Field Nats News No.220

Newsletter of the Field Naturalists Club of Inc. Editors: Joan Broadberry 9846 1218 1 Gardenia Street, Blackburn Vic 3130 Dr Noel Schleiger 9435 8408 Telephone/Fax 9877 9860 Understanding Our Natural World www.fncv.org.au Patron: Governor of Victoria Est. 1880 Reg. No. A0033611X email: [email protected]

Office Hours: Monday and Tuesday 9 am-4 pm. June 2012

interesting talk on Aspects of FNCV From the President History. Deadline for the July issue of Well, it’s nearly June! With May came Finally, thanks to those people who FNN, will be 10 am Tuesday the Annual General Meeting, with all replied to my query about the cater- 5th June. FNN will go to the the formalities such as Financial and pillars that have been eating my Cal- printers on 12th June and President’s Reports, election of Office listemons. One member suggested collation will be on the 19th, Bearers and other necessities to run the that they may be the larvae of Goat starting 10– 10.30 am. club for the next 12 months. Moths. I will have to keep an eye open for any further developments in Can I firstly take this opportunity to this saga. thank the Council of the past 12 months, and Hali, for the great job they John Harris The capture and handling of all ani- have done under somewhat trying times, especially after the fire last June. mals on FNCV field trips is done We had a number of Councillors and strictly in accordance with the SIG representatives retire at the AGM club’s research permits. and I would like to personally thank Noel Schleiger, Ray Gibson and Victo- ria Aitken for their contributions over many years and in Noel’s case, dec- Index Page ades. While some have left, new coun- cillors have come on board. I would From the President 1 like to welcome Roger Needham and Ruth Hoskin who are sharing the job Calendar of Events 2 of representing the Geology Group and Robin Drury as the new Fauna Survey Members’ news, photos & 3 Group representative. observations.

In addition I would like to thank Ian Geology Group News: Western 4 - 5 Kitchen for taking on the role of Vice Port Geology Excursion President and Andy Brentnall for step- FNCV Council 2012/3 ping into the role of Secretary. President: John Harris Fungi Group News: Forays to 6 - 8 One of the more pleasant duties at the Vice Presidents: Ian Kitchen Toorongo Falls and Gembrook. AGM is to make presentations to the Vacant Environment Fund recipients. The Secretary: Andy Brentnall Fauna Survey Group News: 9 - Environment Fund supported a number Treasurer: Barbara Burns Dergholm Survey: 10 of different projects this year from re- Councillors: Joan Broadberry Remote Camera results search into mange in wombats and Sally Bewsher Julie Rewell (Assis. Treasurer) Bat Group News: Australasian 9 methods to reduce its impact, to IT Three vacancies for general councillors. equipment for meetings, research into Bat Society Conference the endangered Pomaderris vaccinifo- SIG Representatives: FNCV Annual General 10 lia, the production of education leaflets Botany: Sue Bendel about bats and the purchase of cameras Fauna Survey: Robin Drury Meeting Minutes for field work. We also had short pres- Fungi: Jurrie & Virgil Hubregtse Marine Research Group News: 11 entations from last year’s recipients on Geology: Roger Needham/Ruth Hoskin Juniors: Claire Ferguson Report on field trip to how the grants had benefited their or- Inverloch area ganisations or projects. Marine Research: Leon Altoff & Audrey Falconer Definition of FNCV 12 We are most grateful to Gary Presland Microscopy: Ray Power for conducting the election of the new Terrestrial Invertebrates: Alan Yen membership categories. Council at the AGM and for his very Day Group: Vacant Bonus photo page—email only 13 Page 2 Field Nats News No. 220 CALENDAR OF EVENTS All meetings are held at the FNCV Hall, 1 Gardenia St. Blackburn at 8 pm., unless otherwise indicated. On days of extreme weather conditions, excursions may be cancelled. Please check with leader.

June

Sunday 3rd – Fungi Group. Fungi Foray - 10.30 am Baldry Crossing, Greens Bush, Mornington Peninsula National Park. (MEL Edition 37. 254 G6). Contact: Virgil Hubregtse 9560 7775

Monday 4th – Fungi Group. Meeting - Fungi under the Microscope. Speaker: Virgil Hubregtse, Fungi enthusiast. This is a talk only. The follow up workshop will be held in August. Contact: Virgil Hubregtse 9560 7775

Tuesday 5th - Fauna Survey Group. Meeting - ‘Islands That Were: Fossil Insights into the Sad History of Human Impacts on Indo-Pacific Islands’. Speaker: Nick Porch. Deakin Uni. Contact: Robin Drury 0417 195 148; [email protected]

Saturday 9th – Mon 11th - Fauna Survey Group. No FSG camp this June.

Sunday 10th – Fungi Group. Fungi Foray - 10.30 am, The Beeches, Lady Talbot Drive, Marysville. (MEL edition 37,X910 T11). Contact: Virgil Hubregtse 9560 7775

Monday 11th – Marine Research Group. No Meeting due to long weekend.

Friday 15th – Sunday 17th – Fungi Group. Fungi Foray - Weekend foray to the Cann River area in East . Cann River Vic roads Edition 4 Map 69 D7. Proposed areas; Saturday - Drummer River (Map 69 F6 area) and Lind National Park (Map 86 H3); Sunday – Bemm River (Map 86 H6). Contact: Ed Grey for further details 9435 9019.

