The Clematis

Summer 2008/2009 Issue No 78

BAIRNSDALE

POSTAGE

Victoria

3875 PAID

Quarterly Newsletter of theBairnsdale & District

Field Naturalists Club Inc A0006074C 28 1 BAIRNSDALE & DIST FIELD NATURALISTS CLUB INC. finding suitable accommodation /camping sites proves difficult. [Ring me A0006074C if you are having difficulties in that regard] List of Office Bearers for 2009 Cann River is about 75 km (or an hours drive) from Marlo or Orbost, and President: Pat McPherson ph. (03) 5152 2614 [email protected] Genoa about 125 km (or 1.5 hours). Vice President: James Turner ph. (03) 5155 1258 [email protected] Secretary: Fran Bright ph. (03) 5152 2008 [email protected] Bill Kosky Treasurer: Margaret Regan ph. (03) 5156 2541

Correspondence to: Melbourne The Secretary, 22 Harold Street, Middle Park, 3206, P.O. Box 563, Phone:(03) 9686 7666 BAIRNSDALE 3875

Web Site: www.eastgippsland.com/bdfnc Marlo

648 MarloPlainsRd Marlo 3888 General meetings take place at: [coming from Marlo take the Cape Conran Road, go past airport Road on Noweyung Centre, 84 Goold Street Bairnsdale left and Pt Ricardo Road on right and turn left at next intersection into 3rd. Friday of the month at 7.30pm sharp. No meeting June, July, August Marlo Plains Road] Committee meetings take place: Thursday of the previous week Phone: (03) 51 548 326 before the 3rd. Friday of the month at members homes except June, July, August when held on field excursions if required. Both . Mobile: 0427 968 676 Group Co-ordinators: E-mail: [email protected] Botanic Group: James Turner Ph. (03) 5155 1258 ☺ Fauna Survey Group: Jenny Edwards Ph. (03) 5157 5556

Bushwalking Group: Noel Williamson Ph. (03) 5152 1737

Newsletter Editor: Pauline Stewart Ph. (03) 5152 1606

80 Bengworden Rd. Bairnsdale.3875 email: [email protected]

) (white ) form) (white All articles for AutumnClematis must be in by March 1st.

John Drinkwater

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE -

1. To further the study of natural history in all its branches, promoted by

periodical meetings, field excursions and other activities. (Boronia ledifolia

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.

at at Mt Elizabeth Photo BoroniaShowy 2 27 mosquito protection are highly recommended. RULES TO OBSERVE ON FIELD TRIPS: 1. Excursions are cancelled on days of TOTAL FIRE BAN. Until one knows how and what to look for, finding both C. hunteriana and 2. Participants to keep a visual on the car in front and behind. C. erecta are difficult to see and those that have not encountered these or- 3. When making a turn, give signal, and stay at intersection until chids before will be given assistance and viewings to get their eyes in. following car has also turned. 4. If separated from other cars, stop, and stay with your car. Arrangements Other members will return to find you. 5. Car pool passengers should offer a donation to the driver for fuel costs. It is proposed to carry out the surveys commencing Monday 12 January 2009 extending to Thursday 15th of January (if necessary). It is likely that the surveys will commence in the Marlo-Bemm River area then move east SUBSCRIPTION FEES to Cann River and Genoa. Family membership $30 Depending on participation numbers it is proposed to carry our some Single membership $20 scouting work both before and during the survey period to look at known Mid-year fee (new members only) $10 and potential sites for the presence of C. hunteriana.

This scouting work can involve both formal (arranged) scouting expedi- Responsibility for the accuracy of information and opinions expressed in this tions to selected sites or informal individual volunteers (or small inde- newsletter rests with the author of the article. pendent groups) being given locations to reconnoitre in their own time. Depending on how are coming along, these preliminary scouting LIBRARY INFORMATION - Librarian - Dot Prout Phone: 5153 1303 expeditions could begin as early as late December. • Books are generally borrowed for one month - however you can write on the sign-out sheet if you wish to have it longer. To Register you interest please notify me by email as set out below (or • Should any library materials need maintenance, please make me aware of alternately at one of the contact numbers below). same. • If you wish to recommend a book, this can be done by writing a short recommendation for the Clematis. This information could be from our li- If possible please give an indication of your interest in participating during brary books or from other books that you believe our library could look at the 12-15 January survey period and/or in preliminary scouting expedi- purchasing. tions. And of the dates you might participate. We expect most will only want to commit to one particular day, and that is OK. CONTENTS

If possible please provide an email address and both home and mobile Program January to June 2009 5-6 phone numbers so that I can contact you and advise of further and more President’s Annual Report 2008 6-9 detailed arrangements. Mt Elizabeth 10-13 Blond Bay - Metallic Sun Orchid Count 14-15 Helen & I expect to be at Marlo of and on from about 29 December on Fernbank –Winkie Creek 16-19 staying at our shack on the Marlo Plains Road. Our Marlo address and Bruthen Walking Trails 20-21 phone numbers are set out below. If required our Marlo property could act Status & Future of Gippsland Lakes 22-24 as a base for surveys of the Marlo-Bemm area, and be used for camping if National Survey of Cryptostylis Hunteriana 24-27

26 3 CONTACT PHONE NUMBERS and email address’s for meetings members of the Bairnsdale and District Field Naturalists Club will also and field trips. provide assistance.

