Banksia Bulletin

summer 2020-21

Bayside beetles Visiting birds Volunteers return From the Mayor In this issue

Welcome to the Summer 2020/21 from a reader located in the United Special features Other articles edition of Banksia Bulletin. Kingdom. Well done to everyone living in the City of Bayside who played a part in of Banksia Bulletin going to a OF BAYSIDE 4 getting out of the COVID-19 digitalOne ofversion the biggest is the benefitsreach it now crisis we found ourselves in this year. has. The reader highlighted the SHOREBIRD/WETLAND BIRD ID RESOURSES 4 While it was certainly an interesting learning opportunities Banksia Council election campaign this year Bulletin provided, and it even sparked THE RISE AND FALL without the opportunity for a lot a discussion at the Botanical Society THE STORY OF A OF CHOTA CROTON 5 of face-to-face interaction with our of Britain and Ireland’s Events & community, I am very humbled to be Communications Committee. Well PAIR OF TAWNY VOLUNTEERS ARE BACK! 6 returning to the City of Bayside as a done to everyone involved in making FROGMOUTHS Councillor for the next four years, and this happen. 7 INSECTS AS POLLINATORS another term to serve as your Mayor. It is fantastic to see our Friends – HERE, THERE AND As many of you would know, groups coming together and ramping EVERYWHERE 8 I am very passionate about our up their working bee schedules for local environment, and I’m really next year, and well done to BRASCA for new year. IT’S A WONDER 9 pleased to see the work of our squeezing in two before the year ends. all my fellow Councillors, On behalf of BANKSIA PRUNING volunteers published in this magazine. Our Friends groups are very Merry Christmas Bayside.. WHY BIRDS VISIT BAY AT RICKETTS POINT 16 They are greatly appreciated by all important to the combined efforts we ROAD HEATHLAND of our community. Cr Laurence Evans WILDLIFE-FRIENDLY I heard recently from Council’s and fauna, but they are also important Mayor SANCTUARY REGULATIONS FOR all make in protecting our local flora Biodiversity and Conservation for social connectivity. Bayside City Council 10 HOUSEHOLD FRUIT NETTING 17 I hope you enjoy being back together she had received a thank you email and I look forward to seeing you in the HOW NON-NATIVE PLANTS Planning Officer Amy Weir that ARE CONTRIBUTING TO A GLOBAL INSECT DECLINE 18 ASSESSING THE CONSERVATION BENEFITS OF REVEGETATION 20 BEETLE OBSERVATIONS 14 BUSHFIRE RESPONSE 2020 – IMPACTS ON REPTILES AND FROGS 21 VOLUNTEER GROUPS 22

Manufactured with Manufactured using 100% FSC® post process chlorine free Cover image: Musk Lorikeet consumer waste. (PCF) pulps. Photo: John Eichler Poranthera Birdlife ID Photo by Pauline Reynolds Plants of Bayside resources Words and photo by Jarryd Linehan, Birdlife has produced Citywide Bushland Crew two booklets for citizen scientists involved in shorebird and waterbird The rise and fall of Small Poranthera monitoring. , also referred to as the The Wetland Birds of Chota Croton Small Poranthera, is a small annual herb found in Wetland Birds south eastern Australia of south eastern Australia all states of Australia and New Zealand. Identification booklet Identification booklet can help It is a fleshy growing to roughly 15cm in diameter you identify waterbirds found An environmental success story and about half that in height. It has greyish spoon or on the wetlands of south- even egg-shaped leaves with a small point on the tip. Words and photos by Sue Raverty the 2000s we reclaimed a large area to eastern Australia. The booklet It prefers well-drained soils and quite often appears Convenor Friends of Rickets Point the right of the track which was used as says, ‘Sadly many of these after a fire. Despite the large range of this little herb Landside a turnaround and storage for a trailer. species and their habitats are it’s not a plant that we often come across in our days Around 2014, we started to plant subject to increasing threats. working in the heathlands. Chota Croton at 411 Beach Road in along the edges of the access road to By monitoring their trends, Citywide first noticed it back in autumn and we were Beaumaris was built in the 1930s. The narrow it. We continued to maintain and we can identify conservation birds are in our nature

scratching our heads attempting to identify this unusual AUSTRA LIA house was named after a mansion in revegetate more of the sides of what had plant, searching our Flora of hoping to priorities and seek to halt then become more like a track. come across some clues. It wasn’t until spring when declines.’ demolished in 1937. In March 2016, the house was put the white flowers were very pronounced and we Shorebirds Caulfield called Crotonhurst, which was on the market. In July 2016, when the Identification booklet were able to officially welcome the small poranthera The Shorebirds Identification plinth, stained glass windows, the house was vacant, we prepared the back to Balcombe Reserve. It had been previously booklet, ‘covers all 54 shorebird CornishThe marble entrance fire porch,place surround chimney potsand site and planted out the rest of the recorded back in 2016 after a controlled burn and has species that occur regularly in and possibly the gates were salvaged grassy area. popped up in similar circumstances after the 2019 Australia. For easier identification from Crotonhurst and installed at the After the house was demolished in burn. We are hoping to collect some seed from the we have included ID tips for new Chota Croton at Ricketts Point. 2019, the house block was cleared and Balcombe Reserve specimens and propagate the small each species and maps of There was access to Beach Road has been left untouched since then. poranthera at our Bayside Community Nursery. where you are most likely to through beautiful gates at the rear of The plants in front of the gates have Bushland team member Matthew Powell recently encounter them.’ the property. The land was tiered due continued to grow and at the present discovered some more small poranthera at to the steep slope of the block and the Cheltenham Park. main access to the house was from Lang and the gates can no longer be seen from birds are in our nature time it is hard to find the access entrance The rediscovery of this plant has the bushland team AUSTRALIA Street, not Beach Road. Beach Road. searching for other small poranthera plants around In 1999, when the Friends of Ricketts We are waiting to see what is built on Bayside. This has challenged us to further improve our For more information on how to get Point Landside began working at the the empty block and how it will impact plant identification skills. involved visit the Birdlife Australia website site, the access path was grassed and the reserve. Fingers crossed it will be a was wider than a normal driveway. In good outcome.