Sunday 17th – Juniors Group Excursion – Meet at 2.00 pm for a walk in Sherbrooke Forest. Contact: Claire Ferguson 8060 2474; [email protected]

Tuesday 18th - Collate FNN 221 - Starting about 10.30 am. Some people arrive earlier. Contact Joan Broadberry 98461218

Wednesday 20th - Terrestrial Invertebrate Group. Meeting - Members’ Night. Bring along specimens, photos and anything else of interest for identification and discussion. Contact: Alan Yen 0409 194 788

Thursday 21st – Botany Group. Meeting - Evolution of Acacia and some interesting news on how we managed to keep the name Acacia. Presenter: Dan Murphy, RBGM. Contact: Sue Bendel 0427 055 071

Saturday 23rd – Botany Group. Excursion - Australian Garden, Royal Botanic Garden Cranbourne. Meet at reception in the visitor's centre at 10.30am, for a guided tour to the Australian Garden Stage 1 and an introduction to the Australian Garden Stage 2, which is still under construction. Contact: Sue Bendel 0427 055 071

Sunday 24th – Fungi Group. Fungi Foray - 10.30 am Blackwood Carpark at Garden of St Earth, Jack Cann Reserve, Simmons Reef Road (MEL Edition 37 X909 E11). Contact: Virgil Hubregtse 9560 7775

Monday 25th - FNCV Council Meeting - 7.30 pm sharp. Agenda items and apologies to Hali, 9877 9860

Tuesday 26th – Day Group. Meeting – ‘History of Science in Museum Victoria’. Speaker: Bec Carland, Museum Victoria. 10.30 for an 11.00 start. Contact Gary Presland 9890 9288

Wednesday 27th - Geology Meeting. Meeting - New Zealand North Island Volcanics. Speaker: John Bosworth, Life Mem- ber, Mineralogical Society of Victoria; Volunteer Geosciences Dept, Museum Victoria. Contact: Ruth Hoskin 9878 5911; [email protected]

Friday 29th – Juniors’ Group. Meeting – Reptiles. Speaker: Simon Watharow, Author and Editor. Come and hear Simon speak about reptiles. He will be bringing some exhibits as well. Contact: Claire Ferguson.

The policy of the FNCV is that non-members pay $5 per excursion and $2 per meet- ing, to cover insurance costs. Junior non-member families, $2 per excursion only. Field Nats News 220 Page 3

We always have space for member photos and natural history observations. Please share with us what you have noted in your daily life, travels or garden. Email: [email protected] by the first Monday of the month.

Suzette Hosken, Sandra Rodrigues, Peggy Cole, Warmest greetings to these new Gillian Ambrose, Megan Ambrose, Jessica members who were welcomed into Ambrose, Naomi Ambrose, Michael Ambrose, our club at the last Council meeting: Denise Chevalier, Max Sargent, Paul Taylor, Peter Berbee, William Roshier, Joseph Roshier, Neil Roshier, Yvonne Roshier, Gill Best, Ellena Best, Lydia Best, Russell Best, Mark O’Brien, Extracts from SIG re- Future Directions De’ana Williams, Gregory Donoghue, Vicki ports given at the last Webb, Bridget Whelan Can you help? FNCV Council meeting.

Fundraising Team. Fauna Survey Group - Meeting Tuesday 3rd April 2012: We need help to increase the Club’s Mike Sverns who is a Senior Wildlife Investigator with DSE, spoke on the subject revenue through fundraising, sponsor- of Regulating Wildlife Trade in Victoria. ships and grants. We ideally would like Stagwatch. Saturday 21st April 2012 3 people who would be willing to help This was the last trip for this season and attended by 9 members. No Leadbeater's me with this important job. Possums were seen but Sugar Gliders were abundant.

Marketing Team. Juniors’ Group - At our March meeting we had guest speaker Danielle Stokeld It’s time that our Club becomes more from Melbourne Uni, who spoke about her research on various turtles including the visible and well known. We need help Red Slider Turtles at Blackburn Lake Sanctuary. The Juniors were involved in the with the marketing, advertising and running of a stand at the Rhododendron Gardens Family Day in Olinda on April rd publicising of our club. If you have 3 . It was a beautiful day and we met many families who were interested in our some time to help me with this I would club.

appreciate your input. Our Easter camp was in Wedderburn this year, on private land in a Woodland envi-

Neither of these teams will require a ronment and in the apex of the Gold Triangle of Victoria. There were 47 adults and large commitment of time, but both are children camping and involved in the various activities including visiting nearby very important for the future of the Mt Egbert and dam, The Nardoo Hills Heritage Reserve (led by Jeroen the field Club. officer) and Melville Caves area. We saw many interesting flora and fauna includ- ing tadpoles, frogs, echidna, kangaroos, Ringtail Possum, Jacky Lizard, Greenhood Call Hali in the office on Monday or Orchid and an Eastern Spinebill. Tuesday 9am to 4pm or email at [email protected]. Thank you. Terrestrial Invertebrates Group - The TIG had a very well attended meeting last Wednesday when Dr Ken Walker, the Senior Curator of Entomology at Museum Victoria, gave a captivating introduction to native bees in Australia. He described Donations for Hall the morphological adaptations that Australian bees had to make them unique and to

Thank you to the people who have re- sponded to my request for items for the STOP PRESS For photos which we cannot fit into the newsletter we have in- hall. These items will be used in the running of the kitchen and the hall gen- stituted a “bonus” photo page 13. Only available with the email version of erally. If you could put one item from FNN. Another reason to get your FNN by email! Please contact Hali. the list in your shopping trolley and bring it to the hall when you are in next it would be greatly appreciated. This Reports from some of the month’s donations are: recipients of the Environ- Biscuits (packet) always needed. mental Fund 2011 Long Life Milk Pine o clean wipes At the recent FNVC AGM, Bev Brown (for bin) (right) presented an example of the Bat Peppermint Tea Rescue Kits that were funded by the Green Tea Environment Fund in 2011. She ex- Or plained some of the contents and told Gift vouchers from us where the kits were being used.