Pat McPherson 5152 2614 [email protected] The surveys involve habitat recording and number counts at all known Margaret Regan 5156 2541 sites of this elusive cryptic orchid which occurs sporadically, and in low Pauline Stewart 5152 1606 [email protected] numbers at a relatively small number of locations from Southern Queens- James Turner 5155 1258 [email protected] land, through NSW and into eastern Victoria. Noel Williamson 5152 1737 [email protected]

In Victoria most occurrences are in Xanthorrhoea heathlands mostly in Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from, rather than directly on, the coast, between Marlo and Mallacoota. from the Editor The occurrence of C. hunteriana in this area is sporadic and often transito- My thanks to members who contributed articles and photographs throughout 2008, ry. There are relatively few sites where C. hunteriana is known to occur, without your support there would be no Clematis. and at many of these sites it has not been seen for many years. Also many thanks to DSE in Bairnsdale for access to their photo copiers. I wish all members and their families good health and happiness in 2009. Whilst there are a large number of suitable habitats that could potentially contain C. hunteriana, more often than not searches of these locations proves fruitless. Even so there are a number of sites where the heathland is at a stage that favours C. hunteriana, and selected potential sites maybe worth investigating if sufficient volunteers were available.

DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY FOR BUSH WALKS Cryptostylis erecta is likely to be present at some of these sites. As it oc- Easy Flat, good firm track. Moderately easy Mostly flat, track in good to fair condition curs in extremely low numbers in Victoria the opportunity will be taken to Moderate May be undulating, track in good to fair condition record the presence and numbers of any encountered. Mod. difficult May be some steep sections, track may be rough in places C. subulata is usually plentiful at this time, and sometimes C. leptochila is Difficult May have long steep sections, track may be non encountered. existent at times Walks vary in distance from 6 to 14 km. The Victorian flowering time for C. hunteriana and is generally late De- Contact the leader of the walk for a rating if it’s not included in the program. cember to mid February. C. erecta flowers from January through to April. If the very heavy rains received in late November are followed up with Please take note of safety procedures in your Bairnsdale & District Field half decent December rainfall then it promises to be an excellent year for Naturalists Club Inc. ‘RISK MANAGEMENT POLICY’ booklet. tonge orchids in Far East Gippsland.

Front Cover: Grass Trees (Xanthorrhoea australis) at Blond Bay photo - Fran Bright Searching for C. hunteriana is sometimes a difficult and unpleasant task, particularly in hot weather. Dense sometimes wet, heath/xanthorrhoea The Clematis is printed and supported by habitat can be difficult to move through. Flies, mosquitoes, sometimes Dept. of Sustainability and Environment, Bairnsdale. ticks and, very occasionally, snakes, can be encountered. Heavy trousers and comfortable gum boots, or boots and high gaiters, and adequate drink- ing water are essential. Hats, sunscreen, insect repellent or other fly/

4 25 competitive bidding process in order to obtain ongoing funding. PROGRAM - JANUARY TO JUNE 2009

Members of HNEG groups who organized the Forum see it as a con- sciousness raising exercise for the community and as an ongoing process It is your responsibility to contact the co-ordinator of each field to keep the status and future of the Gippsland Lakes as an issue before the trip to notify them of your intention to participate. Taskforce and all stakeholders and as a platform to lobby governments at The co-ordinator can then notify you if the trip has to be cancelled all levels for sustained and increased funding to protect and enhance the due to adverse weather conditions or other unforeseen Gippsland Lakes and catchment systems. circumstances.

Watch this space! ☺ JANUARY Sat 10th. Excursion 9.00am Bridge Club, 9.45am Nowa Nowa to Marlo Plains DINOSAUR DREAMING - DINOSAUR DIG Contact: James Turner

FEBRUARY Is anyone interested in going to see the Monash University’s Dinosaur Dig site at Inverloch, South Gippsland? Thurs. 12th. Committee meeting 7.30pm at Pauline Stewart’s home. A tour could be organized in the third week of February when the dig is on. Frid. 20th. General meeting 7.30 pm - report of HNEG public forum The site can only be accessed at low tide. The guided tour takes about one and a “Gippsland Lakes Managing Change” half hours and costs $15. The guide talks about the geology and the fossils, and Sun. 22nd. Monthly excursion 9.00am Bridge Club, some fossicking is available. The suggested date is Saturday February 21st, 2009 9.30am Bruthen Bakery to Nunniong. when low tide is 2.45pm. The group sizes are from 10-30. They prefer people all Contact: James Turner from the one group. It is suggested that this could be combined with a trip to the Cranbourne Botanic MARCH Gardens. We would have to stay away for 2 or 3 nights. Thurs. 12th. Committee meeting 7.30pm at Pat McPherson’s home. Frid. 20th. General meeting 7.30pm Speaker: Mike Duncan “Orchids of Contact Margaret Regan on 5156 2541 as soon as possible to register your Sunrise and Sunset of Spring”. interest. Sun. 22nd. Monthly excursion - to be arranged Sun. 29th. Bushwalk 9.00am Bridge Club to Chinese Diggings – National Survey - Cryptostylis hunteriana Melwood Victorian Surveys 12 -15 January 2008 Contact: Pauline Stewart Between Marlo & Mallacoota, Far East Gippsland APRIL Thurs. 9th. Committee meeting 7.30pm at Margaret Regan’s home. The Environmental Trust has funded Bangalay Botanical Surveys to con- Frid. 17th. General meeting 7.30pm Speaker: Andrew Murray duct a national survey of the nationally vulnerable Leafless Tongue Orchid “Southern Ark”. Cryptostylis hunteriana. Sun. 19th. Monthly excursion - 9.00am Bridge Club , 9.30am at Bruthen Bakery to the Buchan area. ANOS Victoria has been approached to assist with the Victorian Surveys Contact: James Turner and I have taken on the task of coordinating that assistance. It is likely that 24 5 These blooms will be a recurrent problem. Sun 26th. Bushwalk 9.00am Bridge Club,  Inflows from agriculture; the irrigation industry; logging/clear 9.30am at Bruthen Bakery felling in catchments and from fire damaged areas adds to nutri- to White Rocks, near Bruthen ent/sediment loads and are a major threat to water quality. Contact: Pauline Stewart  The sea grass beds are seriously degraded with potential impacts