4 Banksia Bulletin | Summer 2020-21 Banksia Bulletin | Summer 2020-21 5 Tawny Frogmouth Photo by Diana Pearce Black Rock and Sandringham Conservation Association Inc volunteers, December 2020 working bee. The story of a pair of Volunteers are back! Words and photos by Pauline Reynolds Tawny Frogmouths The first volunteer session since March took place at the Bayside Community Story by Diana Pearce release the dead Tawny from the tree. Nursery on the morning of Tuesday 8 and Moira Longden To our surprise and pleasure, another December 2020. Tawny Frogmouth turned up and we Council and Citywide have put in place In the 2007 Summer/Autumn edition were hopeful that they might mate and their COVIDSafe Plans, and a maximum of of Banksia Bulletin, Moira Longden continue the dynasty. 10 volunteers at each session are allowed. wrote a wonderful article following the Just when we thought it wasn’t going Citywide Bushland and Nursery progress of a pair of Tawny Frogmouths, to happen, the force of life showed its Supervisor Jo Hurse and Bayside Nursery which had nested and roosted in our colours and they did! Coordinator Julie Valentine have worked neighbouring trees for a couple of years. Photo credit: Jarryd Linehan out the safe set up and everyone was very Since then, neighbours have taken an happy to be working and helping again. interest in where they may build a nest in Ither took Casuarina a while totree. find Friends where around they had Since then, we have tubed many trays and shared news when we discovered were sent on their way, and then they ournested area but were finally reassured Moira spotted that they the were nest of Goodenia ovata, and we welcomed a nest. would settle back to roost in our tree still our Tawnies! Our volunteers’ propagating work at the Bayside Community Nursery three new volunteers. Sometimes, it was a surprise when the (Agonis flexuosa). We have had almost Fast forward a few weeks and as I has resumed. While a little out of practice, it didn’t nest was on the top of a light pole near daily pleasure of knowing that they are write, two chicks are looking like they the Beaumaris school. present. I hope we can continue to contribute courses and schools that took advantage I’m sure there were times this year Eventually they would return to our Earlier this year, we were hoping that It has been interesting to watch the totake the long propagation to get the offingers the number going again. of of the quiet time to do extra planting. when everyone, like me, thought we’d tree and show off the (often right the pair would mate again as all the are ready to fledge. plants required for next year. There was All other environmental volunteers never be allowed out but here we are. outside our back door). In hot weather, signs seemed right. take turns to look after the nest and a concern that in this disruptive year the will be back doing work and Hopefully a vaccination early next year they would enjoy a family bath with a Then, one day there was a dead Tawny feedfly-in-fly-out the chicks action – who as look the parents like wide- plants that were ready for sale would contributing in the way they enjoy might see the end of this virus and soft hose down. hanging in the foliage of the tree. The not be sold. Amazingly, they were sold next year. BRASCA will squeeze in two Each year the pair has produced other bird kept vigil for many days until when the parents are busy hunting and to wholesale customers including golf working bees before 2020 is over. come along too soon! chicks and reared them until they feedingeyed fluffy them. toys making purring noises fingers crossed the next one doesn’t finally I asked a neighbour to help me

6 Banksia Bulletin | Summer 2020-21 Banksia Bulletin | Summer 2020-21 7 Blue-banded bee Photo by John Coke

Grevillea infecuda Insects as pollinators It’s a wonder Words and photo by Rob Saunders – here, there and everywhere Rare Plants Group Bayside Community Nursery has recently propagated Story by Elizabeth Walsh a plant that has been locally extinct for many years. Now Convenor FoNW Inc. known as the Anglesea Grevillea (Grevillea infecunda), it was collected by Baron von Mueller from “bushland Friends of Native Wildlife Inc. hosted a zoom session, near Brighton” in the 1850s. Wild in Bayside, featuring Luis Mata presenting an online As its Latin name implies, this species is infertile. It talk Pollinator Observatories – a fun and engaging way of only spreads by suckering. reconnecting people with nature in cities. This is a truly rare and fascinating plant. So few remain in The addition of some of his personal macro photographs the wild, it is listed under the Commonwealth Environment from various local heathland settings provided relevance Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (1999). and entertainment. Because it is infertile, each plant is a clone, so it could be Luis recently moved back to Bayside after conducting a argued that this is Bayside’s only indigenous Grevillea. successful large-scale pollinator program at Westgate Park It is fascinating that the same plant was able to spread using citizen science and supported by RMIT, Melbourne These ecological networks across all types of plants support University, Clean Air and Urban Landscapes Hub, Westgate and link the health of our environment. Assuming a growth rate of around 10cm per year, Biodiversity: Bili Nursery & Landcare and the City of Pollination is carried out whilst insects feed on pollen or itfrom would wherever take at it least first 500,000 evolved yearsto Anglesea to spread and from Brighton. a Melbourne. Native butterfly nectar or are fooled into attempting to mate because of the central point between those two locations. Photo by Michael Jefferies During his talk, Luis talked about themes of pollination, pheromones exuded from specialised plants, thus moving So how did it cross Bay, you ask? Well, invasion ecology, indigenous culture, plant-insect interactions pollen from one plant to another. The leaves and buds provide Port Phillip Bay only formed at the end of the last Ice and colour patterns. The results from Westgate Park showed the greatest food to foliage-eating insects, and those insects in turn become Age. And how did it cross the Yarra River? The answer food for larger insects, birds and reptiles. is that the Yarra River itself would have changed course introduced or indigenous, daisies, with their bright yellow bugs, wasps, beetles and lastly, ants. It was interesting to note Luis explained how management actions could restructure many times over that period. One such flower example is the daisy-like flowers. Whether thatinteractions 65 per cent were of from interactions bees down were to fromflies, nativebutterflies, insect then species the landscape of urban meta-networks, and the important Plants such as this can be used in teaching a variety and 35 per cent from non-native species. of decision-makers fully understanding the impacts of of subjects, from geography to history and even collectingflowers, attract pollen native as they bees forage and forhoney sweet bees. nectar. Some The wasps many Whether planting for ground cover, low or medium shrubs, biodiversity. mathematics. But perhaps most importantly, they can delight in finding their way down narrow flower trumpets, understorey or canopy, insects of every shape and species can Find out more about Luis Mata at https://luismataresearch. teach a sense of wonder. preferences. be found as part of the biodiversity of the natural environment. wordpress.com/about-me/ beetles, flies, bugs and butterflies also have their colour