Office Works, Ian Kitchen gave a quick demonstra- Coles or Safeway. tion of the scales that the Fauna Survey Group were funded for last year. Thanks, Hali Photo: J. Broadberry Page 4 Field Nats News No. 220

shore (5), where sand has moved on from the shore platform leaving it exposed. Geology Group At Jack’s Beach, Bittern (6), in the longshore drift as far east as Sandy northern part of the Bay, we were into the Point. The ebbing tide picks up this realm of the mangrove (Avicennia ma- Geology Excursion sand and sweeps it back to form a rina) near its southern limit (which is in rd th sandy shoal known as Middle Bank, ) and, following past clear- March 3 — 4 2012 located between Somers and Cowes, ances, it is very slowly regenerating. The Geology Group held a two-day out- and even back to Point Leo where Very tightly folded outcrops of Silurian ing to Western Port Bay over the week- longshore drift again sends it east. sandstone occur on the beach and off- end of March 3rd and March 4th 2012. Our Sediment in the northern half of the shore on Sandstone Island. excursion leader was Dr. Eric Bird, Bay is mostly composed of mud. At Yaringa Beach (7), we walked about Geostudies, University of Melbourne and Our second stop was Shoreham 500m through eucalypt forest, tea tree former Professor of Geography, Univer- Beach (2) with its sandy swash beach, thickets and saltmarsh to view mangroves sity of Melbourne and author of “The basaltic cliffs, extensive shore plat- from an elevated position beside an aban- Coast of Victoria – The Shaping of Scen- form and deep beds of sea grass doned harbour trench. The mangroves ery”. (Amphibolis antarctica). On the ex- stretched 150-200m out on the tidal flats The starting point for the excursion was tensive shore platform repeated wet- of the Bay, giving an indication of the Flinders (See Map ref 1) where 21 Vic ting and drying by the rise and fall of pre-European state of this part of the Bay. Nats and visitors met on the Saturday the tides has caused differential As the weather deteriorated into more morning, in not-so-promising cool and weathering of the Eocene basalt - intense rain, we ended the first half of our rainy weather. Dr. Bird gave an overview whereby less resistant rock along joint outing at this point and proceeded to San of the physical features of Western Port lines has weathered away leaving Remo where most were staying over- Bay which, like Bay, occu- harder corestone boulders to accumu- night. pies a sunkland with the Tyabb Fault late on the beach and platforms. The The second day of the excursion, Sunday marking the south western margins of the outcome of volcanic activity was also March 4th, promised much finer weather Bay. Older volcanic rocks (Older Basalt) seen in the reddish coloured rocks and we gathered at the San Remo pier formed 40-70 MA outcrop on the coast which resulted from iron-rich vol- looking forward to another interesting day between Flinders and Somers. canic ash being hardened on contact with lava and around the bluff in Hon- exploring the Western Port coast. Western Port Bay has not always existed eysuckle Bay, where volcanic bombs At the San Remo Back Beach (map ref in its present shape as sea level has risen were embedded in the cliff face – 12), from the lookout we could view the and fallen relative to the land, many times evidence that a volcanic vent was eastern entrance to Western Port Bay and in the past. The sea flooded into the close by. across to Cape Woolamai with the sandy sunkland most recently to reach its pre- beach along Cleeland Bight, formed by sent level about 6,000 years ago. The bay From a vantage point at Balnarring longshore drift created as waves refract has two entrances, one on either side of Beach (3), we could see the effects of the cyclical processes in sand build up around Cape Woolamai. : a western, deeper entrance and a narrow, eastern entrance. Ocean and erosion and the groynes and gran- At the end of the Back Beach road, part waves enter the bay and refract around ite rock walls constructed in attempts of the cliff and the shore platform are West Head at Flinders and sand of marine to address these natural processes of composed of basalt which has been tilted origin is washed in along the coast by erosion. Eric also described the sand by uplift along the Bass Fault which movements around meets the coast here. Corestones devel- Merricks Creek, oped in the shore platform as a result of which is within 200m weathering and a small boulder beach has of the beach. How- resulted. Abutting the basalt to the south ever, a sandy spit is Cretaceous sandstone, part of the formed by longshore Otway group of sediments containing drift has pushed the coal, clay and shale. At this point it is mouth of the creek arkose sandstone which has very high 2km away to the east. feldspar content. Some stones eroded Later on, further ex- from the sandstone have mixed with the amples of the shifting basalt corestones on the boulder beach. sands of the Bay were viewed: at Somers At Bass Landing (14) we viewed the (4), erosion of a delta of the Bass River which protrudes sandy lobe has into Western Port Bay and extends inland caused the yacht club as far as the Bass Fault, seen as a line of to construct protec- hills to the east. Mangroves and tive granite boulder saltmarsh line the river and the DSE has Rock platform, Shoreham Iron-rich hardened volcanic ash walls and at the had some success trying to eradicate the rock (foreground). Basaltic boulders (background) South Beach Fore- (Continued on page 5) Field Nats News 220 Page 5 stone) at the northern (Continued from page 4) end. In the 1800's the introduced, invasive plant Spartina. presence of man-

Bluff Road/Reef Island (15) groves offshore here From the end of Bluff Rd we could see prevented such ero- basaltic Kennedy Point and Reef Island to sion. the south and sandstone Cobb Bluff to the With permission, we north. Behind the beach between these accessed the Lang two points is a bluff 3-4m high which is Lang Caravan Park evidence of a higher sea level in the past. and drove to the top of To the west of Bluff Rd there is an unin- Red Bluff hoping to terrupted 25km stretch of water which, be able to see the tidal when the westerly wind blows, enables divide here, where the waves of up to 2m to develop. Such seawater coming via waves remove the finer sand from the the eastern entrance to beach leaving coarser, buckshot gravel. Western Port Bay Baxter Sandstone overlies basalt in this meets seawater com- Eric Bird & excursion members vicinity and the buckshot gravel (granules ing via the western of hydrated iron oxide) forms in the sub- entrance. Unfortunately, however, the amazing how an expert can read the soil or B horizon. tide was a little too high. The tidal story told in the rocks, and that we were divide extends from a point just north At our next stop, Coronet Bay (16), Bax- all very grateful to Eric and his wife of the mouth of the Lang Lang River ter Sandstone also overlies basalt. The Juliet for the time, energy, and enthusi- across the Bay to Palmer Point on sandstone is iron rich (ferruginous) has asm they devoted during and in prepa- . Creek-like channels developed a hard, iron rich crust. The ration for the weekend and for the flow westwards and eastwards on sandy beach arises from the erosion of the wealth of knowledge they imparted to either side of the watershed (cf Mel- sandstone of Cobb Bluff and crushed sea us. shells, resulting in a high calcareous con- way page 18). tent. Our closing walk was along the Lang We are also indebted to Kaye Oddie for

Settlement Point, Corinella (17) Lang Beach (20) to view the erosion organising this event. More photos: On a high point overlooking the channel of Red Bluff close up. email bonus page 13. between Corinella and French Island, we My closing comments to this most Roger Needham learnt that the shore platform is composed interesting weekend are that it is of basalt; its uneven edge is due to differ- ences in its resistance to weathering and erosion; Pelican Island between WESTERNPORT BAY Corinella and French Island is a basalt Excursion Map outcrop; the vertical cliff, devoid of vege- 11 tation, indicates active erosion by the sea; 8 angular boulders also indicated recent erosion; and an aboriginal midden on the 9 10 cliff has developed over the last 6,000 7 years since the sea last rose. 20.