MAY on biodiversity. Thurs. 7th. 6.00pm Casserole tea, Planning meeting followed by  The Lakes are becoming more saline and changing from an estua- Committee meeting at Pauline Stewart’s home. rine environment to a marine environment even though contact Frid. 15th. General meeting 7.30pm Speaker: Ryan Chick on with the sea is small. “Long-footed Potoroos of the North East.”  The extent of natural wetlands and marshes adjoining the Lakes Sun. 17th. Monthly excursion - 9.00am Bridge Club to Marlo area. has been greatly reduced over the decades and their effectiveness Contact: James Turner as a filtration system thereby diminished. Sun. 24th. Bushwalk 9.00am Bridge Club to Old Weir Track –  In its 7 years of operation the Taskforce has concentrated on is- Glenaladale Contact: Noel Williamson sues associated with management of the catchment areas and the Macalister Irrigation District. To this end, a project is underway Committee and general meetings will now be in recess until September 2009 with the Taskforce, the Catchment Management Authority and Dairy Australia. JUNE  There is currently no monitoring of specific chemicals/ pharma- Sun. 21st. Monthly excursion 9.00am Bridge Club to Stockdale area. ceuticals in the Lakes, but the Taskforce, whilst recognizing there Contact: James Turner are potentially hundreds of things to monitor, is about to commis- Sun. 28th. Bushwalk 9.00am Bridge Club to Nowa Nowa Rail Trail sion a risk assessment of potential contaminants and complete nu- trient dynamics research.  Australia is not updating and maintaining data on wetland sites as required under the international Ramsar Convention and even if it BAIRNSDALE & DISTRICT FIELD NATURALISTS CLUB INC did have these data, the real difficulty is looking at change and Reg. No. A0006074C ANNUAL REPORT 2008 determining the limits of acceptable change.  Climate change will see a rise in sea level in the next thirty years I am pleased to present the Annual report of the Bairnsdale and District and major storm events. The shoreline will be breached at Lakes Field Naturalists Club for 2008. Entrance thereby hastening the already changing environment from estuarine to marine. In addition there will be higher temper- Membership atures and less rain which will lead to a dryer, hotter climate and Current membership of the Club is 64. more bushfires, therefore generation of more nutrients/sediment. Life membership has been awarded to Beth Isakson. It is with sadness that we record the death of Avril Yates a long time These were the main issues canvassed at the Forum and they highlighted member of the Club and a very knowledgeable field naturalist. the lack of knowledge in a range of key areas which will require increased funding for research and monitoring activities. At the same time it high- Committee lighted the limited resources available to the Taskforce to tackle these The following committee was elected in December 2007 and participated issues. Professor Hart said whilst the State Government has funded $20 in four committee meetings and two planning meetings: million in the last seven years the Taskforce has to go through a complex

6 23 STATUS AND FUTURE OF THE GIPPSLAND LAKES by Pat McPherson  President: Pat McPherson  Vice President: James Turner In May, when sea grass, the normal food source for swans in the Gipps-  Secretary: Pat McPherson land Lakes declined, the starving swans raided a nearby lucerne paddock.  Assistant Secretary: Fran Bright This resulted in shooting permits being issued to the farmer by DSE and  Treasurer: Margaret Regan. forty swans were destroyed. A huge public outcry followed which led to the Minister for the Environment withdrawing permits to shoot any more General meetings swans. This was a hollow victory for those of us involved in the campaign Seven general meetings were held during the year with an average attend- because the swans were still starving, however, it focused our attention on ance of twenty. their food source (or lack thereof) in the Gippsland Lakes. Guest speakers I approached David Ellard President of Friends of the Gippsland Lakes Presentations were made by the following speakers during the year: (FOGL) with the proposition that we should now address the bigger issue;  Jenny Ellitt on Taxidermy Preservation of Wildlife Skins the status and future of the Gippsland Lakes probably under the umbrella  Jim Reside on Fauna Survey in the WA Kimberley of Habitat Network East Gippsland (HNEG) which is a loose coalition of  Member’s photos of Plants from Exotic Places groups with a broad interest in the environment. The outcome was that  Jonathon Smith on Algae of the Gippsland Lakes representatives from five of the HNEG groups; FOGL, Tambo Bluff  Leona Waldergrave-Knight on Koalas on Raymond Island Landcare, Gippsland Environment Group, East Gippsland Bird Observers Club and Bairnsdale and District Field Naturalists Club met several times  Andrew Brown on East Gippsland Landcare Network and organized a public Forum which was held in Bairnsdale on 19th No- Helen Crisp on Arid Recovery in northern SA. vember. Field excursions Entitled Gippsland Lakes – Managing Change the Forum was widely ad- Monthly field excursions were once again ably planned and led by James vertised, well attended and very well received. It brought together a panel Turner to Winkie Creek, Briagalong, Canni Creek, Clifton, Mt Elizabeth, of experts comprising Professor Barry Hart the Chairperson of the Gipps- Colquhoun Forest, Marlo Plains, Mt Raymond, Freestone Creek, Wulgul- land Lakes and Catchment Taskforce, Professor John Beardell from marang Burnt areas north of Bruthen, and Nunniong. Monash University who has been working on algal blooms for more than James also conducted special excursions to survey orchids on the Marlo 30 years, Professor David Mitchell an internationally respected wetland Aerodrome and the Metallic Sun Orchids at Blond Bay. ecologist from Charles Sturt University; Professor Max Finlayson (also James continued to lead members who are keen photographers on excur- from Charles Sturt University), an authority on wetland ecology and man- sions to photograph orchids which will illustrate a proposed Field Guide to agement in relation to obligations under the international Ramsar Conven- Orchids in East Gippsland. tion; and a summary of a paper from Professor Peter Fisher from Central Noel Williamson led a small group to Mallacoota in May to find Banksia Queensland University, who is an expert on pharmaceuticals and water Croajingolensis. quality. In their presentations and in response to questions from the audience, the Bush walks panel made the following key comments: Bush walks were planned and led by Pauline Stewart with assistance from Noel Williamson to Mississippi Creek, Mitchell River National Park, Mt Alfred  Algal blooms are a factor of salinity and light which are exacer- State Forest, Ken Richards Track to Stuttering Fred Creek and Bruthen Walking bated by high nutrient/sediment loads and large flood events. Trail. The latter doubled as a identification exercise at the request of mem-

