South East Queensland JANUARY 2014 Volume 8 Number 1 Newsletter of the Land for Wildlife Program South East Queensland ISSN 1835-3851

CONTENTS

1 Big Greasy, big attitude

2 Editorial and contacts

3 Fauna Vignettes • There’s a Thingy looking at me! • Nature at Work

4-5 Fauna Profile Cicadas of SEQ

6-7 Flora Profile meridionalis: Hidden Treasure Amongst the Weeds

8 Weed Profile Dutchman’s Pipe: A fatal attractant for butterflies The female Clearwing Swallowtail (top Big Greasy, left) is dingy brown in colour and can fly 9 Fauna Profile long distances, while the male (top right Recovery of the Richmond big attitude and above) is white, black and red and is highly territorial. he Big Greasy is one of Australia’s 10-11 My Little Corner Tlargest butterflies whose evolutionary the native and exotic Aristolochias. What is the value of one tree? path can be traced back to when the During spring and summer, the larger Australian, South American and Antarctic male Clearwing Swallowtails (up to 11 Letters to the Editor continents were all joined, making this one 80 mm in size) can be seen flying low, • Nesting in Weeds of the oldest surviving forms of butterfly. patrolling patches of Aristolochia. They • Wild Tobacco - Another View The common name, Big Greasy, I assume, will vigorously defend their patch and comes from the translucent, brown, oust any other butterfly intruder. Smaller 12 Membership Survey Results grease-proof paper looking wings of females will fly long distances in search of the female. The male’s wings are more Aristolochia and have reportedly 13 Book Reviews transparent and clear, hence their other travelled 7 kms in one day. common name, Clearwing Swallowtail. Like many butterflies, Clearwing 14-15 Property Profile In SEQ, the female lays her eggs on only Swallowtails are short-lived with captive Bringing Back the Platypus two native plants, Aristolochia meridionalis males surviving for an average of 38 days and Pararistolochia praevenosa. and females 25 days. So enjoy them while 16 Focus on Pittosporums Unfortunately, she also lays her eggs on they are flying and keep an eye out for the weed Aristolochia elegans (Dutchman’s their native Aristolochia host plants. Pipe), which usually kills the larvae. See pages 6-8 for more information on both Article and photos by Deborah Metters

Published by SEQ Catchments, through funding from the Australian Government’s Caring for our Country In May 2014, we will be running an OPEN PROPERTY SCHEME with at least 26 Land for Wildlife properties from across SEQ available for you to visit. editorial Details will be in the April newsletter. itting on my back deck in the shade cease singing and time slows down as the Land for Wildlife Sof an old mango tree, I too appreciate sun’s heat intensifies. The male cicadas the value of one tree, similar to Land for have waited maybe a decade for this Extension Officers Wildlife member, Neil Schultz, reflecting moment to sing, and they are not going South East Queensland on the one large blue gum near his home to let a summer’s day pass without effort. (see pg 10). The mango tree cools my Thank you to all Land for Wildlife Brisbane City Council home by at least 5°C, is beautiful to look members who contributed to this edition. All enquiries, 3403 8888 at and attracts wildlife. The story of the Hare’s property (pg 14), Peter Hayes Catherine Madden This summer has broken records for which was ravaged by flood, stripped of Cody Hochen Scott Sumner being the hottest. Just like last summer, wildlife, and has slowly recovered (with Tony Mlynarik Fflur Collier and the one before it. It shouldn’t be much human effort) to support platypus surprising, I remember learning about once again, is heartening. Gold Coast City Council Darryl Larsen, 5582 8896 ‘global warming’ 20 years ago. I am again Finally, I would like to wish the team of thankful for the shade of one tree. Lexie Webster, 5582 8344 Land for Wildlife Officers on the Sunshine Todd Burrows, 5582 9128 We are lucky to live in an affluent country Coast smooth sailing during this period with meteorologists tracking weather of Council de-amalgamation. Dave Ipswich City Council and climatic patterns, and I encourage Burrows will be returning to Noosa Shire Stephani Grove, 3810 7173 readers to visit the Bureau of Meteorology Council after successfully managing website to observe the unprecedented the Sunshine Coast Conservation Lockyer Valley Regional Council documentation of climate change. I can’t Partnerships team for several years. The Kaori van Baalen, 5462 0376 help thinking that the answer to living in Sunshine Coast region has arguably the a climatically stable and biodiverse world highest concentration of Land for Wildlife Logan City Council also depends on people seeing the value properties in Australia and I hope that the Lyndall Rosevear, 3412 4860 of each and every tree. two new Councils continue to offer the Nicole Walters, 3412 4859 outstanding conservation services that Rachel Booth, 3412 5321 As well as the mighty trees, it is the small their landholders value so highly. Rebecca Condon, 3412 4979 plants and that make the world go round, so to speak. This edition looks I wish you all a shady (by trees that is), Moreton Bay Regional Council at some iconic summer invertebrates – prosperous and happy 2014. Enjoy! Danielle Crawford, 5433 2240 butterflies and cicadas. As I write this, the Noosa Shire Council cicadas are going-off. Sprinkler systems, Deborah Metters Dave Burrows, 5485 0229 stuck CDs, electrical hums and typewriters Land for Wildlife all moving in sound waves across my yard Regional Coordinator Redland City Council from left to right and back again. Birds SEQ Catchments Maree Manby, 3820 1106

Scenic Rim Regional Council Landholder Registrations, Land for Wildlife SEQ - 1/12/2013 Keith McCosh, 5540 5436

Registered Working Towards Total Area under Somerset Region Total Area Retained Properties Registration Restoration Trevor Page, 5424 4000 Sunshine Coast Council 3044 751 54,904 ha 4,791 ha Alan Wynn, 5439 6477 Marc Russell, 5475 7345 Forward all contributions to: Land for Wildlife South East Queensland is Nick Clancy, 5439 6433 a quarterly publication distributed free of Stephanie Reif, 5475 7395 The Editor charge to members of the Land for Wildlife Land for Wildlife Newsletter program in South East Queensland. Toowoomba Regional Council SEQ Catchments All enquiries, 4688 6611 Print run - 4760 PO Box 13204 George Street QLD 4003 Back copies from 2007 - 2013 available for download from 07 3211 4404 www.lfwseq.org.au [email protected] Back copies from 1998 - 2006 available upon request to the Editor. Burnett Mary Region ISSN 1835-3851 Gympie, Fraser Coast, Land for Wildlife is a voluntary program North & South Burnett, that encourages and assists landholders Bundaberg and to provide habitat for wildlife on their Baffle Creek Regions properties. For all regions contact the Burnett Mary Regional Group, 4181 2999 www.lfwseq.org.au