Grantville (18) In 1839 Captain J. Lort Stokes on his exploration of Western Port Bay noted 6 19 the mangroves here were easily accessible from the sea. In the 1840's they were BALNARRING 3 harvested and burnt to produce barilla ash 17 18 for sodium carbonate, used to make soap. 4 5 The mangroves have not redeveloped 16 naturally and attempts to re-establish 2 them have not always been very success- 1 13 15 ful or supported by local residents. Man- 7 groves help to reduce erosion of the 14 shoreline and since their removal expen- sive stone walls have had to be built to 12 protect property.

Stockyard Point (19) at the southern end of Jam Jerrup beach is developing as a recurved spit with sand coming from the rapid erosion of Red Bluff (Baxter Sand- Page 6 Field Nats News No. 220

smaller cap diameters.

Fungi Group Several agaric species were seen with a yellow powdery coating. These were FNCV FUNGI GROUP Some were huge, cream fan-shaped infected by one of the Hypomyces spp fruit-bodies with decurrent gills, oth- which parasitise a number of basidio- FORAY ers had shades of dark colours on the mycetes. We usually see a yellow infec- 15 APRIL 2012 cap and some caps were very dark tion on Boletes where the infecting spe- Toorongo Falls, nr Noojee indeed. If we had come at night the cies is H. chrysospermus Bolete Eater, area would have been brightly lit with but there are a number of species that A mild sunny morning greeted 15 en- a glowing white light. This light is infect a range of fungi. David Arora thusiasts gathered at the Toorongo Falls produced as the result of a chemical (Mushrooms Demystified p 882) men- car park. After last week’s hot and dry reaction that takes place in the pres- tions H. lactifluorum Lobster Mush- weather we wondered whether we ence of oxygen. A protein luciferin room (orange) and H. luteovirens would see many fungi, but we were reacts with oxygen under the influ- (green) infecting Russula and Lactarius; amazed at the variety of species seen, ence of the enzyme luciferase with the H. hyalinus (white to pink) infects even though many of them were still end products then decomposing and Amanita. Thus, it is not known which immature. releasing energy in the form of light. species had infected the agarics we saw. Apparently the Hypomyces sp. myce- Jurrie Hubregtse made collections of At the start of the walk to Toorongo lium lives with/on the mycelium of its two rare species – Helvella fibrosa (syn Falls, there was a very small area of host and fruits at the same time. H. chinensis, Stalked Hairy Cup), a Myrtle Beech and Tree-Ferns where small (height to 60mm) grey-brown we saw one small red species, but it Small scatterings of white (with pale stalked cup. It is a cryptic species hid- was not Mycena toyerlaricola found yellow) mealy spikes were discovered. den amongst the litter, but once we got only in Temperate Rainforest, but Paul George carefully removed the our ‘eye’ in, several groups were no- Cruentamycena visidocruenta that, on clump of soil around the base of one ticed along the litter-strewn earth bank closer inspection turned out to be example to reveal a larva which the at the side of the track. The second col- growing on Mountain Ash bark litter. species had parasitised. This was a Cor- lection was made of the impressive Gri- It had a darker red dimple in the cen- dyceps – C. takaomontana that used to fola colensoi whose ‘bouquet’ of tre of the cap (not domed) and a gluti- be known as Paecilomyces tenuipes. brown-capped, white-pored fruit-bodies nous stem (not dry). Recent DNA This spiky form is the anamorph stood proudly on the ground near the study has separated this species from (asexual) stage and the mealy substance base of a tree. Each rubbery, fruit-body the Mycena genus and found it to be on the spikes are the conidial spores. develops from a common white stem. closely allied to Panellus stipticus. An The yellow clubs of the teleomorph interesting point was that although we (sexual) stage appears to be very rare in Most spectacular, however, were the saw several throughout the foray, they Australia and to be confident of identi- large number of tree bases, stumps and were just single fruit-bodies, all of fication, the host larva needs to be iden- logs that were covered with tiers of which had a cap diameter of approxi- tified. Another impressive Cordyceps Omphalotus nidiformis (Ghost Fungus). mately 10mm. Usually they are in seen was C. bassiana (syn Beauveria clusters of fruit-bodies and have bassiana) or Icing Sugar Fungus. It covers the outside of a caterpillar or other grub with white mycelium, mak- ing it look as though it is covered in icing sugar. Again this is the anamorph form, which is a virulent parasite and attacks a broad range of insects. Be- cause it can be readily cultured it is widely used for biological insect con- trol. These fungi are known as entomo- pathogenic fungi. The conidial spores usually attach to the external body sur- face of insects, spores then germinate and grow as hyphae into mycelium. This then colonises the cuticle, and fi- nally penetrates the insect’s body where it takes up all the available nutrients and ultimately kills the host.