22 7 bers of the Bruthen Walking Trail steering committee who joined in the walk. Members found the trails peaceful, in good condition and well marked and they are also close to Bairnsdale. They present a range of walking or cy- Camp-outs cling possibilities and cater for all abilities - especially with the addition The only campout during the year was held at Limestone Creek north of Benam- of easily accessed ‘Easy Magic Walk’. Walkers can do as little or as bra in November. much as they like, and can include historic elements that are beautifully

Fauna survey interpreted. Jenny Edwards our Fauna Survey Co-ordinator and club members participated in two field trips on 5-8 April and 10-12 April to conduct searches in the Cobberas Many plants were in flower and a delight to catch sight of in the forest areas for Smokey Mouse colonies. These trips were funded by a Commonwealth understorey. Envirofund grant. On the day, over 40 plant species were examined and identified over the A full report of this survey appeared in the Spring edition of Clematis. course of the 4.5 km loop walk. Some of the more common species with good coverage over the area in- Submissions/Responses cluded: tiger orchids, nodding blue lily, hop goodenia, grey guinea-flower, The Club was asked by DSE for comments on their proposed fuel reduction burn- narrow-leaf bitter pea, bush pea and trigger plant. ing schedule for 2008-2009 and James Turner undertook this task on behalf of the Club. Jennifer Wilkinson represented the Club on the working group which developed Bush lovers are encouraged to go for a stroll and enjoy some of the natural the Sambar Deer Action Statement. beauty of the forest around Bruthen. The Club made a submission to the draft Hog Deer Management Strategy. ‘Go for our Life’ is a Victorian Government initiative that aims to promote Your President was involved in the media response that followed the sanctioned the health and well being of all Victorians. slaughter of starving swans that were eating a farmer’s lucerne patch in May. ☺

Networking When further shooting permits were withdrawn by the Minister for the Environ- ment I approached the Chairperson of Friends of the Gippsland Lakes to explore FREE CANOE TOUR ON LAKE TYERS the possibility of taking the underlying issue –the lack food for the swan’s due to the death of the sea grass beds in the Lakes caused by dense algal blooms - fur- East Gippsland Catchment Management would like to invite ther, with a public meeting on the status and future of the Gippsland Lakes. The interested members for a free canoe tour to check out the work they idea was to do this through the Habit Network East Gippsland (HNEG), which are involved in at Lake Tyers. Two guides will take you for a relaxed was an initiative of the Club in 2006. 2 hour paddle with lunch included. As there are just 4 canoes only 7 This was agreed upon and a small group of HNEG members organized and con- visitors are able to be accommodated, so it’s first in best dressed. th ducted a well patronized Public Forum in Bairnsdale on 19 November attended by over 210 people. The organizing group has subsequently been invited to meet The guides can provide transport from DSE Bairnsdale and also the with the Gippsland Lakes Task Force. A report of the Forum is published sepa- Info Centre in Lakes Entrance. rately in the Summer edition of the Clematis.

James Turner, James Macdonald and Andrew Bould worked with DSE in devel- The date will be arranged for a Thursday or Friday in late January oping an on-going monitoring of the Metallic Sun Orchids there. to the end of February 2009.

