Hairy filaments reach up from the centre. Photo: John Sharp Right: Drossera (Sundew). Tentacled leaves with sticky ‘dew’ at the tips trap insects. Photo: Chris Tsernjavski 2
During Spring several guided walks has also been fixed and bollards Parks Vic update were held and were well attended by have been installed to protect this Nick Bouma, Ranger- The Ocean Grove Gardening Group, asset. The entrance road and carpark Community Engagement, a Queenscliff Visitor Information grading will occur shortly with the Bellarine Peninsula Centre group and a group of Seniors addition of a speed hump just before Even more than usual, the Ocean during Seniors Festival. the toilets. Grove Nature Reserve has been a A ClimateWatch trail, in partnership All this time, the development focal point for us. Term 2 and 3 has with Earthwatch, has been surrounding Ocean Grove Nature seen the reserve used five days a established with the aim of Reserve in Kingston, Oakdene and week with Bush Kinders, Bush connecting schools and community Yellow Gums estates continue. Playgroups and a Forest School. groups to their Parks and training Our work in protecting, promoting This love has seen some flattening them to monitor local plants and and appreciating all the wonderful of vegetation in the picnic area. animals for climate change impacts. environmental values of the Ocean With support from Conservation Grove Nature Reserve continues. Volunteers and their successful grant We received confirmation that our from the City of Greater Geelong, ‘Pick My Project’ All abilities access bollards have been installed defining track has been fully funded. It will be Since the writing of this article vegetation areas. The children have a great asset to our community, Nick has moved to a new helped to plant out the affected area. allowing better access to people of all position as Marine Ranger, abilities, building a wider appreciation A Junior Ranger Program was Portarlington. Brooke Connor of the unique natural values of the conducted during the September has the position of Acting Team Reserve. Thanks very much to school holidays and was booked out Leader, Bellarine Peninsula. everyone for voting for our project. prior to the event. Plans are in place to We thank Nick for all his great run a Junior Ranger Program during With this increased use, the toilets work this year, and welcome the January school holidays. have been revitalised with new paint, Brooke in her new role. appliances and plumbing. The septic
Since joining the Friends group in Parks Victoria and the FoOGNR Best Friends 2005, Fiona has obtained grants, Committee thank Fiona for all her Award 2018 initiated projects and led activities sustained contribution to the Reserve. Bernie Lingham that encourage community groups, We are delighted that her especially those working with achievements have been recognised Congratulations to Fiona younger people, to become active through this award. Topolcsanyi, President of the in the Reserve and help conserve Friends of Ocean Grove Nature the environment. Reserve (FoOGNR), who is one of three worthy winners of a Some of Fiona’s key achievements 2018 Victorian Environment include: obtaining more than $8,000 Friends Network (VEFN) Best in grants to help improve the Reserve Friends Award. facilities; working with pre-schools, primary and secondary schools on Fiona is a dynamic and long-standing projects that have encouraged member of the FoOGNR Committee. involvement in environmental She has worked tirelessly to improve projects within the Reserve; the amenity of the Reserve, using her facilitating the introduction of Bush network of contacts to focus on Kinders into the Reserve; contributing educating the community about the to the Friends Committee, holding significant natural values of the area. leadership and executive roles for the Above: Fiona Topolcsanyi with her award. past 10 years. 3
President’s report Friends of the Ocean Grove Nature Reserve Fiona Topolcsanyi History 1968 - 2016 Connecting with history The Friends of the Ocean Grove Did you know that the history of Ocean Grove Nature Reserve are a lovely group of Nature Reserve is available online? people all dedicated to enjoying and This comprehensive 32pg booklet can be helping the reserve in their own ways. accessed and downloaded via the following link: This has made my role as President a https://fognr.files.wordpress.com/2018/09/foognr_-history.pdf very easy job as each member quietly goes about getting jobs done using their strengths to best help the Reserve. Consequently we have achieved a great deal over the last 12 Under survey months with a diverse group of Barry Lingham projects still on the go. Just looking at The Geelong Field Naturalists Club is our Facebook page I have found undertaking an ongoing survey of the records of events such as the Moth frogs and reptiles of the OGNR using night, Rotary talk, Weed and Walk, tile grids and pitfall traps. All fauna Flame Robin walk, Orchid walk, handling is carried out in accordance Seniors walk, Plant Sale, History book with a WSIAEC project approval and