The small orange disc fungus (to 15mm) Scutellinia scutellata (Eyelash Fungus) was found on wood. The eye- lashes were a ring of dark hairs sur- Photo Ramariopsis crocea Photo: Carol Page (Continued on page 7) Field Nats News 220 Page 7 (Continued from page 6) FNCV FUNGI GROUP This was going to be an interesting foray, rounding the margin of the disc. One ex- as it was the first time that the group had ample was looked at using an illuminated FORAY GEMBROOK surveyed a burn site. The burn took place high magnification lens that showed 22 APRIL 2012 3 weeks before. Dr Tom May, Senior steel-blue Springtails feeding in the cen- Mycologist at the RBG, had talked about tre of the disc. Even smaller, minute discs Two post fire areas - Fungi and Fire at our monthly meeting so (about 0.5mm), Lachnum pteridophyllum, burnt three weeks ago we knew we could expect to see Py- were noticed on a dead tree-fern frond. A ronema omphalodes, Laccocephalum spp, 10x hand lens showed a cup with a On a mild morning 13 fungi fanatics and Neolentinus dactyloides that appear smooth pale yellow inner surface and a gathered for our first post-burn foray. after fire. On the burnt ground bright white hairy stalked outer surface. It was A special welcome for some new masses of Pyronema omphalodes, were subsequently noticed that they grew along faces – Deanna and Mark, Jenny and easily seen – pink-orange patches forming the grooved area on the smooth side of Fred – and we look forward to seeing lumpy coatings surrounded by a white the dead tree-fern frond. A similar- them regularly. mycelial margin. It was abundant at the looking species, but that grows on euca- base of burnt standing trunks and under lypt wood and bark is L. lachnoderma. We drove down The Pack Track to fallen burnt logs. This is one of the first White’s Corner where the Parks Vic- species to appear after a burn, and stands Sharp eyes spotted another small white toria Ranger, Andy Musgrove, ex- out because of its bright colour against species on a piece of fallen bark – plained the process of the burn. the black. Lasiosphaeria ovina – which are tiny White’s Corner was a zone 2 burn – white globes with a single black ostiole i.e. strategic for fire protection. It is Looking carefully on the ground, we saw on top or, they could be described as ‘a on the north face of a range across brown-capped mushrooms that were scat- bunch of breasts each with a black nip- from the Snake Range, and the burn- tered individually throughout the area. ple’. The black ostiole is an opening ing of Whites Corner area would al- Using a mirror we found that some had through which spores are ejected. low control of any wild fire that came white, fractured pores beneath the cap and from the Snake Range and threatened others had white serrate gills. The pored Toorongo Falls is a great place for a Gembrook. Approximately 80% of species would be a Laccocephalum sp foray, and I'm glad that Richard Hartland the 264 hectare area was required and we hoped to determine which one by drew our attention to it. It reminded me a burning. It was a cool burn and we digging it up and recognising the shape of lot of Melba Gully, except for the absence could see areas of ‘green’ amongst the the vegetative food storage receptacle of Myrtle Beech. Many of the fungi spe- black throughout the cies were the same, perhaps the most site. The process of noteworthy being Helvella fibrosa the burn was interest- (chinensis), which was reasonably com- ing: on the first day mon. (Virgil Hubregtse) the site was hand torched from the top; Thanks to the forayers for their sharp on the second day, in eyes and keen participation. order to complete the burn and cover areas Pat & Ed Grey that had previously been missed, a heli- If anyone not on the FNCV Fungi Group copter was used to email list would like to receive the species drop incendiary list, please contact Ed Grey. ‘ping-pong’ balls. These small balls had been filled with an exploding mix, and Thanks to the editorial and then primed by an Laccocephalum tumulosum Photo: Ed Grey injection of a sub- layout team who put stance to start the fire and dropped (pseudosclerotium) found buried under together FNN 220 from the helicopter (using a machine the ground. But we didn’t, the stem broke to inject and fire them out). 455 balls off about 200mm under the ground. The Joan Broadberry were used. Balancing the burn regime fresh ones had brown caps and the largest Noel Schleiger is a complex affair and the FEFO spe- we saw had a diameter of 130mm. On Platon Vafiadis cialists are concerned about the ecol- some caps the brown skin had started to Hali Ferguson ogy. Although work has been done on fracture and wash away (the fruit-body plants and animals, almost nothing is felt spongy and exuded water when known about the effects of fire on pressed) to reveal the white flesh beneath. fungi. They are hoping to fill that The views and opinions expressed in knowledge gap, and our group can The other, a smaller species, had serrate this publication are those of the help them in that. Andy mentioned white gills which we determined as authors and do not necessarily reflect that shortly after the fire there had Neolentinus dactyloides, but again we those of the FNCV. been rainfall of about 30mm. (Continued on page 8)