B&DFN data base Anyone interested contact Wendy Parker as soon as possible on Since its inception in 1960 the Club has been observing/monitoring flora species 5152 2615. in East Gippsland and recording these observations in the Clematis. This infor-

8 21 BRUTHEN WALKING TRAILS Nov 2008 mation is not catalogued and as such is virtually un-retrievable. Recognizing that these data are of value and use if accessible and retrievable, the Committee has for The Bruthen Walking Trails steering committee recently invited the a couple of years been exploring the establishment of a data base. I am now happy Bairnsdale Field Naturalists to visit the trails to share their expertise and to announce that we have successfully negotiated with the Manager of the Biodi- versity Information Management sector of DSE to have our data entered in the learn more about the flora in this area of State Forest. DSE Flora Information System which is undergoing change that allows groups like ours to have our own data set up as a ‘project’ on the system. When the Vic- The morning’s cloud cover took the sting out of what was already a warm torian Diversity Atlas is released towards the end of 2009 these data will be made day, as the group chose the Explosive Magazine Loop for a bush walk and available on the internet via the Biodiversity Interactive Map. plant identification foray. The best thing about this arrangement is that DSE is already entering the data from our source material (The Clematis) and will do so Field Nats were impressed by the flora of the trails and said that consider- on an ongoing basis. ing the dryness of the area, the group saw a lot of diverse flowering flora. B&DFN calendar There was a warm and positive appraisal of the Bruthen Walking Trails, The inaugural calendar for 2008 was almost a sell out and very popular with lo- cals and people interested in East Gippsland natural environment. This generated including the Easy Magic Walk. This walk was funded by ‘Go for you enough funds to produce the 2009 calendar and thus far fulfill our intention to Life’ and supported by the Department of Sustainability and Environment make it an annual self funding publication. At the launch in September I paid trib- as partner with the Bruthen Walking Trails steering committee. ute to Jennifer Wilkinson and Pauline Stewart who are responsible for producing and marketing the calendar and to the local photographers who submitted the beautiful photos used in the production.

Thanks I would like to record my thanks to:  The management of Noweyung for the continued use of their building for our general meetings  DSE for photocopying our Clematis newsletter

 All the office bearers and group Co-ordinators and members for their support and contribution to the activities of the Club which has made 2008 another successful year.

I close with every good wish for a safe and happy Christmas and for peace and prosperity in 2009.

Pat McPherson President

☺

Members from the Bruthen Walking Trails steering committee with Bairnsdale Field Naturalists photo by Pauline Stewart

20 9 MT ELIZABETH - 21 September 2008 striped. The labellum base of the Copper-Beard-orchid has two metallic by Margaret Regan blue plates.

Five hundred metres along Playgrounds Rd from the Great Alpine Road, About 2.5 km along Winkie Creek Road was the dry creek with stones the side of the track had been slashed in the past and there was a profusion along the edge. There was Maidenhair (Adiantum sp.) and Common Rasp of plants in flower. There was Bootlace Bush (Pimelea axiflora), a small -fern (Doodia media) along the edge. We climbed down to the creek and shrub with cream flowers in the axils of the leaves, which derives its com- up the other side to an area where four species of Greenhood had been mon name from the practice of tearing off its tough bark in strips and us- found three years ago. Our only find was on finished Mountain Green- ing the strips to make cord. Austral Indigo (Indigofera australis) is anoth- hood (Pterostylis alpina). er small shrub with purple pea flowers. Nodding Blue Lily (Stypandra glauca) has deep blue hanging blooms. Hairy Pink-bells (Tetratheca pi- Another exciting day, thanks again to James. losa) has hairy leaves, but no hairs on the peduncles of the flowers. Hop ☺ Goodenia (Goodenia ovata) has ovate toothed leaves and yellow flowers. Daisies were Clustered Everlasting (Chrysocephalum semipapposum) where the small yellow inflorescences are grouped at the ends of branches; Satin Everlasting (Helichrysum leucopsidium) whose buds are often tinged pink, and the inflorescences have yellow central florets and white ray flo- rets; and Golden Everlasting (Xerochrysum bracteatum), a tall branching herb with deep gold inflorescences. A very small plant was Thyme Spurge (Phyllanthus hirtellus), a shrub with male and female white flow- ers on separate plants. Creeping between were two peas - Dusky Coral- pea (Kennedia rubicunda) and Purple Coral-pea (Hardenbergia violacea). Major trees were Yellow Stringybark (Eucalyptus muellerana) and Red Ironbark (E. tricarpa) with its heavily furrowed bark. Birds were Hors- field’s Bronze-cuckoo, Spotted Pardalote and Olive-backed Oriole. There was a beautiful bug shaped like a Harlequin Bug, but a shiny mid-green with a diagonal red cross on its back. It may be in the same family, the jewel bug family, as there are 26 species in Australia with a variety of pat- terns in bright metallic colours. A Black Wallaby hopped across the road.

About three kilometres along Playgrounds Road were some different plants. Our National plant emblem Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha) was in bloom with wide leathery phyllodes and balls of flowers in ra- cemes. Peas were yellow Prickly Parrot-pea ( juniperina) and yellow Large-leaf Bitter-pea (Pultenaea daphnoides) whose leaves are wider at the end with a short sharp spine. In flower also were Rusty Po- maderris (Pomaderris ferruginea) with leaves which are brown and wool- ly beneath; Slender Rice-flower (Pimelea linifolia); and White Marianth (Rhytidosporum procumbens), a tiny shrub with white starry flowers and Large-leaf Bush -Pea (Pultenaea daphnoides) photo by John Drinkwater