launch, planting days and cleaning DELWP research permit. days. We have also been looking into upgrading the status of the Reserve so Recent checks of the tile grid revealed it is better protected, working on some Pale-flecked Garden Sunskinks upgrading the picnic tables, looking (Garden Skinks) and a few Spotted into the health and wellbeing of our Marsh frogs. Most frogs are currently Walllaby population and how best to inactive but the recent rain may get protect them regarding gates, access them on the move. The GFNC survey and dogs. As always our information will continue for several years. Checking for frogs after shifting a tile. centre volunteers do a wonderful job in liaising with the public. Local heroes I would like to thank all the current Fiona Topolcsanyi committee for their hard work during the year and wish Stuart Wilshire all In 2017 the Friends group received a Connected Communities Grant to develop the best for his new role in Parks a campaign to raise awareness of the no dog rule in the Reserve. We ran a Victoria. Thank you to Nick Bouma for competition with local kindergarten and secondary school students to design and all his work this year and we welcome name a Wallaby Hero as a mascot of the campaign. Six designs were submitted Brooke Connor in the role of Acting with two entries chosen from 205 votes. Those entries are now the face of the Team Leader, Bellarine Penninsula. campaign that will educate the public about the negative impacts of bringing dogs into the reserve. Helen Topolcsanyi and Jade McKenzie designed the winning The coming year will see a great deal entries pictured below. of pressure put on the Reserve as houses and supermarkets are built on our doorstep. The Friends Group will continue to work towards protecting the reserve and educating people about its benefits. I hope that all of our members continue to be a part of this process. 4
Reptiles of the Nature Reserve Barry Lingham The remnant vegetation and habitat of Ocean Grove Nature Reserve supports a range of reptiles, many of which are not found elsewhere on the Bellarine Peninsula. They are an important part of the complex ecological fabric of the Reserve, acting as a predator on many invertebrates and providing a food source to several birds. If you move quietly on a sunny spring morning, you may be rewarded with observations of these interesting reptiles basking in the warmth.
Most of the original small mammals that once existed in the OGNR have become extinct. However, many of the native reptiles still make a home in the bushland habitat of the Reserve. The species selected for inclusion in this article are reptiles I have photographed or seen personally while walking in the OGNR. There is a variation of common and scientific names in the references so I have included both new and older names where change has occurred.
SNAKES
Lowland Copperhead Snake Austrelaps superbus The snake most commonly seen at the OGNR is the Lowland Copperhead. This is a highly variable species with colours ranging from brown, reddish brown, grey to black. It is highly venomous. Most copperheads seen at the OGNR are very dark, with orange/red flanks and pale underbelly. They are often mistaken as Red-bellied Black Snakes but that species only occurs north of Lara.
The Lowland Copperhead has barred lips with the front part of each lip scale being paler. It is often found near water or in woodlands. They were regularly seen near the Information Centre up until a few years ago – I suspect that the increased number of visitors has scared them away. A young Lowland Copperhead found under some rubbish on Grubb Road. Copperheads can be active in colder weather and they are happy to swim in cold water or dive below the surface for extended periods. They are also active on warmer nights, so be very careful on evening walks. They are fairly timid and generally move off as soon as they detect humans.
Several species of snake that can be seen within the Geelong region are rare or extinct on the Bellarine Peninsula. Tiger Snakes are rarely seen but may be present around Swan Bay or local wetlands. I am unaware of any sightings from the OGNR. Similarly, Eastern Brown Snakes are rare or extinct on the Bellarine. The closest occurrence of Little Whip Snakes
and White-lipped Snakes is around the Anglesea Heath. A dead Lowland Copperhead found near East Track. Note the orange/red markings on the sides and pale belly.
Continued next page Photos: All photos in this article by Barry Lingham. 5
LIZARDS
A range of lizards occur within the OGNR, including species that are difficult to find elsewhere on the Bellarine Peninsula. Other species not listed below may exist at the OGNR but have not been recorded.
Dragon Lizards
Jacky Lizard (Tree Dragon) Jacky Lizard Amphibolurus muricatus This small dragon lizard with a long tail grows to around 25 cm and is commonly seen around the Reserve on warmer days. It has protruding scales in rows along its back. To escape the cold, they sometimes shelter inside the Information Centre. They are good climbers and can also run rapidly on their hind legs.