Page 8 Field Nats News No. 220

(Continued from page 7) found a couple of yellow jelly blobs that the white fruit-bodies were cups were unable to find the number of finger- of Tremella mesenterica, and what (aging to discs) on a long stem and both like projections of the sclerotium. There looked like, early stages of the white the outside of the cup and the long stem appeared to be only an extension of the T. fuciformis. Mark’s young, keen were extremely hairy. Looking through stem encased in a brown soil-covered eyes also picked out two small speci- the Swiss Ascomycete book, the most skin. Because most of us had never seen mens of a Cordyceps sp. that were likely candidate seemed to be a white these ‘fire fungi’ before we were not con- found protruding some 20mm above stemmed Lachnum sp., and because of fident about identification, so when got the burnt ground. These had a small, its size Lachnum tenuissimus home we phoned the expert, Dr Tom orange-tan, club-shaped head on a (Dasyscyphus tenuissimus) seemed May. He confirmed that the gilled species thin pale stem and had parasitised most similar – 0.6-1mm diameter of was Neolentinus dactyloides, a species beetle larvae. These could be identi- cup, attached to substrate by a stalk, that fruits profusely after fire, and that the fied as C. menesteridis, because the colour whitish to cream, furfuraceous pored Laccocephalum sp was L. tumulo- similar-looking, but more red-headed, downy on the stalk and the margin of sum - for several reasons: its immediate C. militaris parasitises butterfly and the cup set with projecting white hairs. appearance after fire and the size and moth pupae. In a ‘green zone’ Ivan However, outstanding differences of colour of the cap. Other L. spp. have dif- found Russula persanguinea with a our species was the fact that the stalk ferent characteristics. Laccocephalum rose-red cap, white gills and white was 1-4mm in length, not 0.3-0.5mm hartmannii does not appear immediately stem. and the hairs were very long, and it was after the fire and is a rare species with growing on a Hakea nut, not a grass. yellowish flesh, and the small ‘marble Lunch was at Shiprock Falls carpark Another mystery! maker’ L. schlerotinium has a small, where Paul George found good exam- 20mm diameter, brown, velvety concen- ples of the small (to 20mm), grey Thanks to all the forayers and to the trically-zoned cap and does not appear stalked discs, Banksiamyces macro- kind weather. until well after the burn. He also said that carpa on, as one would expect, a large solid pseudosclerotia were often Banksia spinulosa cone. This is the Reference: Fungi of Switzerland (1984), only species of Banksiamyces (a vol 1 Ascomycetes by J Breitenback/F Kränzlin uniquely Australian species) that Pat & Ed Grey grows on Banksia spinulosa cones, other similar-looking spe- cies are smaller and grow on Many thanks to those who other Banksia spp. helped collate and label FNN 219 The afternoon foray was spent at a second burn site on Hansen Keith Marshall Creek Track, again burnt about Joan Broadberry three weeks earlier. This pre- Margaret Corrick sented us with a different suite of Margaret Brewster fungi, Cortinarius spp. A few Pieter Boschma Bill Fenner Neolentus dactyloides Photo: De’ana Williams Neolentinus dactyloides were observed, but only one Lacco- Andy Brentnall cephalum tumulosum. Several groups Hazel Brentnall buried very deeply and difficult to reach. of the sturdy white-capped, white- Edward Brentnall stemmed Cortinarius sublargus were Sheina Nicholls On the burnt ground were groups of the identified by their distinctive brown Bob Rowands small (to 40mm) white, star-shaped re- gills and rusty spores trapped on the mains of the puffball Nothocastoreum veil remnants around the stem. Geoff cretaceum. Most stars were empty, but a found another Cortinarius sp with few had remains of the powdery white rusty-brown dry caps and white silky spore mass (gleba) and white spores were stems, which, apart from the brown visible on the ground. cap, had the same gill structure – no lamellulae, and similar colour spore In a clear burnt area there were a number print, so it is probably the same as the of small diggings by bandicoots, pre- one we called C. sublargus. sumably after truffles. After a lot of scratching around, Jenny did find a small The tiny pored species that I thought VERY REASONABLE round grey specimen that looked as was rather exciting turned out to be RATES though it might be a truffle of the badly burnt Panellus pusillus ‘puffball’ type. Interestingly, when I took (Dictyopanus pusillus). A very inter- Contact Hali in the Office it out of the collecting box at home, there esting late find was a group of minute was a very strong odour, somewhat simi- [email protected] white fruit-bodies on a burnt Hakea 9877 9860 lar to freshly-cut onions. nut. A 10x lens wasn’t strong enough but under the microscope I could see (Mon –Tues 9—4) Unexpectedly, on a charred log De’ana Field Nats News 220 Page 9 Bat Group Fauna Survey Group

also. Some of the birds seen or heard The Australasian Fauna Survey Group included quite a number of Emus and a camp, Dergholm, range of Cockatoos. We were disap- Bat Society pointed at not seeing the Red-tailed Conference Easter 2012 Black Cockatoo, but recorded a range of other, mostly common bird species. Ten people took part in the Several of us attended this Conference fauna survey in the Dergholm in April. It went from the evening of th th State Park over Easter, with 11 April to the 13 April and was fol- two new members being wel- lowed by a field trip to Kinglake. comed into the fold. Survey techniques included the use of The ABS is a broad church so even Bandicoot cage traps, pitfall though some of the top bat experts in traps, spotlighting and chance the country attended most of the content sightings. The survey sites was understandable to the average bat consisted of open low forest of lover. There were many outstanding Brown Stringybark, with Lep- features of the conference. One was the tospermum species, Banksia breadth of research being carried out by Marginata, Xanthorrhoea Mi- the current students at university. An- nor and a range of other shrubs other was the technical advances that and herbaceous plants. are happening. Eastern Pygmy Possum Photo: S. Bewsher One hundred and sixty cage In the past, the equipment selected part trap nights revealed one Brushtail The Boobook Owl was heard on most of a bat’s echolocation call and tried to Possum; a lot of work for such a re- convert it into a form that could be rec- nights. Other activities included going sult. However, after the slog of setting for walks and exploring some of the ognised as the signature call of that up the pitline, members were de- species. This was not without its fail- very picturesque, old growth Yellow lighted with two beautiful specimens Gum and Red Gum forest, where the ings. The new hardware now can use of the Eastern Pygmy Possum and full spectrum analysis that uses the White Browed Babbler was seen mov- two Common Garden Skinks. ing about in the Acacia paradoxsa whole call to improve the accuracy of the process. There are also programs Spotlighting in Yellow and Red Gum that can analyse the data and identify woodland revealed mostly more The weather was mostly fine with individual bat calls within the data Brushtail Possums. Other animals moonlit nights. The Dergholm Pub down to species level. seen and heard were the Sugar Glider proved to be a great place to get to- at the campsite, Red-necked Walla- gether for lunch at the end of the sur- Another piece of equipment demon- bies, Grey Kangaroo species and the vey. strated was a heat sensing camera. White-striped Freetail Bat was heard Russell Thompson. These are used in bat work mainly for cave roosting populations, either for counting the roosting bats in the caves or for filming them when exiting the cave. Allied to this new technology is the use of a software program devel- oped by the US Army to track missiles which, with the aid of a computer, counts the bats recorded on the film. We have seen similar cameras used to find Leadbeaters Possums and it was very effective in finding them. This equipment is expensive to purchase so if anyone has skill in sourcing funds for groups like ours, please speak to Hali in the office.

Ian Kitchen

This newsletter is printed on recycled paper Baiting cages prior to setting them out in the bush. Photo: S. Bewsher Page 10 Field Nats News No. 220 Mt Samaria Minutes of FNCV Annual General Meeting 6th May, 2012 Camera results Welcome John Harris welcomed 31 members and 6 Visitors.

