Field Nats News No.219

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

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

A reminder: all nominations for Council From the President need to be received by 2 pm on Friday 4th May, in accordance with our Consti- Deadline for the June issue Hi members, Easter is now over and I tution. Nomination form p14. of FNN, 220, will be Tuesday hope that the Easter Bilby paid you a visit 1st May at 10 am. FNN will rather than its European counterpart, the Finally, can someone shed some light go to the printers on 8th May Rabbit. Well, April shaped up to be eve- on what these caterpillars are? They and Collation will be on 15th rything they say about the weather in have been denuding the Callistemon in starting 10—10.30 am. , ‘.. if you don’t like it, wait 5 my garden for the past two years but I minutes’, with days in the high 20’s and have not been able to identify them. others in the low teens. Surely it is a sign John Harris of things to come with winter on the way. The capture and handling of all President The Fungi Group forays are kicking off animals on FNCV field trips is again and may it be a great season for all done strictly in accordance with you mycophiles (not sure if . that is the term, but if it the club’s research permits makes it into the Oxford Dic- tionary, just remember where you first read it. :) Index Page

FNCV Environment Fund This year’s grants from the From the President 1 FNCV Environment Fund Calendar of Events 2 have been finalised and will be announced at the Annual Members’ news, photos & 3 General Meeting. The money observations has been distributed to a number of groups and indi- Fauna Survey Group News: 4 viduals to promote research, Field Trip to Mt. Samaria community education and the wellbeing of our biodi- Geology Group News: An Insight 5 - 6 versity. If you would like to into How Minerals Form donate to the Environment Fund, please contact Hali. Day Group News: Silviculture in 7 - 8 Victoria’s Forests FNCV Annual General Meeting Many thanks to those who helped FNCV 2011 Biodiversity 9 -11 Invitation see p6 Symposium: Report on Field Just a reminder that our next Annual Gen- collate and label FNN 218 th Trip with David Cameron eral Meeting is on Sunday 6 May at 2 From the Office pm. Some of the agenda items are: the Bob Rowlands announcement of 2012 recipients from Bill Fenner Donations for 2nd Mural: 12 the Environment Fund, short presenta- Cecily Falkingham Extracts from SIG reports to tions from last year’s recipients, the Margaret Corrick Council FNCV Future Directions plan and the Pieter Boschma election of the new Council. The high- Hazel & Edward Brentnall Marine Research Group News: 13 light of the afternoon will be an illus- Andy Brentnall Using Fish as Indicators of the trated presentation by the self-appointed Keith Marshall Ecological Condition of FNCV historian, Dr. Gary Presland. His Ray Power Victoria’s Estuaries topic, “Aspects of the History of the Margaret Brewster Microscopical Group News: FNCV”. Mary Symons Eye Diseases and Diagnosis

This newsletter is printed on recycled paper. Council Nomination Form 14 Page 2 Field Nats News No. 219 CALENDAR OF EVENTS All meetings are held at the FNCV Hall, 1 Gardenia St. Blackburn at 8 pm., unless otherwise indicated. On days of extreme weather conditions, excursions may be cancelled. Please check with leader.

May 2012

Tuesday 1st - Fauna Survey Group. Meeting - 'Predicting the responses of arboreal folivores to a changing climate'. Speaker: Natalie Briscoe. Contact: Sally Bewsher 9752 1418 AH

Wednesday 2nd – Bat Group. Grey-headed Flying Fox count. Meet at Yarra Bend Golf Course carpark Mel 2D G7 at 5.30 pm. RSVP as a courtesy by email or phone Megan Davidson 9380 5062; [email protected]

Sunday 6th – Fungi Group. Fungi foray – 10.30 am Upper Yarra Reservoir, Reefton (MEL X912 U2, VIC ROADS 80 G4). Contact: Ed Grey 94359019.

Sunday 6th - FNCV AGM. 2 pm Speaker: Dr. Gary Presland, ‘Aspects of the History of the FNCV’. See p6 for invitation. All welcome. If you can bring a plate of afternoon tea and/or help with setting up, please contact Hali 9877 9860 or [email protected]

Monday 7th – Fungi Group. Meeting - Members’ night. Bring photographs to share. Contact: Ed Grey 9435 9019.

Saturday 12th – Sunday 13th - Fauna Survey Group. Excursion - Rushworth camp. Help check nestboxes for Phascogales, Sugar Gliders & other surprises. Contact: Ray Gibson 0417 861 65. Prior Registration of at Least One week Essential.