8 Banksia Bulletin | Summer 2020-21 Banksia Bulletin | Summer 2020-21 9 Common Bronzewing in Black Wattle, Bay Road Heathland Sanctuary, 8 November 2020. Photo: John Eichler.

Story by Sue Forster Musk Lorikeets are regular seasonal Convenor Friends of Bay Road Heathland visitors, feeding on lerp and nectar Sanctuary and February. In a mixed lorikeet When it comes to attracting birds, Bay from flowering Manna Gums in January Road Heathland Sanctuary lacks many Rainbow Lorikeets by their mainly green of the advantages of nearby golf courses, plumage,flock, they smaller can be size,distinguished shorter tail from and particularly scale and a permanent high-pitched call. A red cheek patch water source. differentiates them from the similar but Typical residents common to Bayside less common Little Lorikeet. include dominant honeyeaters such as Large Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos Noisy Miners, Red and Little Wattlebirds; disperse to the lowlands after breeding larger predatory passerines such as in higher ranges between July and Australian Magpies, Pied Currawongs January. The last time I heard their and Little Ravens; and, lurking in denser plaintive whee-la call and registered shrubs, small Brown Thornbills and the effects of their visit was in April Why birds visit White-browed Scrubwrens. 2020. They occasionally drop in to the Grey Butcherbirds, Magpie Larks, Sanctuary to extract Cossid Moth and Rainbow Lorikeets and Eastern Rosellas Longicorn Beetle larvae from under the are frequent visitors and, on rare bark of Black Wattles. Apparently, they Bay Road Heathland occasions, a Laughing Kookaburra may can hear the larvae tunnelling around the cambium layer of the trunks. Black Although the Sanctuary is primarily Cockatoos can cause considerable conservedfly in from Sandringhamfor its heathland Golf vegetation, Course. damage to saplings as their strong beaks Sanctuary roving birds are most likely to seek pierce many centimetres into bark, out its Manna Gums or Black Wattles, shredding it during extraction. for shelter or food. There is, of course, After exchanging notes with Citywide no shortage of insect life when the bushland crew and local naturalist John heathland is blooming – a bonus for the Eichler, I discovered that, between July many omnivorous or insectivorous birds and November 2020, the Sanctuary Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo. Photo: Sue Forster in the area.

had five visiting species that I had not

10 Banksia Bulletin | Summer 2020-21 Banksia Bulletin | Summer 2020-21 11 Bassian Thrush. Photo: John Eichler.

Australian King Parrot (immature or female) in Black Wattle, Bay Road Heathland Sanctuary, 16 Female Australian King Parrot, September 2020. Photo: Matt Dandenong Ranges. Photo: Sue Forster. Powell Musk Lorikeet. Photo: John Eichler

previously observed in this area. In the ‘Surprise’ visitors are, of course, often been the result of inexperience as both are rarely sighted these days. A Goshawk and tail with a rufous collar. Goshawk roving bird visitors as well as local case of the Common Bronzewing, I was spotted elsewhere in Bayside, as was the were possibly juveniles. One of these, found on 28 July by Citywide Bushland prey includes small reptiles, birds simply not in the right place at the right case for a pair of Australian King Parrots found near the viewing platform on and Nursery Operations Supervisor Jo and mammals – all found within the new bird species in this habitat, but, time. Michael Norris, former Bay Road seen in the Sanctuary by Citywide crew 2 November, was a Bassian or Scaly Hurse and Matthew Hutchins (casual Sanctuary. As Goshawk hunting tactics asresidents. these stories It’s always indicate, exciting our suburban to find Heathland Sanctuary Friends Convener, on 16 September. Using his iPhone, Matt Thrush. Like the King Parrot, it is more crew) appeared to have collided with include low concealed aerial approaches ‘sanctuaries’ are not always safe havens recorded 38 Common Bronzewing Powell managed to get a photo of one of usually found feeding on insects and a car. After discovering the bird at and ground stalking, this young bird may for inexperienced juveniles far from observations in the Sanctuary between them in a Black Wattle. It was either a fruit in moist forests, but is hard to 2 Marshall Avenue, adjacent to Bay have misjudged safety distance around home. 1996 and 2019. In late October this year, juvenile or female as adult males have red Road and opposite the Sanctuary, the road. Thank you to all the people mentioned John Eichler initially spotted a Common plumage and quiet skulking habits. they took measurements and photos, above who contributed their photos, Bronzewing in the south-west part of for the Sanctuary. These large, colourful Michaeldetect due Norris to its previously well-camouflaged recorded this and sent them to Melbourne Museum I received a text message and photo observations and expertise. the reserve and a week later managed parrotsheads as are well usually as breasts. found This in or was near a firstwet species in the Sanctuary on only one fromJust Citywide as I was crewmanfinishing this Jarryd article, Linehan, to obtain a photo of one in the stand of Eucalypt forest, such as Sherbrooke occasion, back in 1986. Although the quiz taught me that Brown Goshawks who had found two Tawny Frogmouth Black Wattles at the north-east corner. Forest in the Dandenong Ranges, and scalloped pattern of the bird’s feathers is andfor identification. Collared Sparrowhawks A Birdlife Bayside are very feathers inside the Bay Road entrance. The timing of his observations, after Bayside is well beyond their usual range. highly distinctive, I emailed my photos to This was another previously unrecorded To view photos of the c. 435 King Parrots eat fruit, seeds, blossoms and Birdlife Bayside president Tania Ireton Goshawks, Sparrowhawks have not bird. A search revealed neither a flora, fungi and fauna species surprising. Black Wattle seeds are a insects. The Black Wattle blossom, which beendifficult recorded to tell apart; around however, the Sanctuary. unlike roosting Tawny Frogmouth nor a corpse, observed during 2020 in Bay favouritethe trees hadfood finished source forflowering, the not-so- is not was in full bloom during September, may that the bird could have been a juvenile I believe this bird’s dark brown upper so the bird was probably hunting for Road Heathland Sanctuary visit common Common Bronzewing. This have attracted the visiting pair. seekingfor a species new confirmation.territory. Fox predationWe agreed is a parts and heavily streaked chin, throat insects on the previous night and https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/ Unfortunately, the two other likely cause of death. and breast were indicative of a juvenile moved on. projects/bay-road-heathland- located in the Royal Melbourne Golf novel birds were already dead when Raptors, such as Brown Goshawks, bird; despite their common name, adult Our Sandringham bushland corridors sanctuary Course.visitor may have come from a small flock discovered. Their deaths may have were once common around Bayside, but Brown Goshawks have a grey head, back provide vital food and shelter for