10 19 We turned right into Freestone Creek Road and lunched at a picnic spot wrinkled seeds [‘rhytidos’ is wrinkled and ‘sporos’ is seed in Greek]. above Freestone Creek with around us Golden Grevillea (Grevillea chrysophaea), Golden Everlasting (Xerochrysum bracteatum), Prickly At the confluence of the Tambo and Timbarra Rivers we lingered for Erect Guinea-flower, the orchid Pink Fingers (Caladenia carnea), Pink- morning coffee or tea, and those who strolled to the bridge over the rather bells (Tetratheca ciliata) and Lady’s Slipper or Slender Violet-bush muddy Tambo were amused by the antics of a couple of possibly Water (Hybanthus monopetalus). Slender Violet-bush is an herb with linear Skinks who emerged from under the bridge. They were fairly unfussed by leaves with mauve flowers raised high above the leaves. The lower petal our appearance; obviously we were interfering with their warming-in-the- of the flower is much enlarged and white at the base. Here at a bend in the sun routine. Finally the larger one noticed the existence of the smaller one creek a natural dam had formed. Masses of coloured pebbles had been and chased it away. Welcome Swallows were darting under the bridge, pushed up by the current to form a wall giving a lovely deep pool. Around and other birds were Fantail Cuckoo, Superb Fairy-wren and Pied Curra- the edge were Rough-bark Honey-myrtle (Melaleuca parvistaminea) wong. On the walk down to the derelict bridge over the Timbarra were which has leaves with prominent oil glands on the lower surface and nar- Round-leaf Mint-bush (Prostanthera rotundifolia) with round leaves and row flower spikes; Common Fringe-myrtle (Calytrix tetragona), a small irregular mauve flowers; and Stinkwood (Zieria arborescens) which has shrub with pink starry flowers whose have long thread-like arms; large three-part leaves and sprays of small white flowers (the leaves when White Sallow Wattle (Acacia floribunda); a Pomaderris (Pomaderris sp.) crushed give off a nasty smell); with Maidenhair (Adiantum sp.) beneath. with rusty orange flowers; and Tassel Sedge (Carex fascicularis) whose Apparently Maidenhair was so named because the fern was used to make a inflorescence had 3-6 drooping spikes, of which the upper ones are male shampoo for maidens!! On the bank were some finished Noddies and the lower female. We were delighted to see 3 very small frogs fright- (Pterostylis nutans) and a rarely seen native Red Passion-flower ened into movement by our presence. Hovering from rock to rock was the (Passiflora cinnabarina), which unfortunately was not in bloom. Along most gorgeous electric blue dragonfly. An Eastern Whipbird was heard the river’s edge was the small tree Kanooka (Tristaniopsis laurina) which cracking. is found along streams and in jungles throughout eastern Victoria. It is closely related to eucalypts, but its yellow flowers have free petals and the Finally on to Winkie Creek Road we paused a little way along. This area stamens are untied in 5 bundles. White Sallow Wattle (Acacia floribunda) been burnt in 2007 fires. A Sacred Kingfisher and White-throated is also frequent along streams. It has long thin phyllodes and flowers in Treecreeper were singing. There was Daphne Heath (Brachyloma daph- pale yellow spikes. The steep hillsides were covered with Red Wattle (A. noides) with white tubular flowers; Hop Bitter-pea (Daviesia latifolia) silvestris) which has feathery leaves. Its common name derives from the with wide veined phyllodes and sprays of yellow and red flowers; Pale colour of the timber. Grass-lily (Caesia parviflora) with pale lavender blooms; and Heath Pink- bells. There was a patch of Lady’s Slipper with many, many plants in Twelve kilometres from the main highway, now on Mt Elizabeth Road, flower. We discovered five species of orchid. These were Spotted Sun- we were on top of a rocky ridge beneath Silvertop Ash (Eucalyptus orchid (Thelymitra ixioides) whose usually blue flowers have deeper blue sieberi). Silvertop Ash is favoured by loggers because of its long straight spots on the dorsal and petals; yellow with brown-spotted Tiger Or- trunk. Here the vulnerable Showy Boronia (Boronia ledifolia) was in full chid (Diuris sulphurea); Waxlip (Glossodia major) which has mauve bloom. This is what we had come to see!! The small shrubs have four- flowers with the labellum white at the base; Common Bird Orchid petalled pink flowers and the lower surface of their leaves is covered with (Chiloglottis valida) has basal ovate leaves with a single dark red flower dense white hairs. One plant with white flowers was found. It is only open like a baby bird’s mouth; Copper Beard-orchid (Calochilus cam- found in dry areas near the Tambo, Timbarra and Snowy Rivers on thin pestris); and Purple Beard-orchid (Calochilus robertsonii). The Beard- soils. Other new plants for the day were Pink Beard-heath (Leucopogon orchids have a labellum decorated with coarse, coloured hairs. All have a ericoides), a shrub whose pink or white tubular flowers are bearded inside; single erect fleshy leaf. In both of these species the perianth parts are Black She-oak (Casuarina littoralis); and the scented, very prickly white

18 11 was Common Rice-flower (Pimelea humilis) and a Bluebell (Wahlenbergia sp.).