At the Fauna Survey Group camp at Mt. Apologies There were 9 apologies: Virgil and Jurrie Hubregtse, Leon Altoff, Audrey Falconer, Rosalie Samaria, 13 cameras were deployed for Strother, Barbara Burns, Kathy Himbeck, Peter Dempsey and Sally Bewsher. about three weeks. Ten of the cameras set up near an attractant Minutes of 2011 AGM Motion: to accept the Minutes of 2011 AGM as true and accurate record of the events. of peanut butter, oats Moved: Sue Bendel, Seconded: Andy Brentnall. Motion Carried. and golden syrup, and three had a Treasurer’s Report for 2011 As per Treasurer’s Report from Annual Report 2011. meat-based attrac- Members who would tant. The cameras Motion: to accept the Treasurer’s Report for 2011. like a copy of the were set to take ten Moved: Julie Rewell, Seconded: Heather Eadon. annual report please Motion Carried. contact the office. second videos with a minimum re-take Appointment of Auditor time of ten minutes. Motion: to accept Susan J Harkin as Our two newer cam- Honorary Auditor for 2012. Moved: Julie Rewell, Seconded: Joan Broadberry. Motion Carried. eras also took three still shots. President’s Report: Summary As per President’s Report from Annual Report 2011. The meat-based at- John spoke about the busy year that the Club had experienced. tractants were set up He mentioned the new mural in the hall and appealed for donations for the second mural around two metres that is planned for July. off the ground and it Motion: to accept the President’s Report for 2011. was hoped that we Moved: John Harris, Seconded: Bob Rowlands. would see a Spot- Motion Carried. tailed Quoll. They were spectacularly Future Directions for 2012 John summarised the Future Directions document which was given to all members that unsuccessful. Only were present. one of the cameras yielded anything. Environment Fund Recipients and Reports 2012 Recipients: The main star was  FNCV Fauna Survey Group – 2 Little Acorn Cameras, plus batteries, locks etc. an Agile Antechinus,  Mange Management Inc – Reg Mattingley . Notebook computer and screen. (photo below), with a cameo role being  FNCV FSG Bat Group – 2000 Bat Flyers (funded with Manningham Council) played by an unknown species of bat. The  Maryborough Field Naturalists Club – BenQ MX710 projector and bag. Antechinus visited the site for ten days.  John Patykowski a Deakin Uni Honours student – hire of a portable photosynthesis system for research into Pomanderris vaccinifolia. Photo below. From left: Ian Kitchen, Robin The other sites Drury, John Harris, Reg Mattingley, John Patykowski. - (J. Broadberry) were established with the camera Long Term Members (40 year membership) fixed to a tree, There were two long-term members in 2011: with the attrac-  Mr Eric Whiting, Leeton NSW – joined 1/01/1971 tant some two  Dr Merna McKenzie, North Caulfield – joined 1/01/1971. Their certificates will be posted to them, as they were unable to attend. metres away in a small cage at- Election tached to a gar- The election was run by Gary Presland. Membership of the new council is listed p1.

den stake. Im- Presentation by Gary Presland. ages of the fol- Gary presented an interesting and informative talk on aspects of the history of the FNCV. He lowing species were recorded: touched on three main areas; excursion, the connections to Museum Victoria over the last 132 years and the FNCV’s role in conservation. This interesting talk will appear in FNN 221. Black Wallaby, Superb Lyrebird, Bush Rat (see above), Eastern Grey Kangaroo, Laughing Kookaburra, Common Wom- bat, Sambar Deer and Red Fox.

The runaway winner for the Oscar in the category of most performances went to the Black Wallaby, whose image ap- peared 110 times and a distant second was our meat-loving Antechinus with 22 appearances. See also photo email bonus page 13

Robin Drury Field Nats News 220 Page 11 Marine Research Group News

A report on the last two field days of A variety of chitons including Leptochi- Interesting records included Stenochiton the extended excursion to Portland, ton badius and the pyramidellids Syrnola pilsbryanus on the Amphibolis leaves, Victoria (February, 2012) will follow aurantiaca and Syrnola cf. tincta were the not-so-commonly seen Phycothais seen. Of the seven crab species recorded, reticulata, and the micro-gastropods in future MRG FNN pages. the anomuran Lomis hirta was particu- Tricolia rosea, Pisinna circumlabra, larly common, and the Cyclograpsus Pisinna dubitabilis, Ampithlamus inci- Malacological conference in late 2012: granululosus were a beautiful purple datus, Anabathron lene, Eatoniella pu- The Malacological Society of Austral- colour. Asteroids were relatively few. niceolinea, Eatoniella melanochroma, asia will hold its conference for 2012 in Cystiscus obesulus, yet-to-be identified Melbourne. The dates are Monday to Day 2: Inverloch, Bunurong Marine cerithiopsids, and also the microbivalve Thursday 3 –6 December, 2012 at St. Reserve, Tuesday 13 March, 2012: Micromytilus crenatuliferus. Other bi- Mary’s College, The University of Mel- The site visited was a rocky reef along valves included Barbatia reticulata, bourne, Swanston Street, Carlton. the exposed western entrance to Ander- Cardita excavata and Brachydontes sons Inlet, with seagrass and algae and rostratus. Additionally, Dr. Winston Ponder and also some siltier areas. Dr. Rosemary Golding of the Australian Important opisthobranch records in- Museum and Dr. John Stanisic of the Robert Burn demonstrated the richness cluded a single, somewhat pale Trinche- Queensland Museum will host work- of the matting alga Derbesia marina, sia catachroma (which according to shops on micro-mollusca and land sampling of which yielded many inter- Robert Burn established a new eastern- snails, respectively, over the weekend esting opisthobranchs including Tornat- most record for this species), and an preceding the conference. ina, Retusa and Cylichnatus campanula, undescribed brownish Hallaxa species. and also the pyramidellid gastropod Pyr- The undescribed Flabellina sp. 3, Ae- Full conference, workshop and registra- giscus fuscus. geres exeches, Hallaxa michael and tion details are available on the Mala- Doris cameroni were also recorded. cological Society’s website http:// Other interesting records included good www.malsocaus.org/index.htm. Put numbers of the opisthobranchs Hami- Interesting crustaceans included the these dates into your diary! noea maugeansis on algae, Elysia beautifully coloured amphipod shown