12 Banksia Bulletin | Summer 2020-21 Banksia Bulletin | Summer 2020-21 13 Jewel Bug Scutiphora pedicellata A colourful bug which is thought to feed on the fruit of native and Beetle observations introduced plants. Observed locally at Balcombe Park and Words and photos by John Eichler Gramatan Avenue Heathland Sanctuary. The nymph (immature) The Gramatan Avenue Heathland Sanctuary is the smallest of Bayside’s natural stage of the bug (lower image) is quite different to the adult (left reserves, being about the size of four house blocks. Despite its small size it image) but is just as colourful. supports a valuable, almost weed-free remnant of sand heathland vegetation. This vegetation in turn supports a range of fauna, including numerous invertebrates. The four spectacular insects shown here were observed during visits in October and November 2020. Based on available records and personal observations these insects are apparently uncommon to rare in Bayside. Finds like these help reinforce the importance of local natural reserves in providing a refuge for a variety of life forms. Jewel Beetle Castiarina flavopicta This small (10mm long) beetle Some impressive local insects feeds on the nectar and pollen of various native flowers – in this case Prickly Tea-tree. It has been observed at Balcombe Park, Long Hollow Heathland Reserve, Bay Road Heathland Sanctuary and Gramatan Avenue Heathland Sanctuary. Approximately 100 species of Castiarina occur in Victoria. While there are historical records of several species from Bayside this is the only one recorded recently.

Golden Stag Beetle Lamprima aurata The larvae of this stunning, iridescent beetle feed on decaying wood. Golden Stag Beetles have been found at Gramatan Avenue Heathland Sanctuary and Bay Road Heathland Sanctuary. The individual shown here is a male, which has prominent Jewel Beetle mouthparts. The presence of Stigmodera macularia large mouthparts on this group Several of these large (30-35mm long) beetles were found feeding on Prickly Tea-tree flowers at the of beetle has led to them being Gramatan Avenue Heathland Sanctuary this spring. This beetle is apparently rare locally, with no known called Stag Beetle. records from other local natural reserves, although it was recorded from Cheltenham in the early 1900s. The larvae of most Jewel Beetles are wood borers.

14 Banksia Bulletin | Summer 2020-21 Banksia Bulletin | Summer 2020-21 15 Wildlife-friendly regulations for household fruit netting Photo: Douglas Gimesy

Attention all household gardeners who live in Victoria

Story by Animal Welfare Victoria full stretch, of no greater than 5mm x entanglement risk. It helps to place old 5mm. Netting advertised or offered for netting into a strong biodegradable bag If you use netting to protect your fruit sale for household use must also be or vegetable harvest you will need to be compliant with these required mesh Further advice on protecting fruit trees Banksia pruning at before putting into landfill. aware of new provisions under Victoria’s and wildlife, and helping injured wildlife, Prevention of Cruelty to Animals If you are looking to purchase netting is available at https://agriculture.vic. Regulations 2019 (POCTA Regulations). thisspecifications. year, it is highly recommended gov.au/livestock-and-animals/animal- The regulations, being introduced in that you buy netting that meets these welfare-victoria/pocta-act-1986/ Ricketts Point September 2021, relate to the sale and requirements for this harvest season. protecting-fruit-trees-and-wildlife use of household fruit netting. They do Not only will this protect our wildlife, The use of appropriate mesh sized Bayside City Council has been pruning the All trees will be reassessed for not apply to commercial circumstances. but it will mean that you don’t need to netting supports a productive harvest Coast Banksia trees around Ricketts Point habitat and/or nesting species and Fruit netting is commonly used by replace non-compliant netting next year. while also protecting wildlife. to mitigate risk associated with some of the where possible, nesting hollows will be household gardeners to protect their Any existing household fruit netting that declining Banksia trees in this precinct. retained. trees and fruit from hungry wildlife. POCTA Regulations at http://agriculture. The area has recently been surveyed for These works are part of Council’s Netting with a large mesh size is more be replaced with appropriate netting vic.gov.au/agriculture/animal-health-You can find more information on the risk by independent arborists and several ongoing tree maintenance program and likely to entangle birds, possums or beforedoes not 1 Septembermeet these 2021.specifications must and-welfare/animal-welfare/animal- as part of that program, Coast Banksia An alternative to netting is the use of welfare-legislation/prevention-of- pruning. In some cases, dangerous dead will be replanted in other appropriate to free themselves may cause deep cuts fruit bags that are placed over individual cruelty-to-animals-legislation (stag)trees have Banksias been haveidentified been forremoved. canopy areas of the foreshore around Ricketts andflying strangulation, foxes. Their subsequent often leading struggling to death. branches. These also reduce the risk of Please direct any requests and Point. From 1 September 2021, any netting capturing animals while leaving excess questions you may have on this matter within the Ricketts Point Teahouse For more information please contact used to protect household fruit trees, fruit available for hungry wildlife. to the Animal Welfare Victoria team gardenTrees area, identified Ricketts as high Point risk Landside are located and Council’s arborist Mary Markowski via vegetable gardens, or other fruiting Don’t forget that old netting, via email at animal.welfare@agriculture. around the Beaumaris Life Saving Club. email [email protected] plants must have a mesh size, when at when discarded, can still become an vic.gov.au