2 Land for Wildlife South East Queensland January 2014 PRIZES! SEQ Catchments is giving away free copies of Field Guide to the Frogs of Queensland (released November 2012) RRP $45 to selected Land for Wildlife members who contribute published fauna articles in 2014. Limit of three free books per newsletter edition. Please vignettes send your article and/or photographs to the Editor (details pg. 2) There’s a Thingy looking at me!

ell I had heard that there are lots scampering amongst all my heaped up Wof different cute, little marsupial treasures stored haphazardly in my old ‘thingys’ living in the Mount Barney area. shed. I do hope it finds a suitable nest - be My Land for Wildlife 50 acres near Mt it in my sleeping bag or not. If it happens Barney Road, has some trees and remnant to mean that I don’t disturb the camping vegetation and so far I’ve encountered gear over Christmas, then not to worry as Sugar Gliders on the rope swing, I am delighted to have a furry visitor for antechinus in the wood heap and very friendship over the festive season. small bats living in the exhaust of “Gus” my However, I can’t get too attached as old Ferguson ‘49 model tractor. But none apparently the females don’t live much of these sightings had prepared me for an past 12 months of age and the males much encounter with the fast and furious rat- less as they basically mate and then die thingy with an enormous brush tail. from the stress. It darted so soundlessly, but so quickly around the inside of my storage shed and Kylee Mallinson then just sat there looking down at me Land for Wildlife member at about 7pm one evening. A bit more Mount Barney, Scenic Rim of a wide-eyed look, a couple of clicks of my camera, followed by an eager google Photos top to bottom: search and I was soon lead to believe the • Perched on my sleeping bag looking like thingy looking down at me was in fact a a grey rat with a white tummy. Brush-tailed Phascogale, and most likely a female hunting for a nest. • So cute in amongst my books. How lucky I thought, not only to see • When you see the tail, it ain’t no rat! the beautiful little creature, but how • Almost impossible to photograph at the lucky for it to have survived the perils of speed with which it flings itself around.

Nature at Work

ven the narrowest strip of regenerated seedling! The neighbouring properties Evegetation can be very rewarding. are still heavily weed infested and This area approximately 20 metres wide pasture, but this small forested area is and 35 metres long, boarded by the alive and thriving. road, our house and the neighbours Birds regularly feed, nest and survey their cow paddock has now, after 12 years world from the tree tops. Lace monitors developed a fertile forest floor. use it as a corridor as they move through Originally this patch of land was weed the understorey on their way to and from infested. Several Red Kamalas (Mallotus the creek. This photo (left) shows many philippensis), a Sandpaper Fig (Ficus native seedlings among the roots of a fraseri) and a large Blackwood (Acacia Blue Quandong tree that was planted 11 melanoxylon) were the only mature trees. years ago. The Blackwood promptly fell over in a storm not long after we had planted Don’t despair; every small patch of around 30 endemic trees. regenerated forest is worth all the toil.

Over the years this area has been Carolyn Burford regularly spot sprayed to remove weed Land for Wildlife member infestations. Recently I walked over Tallebudgera Valley, Gold Coast the land and removed only 12 weed

Land for Wildlife South East Queensland January 2014 3 fauna profile Cicadas of SEQ: The Song of Summer

hey taste great with a beer”, I had the eggs hatch and the tiny nymphs drop “Tbeen asking a few friends about their to the ground and quickly search for a “The Greengrocer is experiences with cicadas and this strange crack or crevice to avoid desiccation or reputedly the loudest response was not what I was expecting. predation. on the planet...” However, there is much about the cicada that is strange and unexpected (and the Once underground they will tunnel in same could be said about some of my search of a suitable location to excavate a friends). cavity beside a root, on which they noise is not far off the pain threshold. can feed. As they grow they will moult For many people, and wildlife, around several times and may also need to move There are other species of cicada that the world, the cicada is a valued source of to find a new plant root to feed on. The produce calls of such high frequency and protein. The friend who suggested them exact time spent underground for most low intensity that they are almost inaudible as a good accompaniment to a beer had Australian cicadas is unknown, one of the to the human ear. Some sing during the just returned from living in Laos, where exceptions is the Greengrocer (Cyclochilae day, others at dusk and some at both times. cicadas are commonly eaten and are australasiae) that has a nymphal stage However all cicada calls are temperature considered easy to prepare. Apparently all of about seven years. The lifecycles of dependent, that is they will not commence you have to do is pull the wings and legs American cicadas are much better known calling until air temperature reaches a off and then drop them in a wok of hot and have nymphal stages lasting 13 and certain threshold for their species and oil. In the Western MacDonnell Ranges in 17 years. it will cease once it drops below that Central Australia, Aboriginal children used threshold. Only the males call and its to collect newly emerged adult cicadas for Most people’s experience of the nymphal primary purpose is to attract a female, the old people to eat. stage is limited to the empty dried brown though some species have a separate skin found on tree trunks, grass stems and distinct distress call. Cicadas are and have been an important fence posts. The emergence of the adult introduction to nature for Australian from the nymphal skin takes more than an I haven’t revealed all the secrets of the children for generations. You only have hour and usually occurs during the first few cicada here, there just isn’t enough space. to contemplate the visually evocative hours of darkness on a warm evening after If you are interested in finding out more, common names of Australian cicadas to rain. Once free of the nymphal skin the check out Lindsay Popple’s excellent understand this; some local examples wings are pumped full of a greenish watery website. are Floury Baker, Cherrynose and Double fluid called haemolymph to expand them, Drummer. So it is no surprise to discover which is then withdrawn to allow them to References and Further Reading that some of these names were made by dry and strengthen. Moulds MS (1990) Australian Cicadas. New children over 100 years ago. South Wales University Press The song of the cicada is a remarkable Queensland Museum (2007) Wildlife of Much of the myth and mystery of the thing. And for me, more than any other Greater Brisbane. A Queensland Museum cicada comes from its extraordinary sound, the song of the cicada is the sound Wild Guide. lifecycle. The 1.5–3 mm eggs are laid into a of summer in Australia. The Greengrocer is Popple LW. The Cicadas of Central Eastern series of slits cut by the female’s ovipositor reputedly the loudest insect on the planet Australia http://sci-s03.bacs.uq.edu.au/ in anything from the branch of a tree or at nearly 120 decibels and the Double ins-info/index.htm shrub to the stem of a grass or herb both Drummer is pretty close to that. Put a few living and dead. In two to seven months hundred in a tree all calling at once and the http://www.flickr.com/photos/ toddburrows/ http://www.nt.gov.au/westmacs/stories/ culture/all/146 http://www.abc.net.au/science/ Dried brown skins of immature articles/2001/02/17/2822486.htm cicadas are commonly found on tree trunks at the beginning of summer. After spending many years underground, a cicada nymph emerges from the ground and climbs the nearest tree, allowing the adult Article by Alan Wynn cicada to emerge, leaving behind an Land for Wildlife Officer empty shell. Sunshine Coast Council