Report on extended field trip to the coodgeensis on Heterozostera seagrass, below and also a single specimen of Inverloch region, March, 2012: one Hermaea evelynmarcusae from Petrocheles australiensis. lower littoral algae, and Anteaeolidiella Day 1: Twin Reefs, Bunurong Marine foulisi with egg ribbons on the under- Reserve, Monday 12 March, 2012: surfaces of lower-most littoral rocks. Day 1 began on a lovely, expansive reef which yielded many records. Large The triphorids Eutriphora armillata and i numbers of Ibla quadrivalvis barnacles Tetraphora granifera, and an as-yet uni- were under rocks and, amongst them. dentified cerithiopsid were recorded, and large clusters of the bivalve Lasaea aus- beautiful clusters of the ascidian Herd- tralis. Interesting opisthobranchs in- mania momus were also present under cluded Ilbia ilbi, Elysia furvacauda, lower littoral rocks at the channel edge. Phyllodesmiun macphersonae, Echinop- sole breviceratae, Madrella sanguinea, Asteroids were represented by Parvulas- Chromodoris epicuria and Polycera tra exigua (five of them were perfect janjukia. Uncommon prosobranchs in- four armed or square specimens!), Tosia cluded the costellarid Vexilum australe, australis and Coscinasterias muricata. Unidentified amphipod, Cape Pater- Guraleus alucinans and the rarely seen Notable crab records included Naxia son, Wednesday 14 March, 2012. micro-gastropod Ammonicera sp. aries and Naxia aurita, and also several Photo: P. Vafiadis pilumnids. The brittle star Ophionereis schayeri Day 3: Cape Paterson, Bunurong Ma- and holothuroid Lipotrapezia vestiens rine Reserve, Wednesday 14 March, were present and the uncommon sea star 2012: Petricia vernicina was also recorded. A bright, sunny afternoon and again some wonderful scenery greeted us for Days 4 and 5 (Harmers Haven and day three. We slowly made our way out Flat Rocks, respectively) will be re- to the elongate lower littoral pool full of ported in upcoming MRG FNN pages. the seagrass Amphibolis antarctica which had yielded many important and Further general reading: interesting species on our previous visit Edgar GJ. (2008). Australian marine life. The barnacle Ibla quadrivalvis, Twin here (see MRG News, FNN 181, Nov. The plants and animals of temperate Reefs, Monday 12 March, 2012. 2008, p.11). waters. Reed New Holland, Sydney.

Photo: P. Vafiadis P. Vafiadis Page 12 Field Nats News No. 220

Definition of FNCV Membership Categories 2012 As part of the Future Directions exer- cise, the FNCV Council has been look- Category Definition Cost ing at every aspect of the Club.

Family Membership Up to 2 Adults and 4 Children living at the $90.00 Over the years the various FNCV same address. membership categories have evolved Single Membership A single, non-concession card holder. $70.00 and changed and there exists a need to publish a complete definition for each Concessional/Country A holder of a centerlink concession card, age $54.00 category. Note no fees have changed. Membership pension, disability pension etc. (Must provide This table is published for clarity only. number) Also Country members. Any queries please contact Hali.

Additional Conces- Joined to a Concessional Membership, must $16.00 sional Membership also be a concession card holder and provide number. Recent outbreak of necrotic en- teritis in free-living Rainbow Student Membership Tertiary Student, must provide student ID $27.00 Lorikeets around Melbourne number. Since early March 2012, necrotic enteritis Junior Membership A Primary or Secondary age student. $25.00 is believed to have been the cause of Additional Junior Joined to a Junior Membership, can be par- $10.00 mortality and morbidity in free-living rain- Member ents, siblings etc. at the same address. bow lorikeets (Trichoglossus haematodus) in at least 14 sites in northern and eastern Schools/Clubs Other Field Naturalists Clubs, plus schools $75.00 suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria. At one and education groups. site, over 32 deaths were recorded. A Australian Institutions Corporate/Business, Tertiary institutions and $135.00 number of these events occurred in loca- University Libraries within Australia tions where rainbow lorikeets were being Overseas Institutions Tertiary institutions and University Libraries $145.00 fed by members of the public. not within Australia Clinical signs included diarrhoea, vomit- Long Term Members Members with continuous membership of the ing, regurgitation, lethargy in addition to Club for 40 years are entitled to pay half price birds being found dead. Necrotic enteritis for membership. is believed to result from intestinal over- growth of Clostridium perfringens bacte- Exchange This category is for organisations that we ex- ria, associated with carbohydrate overload change publications with. caused by inappropriate hand and supple- mentary feeding by well-meaning mem- Free List We send our publications to these people free. bers of the public (McOrist and Reece, Honorary Member Members who have contributed to the club 1992). Poor hygiene is also believed to over many years. be a precipitating factor. It is recom- mended that free-living lorikeets Life Members Members who have paid a sum of money to NOT be hand fed or supplemented become Life Members. with artificial diets. Reprinted from Birdlife Australia website.

Field Nats News 220 The Field Naturalists Club of Victoria Inc. PRINT POSTAGE Locked Bag 3 PO POST PAID BLACKBURN VIC 3130 PP333964-0003 Reg.No. A0033611X AUSTRALIA

If undeliverable, please return to FNCV, Locked Bag 3, PO Blackburn 3130 Field Nats News 220 Page 13

Five photos below from Geology Bonus email page Field Trip to Western Port Bay see

Settlement Point Basaltic bombs embedded in cliff face. Shoreham Beach

Eroding cliffs with basaltic shore platform near Red Bluff Jack’s Beach. Mangroves with sea grass beds beyond.

Bass River Delta Fauna Survey Group remote camera, Mt. Samaria see p 10