16 Banksia Bulletin | Summer 2020-21 Banksia Bulletin | Summer 2020-21 17 diets, Tallamy and his co-authors write, it Wagner’s words, the truly destructive “cuts” native plants 86 percent of the time. Yards stands to reason that “the displacement of dominated by introduced plants produced How non-native plants are native plants by non-native species may have and land use change. “Those are ones that 75 percent less caterpillar biomass than profound effects on phytophagous insect are justagricultural wicked bad,”intensification, he adds, “and deforestation, are primarily native landscapes and were populations everywhere.” making it tough for species to continue to 60 percent less likely to have breeding contributing to a global insect decline When native host plants dwindle or live with humans on this planet.” chickadees at all. Nests that chickadees did disappear, the populations of plant-eating Tallamy says that in 2001, when he began build in yards with many non-native plants The impact of introduced plants on native biodiversity has emerged as a hot-button insects shrink and become less diverse. to focus on this subject, “there was a whole contained 1.5 fewer eggs than nests on In fact, research has shown repeatedly lot in the literature on the problems caused properties dominated by natives. issue in ecology. But recent research provides new evidence that the displacement that when native host plants dwindle or by invasive species but wrecking the food The chickadees were able to achieve of native plant communities is a key cause of a collapse in insect populations and is disappear from an area, the populations web wasn’t one of them.” When he realized the so-called replacement rate — that of insect herbivores shrink and become how large an area has been transformed is, produce enough chicks each year to affecting birds as well. less diverse. An analysis of 76 studies of by non-native plants, it struck him that this replace adults that succumb to old age caterpillar health on native and introduced was a major issue. Nearly half of the planet’s and predators — only in yards with less Words by Janet Marinelli North America, neotropical countries Tallamy’s paper aims to rectify the plants found that with few exceptions land is now in some form of agriculture. than 30 percent introduced plant biomass; Source Yale 360, published by the Yale such as Costa Rica and Puerto Rico, and oversight. University of Connecticut caterpillars were larger and more likely to According to the World Bank, almost 45 unfortunately for the birds, Narango and School of the Environment even the High Arctic. In a comprehensive entomologist David Wagner, who peer- survive when reared on their native host percent of the land in the lower 48 U.S. states her co-authors found that, on average, 56 review of 73 historical reports published reviewed the paper, called it a “much plants. And in plant communities invaded is devoted to production agriculture, and percent of the plants in the Washington, D.C. For years, Doug Tallamy sounded in Biological Conservation, scientists found needed contribution” to the insect by non-native species, the study found, the suburbs are not native. They point out that the alarm about the grave threat that that in terrestrial ecosystems, Lepidoptera conservation literature. He added that it by rangeland and tree farms is factored in. if a common “urban-adapted” bird like the plants introduced from abroad pose to “does an especially laudable job of exposing Accordingthis figure soarsto the whenUN Food the andarea Agriculture occupied Carolina chickadee is limited by the relative native insects. By transforming native (bees and their close relatives), and the weak footing of many arguments that abundanceThere have, and however, diversity been of butterflies exceptions. and In a Organization, 44 percent of the world’s lack of food in a typical suburban landscape, plant communities into so-called novel Coleoptera(butterflies (beetles),and moths), as wellHymenoptera as four major some have used to claim that non-native smallmoths percentage were significantly of cases, reduced. insect herbivores planted forests include non-native tree it may be an even bigger problem for landscapes increasingly dominated by aquatic insect groups such as Odonata plants are not a threat to biodiversity, which have adopted introduced plants as food species; many have escaped from cultivation birds with more specialized diets. What’s exotic species on which many insects I regard as nonsense.” sources, especially if they belong to the and now dominate nearby native forests. more, some 96 percent of North America’s cannot feed, the University of Delaware dramatic declines. What’s more, it’s not just Mark Davis, an ecologist at Macalester same or family as their native hosts. Tallamy and his co-authors also call attention terrestrial birds rear their young on insects entomologist speculated, they imperil not specialist(dragonflies species and damselflies), with restricted have ecological suffered College, has a different view. He points In the most celebrated example, 34 percent to the fact that due in large part to the strong rather than seeds or berries, so when only insects but also the birds and other requirements, like dependence on a small out that even Tallamy and his co-authors preference for exotic plants in landscaping, insects decline, they do too. animals that depend on insects for survival. number of plants, that have slumped but concede that they can only extrapolate feed or lay their eggs on non-native plants. urban areas are rife with introduced species, For these reasons, Tallamy has proposed Not everyone has greeted the thesis many common and generalist species the impact of non-native plants on insect of BecauseCalifornia not butterfly every studyspecies has were found to and it’s estimated that these quickly growing a domestic version of Harvard biologist E.O. with open arms. The effect of introduced as well. A blockbuster 2017 study that populations from short-term studies demonstrated negative effects, the areas could cover as much as 20 percent of Wilson’s Half Earth Project. If American plants on native biodiversity has been one revealed a shocking 76 percent decline in performed at local scales because longer- long-running controversy over whether the earth’s habitable land by 2030. homeowners converted half of their lawn of the most contentious issues in ecology, term, landscape-scale studies have not yet introduced plants are harmful to native Some 96 percent of North American to productive native plant communities, compared to gun control, abortion, and at protected areas in Germany catapulted been done. “In other words,” says Davis, insects continues. Ecologist Richard Hobbs, terrestrial birds rear their young on insects, he says, they would create a “Homegrown other “hot-button issues in contemporary the plightbiomass of insectsof flying into insects the publicover 27 years “there is as yet no evidence that non-native a senior research fellow at the University so when insects decline, they do too. National Park” larger than the Everglades, American culture” by Peter Del Tredici, consciousness. plants reduce insect abundance over the of ’s School of Biological Horticulture has been one of the