4 Land for Wildlife South East Queensland January 2014 Bladder Cicada, Cystosoma saundersii Clanger, Psaltoda claripennis Floury Baker, Aleeta curvicosta Forewing length: 38-51 mm. Forewing length: 34-42 mm. Forewing length: 33-51 mm. Adults most active: November to January. Adults most active: Late December and Adults most active: Mid-December to Typical location: Shrubs and small trees in during January. January. gardens, rainforest and grazing land close Typical location: Common in suburban Typical location: Common in suburban to the ground. Lantana is also commonly Brisbane and across SEQ. They are usually areas throughout SEQ. Adapted to a wide utilised. Singing males are difficult to found on casuarinas, angophoras and variety of habitats and plant species locate due to their cryptic coloration, even eucalypts in dry open forest sometimes but appear to show preference for though most can be found within easy congregating together in large numbers in paperbarks (melaleucas) and bottlebrushes reach. They are also attracted to light. just a few trees. (callistemons). They are usually found Call: A very low pitched, guttural growl or Call: “A strong rattle that builds up before facing downwards on branches. ‘r’ continued for up to 1½ hours at dusk into bursting into a rapid pulsing song. It Call: “A loud hiss-like series of phrases that early nightfall. The song is not completely then returns to the rattle and the process rapidly accelerate into a continuous hiss continuous and has momentary pauses. repeats, sounding something like a large (shhh, shhh, shhh, shhh, shhh, shhh, shhh, Photo by Todd Burrows. sprinkler system.” L.W. Popple. shhh, shhh, shh shh shh-sh-sh-sh-sh-h-h-h- Photo by Todd Burrows. h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h...). This call is emitted during the day. At dusk a continuous hissing song is produced” L.W. Popple. Photo by Alan Wynn.

Greengrocer, Cyclochilae australasiae Forewing length: 50-58 mm. Adults most active: October to January, with highest numbers occurring in November and early December. Double Drummer, Thopha saccata Colour variants: The Greengrocer comes in many different colours, from a yellow form Forewing length: 50-66 mm – Australia’s (Yellow Monday) to a tan form, red form largest cicada. Adults most active: November to early and a rare blue form. Black Tree-ticker, Birrima varians March. In some years they will be very Typical location: In SEQ it is usually common, while others almost absent. Forewing length: 24-32 mm. found at altitudes above 300 m in dry Adults most active: August to March and wet sclerophyll forests, for example Typical location: Common across SEQ. but most commonly from October to Mt Glorious, Mt Nebo, occasionally Mt Adults form large local aggregations on December. Tamborine and into the Granite belt. trunks of large Eucalypts in dry sclerophyll forest. Typical location: Found across SEQ usually Call: A continuous, harsh, loud call with a in dry sclerophyll forest but also open mild fluctuation in its volume, occasionally Call: Moulds evocative description, woodland and parkland. fragmented into a regular succession of “Particularly loud, somewhat drone-like in short sound bursts. At close range the nature, resembling the high pitched whine Call: “A repeated series of nasal phrases volume approaches 120 decibels, nearing of a bagpipe with momentary fluctuations “quack quack quack quack” produced just the pain threshold of the human ear. and breaks. When populations are large prior to take-off and whilst in flight” L.W. Photo by Ceris Ash, Springbrook Wildlife the noise is almost unbearable to be near.” Popple. Shown above is a female Black Appreciation Group. Photo by Deborah Metters. Tree-ticker. Photo by Todd Burrows.

Land for Wildlife South East Queensland January 2014 5 “I suspect that this butterfly flora profile host plant is more common than we realise” Hidden Treasure Amongst the Weeds

n March this year I was carrying out some Eureka! Here was definite, living evidence Pararistolochia praevenosa and P. laheyana Iweed control on the steeper parts of our that A. meridionalis was actually growing - (Richmond Birdwing vines), both of Mt Crosby block of land. As I was about to on our block. After a quick search further which grow in rainforests, Aristolochia spray a matting clump of Creeping Lantana down-slope I found three more A. meridionalis prefers the more open drier (Lantana montevidensis) around the base meridionalis plants in another weedy area. habitats of Eucalypt, grassy woodlands and of a low growing Lloyd’s Olive (Notelaea Two of which had fruit and one had fruit open forests. Also unlike these two species lloydii) shrub (a vulnerable plant species and flowers. A further comprehensive it is a slender, trailing scrambler, which that is quite common on our block), I saw search may find even more plants hidden relies on the support of grasses, herbs and another plant that stopped me in my amongst the weedy ground cover. low shrubs and has more delicate, softer tracks. I instantly recognised the plant as leaves. Aristolochia meridionalis because of its I will certainly have to be even more careful curious, brownish-green, tubular flowers, in future when I’m manually removing Aristolochia meridionalis is the host food small pear-shaped ribbed fruit and spear- weeds or spraying them. Otherwise I may plant for the larvae of the Clearwing headed shaped leaves. pull out or kill this unimposing, sometimes (Big Greasy) Cressida hidden and hard to recognise plant. cressida. From the good numbers of It is a species that I am familiar with, having Clearwing Swallowtails that are seen seen it on a few occasions during botanical Aristolochia meridionalis subsp. meridionalis during the warmer seasons in Southeast surveys in other parts of SEQ over the occurs in scattered locations over a wide Queensland, I suspect that A. meridionalis, years. I also thought I had seen it on our area of SEQ (from near Gympie in the this butterfly larvae food plant, is more own land many years ago. However I had north, west to near Kingaroy and south common than we realise. I would imagine never been sure of its identity because to the Qld/NSW border). It is not currently that the larvae of such a large butterfly the plant hadn’t been flowering or fruiting listed as a threatened species, although would speedily devour many of the host at the time. Since then I have probably it is seemingly rare and not commonly plant’s leaves, leaving the host plant seen A. meridionalis on our block on other collected. This is borne out by only 22 virtually leafless. However it is now known occasions, when it was infertile, but I specimens collected in SEQ being lodged that A. meridionalis can recover rapidly just assumed it was Slender Bindweed with the Queensland Herbarium. Of these from defoliation given the right conditions. (Polymeria calycina), which also occurs on specimen records only 8 were collected It has an underground tuber in which it our block. Polymeria calycina is another since 1990. stores its reserves. It is known to remain slender, twining vine, which often has Unlike the two other vine species that dormant as an underground tuber without similar shaped, but smaller leaves, and occur in the family in SEQ, any sign of stems or foliage for up to quite different flowers. three years, while waiting for the right

Aristolochia meridionalis subsp. meridionalis with greenish-brown Slender Bindweed (Polymeria calycina), which may be mistaken tubular flower (circled) and pear-shaped, ribbed fruit capsule for Aristolochia meridionalis subsp. meridionalis when it is (circled) growing among weeds. Photo by Paul Grimshaw. infertile. Leaves of P. calycina are usually smaller and narrower. Photo by Paul Grimshaw.