Skinks
The Blue-Tongues are large skinks. There are two species found locally. They have adapted to living in urban environments and enjoy eating snails.
The Common Blue-Tongue Tiliqua scincoides This lizard grows to around 40cm and usually has a striped body, but the Common Blue-Tongue markings are quite variable. It has a wide distribution and is found in eastern and northern Australia.
The Blotched Blue-Tongue Tiliqua nigrolutea A lizard growing to 40cm with a relatively long, thick tail. It has a variable pattern of lighter coloured blotches on the body. The distribution is limited to coastal areas of SE Australia and Tasmania. It also occurs in some Bass Strait islands.
Garden Skink (Pale-flecked Garden Sunskink) Lampropholis guichenoti This small skink is commonly seen, even in urban areas. It has variable colours but it usually has a bronze head and nape. The back is a grey / brown with many pale spots. A dark stripe runs along the sides and it has a paler belly. The tail is usually Blotched Blue-Tongue a bronze brown.
Garden Skink Continued next page 6
LIZARDS continued
White’s Skink Liopholis Whitii (Egernia whitii) This skink is larger than a Garden Skink and grows up to around 20 cm. It has two main colour patterns – a plain grey/brown backed form with spots on the flanks and a more impressive striped back form with spots on its back. The ear has distinctive lobule scales. Both forms can be found at the OGNR, but they are not a common. They build burrows under logs and can sometimes be found basking on sunny mornings above 15oC.
Eastern Three-lined Skink Acritoscincus duperreyi (Bassiana duperreyi) This species inhabits the sand dune areas around Ocean Grove as well as the bushland at the OGNR. It is slightly larger than a Garden Skink and has a bold dark stripe (without spotting) that is bordered by white stripes. There is usually a dark mid-back line.
Metallic Skink Striped form of White’s Skink under a log near the Carinascincus metallicus (Niveoscincus metallicus) North Track. This species is more common on the Mornington Peninsula and the distribution does not extend far west beyond Ocean Grove. It is larger and more robust than a Garden Skink. Markings are variable with most local specimens having a series of indistinct dark and paler stripes and with many spots.
References Wilson, S. & Swan, G. (5th ed 2017) A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia Cogger, H. 1992 Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia Museum of Victoria webpage - https://museumsvictoria.com.au/bioinformatics/lizards/images/lthumbl.htm
Atlas of Living Australia - Eastern Three-lined Skink https://www.ala.org.au/
Metallic Skink
Head of the plain form of White’s Skink. Note the ear lobules. 7
A walk with the birds Jen Carr
Above: Superb Fairy-Wren, West track dam Far left: Pacific Black Duck in neighbouring field Left: Red-browed Finch Photos: Jen Carr
It’s been an ‘odd’ year for me in relation to the Ocean Grove Nature water level. A Black Wallaby was Reserve (OGNR). ‘Odd’ in the respect that I haven’t visited nearly having a very long drink from the as often as I had in previous years. The reason for this I think is the dam as I sat down in the birdhide, shopping development that is being created opposite the OGNR in which was lovely to see, and then I Grubb Rd and other housing developments on the western side of the watched as New Holland reserve. I need to accept that this is happening and continue to enjoy Honeyeaters, Red-browed Finches, the reserve. Superb Fairy-wrens, Silvereyes, and Brown Thornbills all splashed around In September I did attend a wonderful have a lovely call, but prey on small in the shallows of the dam. An Eastern talk that was given by Denis Sleep in animals such as birds, rodents, frogs Yellow Robin sat on a branch but the Information Centre at the OGNR. as well as eggs, insects, seeds, fruits didn’t go for a swim. I heard two Grey Denis is a wonderful and passionate and carrion (dead animals). They Shrike-thrushes calling, but they bird photographer, and a member of forage both on the ground and in didn’t stop at the dam for a drink, the Bellarine Birdlife Group. Around trees, often on tree trunks using their which was a shame as I love those fifteen people attended the talk, and bills as a probe for insects. As I birds! I was hoping to see a Wedge- heard about Denis’s camera continued along the north track I tailed Eagle souring over the west techniques as well as his love for his came across a pair of Pacific Black track (as Kevin had observed the week feathered subjects! Denis displayed Ducks in the field of hay next to the before), but the only raptor I saw was some of the images he