primary Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Teton, senior research scientist at Harvard’s According to researchers, the global general landscape.” Sciences, says that “the assumption that proliferators of invasive non-native plants in Canyonlands, Mount Rainier, North Arnold Arboretum. “Over the past few insect demise began at the dawn of the 20th Tallamy’s early hunch that non-native species cannot adapt to new resources is natural and human-dominated landscapes Cascades, Badlands, Olympic, Sequoia, decades,” 19 leading ecologists, including century, accelerated during the 1950s and plants have helped decimate insect being increasingly questioned.” He notes alike. Studies show that 50 to 70 percent of Grand Canyon, Denali, and Great Smoky Del Tredici, wrote in a 2011 commentary 1960s, and reached alarming proportions populations was based on decades of that “studies indicate that non-native invasive and naturalized species arrived in Mountains National Parks combined. in the journal Nature, “‘non-native’ species globally during the past two decades. research showing that many insects, species can have positive, neutral, or their new lands via the horticulture trade. At the conclusion of their new paper, Reports of an ongoing “bird armageddon” especially the phytophagous or plant- negative impacts, and it is not as simple as And Tallamy points out that even if these Tallamy and his co-authors concede that ‘native’ species to extinction and generally that mirrors the insect apocalypse suggest eating species that account for most insect just assuming that non-native species are ornamental plants never become invasive, critical gaps in our knowledge remain. But pollutinghave been ‘natural’ vilified forenvironments… driving beloved that insectivorous birds have been collateral diversity, depend on a limited number of just plain bad.” they are still replacing the native vegetation they conclude that at this point enough ‘Nativeness’ is not a sign of evolutionary damage in the collapse of insect populations plants for survival. Since the 1960s, scientists According to Tallamy, however, the that is critical for the survival of most insects. studies have been completed and enough worldwide. have attributed this so-called host plant positive cases are uncommon, and “you In the words of a groundbreaking 2018 evidence gathered that, in Tallamy’s words, effects.” Scientists say that insects have been specialization to several factors, including have to look at the negative as well as the Proceedings of the National Academy of fitnessDozens or ofof arecent species studies, having however, positive clobbered by an array of continuing threats, the need for feeding insects to develop positive effects.” He points to kudzu, a Sciences paper co-authored by Tallamy, ‘Are alien plants bad?’ In terms of supporting have provided evidence that supports from habitat destruction, deforestation, ways to get around plant defenses, like the rampant invader of the eastern U.S. that has “the widespread preference for non-native insects,“we can the now preponderance definitively answer of the the evidence question, Tallamy’s hotly disputed hypothesis. In climate change, and light pollution to the production of chemical compounds that been found to support the silver-spotted plants in the horticultural industry has says yes.” a paper published online on November rise of industrial agriculture. A widely would be fatal to other species. As a result, globally transformed millions of acres 18 in the journal Ecological Entomology, publicized study published last year in the diet of most insects is restricted to a some people to conclude that invasive non- from potential habitat into ‘food deserts’ Tallamy and two co-authors review the PLOS ONE calculates that U.S. agriculture single plant family, and the closer species are nativeskipper, plants a native are butterfly.not all bad. This “With has aled kudzu for native insects, with the unintentional Janet Marinelli is an award-winning research buttressing the proposition that is 48 times more toxic to insects than it to the tropics, the more constrained their invasion you may gain the silver-spotted consequence of reducing the abundance independent journalist who was the widespread displacement of native was 25 years ago, with neonicotinoid menus are likely to be. More than 90 percent skipper,” Tallamy responds, “but you lose and distribution of birds as well.” The paper plant communities by non-native plants in pesticides accounting for 92 percent of the of the insect herbivores in the rainforests of literally thousands of species” that depend publications at Brooklyn Botanic agriculture, agroforestry, and horticulture is lethal escalation; the study notes that “this Papua New Guinea, for example, can utilize on the native plants the kudzu replaced. that the decline of insects has cascading Gardendirector for of scientific16 years. andShe popularhas written a key cause of insect declines. increase in toxicity loading is consistent only plants in a single genus, or a closely Even among those who consider non- effectswas the higher first to up provide the food data chain. demonstrating and edited several books on imperiled Insects have been clobbered by an array related group of species. For three years, lead author Desirée species and the efforts to save them. of threats, from habitat destruction and insectivorous bird populations observed is some difference of opinion about the Narango, a postdoctoral fellow at the She also covers ecological approaches deforestation to climate change. inwith recent the reduction years.” Yet in one beneficial threat that insect has and moths have been studied more than those of degreenative plants of threat a significant that they pose.problem, University there University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and to creating resilient landscapes The issue of non-native plants has attracted little notice, and that more than otherThe insect diet restrictions groups whose of butterflies populations and are of Connecticut’s Wagner, who has described and communities. Her articles have become newly urgent as the scope of the two dozen international experts failed plummeting. Five years ago when scientists the plight of insects as “death by a thousand happens to breeding Carolina chickadees appeared in a variety of publications, “insect apocalypse” has become clear. In to mention in their recommendations looked at the diet breadth of plant-eating cuts,” says “there’s no question that invasive anda team the of caterpillars field assistants that aremeasured essential what from The New York Times and the past few years, insect declines have for solutions to the insect crisis, is the insects around the world, they found that 69 species and the ornamentals we plant in our food for their chicks in the suburbs of Audubon to Landscape Architecture been documented around the globe, replacement of native plants with non-native percent of caterpillar species can develop on yards are taking a toll on insects.” Although and Kew magazine. including western and northern Europe, vegetation under way around the world. just one plant family. Given such restricted they’re “super important stressors,” in is that parent birds foraged for food on Washington, D.C. Among their findings