6 Land for Wildlife South East Queensland January 2014 Clearwing Swallowtail (Big Greasy) butterfly male and female in copulation. Males have strong red spots warning would-be predators of its toxicity. Males are usually larger than the duller females. Photo by Paul Grimshaw.

soil moisture and climatic conditions to If you have similar geology, soil type and resprout (pers. com. D.P. Sands).This may conditions and grassy Eucalypt woodlands explain to some extent its seeming rarity. or open forests with a similar species mix on your property, there is a good chance of All other Aristolochia species, which are Aristolochia meridionalis occurring on your food plants for the Clearwing Swallowtail place. butterfly larvae, occur further north. The Clearwing Swallowtail butterfly is A number of historic and more recent probably very dependent on Aristolochia records of Aristolochia meridionalis have meridionalis subsp. meridionalis in SEQ come from the Mt Coot-tha - D’Aguilar for its existence. Its only other known Range area and western suburbs of food plant here is seedling plants of the Brisbane, so these are a key area where one Richmond Birdwing vine (Pararistolochia could expect to find the plant growing. So praevenosa). if you see Clearwing Swallowtails flitting around your property there is an excellent The open forest where the Aristolochia chance that Aristolochia meridionalis is meridionalis is growing on our property growing close-by. consists of canopy trees such as Spotted Gum (Corymbia citriodora subsp. variegate), The male Clearwing Swallowtail butterfly Narrow-leaved Ironbark ( has a quite unusual mating behaviour. crebra), Broad-leaved White Mahogany Also the female of the species has a (Eucalyptus carnea) with occasional reproductive system, which is unique Brush Box (Lophostemon confertus) in the among butterflies. If you want to know Yellow eggs of the Clearwing Swallowtail understorey. In our location our rocky more about this unusual butterfly species can be seen here on leaves of Aristolochia soils are derived from Neranleigh-Fernvale I recommend The Butterflies of Australia meridionalis at The Fort Bushland Beds metamorphic rocks (probably meta- (2010) by Albert Orr and Roger Kitching. Reserve. Photos by John Lahey. volcanics rather than meta-sediments).

References Atlas of Living Australia, Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research and Australian National Herbarium, www.ala.org.au Braby MF (2005) The Complete Guide to Butterflies of Australia. CSIRO Publishing. Leiper G, Glazebrook J, Cox D & Rathie K (2008) Mangroves to Mountains: A Field Guide to the Native Plants of South-east Queensland (Revised Edition). Logan River Branch Australian Plants Inc. Orr A & Kitching R (2010) The Butterflies of Australia. Jacana Books/Allen & Unwin. Willmott W & Stevens N (1992) Rocks and Landscapes of Brisbane and Ipswich. Geological Society of Australia Inc. Queensland Division. Aristolochia meridionalis subsp. Slender Bindweed (Polymeria calycina) meridionalis - note the smaller, narrower leaves. Article by Paul Grimshaw Land for Wildlife member Mount Crosby, Brisbane

Land for Wildlife South East Queensland January 2014 7 Dutchman’s Pipe (left to right): A juvenile plant with an egg of the Clearwing Swallowtail butterfly; distinctive weed profile flowers that look similar to a traditional Dutch pipe; open seed cases hanging in a tree; a mature vine smothering native plants. Photos of flower and mature Dutchman’s Pipe: A fatal attractant vine by John Lahey, other photos by Deborah Metters. for butterflies

utchman’s Pipe (Aristolochia elegans) is on the survival of re-establishing butterfly Control of Dutchman’s Pipe can be difficult Da vigorous exotic vine originally from populations. and manual removal is possibly the best Brazil. Popular as an ornamental, it has option for small infestations. Small plants escaped into bushland where it favours the Dutchman’s Pipe is named for its distinctive can be hand-pulled or dug out, ensuring edges of rainforest remnants, creeks and tubular flower that looks like a traditional the crown and all roots are removed. moist gullies. In addition to its destructive Dutch pipe. The inside of the flowers are habit of smothering native plants under reddish-purple with white and yellow Herbicide can be used as per Off-label its dense mass of foliage, Dutchman’s Pipe spots and grow up to 7 cm in length during Permit 11463. For thin vines, cut the stem is also fatal for threatened native butterfly summer. The leaves are characteristically close to the ground, just above the first root species. heart-shaped, up to 12 cm long, alternate node and immediately apply glyphosate on the stems, with a glossy green upper herbicide mix to the cut. For thicker stems, The Richmond Birdwing (Ornithoptera surface, and a waxy, pale grey lower scrape a 40 cm basal section of the vine richmondia) and Clearwing Swallowtail surface. and apply herbicide to the scraped area. (Cressida cressida) butterflies confuse Foliar spraying mature vines on the ground Dutchman’s Pipe for their similar-looking, The stems are slender and woody, and may not be entirely effective, given the native larval-food vines, Pararistolochia will twine tightly around any structure. waxy leaf surface, but young vines and praevenosa and Aristolochia meridionalis The young stems are slightly corky, while regrowth vines are more susceptible. respectively, and lay their eggs on the weed older stems can have fissured, corky bark. Follow up treatment is necessary. Bag and leaves. Their hungry larvae die as they It can be hard to identify Dutchman’s Pipe dispose of any removed vine material as begin to eat the toxic leaves. by the stem alone, but if you scratch the general waste. If you cannot remove vines bark off, the stem emits a strong, acetone- immediately, remove and bin the seed pods In Queensland, Dutchman’s Pipe is a like smell. In fact, all of the plant emits this before they open. Declared Class 3 Pest plant, and removing same unpleasant smell when crushed or this weed from gardens and bushland and disturbed. References replanting with native vines is strongly Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and encouraged. Birdwing butterflies have Another distinguishing feature is the papery, segmented fruit capsules that open Forestry (2012) Dutchman’s Pipe Factsheet. been seen to prefer the weed vines over The State of Queensland. native larval-food vines when they are like upside parachutes and hang on the growing near each other, and so removing vine for a long time. Each capsule contains McCLymont, K (2008) Dutchman’s Pipe Dutchman’s Pipe can have a huge impact about 350 papery seeds which are spread article. Brisbane Rainforest Action and by wind or water. Information network. www.brisrain. webcentral. com.au Treatment Herbicide and rate Notes Sands D & Scott S (eds.) (2002) Conservation method of Birdwing Butterflies. SciComEd Pty Ltd Cut stump Glyphosate (360 g/L) at Apply in spring and reapply later if and THECA. (small vines) 1:2 parts water necessary. Stem scrape Glyphosate (360 g/L) at Apply in spring and reapply later if (larger vines) 1:2 parts water necessary.