We turned from the Stockdale - Glenaladale Road onto Insolvent Track and 6km further on we were now on Bullockhead Creek Road. The trees were Gippsland Peppermint (Eucalyptus croajingolensis) and Mountain Grey Gum (E. cypellocarpa) in an area burnt in 2007. Snow Daisy-bush (Olearia lirata) was covered with white flowers. There were two peas Rough Bush-pea (Pultenea scabra) and Large-leaf Bush-pea (P. daph- noides). Both have mainly yellow flowers and leaves which are wider at the furthest end. The leaves on the Rough Bush-pea have a rough surface, while those of the Large-leaf Bush-pea are smooth with a sharp point. Ferns were Soft Treefern (Dicksonia antarctica), Gristle-fern (Blechnum cartilagineum) and Fish-bone water-fern (B. nudum). Herbs were a big Bluebell, white-flowered Prickly Starwort (Stellaria pungens), and Ivy- leaf Violet (Viola hederacea). A woody creeper was Small-leaf Clematis (Clematis microphylla) with ovate leaves in 3’s, and cream flowers with 4 sepals, but no petals. The flowers are either male or female, but never Showy Boronia (Boronia ledifolia) photo by Fran Bright both. We passed Lake Hurley!!! It was a small watering hole, no doubt man-made. Bushy Needlewood (Hakea decurrens) which has knobbly fruits with two beaks. Our serenaders were Rufous Whistler, Grey Shrike-thrush with a 9.3km along the road we found a white form of the usually deep pink different dialect to home, Pied Currawong, Brown-headed Honeyeater and Heath Pink-bells (Tetratheca bauerifolia). Heath pink-bells is a tiny shrub Spotted Pardalote. to 30cm with hairy stems and leaves in whorls of 4-6. The lilac-pink flowers are borne singly or paired in the axils of the leaves. it grows on Just half a kilometre further up the road was a rare Slender Saw-sedge rocky areas or in shallow soils. This time the Violet was the Showy (Viola (Gahnia microstachya), a most attractive small bright green sedge with betonicifolia), usually with deep purple flowers with a clump of basal narrow leaves. It would make a very good garden plant. There was the leaves. Yellow flowers were seen on Tiger Orchid (Diuris sulphurea), divided leaf form of Elderberry Panax (Polyscias sambucifolia) and Hop Goodenia (Goodenia ovata) and Prickly Erect Guinea-flower Fringed or White Everlasting (Leucochrysum baxteri) with She-oak over- (Hibbertia calycina) which has smooth bright green narrow sharp leaves. head. We didn’t see or hear any Glossy Black Cockatoos though!! They Also around were Creamy Candles (Stackhousia monogyna) which has are reputed to feed almost exclusively on the seeds of She-oaks. many flowers borne on the stem to form a spike; and Nodding Blue Lily (Stypandra glauca). At the corner of Collins Road and Mt Elizabeth Road we were in wet schlerophyll forest. Overhead were enormous stately trees of Messmate At 10.3km we were following along a rocky dry creek bed beneath Red (Eucalyptus obliqua) and Mountain Ash (E. regnans). A little shorter Wattle (Acacia silvestris). This was Bullockhead Creek. There was some were Blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon); then Blanket-leaf (Bedfordia ar- Maidenhair (Adiantum sp.) and the birds we heard were Grey Fantail, borescens), a daisy which is a very tall shrub with large leaves, shiny Grey Shrike-thrush and Yellow-faced Honeyeater.

12 17 FERNBANK - WINKIE CREEK - 19 October 2008 green above and woolly white below, and sprays of yellow inflorescences; by Margaret Regan and Hazel Pomaderris (Pomaderris aspera) with Austral Mulberry (Hedycarya angustifolia), a large shrub with shiny toothed leaves and yel- Our first foray was on to the recreation reserve at the tiny hamlet of Fern- low fruits like a mulberry. The treefern was Rough Treefern (Cyathea bank. We had come to see two species of Donkey Orchids, Purple Diuris australis), with ground ferns Fishbone Water-fern (Blechnum nudum) and (Diuris punctata) and Blotched Diuris (Diuris sp. aff. dendrobioides). Spreading fan-fern (Sticherus lobatus). A climber was the lily Wait-a- The Donkey Orchids have grass-like leaves and bear up to 10 showy flow- while or Lawyer Vine (Smilax australis), a vigorous plant with nasty ers. They often grow in extensive colonies in grassy situations. The dor- hooked spines. We identified Wombats from their scats, and birds were sal sepal is hooded over the column, the petals are rounded on a narrow raucous Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Golden Whistler, Spotted Pardalote stalk and sit up like ears (hence the name Donkey Orchid) and the linear and Eastern Whipbird. lateral sepals extend below the labellum. Both the Purple and Blotched Diuris have very long lateral sepals. The Blotched Diuris is smaller, paler About 21 kilometres from the highway and still on Mt Elizabeth Road, and spotted. Possibly because of the drought the flowering stems were back on a dry ridge, we stopped to see the pretty Grevillea (Grevillea poly- quite short. The plants were growing together in the open grassy area chroma). The plants here were all red-flowered. This species has a small which had obviously been visited by cattle in the not too distant past. The leaf, but is in the Royal Grevillea (Grevillea victoriae) group. Also in reserve was adjacent to a forested area with other trees around. Birds were flower was Varnish Wattle (Acacia verniflua) which has yellow balls, 2-3 quite vocal, including Rufous Whistler, Olive-backed Oriole, Noisy Friar- to an axil, and whose green phyllodes look as if sprayed; Broom Spurge bird, White Cockatoo, Noisy Miner, Grey Fantail and Spotted Pardalote. (Amperea xiphoclada), a usually leafless shrub with cream flowers in Near the road was a small Lightwood (Acacia implexa) with a huge lumpy small clusters; and Handsome Flat-pea (Platylobium formosum) with op- gall on a short side branch. Galls are an exaggerated growth formed by a posite leaves and mainly yellow flowers. plant after an incursion by an outside influence, such as an insect. Twenty-two and a half kilometres from the highway was the Mt Elizabeth Along the Melbourne to Bairnsdale railway line we visited an area set Phebalium (Nematolepis frondosa), but unfortunately only in bud. It is a aside as a Significant Vegetation site. There were antlion traps in the dust shrub with short rounded leaves and clusters of white flowers. Why is it on the side of the road. Adult antlions are winged insects. There are 250 that so many rare plants are found around Mt Elizabeth? A little further species of the group in Australia. The best known are the true antlions, the on, just after the BBQ, was Narrow-leaf Logania (Logania albiflora) predacious nymphs of which dig conical pits in dry sand to capture ants which was quite like the Bootlace Bush with tiny white flowers in the ax- and other insects. The site had recently been burnt. There were many ils of its leaves; and Blotchy Mint-bush (Prostanthera walteri) where we small herbs in flower. Lilies were Chocolate Lily (Arthropodium managed to see one flower which was pale green with stripes. At 26 km strictum) with an inflorescence of chocolate-scented mauve flowers; Milk- was Mountain Hickory Wattle (Acacia obliquinervia) with its grey-green maids (Burchardia umbellata) with white starry honey-scented flowers phyllodes with the main vein closest to the upper margin; and Blue Olive- grouped in an umbel; and Bulbine Lily (Bulbine bulbosa) whose bright berry (Elaeocarpus reticulatus), which unfortunately was not in flower. yellow flowers have tufts of hair on their staminal filaments. Orchids The flowers are gorgeous. were Blotched Diuris and a blue Sun-orchid, possibly Slender Sun-orchid (Thelymitra pauciflora). Daisies included yellow Scaly Buttons We didn’t climb to the top of Mt Elizabeth, but returned via Cutts Creek (Leptorhynchos squamatus), yellow Button Everlasting (Helichrysum Road and the Buchan-Ensay Road to the Great Alpine Road. A lovely scorpioides), yellow Common Everlasting (Chrysocephalum apiculatum), day, thank you James. and Coast Daisy (Brachyscome parvula) with linear leaves up the stem, ☺ and flowers with white ray florets and yellow disc florets. There