18 Banksia Bulletin | Summer 2020-21 Banksia Bulletin | Summer 2020-21 19 Bushfire response 2020 – impacts on reptiles and frogs Surveys have helped determine the immediate impact of intense and extensive fires on reptiles and frogs

Source Department of Environment, • massive amounts of ash and sediment • individuals of some species, such as Land, Water and Planning washing into waterways, burying Swamp Skink, were found sheltering riparian habitats and smothering egg- in burrows in burnt habitat (although The late 2019 – early 2020 ‘Black laying sites for species such as Water these may represent a small fraction Dragons, turtles and frogs of the numbers in those areas before their impact and scale. Extensive tracts • reduction in food sources e.g. ofSummer’ the coastal fires side were of unprecedented the Great Diving in invertebrates • adjacent burnt and unburnt riparian Range in south-eastern Australia were • increased exposure to predators, habitatthe fires) showed striking differences in including foxes and feral cats, not the number of Water Dragons biodiversity. only due to loss of habitat, but also • all remaining shelter sites, such as affected,Most reptiles with significant and frogs impacts have small on because body colours and patterns standing trees (dead or alive), logs and Assessing the conservation home ranges, and even the larger, more rocks are essential for the persistence mobile species are unable to escape the background now make the animal of the surviving reptiles and frogs who standthat are out usually camouflaged against will be the founders for recovering including some threatened species, populations benefits of revegetation large, fast-moving fires. For many, eastern Victoria represents a large, and In addition, several species were unable often the most secure and continuous, to be properly surveyed due to access proportion of their state distribution. issues, such as the Alpine Bog Skink, Source: Department of Environment, A monitoring method Alpine Water Skink, Mountain Skink Land, Water and Planning for land managers allowsField assessments us to understand of fire the impacts impacts and of the status of these species in burnt Across Australia, landholders, This project also developed a threats immediately after fires like this areasand Copper-tailed is a high priority Skink. this Confirming spring and community groups and government monitoring method to help land and quickly implement recovery summer. agencies are actively carrying out managers and community groups to managementthe fires, the most actions. immediate threats, Concerns for remaining populations revegetation activities. Whether plantings evaluate how well they are achieving ARI completed surveys within include ongoing exposure to are for shelterbelts, woodlots or along revegetation goals. Our monitoring introduced predators, further creeks to reduce erosion, revegetation approach focused on the post-summer degradation of habitat from horse can provide habitat for native plants and To answer these questions, we examined survival of revegetation which is the threats,months suchof the as fires, those targeted where: at species and deer trampling and grazing, and animals, particularly in landscapes that most critical time for establishment •particularly a large proportion vulnerable of theirto post-fire known geographic isolation that may lead have otherwise been heavily cleared. of plantings. habitat was likely burnt (e.g. Despite the challenges of accessing to a loss in genetic diversity. Dense ARI in partnership with La Trobe regionbird and of butterflywestern Victoriacommunities during in 2019 a large In 2019/20, we trialled the Water Dragon) vegetation regrowth can block sunlight University and several land managers, andfield 2020. study Theundertaken study repeated in Glenelg bird Hopkins and monitoring method at 65 sites • they were known to be in decline before from reaching key habitats, making them non-government agencies and community habitat surveys at more than 250 of Eastfire-affected Gippsland areas and (some the alpine were region unable unsuitable or suboptimal for extended groups have completed research to sites surveyed in 2006/07. We surveyed of responses across the survey area • burnt areas were previously wereto be reached),surveyed inmost the of months fire-affected before understand how revegetation contributes across a range of revegetation types to rangingacross Victoria. from very It identified limited planting a range consideredthese fires (e.g. a stronghold Alpine Tree of theirFrog) can permanently change vegetation to nature conservation. We asked: help us understanding of how the value success to high levels of survival. distribution (e.g. Swamp Skink) Some species were not detected or only communities,periods. Increasing sometimes frequency rendering of fires • What are the features of revegetation of revegetation for birds has changed Unsurprisingly, rainfall and presence of • they have specialised habitat foundwinter. in There low numbers were mixed in burnt findings. areas them unsuitable for reptiles and frogs plantings that most increase their over time. preferences (e.g. Alpine She-oak (e.g. Gippsland Water Dragon). For that previously occurred there. value for animals? We found that all revegetation on plant survival. Species selection was Skink) some species, most (but not all) of their This work is informing management • activities had broad landscape scale alsotree guardsimportant. had a significant influence • they have ecological traits that may habitat was unburnt (e.g. Alpine She-oak actions intended to prevent revegetation in rural landscapes? This research is designed to improve make them particularly susceptible to Skink), and others appeared to be more • DoesWhich the species conservation benefit mostvalue from of increasing both the number of species able to persist in burnt areas than most recovery potential. revegetation change over time as andbenefits community for both complexity. birds and butterflies, Many programs and help achieve better Immediate and short-term impacts species (e.g. Yellow-bellied Water Skink). significantThis project decline was andfunded maximise through plantings age and mature? conservationthe efficiency outcomesof future investment for revegetation impacts from fires (e.g. Lace Monitor) Some key observations from the • What is a quick and robust monitoring activities. This project was funded by the surveys include: Biodiversity Response and Recovery technique to assess revegetation forbenefits some of species, revegetation such as are those realised that relyin Victorian Government. •of lossthese of fires shelter on reptilesand habitats and frogs used • habitats that don’t usually burn programthe Victorian (Phase Government’s 1). Bushfire outcomes (survival, growth) and identify the first 15 years after planting, however For more information contact: tim. identifiedfor thermoregulation, during our surveys foraging include: and easily, such as swamps, were severely For more information contact Nick take many more years to emerge. [email protected] predator avoidance damaged Clemann: [email protected] on formation of hollows, the benefits will key factors that influence survival?