Foliar spray Glyphosate (360 g/L) Apply up to twice a year. Best applied in Article by Fflur Collier (leaves of either at 10mL per 1L of early autumn. Only use where supporting Land for Wildlife member mature or young water trees and understorey plants are dead. Do Tallebudgera, Gold Coast vines) not spray to the point of run-off.

8 Land for Wildlife South East Queensland January 2014 fauna profile Recovery of the Richmond Birdwing

he Richmond Birdwing Conservation Data is confidentially stored at WPSQ and TNetwork (RBCN) is an affiliation of is used to develop flight path maps and individuals, groups and organisations future planting locations while considering dedicated to the conservation of the waterways, land tenure, regional Richmond Birdwing butterfly (Ornithoptera ecosystems and dedicated conservation A male Richmond Birdwing butterfly richmondia) and its host plants, the hubs. feeding on Lantana camara. Yes lantana Richmond Birdwing Vine (Pararistolochia is a weed, but it is also food for some praevenosa) and Mountain Aristolochia There seems to have been an influx of Richmond Birdwing butterfly numbers wildlife species – a consideration for your (Pararistolochia laheyana). Last year, the weed control activities. RBCN joined as a project within the Wildlife since September 2013, possibly in response Preservation Society for Queensland to releases from the captive breeding (WPSQ) and now has a part-time project program. For more information on the officer, which will help enormously with captive breeding program visit the Dept. achieving recovery plan activities. of Environment and Heritage Protection website at http://tinyurl.com/mruq69s The RBCN is focussed on connectivity, conservation and achieving the milestones To submit sightings of the butterfly and outlined in the recovery plan for the vines, email: [email protected] butterfly. There has been over 20 years To get involved or for more information, of scientific research carried out on the visit www.wildlife.org.au/projects/ butterfly indicating that the female richmondbirdwing/ or call WPSQ on 3211 birdwing can fly up to 30 kilometres. This is 0194. Please consider joining the RBCN for imperative knowledge to ensure that future only $15 per year and help fund recovery plantings of the vines will connect areas efforts of the birdwing. and can be accessed by the butterflies. A female Richmond Birdwing butterfly The RBCN gathers data on sightings of Article and photos by Catherine Madden resting on Black Wattle (Acacia the butterfly and locations of planted and Land for Wildlife member concurrens). wild vines. To date there are around 10,000 Guanaba, Gold Coast records but we know there are more!

Conservation of the Richmond Published by Springer, Birdwing Butterfly in Australia 2013. Available via www.springer.com by Donald PA Sands and Tim R New ISBN 9789400771703 lthough play a critical role in our this flagship species. Once a common site $178 for eBook download Aenvironment, very few have been the fluttering through the streets of Brisbane, $210 for hardcover focus of conservation efforts in Australia or the Richmond Birdwing, along with its food $37 per chapter worldwide. Conservation of the Richmond plant has dwindled and now exists only in Birdwing Butterfly in Australia showcases the small pockets of remnant forest scattered efforts. I certainly hope one day to see the importance of this vulnerable butterfly and through its original range. Some of those Richmond Birdwing butterfly on Land for it’s near threatened food plants. The book small pockets are on Land for Wildlife Wildlife properties in western Brisbane. is a culmination of 20 years of research properties and are specifically mentioned and conservation efforts toward one of in this book. This book would appeal to a wide range Australia’s largest and remarkable butterfly. of landholders including budding and One section of the book I particularly expert entomologists, those involved in Dr Donald Sands is the Chair of the enjoyed was community involvement. recovery programs and those who want to Richmond Birdwing Conservation Network Being involved with the planting of many learn about the butterfly and participate in (RBCN) and has been at the forefront of Pararistolochia praevenosa vines on Land for its recovery. The book is also an excellent conservation efforts of this flagship species Wildlife properties throughout the western reference on how to implement effective from the beginning. The book illustrates suburbs of Brisbane, it was reassuring and strategies for threatened species. both the passion and expertise of both encouraging to read about the efforts of writers. Those who have appreciation schools, catchment groups, landholders You may wish to view some of the pages not only for this butterfly but habitat and organisations who have helped bring for free on the Springer Publishing website, conservation as a whole will find this book back this butterfly. or you may encourage your local Land for informative and interesting. Wildlife Officer to buy a copy to share. Through this book I have gained a There would be many Land for Wildlife greater appreciation and insight into Review by Cody Hochen members who understand the plight, or this species, its food plant and the past Land for Wildlife Officer have been involved with the recovery, of and present difficulties faced in recovery Brisbane City Council

Land for Wildlife South East Queensland January 2014 9 my little corner What is the value of one tree?

hen shopping for a new residence 27 of the gum are nests of Bar- Wyears ago we immediately snapped shouldered Doves and Double- up our current home, mainly because of barred Finches. the 40 mature Queensland Blue Gums (Eucalyptus tereticornis) growing on the In addition to the birdlife, there is block. All of these trees were in excess of a family of Common Brush-tailed 100 years old. The largest may have been Possums calling this tree home growing here when James Cook sailed along with a cloud of Gould’s Wattle down the coast. Bats and a hive of stingless native bees. To give a single tree its worth, let’s look at a single 40 metre specimen in the front That is just the wildlife currently yard. This spreading tree has lost a few residing in this single blue gum. of its larger branches to thunder storms Broadening our view to those but still maintains a decent sized canopy species finding food in the tree shading an understorey of Black Tea-tree at the moment will see six species of The subject of these observations - a (Melaleuca bracteata), Boobialla (Myoporum honeyeaters, Olive-backed Orioles, White- single, centenarian Queensland Blue Gum. montanum) and River She-oak (Casuarina winged Trillers, Red-backed Fairy-wrens, cunninghamiana). Restless Flycatchers, Grey Fantails, Willie Wagtails, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrikes, Today, this one tree has fifteen species Like all of the eucalypts in our local area, Little Bronze Cuckoos, Grey-crowned of large fauna as permanent residents. this tree has been hollowed by the activity Babblers, Yellow-rumped Thornbills, Grey- A further 22 species find food within its of termites during its century-plus life headed and Little Red Flying Foxes, Carpet canopy. span. When a branch breaks during a Pythons, Green Tree Snakes, a large skink storm, it opens up access to the hollow species yet to be positively identified, Red- It is only these long-lived trees that provide trunk. Invariably, the hollows are taken up tailed Skinks, and this week, a Koala. nest hollows for so many of our local by various forms of life for either shelter or species of wildlife. On our little 5.5 hectare nesting. Competition for nest sites in late During the course of year, nesting hollows block we have positively identified 35 winter and spring can be intense. are also utilised by Pacific Black, Wood and species of native bird nesting in mature Grey Teal ducks along with Cotton Pygmy eucalypts. Twenty two of those, ranging At this very minute (early-October) this Geese, Pale-headed Rosellas, Cockatiels, from tiny Striated Pardalotes and Sacred single tree has nesting in various hollows Little Corellas, Southern Boobooks, Kingfishers up to stately Barn Owls and the following birds: Sulphur-crested Laughing Kookaburras, Sacred Kingfishers raucous Sulphur-crested Cockatoos, rely on Cockatoos, Galahs, Rainbow Lorikeets, and Barn Owls. hollows for nest sites. Scaly-breasted Lorikeets, Red-rumped Parrots, Dollarbirds, Nankeen Kestrels and Wagtails, mudlarks, magpies, Brown It takes approximately 100 years for a pardalotes. Figbirds, Crested Pigeons Falcons, Hobbies, Black-shouldered Kites, eucalypt to be mature enough to provide and Rufous Whistlers are raising chicks in thornbills and Ground Cuckoo-shrikes have the large hollows required by many of our constructed nests high in the branches. all use the tree as a platform for their nests native fauna. Trees of that vintage have a during the past couple of years. significant environmental value and cannot In the Black Tea-tree against the trunk be replaced within our lifetime.