16 13 BLOND BAY METALLIC SUN ORCHID COUNT of water for six months. Maybe this affected their growth. - 27 September 2008 by Margaret Regan At a site on another track further west were Red-beaks or Undertaker Or- chid (Pyrorchis nigricans). Mostly there were just heart-shaped flat fleshy As we arrived near the fenced orchid site a Wedgetail Eagle was seen fly- leaves, some of which were really large (can get up to 9cm). They are ing over the site carrying probably some sort of food. Unfortunately it green with dark spots and a red edge. The few red and white striped flow- dropped the food, and may have been deterred from re-collecting the prey ers are partly enclosed by a reddish and have a fringed labellum. by our presence. Hopefully it returned after we left. We did see the re- They mostly flower in the season after summer fires. All parts of the plant mains of a wallaby within the larger fenced area around the orchids. turn black when it dies, which accounts for the second common name. A Greencomb Spider-orchid (Caladenia sp.) was seen in bud. Other plants The spectacular Metallic Sun-orchid (Thelymitra epipactoides) mostly in flower were Silky Guinea-flower (Hibbertia sericea) which has gold grows in coastal areas in Victoria in heathland, grassland or shrubby flowers and hairy narrow leaves, and the tiny blue Love Creeper woodland, and in a few inland localities with mallee vegetation. Most of (Comesperma volubile). the habitat has been destroyed for agriculture, and the orchid is also threat- ened by weeds and rabbits. The orchid is now classified as endangered. It Turning back north we stopped near a small Black She-oak (Allocasuarina grows to 50cm with up to 20 large bronze, pink, green or blue flowers. An littoralis) grove. Here was found a Sun-orchid with green flowers. It was area where most of the orchids have been found at Blond Bay has been probably a hybrid between the Metallic and the Slender Sun-orchid fenced -first with quite a small area enclosed in 1997; then in 2005, this (Thelymitra pauciflora). There was two tiny pea creepers, Bossiaea was greatly enlarged. The original fence has remained in sound condition (Bossiaea prostrata) with its round leaves and yellow and brown flowers, with no access for rabbits or other grazers. However, because of the ab- Running Postman (Kennedia prostrata) with bright red flowers, and the sence of grazers, trees and grass are now quite thick and must be compet- small white lily Early Nancy (Wurmbea dioica). Birds were Wedgetail ing with the orchids. Is a burn needed? Apparently these orchids respond Eagle, Striated Pardalote, Red Wattlebird, Noisy Miner, Black-faced well to summer fires. The newer adjoining fence was obviously built Cuckoo-shrike, Grey Shrike-thrush and Grey Fantail. Thanks to our great across the regular tracks of some wombats. These are not the sort of ani- leader, James. ☺ mals to be diverted. The fence has been breached in many places (despite repairs having been made), and these holes have allowed the easy access ) of rabbits. To add to all these problems the area has been in drought for at least 10 years. As a consequence of all this, only 20 orchids were found, including a few outside the fences but nearby. The Field Nats have been counting the orchids for many years and this is the smallest number seen since the first fence was erected. Last year the total number of orchids

found was 136. The largest number of 261 was found in 2005.

Thelymitra epipactoides Across the road from the fenced site is Fiddian’s Swamp which was com-

pletely dry. It is full of Common Sword-sedge (Lepidosperma longitudi- orchid ( nale) with a few plants of Grey Parrot-pea (Dillwynia cinerascens). Grey - Parrot-pea is a small erect shrub with grey round leaves and small flowers in cylindrical clusters at the ends of the branches. We found no Metallic

Sun-orchids! There used to be a few here, but in 2007 the swamp was full

Metallic Sun BrightphotoFran by 14 15