20 Banksia Bulletin | Summer 2020-21 Banksia Bulletin | Summer 2020-21 21 Volunteer Groups Friends Groups

Friends of Balcombe Park Friends of Ricketts Point Convenor: Ian O’Loughlin Convenor: Diana Pearce Mobile: 0412 432 618 Email: [email protected] Phone: 0448 573 256 Email: [email protected]

Friends of Bay Road Heathland Sanctuary Friends of Ricketts Point Landside Editorial Policy Convenor: Sue Forster Convenor: Sue Raverty The purpose of publishing the Banksia Phone: 0431 688 606 Email: [email protected] Phone: (03) 9589 2103 Email: [email protected] Bulletin is to circulate information, report on events, and to profile relevant environmental Friends of Bayside Roads Friends of Table Rock issues important to our community. Contact: Derek Jones Convenor: Ken Rendell The Bulletin is also published to support the Phone: 0417 360 747 Email: [email protected] Phone: (03) 9589 4452 network of people involved in enjoying and protecting our local environment. Bayside Environmental Friends Network Friends of Elster Creek Bayside City Council encourages people from Convenor: Erica Breedon Convenor: Karen Jone our local community groups to submit articles Phone: 9583 8408 Email: [email protected] Phone: 9525 3102 Email: [email protected] of interest, share experiences and news Meeting point: Elwood Canal, Glen Huntly Road Bridge about any upcoming events. All articles are Friends of Beaumaris Reserve reviewed prior to publication and Council Convenor: Chris Sutton reserves the right to omit or edit submissions. Phone: 0438 327 924 Email: [email protected] Environment Groups Acknowledgements Thank you to all the people who have Friends of Brighton Dunes Bayside Earth Sciences Society Inc. contributed to this issue of Banksia Bulletin. Convenor: Jenny Talbot President: Murray Orr Disclaimer Phone: 0499 592 233 Email: [email protected] The views expressed in the Banksia Bulletin Website: www.beaumarisfossils.org are not necessarily those of Bayside City Friends of Cheltenham Park Council nor its representatives. Convenor: Valerie Tyers Beaumaris Conservation Society Inc Phone: (03) 9588 0107 Email: [email protected] Editor President: Greg Mier Damien Van Trier Contact: PO Box 7016, Beaumaris 3193 Email: [email protected] Manager Open Space, Friends of Donald MacDonald Reserve Website: www.bcs.asn.au Recreation and Wellbeing Convenor: Kim Croker Phone: (03) 9589 2443 Email: [email protected] Content Coordinator Black Rock and Sandringham Conservation Amy Weir Association Inc Friends of George Street Reserve Biodiversity and Conservation President: Craig Brunnen Convenors: Pauline Reynolds & Val Tarrant Planning Officer Phone: 0488 303 887 Email: [email protected] Phone: (03) 9598 6368 Email: [email protected] Please send articles and photos to Secretary: John Neve [email protected] Phone: 0479 196 260 Email: [email protected] Friends of Gramatan Avenue Heathland Copy deadlines Autumn 2021 Convenor: Ken Rendell Elsternwick Park Association Phone: (03) 9589 4452 Friday, 26 February, 2021 Email: [email protected] Friends group convenors will be Banksia Bulletin is published quarterly by Friends of Long Hollow Heathland Marine Care Ricketts Point Inc in touch will all volunteers with Bayside City Council to service people Convenor: Rob Saunders President: Elizabeth Jensen interested in enjoying and protecting the Phone: (03) 9515 3383 Email: [email protected] local environment. Phone: 0419 354 998 Email: [email protected] information about resuming working Website: www.marinecare.org.au If you would like to be added to the Friends of Merindah Park & Urban Forest bees. Volunteers will be required Banksia Bulletin mailing list, please contact Convenor: John de Cruz Douglas Sandringham Foreshore Association Bayside City Council on 9599 4444 or Phone: 0417 386 408 Email: [email protected] President: Dr Vicki Karalis to adhere to a COVIDSafe Plan, email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Please indicate whether you would Friends of Mother Stock Areas Website: sandringhamforeshore.tumblr.com developed specifically for their prefer to receive your Banksia Bulletin Convenors: Pauline Reynolds and Rob Saunders by email or via post. Phone: (03) 9598 6368 Email: [email protected] Corporate Centre Phone: (03) 9515 3383 Email: [email protected] program. Stay tuned for further School Groups PO Box 27 Royal Avenue information from your group Sandringham VIC 3191 Friends of Native Wildlife Telephone: 9599 4444 Convenors: Anne Jessel & Elizabeth Walsh Firbank Girls Grammar conveners and volunteer leaders. www.bayside.vic.gov.au Phone: 0412 545 441 Email: [email protected] Contact: Mary-Ellen Johnson [email protected] Website: www.bayfonw.org.au Phone: (03) 9591 5188 Email: [email protected] Hours of business For more information contact Jo Hurse 8.30am–5pm Friend of Picnic Point Sandringham St Leonard’s College Conservation Group Monday–Friday Convenor: Terry Reynolds Contact: Simon Daniels at [email protected] (except public holidays) Phone: (03) 9598 2978 Email: [email protected] Phone: (03) 9909 9300 Email: [email protected]

22 Banksia Bulletin | Summer 2020-21 Banksia Bulletin | Summer 2020-21 23 Do you want to know more about Bayside and the Banksia Bulletin? Please refer to our website www.bayside.vic.gov.au Jewel Bug, Scutiphora pedicellata Photo by John Eichler