Even a dead tree containing hollows is a treasure. So many of these are being lost to the firewood industry, burned by well meaning folk who mistakenly believe burning wood to heat their homes is environmentally friendly.

So what is the value of one tree? Priceless!

Article and photos by Neil Schultz Land for Wildlife member Mount Tarampa, Somerset

A male Grey Teal in repose above the entrance to the pair’s nest hollow.

10 Land for Wildlife South East Queensland January 2014 letters to the editor

Nesting in Weeds ometime last year the water level Sin the creek was low enough to wade over to this tiny island and pull the weeds on it. It was mainly Guinea Grass and, after removing any seeds, I draped the remaining weeds in the fork of this paperbark shown here.

The weeds are all dried out and dead now, and a Ringtail Possum has a made its nest in this fork. The lower photo shows the nest with the rear end of the possum showing.

The island badly needs weeding again – weed seeds are washed down every time the creek flows. I’ll have to try not to disturb the possum when I do it.

Louella Harley Land for Wildlife member Belmont, Brisbane

Wild Tobacco - Another View

or the last 15 years, we have been restoring the sub-tropical Frainforest on our steep 13 ha Reesville property near Maleny. The article on Wild Tobacco in the October 2013 Land for Wildlife Newsletter puts forward a similar positive view of this woody weed that was advocated by Barung Landcare in our early years here. While we accept that, in frost-prone areas, there can be value in allowing Wild Tobacco to help protect young plantings, we have found it otherwise better to remove it along with the other woody weeds before planting an area, for three reasons.

Firstly, in our frost-free location, sun-hardened tubestock (and self- sown natives) grow much more quickly and vigorously in full sun than in part-shade. Secondly, if Wild Tobacco is left in place for several years while young native trees develop, it becomes difficult to cut down and remove without damaging the youngsters underneath. Thirdly, leaving the Wild Tobacco in place just adds to the weed seed resource brought in by birds from surrounding properties and roadsides. There Photos top to bottom: is already a big enough ongoing job of removing the germinating woody weed species as part of our busy maintenance programme The Nankeen Kestrel is the only Australian without making it worse. Furthermore, Wild Tobacco’s toxicity falcon to nest in hollows. This kestrel raised reinforces the reasons to remove it. three chicks in ‘the tree’. Incidentally, we have found that after lantana is removed from an Galahs have taken up residence in one of the area, lots of Wild Tobacco plants continue to germinate there over the smaller hollows, just metres from the larger next few years, meaning that birds that like eating tobacco fruit also cockatoos. like perching in lantana. This pair of Sulphur-crested Cockatoos use the same nest hollow, the largest in ‘the tree’ David and Alison McDonald each year. Land for Wildlife members Maleny, Sunshine Coast

Land for Wildlife South East Queensland January 2014 11 membership survey results

Land for Wildlife is good for you!

and for Wildlife (LfW) encourages identification is the number one workshop Lmembers to remove weeds, learn about of choice. Most LfW members (80%) native plants and protect wildlife habitat, believe that their knowledge and skills in activities that require getting hands dirty relation to weed control have improved and learning from others who have already as a result of their LfW membership. done it. And it would seem that these Looking forward, the LfW program aims things are good for your health! According to continually improve the services to the membership survey undertaken offered to LfW members to help them in mid-2013, LfW members reported correctly identify weeds, especially improved physical activity and greater emerging invasive ones, and to offer social connectivity as a result of their practical advice and training in weed participation in the LfW program. control techniques. Offering peer-to- peer learning, such as field days and “Attending workshops brings online forums, will help build the social and a sense of community to an networking aspects of LfW. and primary producers, whereas health otherwise solitary activity.” motivations were stronger for retired Thanks for support members. This information is useful for LfW As well as physical health and social Understandably, LfW members highly value agencies to deliver events and products benefits, LfW is improving how landholders the assistance that they receive from the that can be tailored to specific groups relate to their local Council, with LfW LfW program to help with weed control, within the membership. members reporting better relationships tree planting or other conservation work. Tick of approval for services with their Council as a result of their Some Councils in SEQ offer grants or other Overall, the survey clearly indicated that involvement in LfW. This finding supports funding to help obtain herbicide, labour members value the current suite of services the ‘carrot’ approach to incentive-based or trees. Where these are offered, there is a provided by LfW, namely property visits, behavioural change rather than the ‘big strong uptake of incentives. technical advice, contact with LfW Officers, stick’ of compliance. “After 17 years of intensive quarterly newsletters and the LfW notes. “The initial contact with the bushcare I am slowing This newsletter is read by an impressive LfW Officer was very beneficial down, and it is the hands-on 99% of survey respondents and has an and indicated his dedication to assistance which I most value.” estimated readership of 6,355 people. the job and the environment. It The future – more of the good stuff , Think global, act local was good to know that Council more networking, more technology The 2013 survey tested and demonstrated has such people.” Into the future, the LfW program will that LfW not only delivers on-ground be looking at more opportunities for outcomes on LfW properties, but also has LfW members in SEQ have taken to social interactions, online forums and impacts beyond the front gate. 88% of bush regeneration activities with gusto. using emerging technologies. For respondents reported that LfW has helped Collectively, LfW members spent 60,000 example, the LfW program would like to their understanding of habitat connectivity days and $2.25M of their own funds offer our members online short videos across the landscape. on conservation activities on their LfW demonstrating weed control techniques properties in the last year alone. In total, 56% of respondents want more and easy access to citizen science initiatives this effort is valued at $16.25M per year, information on VCAs such as the Atlas of Living Australia. which is an outstanding demonstration Compared to the last membership survey Hopefully these new tools will enable LfW of how much landholders value a healthy in 2005, there has been a marked increase members to share information easily, feel environment and are prepared to work in LfW members wanting to learn more connected to landholder networks and hard to achieve it. about Voluntary Conservation Agreements inspire on-ground environmental work. All 1.2 million trees planted (VCAs) and similar mechanism. This result of which are good for our health. is a great opportunity for LfW to act as a LfW members have achieved remarkable Thanks again to all 1,124 LfW members stepping-stone to conservation covenants results with revegetation and weed control. who answered this survey (that’s 30% of where available, and to suggest alternative Collectively, 1.2M native trees have been the SEQ LfW membership). planted and 3,600 hectares of weeds pathways where they are unavailable. The full report, SEQ Land for Wildlife controlled on LfW properties in SEQ. Some Groups within groups Program: Results of the 2013 Membership properties have planted over 10,000 trees. The 2013 survey was the first time that Survey will be available for download from A commendable feat by the landholders, basic demographic data was collected for www.lfwseq.com.au, or from your local some of whom have dug every hole by the SEQ LfW membership, revealing distinct Land for Wildlife Officer in late January. hand. It is no surprise that LfW activities are groups such as young working families, good for your physical health! retired households and farmers. All groups Article by Deborah Metters Weed warriors are motivated by environmental goals, Land for Wildlife Regional Coordinator Consistent with past surveys, weed control but some members are also motivated by SEQ Catchments is still the dominant conservation activity financial or health goals. Economic drivers undertaken on LfW properties and weed were important for working households Quotes are from survey respondents.