has taken over track- a very odd sight indeed. a Black Kite. the years, and he certainly has a The birdhide on the north track was wonderful talent for getting close to I heard a few Rufous Whistlers and pretty hard to get to because of some the birds and capturing their beauty. Golden Whistlers on the Banksia Trail, fallen logs, but when I did go in I and had half a dozen Grey Fantails In early December I decided to found that the small dam that flying around me, but didn’t manage undertake a wander through my birdhide overlooks was totally dry- a photo. There was a lovely small flock usual OGNR circuit, which involves a not good at all for the beginning of of Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos near stroll from the Information Centre up summer. I heard a Fan-tailed Cuckoo the Information Centre, but they flew to the end of the north track, a turn and a few Grey Shrike-thrush as I away when they saw me. I observed left along the west track, a pause in continued up the track, but didn’t see twenty-four species of birds in two the west track birdhide, then a return them. It was lovely to be by myself hours- which was lovely. to the Information Centre via the surrounded by the bird calls. Banksia track. As I started my walk I The OGNR is a treasure of the I reached the west track birdhide, and heard the familiar sound of Laughing Bellarine, and it was great to revisit it! the water level in dam was also very Kookaburras, which was lovely. I then low. I hope we get some torrential encountered a few Grey Currawongs- I wish everyone a very happy summer rain to soon to boost the birds that are expert hunters and Christmas and a wonderful 2019. 8
Distinguished Fiona Topolcsanyi • 2015-2017. Coordinated the • President 2011, 2012, 2013, 2017 production of a book detailing the history of the OGNR with information Service Awards • Secretary 2010 about the Reserve and the people Distinguished Service Awards • Activities Coordinator 2014, 2015, 2016 who have been involved in helping to were presented at the 2018 • 2007-2010. Researched, designed and protect it. Friends of Ocean Grove Nature organised the production of four Reserve (FOGNR) Christmas • 2015-2018. Facilitated the large detailed information panels that gathering in December. establishment of Bush Kindergarten chart the aboriginal history of the groups using the Reserve by Ocean Grove area, the formation of The awards recognise the efforts providing risk benefit analysis, the OGNR, key aspects of the habitat of a member who has: running Professional Development management plus details of the • Served as an executive workshops on nature play and avifauna and mammals of the OGNR. member of the FOGNR forums linking Early Childhood These panels are mounted in the committee for 10 years Teachers , Parks Victoria and the Information Centre. • Made contributions through Friends Group. a range of roles and activities • 2010-2011. Designed and organised over a 10 year period that have the construction of cabinets in the Peter Sullivan assisted the FOGNR and the Information Centre to house a range • President 2014, 2015, 2016 Reserve. of “tactile” objects, such as feathers, • Secretary 2013 seed pods, leaves and bones from • Activities Coordinator 2010, 2011, The 3 award recipients are the OGNR that could be used by 2012, 2017, 2018 listed here along with their youngsters visiting the Information • Responsible for the successful contributions to the Friends of Centre. Ocean Grove Nature Reserve. planning, planting and caring for the • 2013. Organised the renovation of revegetated sections of the OGNR the Information Centre kitchen area over the past 10 years. The flourishing including installation of a new gas Bellarine Yellow Gums off Centre stovetop. Track and near the NE section of the • 2014. Organised the delivery of an Reserve are a testament to Pete’s information bag to the all residents dedication. of a new subdivision near the OGNR. • Numerous other activities organised The bag contained a range of items and coordinated over 10 years. including information about the wildlife and tracks within OGNR. Chris Tsernjavski • In 2008, Chris took over the editorship of the Friends of the OGNR Newsletter. She used her graphic design skills to redesign the layout and format of the newsletter. The result was a newsletter that was highly regarded by many organisations across Victoria as an example of an engaging and informative means of communicating with our members. Chris is still our Newsletter editor. • In 2010, Chris was responsible for the research, editing and design of the OGNR Discovery Trail Brochure.
Left to right: Peter Sullivan, Chris Tsernjavski and Fiona Topolcsanyi