12 Land for Wildlife South East Queensland January 2014 WIN A BOOK! SEQ Catchments is giving away ONE free, signed by the author, Limited Edition copy of Tadpoles and Frogs of Australia by Marion book reviews Anstis valued at $150 to a chosen Land for Wildlife member who contributes a story about a wetland or creek project on their property. Tadpoles and Frogs of Australia Winning story will be printed in the October 2014 newsletter. Prize drawn 1 Sept 2014. by Marion Anstis

ow, you don’t see many books like section also contains an insightful Wthis anymore! It is beautiful. With discussion on conservation issues such as gold edging on each leaf, hard cover impacts from Cane Toads, chytrid fungus and weighing in at nearly 4 kgs, this is an and high-altitude population declines. impressive reference book. The dedication The second section is an impressive and precision required by the author, key to tadpole genera, created and Marion Anstis, to complete this book is illustrated by Marion. The third section awe-inspiring. The Foreword by Angus contains descriptions, photographs and Martin points out that there is no other illustrations of 241 species of Australian known guide to frogs of a continent that frog. About 30 species have little to is as thorough and comprehensive as this nothing known about their life history, one. Australians are very lucky to have but what is known, is listed here. The Marion Anstis on our continent. photography is impressive and shows adult frogs, tadpoles and eggs. Striking, From what I can gather from the brief detailed illustrations depict tadpoles and author profile, Marion Anstis was a high- their oral discs (mouthparts), as features school music teacher who had a passion of an oral disc can be important in for frogs since childhood. After retirement, determining a correct identification. she dedicated a decade to travelling in her campervan around Australia, collecting, This book is understandably more costly raising and photographing tadpoles and than a soft-cover field guide, but I think frogs. She has authored two previous it is worth every cent. If you have a keen New Holland Publishers, 2013 books on Australian tadpoles and frogs, interest in wildlife, then this book is a one- Hard cover, colour photos, 816 pages. with this book being the most complete. stop shop for frogs. ISBN: 9781921517310 The book is divided into three main I would like to extend a huge thanks Price: $125 sections. The first is a guide on how to to Marion for her tenacity and vision in Available from most online and in- find, collect and raise tadpoles. This making this book a reality. person bookshops.

A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia (4th Ed.) By Steve Wilson and Gerry Swan

ike many books that I am fortunate reptile species. This is a field guide, so Lenough to review for this newsletter, descriptions are concise and often contain this one is a labour of love, reflecting the herpetological terms, for which there is an authors’ lifelong passion for reptiles. If illustrated glossary showing the difference reptiles are your thing, living in Australia between ventrolateral and dorsolateral must feel like winning the lucky dip, as lizard stripes, as an example. Australia boasts the highest diversity of This latest (4th) edition contains many new reptiles in the world. The similar sized USA, images and is encased in a plastic cover for comparison, supports only one-third of with rounded edges to withstand rough Australia’s reptile diversity. treatment in the field. I have heard rumours The authors suggest that this high diversity that an app of this book will be available for can be attributed to Australia’s geographic smart phones and other devices, although isolation, its size and the mosaic of varied it was not available by the time this went to print. An app will certainly be welcomed habitats that we have. Some reptile as there is currently no comprehensive, species have become very specialised interactive guide to Australian reptiles. and have found a way to thrive in dry salt lakes, deep cracking clay soils and high Reptiles are a fascinating group of , New Holland Publishers, 2013 altitude rainforests. Apparently, one square for which Australia is internationally Soft cover, 592 pages. ISBN: 9781921517280 kilometre of Australian spinifex desert renowned. This book is a must have for Price: $49.95 supports more species of reptile than any anyone wanting to know more about the Available from most online and in- similar sized piece of land on Earth. geckoes, skinks, snakes, turtles, dragons or person bookshops. lizards that live on your property, or inhabit This book showcases this diversity your domestic holiday destinations. with descriptions and excellent colour photographs of 946 described Australian Book reviews by Deborah Metters

Land for Wildlife South East Queensland January 2014 13 property profile Bringing Back the Platypus

Before and after the flood. Left photo shows Murphy’s Creek in hen we first came to our property we October 2008. Right photo shows Michael standing on that same Wwere amazed by the rainforest, the small weir in February 2012 after the devastating floods of 2011. figs, orchids, butterflies, giant birds nest ferns and an astounding diversity of native wildlife - it was our own little utopia. After some funding from a SEQ Catchments are also at the junction of two waterways the floods of January 2011 our beautiful e-Tree grant through the Lockyer Valley coming off the escarpment. Likewise rainforest stream was transformed to Regional Council Land for Wildlife program our property also serves as a source of an open, shallow waterway where large during 2012, which gave us a start on seed dispersal for native plants along our trees, boulders, bridges and all manner the tree planting and these plantings are waterway, the Lockyer Valley and further of soil and vegetation were stripped from powering along, some were over two afield. the creek and the adjoining banks. Our meters high after just 8 months. We have Since January 2011 we have noticed that family was shocked and upset by the also successfully received some funding the species of native animals and their transformation and devastation. from SEQ Catchments for waterway associated movements have also changed. restoration. With this funding we are Our greatest sorrow was for the wildlife The platypus were gone and we observed establishing more plantings sites with that had suffered including the missing that the Richmond Birdwing butterfly, erosion control matting and continuing platypus that once resided in the creek. the Blue Triangle butterfly, turtles, certain with our weed control efforts. The platypus’ homes were destroyed and species of dragonflies, echidnas, black lost with whole banks being washed away The creek with its curves, pools and riffles cockatoos and a variety of water life such and food sources scoured out and replaced is starting to take shape, and though as eels, yabbies, crayfish and mayfly larvae with thick silt up to six feet deep coming the creek continues to move with each had all disappeared. However over the last down from the restoration works occurring significant rainfall event we feel that these six months we have been noticing a return along the railway line. We pondered how movements are becoming less dramatic of some black cockatoos as well as a steady the platypus could possibly re-colonise over time. With the rainfall events of increase in aquatic life, much of this being from further downstream where they had January and February 2013 the creek the food source for the platypus. to cross roads and culverts, and travel movements removed or scoured-out some During early March of 2013 we were through a landscape that had been so of the still establishing plants that we had overjoyed at the sighting of a returning dramatically transformed. planted along the waterway and the creek platypus in our creek. This sighting raised banks continued to slip and move. Since January 2011 our family has worked our hopes and energy levels that the work to re-establish the pools and riffles within Weed control has been an ongoing we have been doing has not been in vain the creek, remove chemicals, asbestos, management issue. We have a number of and reminds us that local wildlife rely upon car bodies and all manner of rubbish. We serious weeds on our property including us and our ongoing commitment and have also worked to stabilise landslips cat’s claw, privet and lantana. Since January efforts to retain their homes and food. and creek banks, revegetate the banks of 2011 we have received a whole new On understanding that our natural the waterway, monitor water quality and scope of weeds that we never had before environment forms the base and structure expand our weed management to a whole including Madeira Vine, Camphor Laurel, of healthy lives and stable economics, and new suite of weeds. Canna Lily, Asian Watercress and other that all of the interconnected life on Earth aquatic weeds. Current and future management has a role and purpose, we will continue issues relate to ongoing stabilisation, Being in the upper catchment of the to strive to achieve our goals of stabilising revegetation, water quality, weed control Lockyer Valley our weed control and and restoring our local waterway. Through and the impacts of encroaching high- waterway stabilisation efforts are our local Land for Wildlife community we density housing development in adjoining important for us here on our property know that we are not alone in our dreams escarpment areas and infrastructure works and also for the benefit of the local native and efforts and we offer our joy and hopes such as railways and roads. plants and wildlife, as well as for the to those of you who are also working health of those downstream, all the way towards the same goal. Much of the creek bank and landslip to Moreton Bay. We are like gatekeepers stabilisation, tree planting, weed control for the spread of weeds throughout the Article by Michael Hare and water monitoring efforts have been Lockyer Valley and beyond as not only are Land for Wildlife member undertaken by ourselves. We have received we at the headwaters of the catchment we Murphy’s Creek, Lockyer Valley

14 Land for Wildlife South East Queensland January 2014 Along some creeks in the upper Lockyer, weeds are a big issue, especially after the January 2011 floods. Shown here is Madeira Vine in flower (left) and Cat’s Claw Creeper (right), both of these weeds are being controlled by Michael, but present a huge, ongoing challenge.

Far left: Michael stands next to a 2 metre high seedling that he planted only 8 months prior to this photo being taken.

Left: Significant earthworks and in-stream planting was done by Michael and his family to stabilise Murphy’s Creek.

Below: As part of the reconstruction and stabilisation of the creek, Michael embedded large logs in the lower banks and re-created riffles (shallow rocky areas) where platypus search for invertebrates to eat. These reconstructed areas survived well in the Australia Day floods of 2013.

Land for Wildlife South East Queensland January 2014 15 Turkey Tangentials

Focus on Pittosporums

f you love collecting seed and growing A few of the Pittosporums of SEQ Top: The delightful yellow flowers Inative plants, then sticky fingers are what include the Native Daphne (Pittosporum of Pittosporum revolutum. you’ll get when collecting the seeds from undulatum) a small to medium tree to Above left: The white flowers of the fruit of this genus. Some of their seed 25 metres in height; it is spectacular in Pittosporum undulatum. are so sticky you need to wash them in flower and abundant in fruit. They have the several changes of soapy water to separate stickiest seed of all the Pittosporums, but Above right: Sticky red seeds can them for sowing. We are of course talking this is obviously no deterrent to the birds be found within the large yellow about the Pittosporums. as they are readily spread and this species fruit of Pittosporum revolutum. is considered a weed in southern Australia. According to the book Mangroves to Mountains, we have eight native Next up is the Hairy Pittosporum Pittosporums, although three of them used (Pittosporum revolutum). This small shrub small orange fruit that looks a bit like, you to be in the separate Genus Citriobatus. reaches 4 metres in height and grows guessed it, a small orange. As opposed We also have one native species out if its in a variety of ecosystems from coast to to the other Pittosporums, Orange Thorn natural range, Pittosporum ferrugineum. mountains and can be readily identified by does not have sticky fruit, but collecting Although there is some debate, in certain its large knobbly yellow fruit, which split to them has its own difficulties as you will end publications, as to whether this plant is a reveal large glossy seeds to 4 mm. up with hands full of prickles. local native or not, it is definitely a weed on the Sunshine Coast. To add to the Last but not least is one of my favourite confusion we also have the local rainforest of the spiky bushes, the Orange Thorn Spencer Shaw plant called the Holly-leaved Pittosporum (Pittosporum multiflorum) (syn. Citriobatus Land for Wildlife member (Auranticarpa rhombifolia), which used to pauciflorus). This shrub to 2 metres in Owner, Brush Turkey Enterprises be a Pittosporum... height has beautiful glossy foliage and a Reesville, Sunshine Coast

Land for Wildlife South East Queensland Land for Wildlife South East Queensland is proudly supported by: newsletter is published by SEQ Catchments with support from the Australian Government’s Caring for our Country.

Opinions expressed by contributors to the Land for Wildlife newsletter are not necessarily those of the Land for Wildlife program nor any of the supporting agencies.

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16 Land for Wildlife South East Queensland January 2014