Saturday 12th - Botany Group Excursion. (NOT IN COE.) Algae (seaweeds) of the intertidal zone). Meet at Mushroom Reef Marine Sanctuary, Flinders 10 am. (MEL 261 K10). Carpark off Golf links Rd. (which is one-way). Come and join Mary Gibson and the Botany Group and experience a whole new world of plants. Contact : Sue Bendel 0427 055 071

Sunday 13th – Fungi & Junior Groups. Fungi Foray - 10.30am (Gembrook), Mortimer Reserve Picnic Ground, off the Gembrook-Tonimbuk Road (MEL key map 14 R12).The Juniors’ Group will join us – Contact: Claire Ferguson or Ed Grey 9435 9019

Monday 14th – Marine Research Group. Meeting – Field Trip Round-up. Contact: Leon Altoff 9530 4180: 0428 669 773

Tuesday 15th - Collate FNN 220. Starting about 10.30 am. Some folk come a little earlier. Contact: Joan Broadberry 9846 1218

Wednesday 16th - Microscopy Group. Meeting – Please contact Phillipa Sterpin for details 9598 3231

Thursday 17th – Botany Group. Meeting—Speaker Bruce Fuhrer. Fabulous photos of flora. Learn from the best. Bruce is author/ photographer of many botany books and winner of the 2010 Andrew Gibson Medallion, Australian Photographic Soci- ety. Contact Sue Bendel 0427 055 071

Sunday 20th – Fungi Group. Fungi Foray – 10.30am Mt Worth State Park (MEL X912 U8, VIC ROADS 97 B6), meet at Moonlight Creek Picnic Area. Contact: Virgil Hubregtse 9560 7775

Tuesday 22nd – Day Group. Meeting – ‘Birdwatching and Nature on Christmas Island’. Speaker: Joan Broadberry 10.30 am for coffee and a chat. Speaker 11.00 am. Contact: Gary Presland 9890 9288

Wednesday 23rd – Geology Group. Meeting – ‘Groundwater-Surface Water Interactions’. Speaker: Dr. Peter Dahlhaus, Senior Lecturer, Geology, University of Ballarat. Contact: Ruth Hoskin 9878 5911: [email protected]

Friday 25th – Juniors’ Group. Meeting - 7.30 pm. ‘Fungi’. See Junior Nat for details. Contact: Claire Ferguson 8060 2474: [email protected]

Sunday 27th – Fungi Group. Fungi Foray – 10.30am Cathedral Range State Park (MEL X910 T9). Meet at Ned’s Gully car park. Contact: Virgil Hubregtse 9560 7775

Monday 28th- FNCV Council Meeting - 7.30 pm sharp. Agenda items and apologies to Hali, 9877 9860 or [email protected]

The policy of the FNCV is that non-members pay $5 per excursion and $2 per meet- ing, to cover insurance costs. Junior non-member families, $2 per excursion only. Field Nats News 219 Page 3

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

Warmest greetings to these new members who were welcomed into our club at the last Council meeting: Alex Maisey, Sarah Caulton, Ian Schofield, Brian Taylor, Joy Hick, Lin Huang, Chong Ting Xu, Emma Birnbaum, Samantha Lucas, Noel Billing, Brenna Billing, Asha Billing, Lynne Billing, Jessica Frahn, Peter Alexander, Phoebe Lewis.

Lizards In My Garden VALE Over a decade ago we had two GREG BINNS, OAM Eastern Blue –tongue lizards (Tiliqua scincoides) living in the indigenous section of our The FNCV notes with regret the garden. Unfortunately they death of Greg Binns on 13th ventured into next door and March 2012. Greg was a mem- were both killed by the dogs ber of the General Committee of that lived there at that time. the Australian Natural History Medallion from 1988 until his To our joy we now have an- death. In that capacity he repre- other fully grown Blue-tongue sented the Ballarat Field Natu- lizard living in the rockery in ralists Club. the back garden. Where it came from and when it arrived we do not know, as we live in a very urban setting. A beautiful Two other lizard species also share our garden, the Common Tawny Frog- Garden Skink (Lampropholis delicata) and the Weasel Skink mouth perched on (Saproscincus mustelinus). The Weasel Skink has a tiny pale a clothes line in a mark behind its eye and is more brown in colour, with a cop- Nunawading per-coloured tail. It is harder to observe, but I suspect almost backyard. It as common as the Garden Skink in our Melbourne gardens. stayed for three

As the Blue-tongue Lizard’s rockery home is beside a large days. vegetable garden, I think I know why snails are not eating my lettuces. Photo: Cecily Falkingham P. McGoldrick LEGLESS LIZARD RECORD

In 1971, I carried out a 12 month unpaid biological survey of the PENOLA Thanks to the editorial and 1:250000 sheet, looking at the occurrence and distribution of snails, frogs and layout team who put lizards. This survey area covers the Lower South East of S.A. and eastwards to together FNN 219 141º East, some 2.5km into Victoria. Joan Broadberry At that time the legless lizard Aprasia striolata had not been recorded in litera- Noel Schleiger ture as occurring in Victoria. I note in Field Nats News 217, p9 that this specie Platon Vafiadis was recorded in the Dergholm State Park survey Hali Ferguson Sally Bewsher My 1971 work found Aprasia striolata widespread, but sparse across the PE- NOLA sheet – but not in the Victorian portion. Subsequently it has been re- corded in Victoria in several places in the general Nelson area and as far east as The views and opinions expressed in this 16 miles southeast of Nelson on the road to Portland. publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the FNCV. Fred W. Aslin, Mt Gambier Page 4 Field Nats News No. 219 Fauna Survey Group

were prevalent and so were the hol- Field Trip to Mt lows they contain. Twenty-two Samaria – March 9 - 12. Greater Gliders were seen in rela- tively short periods of spotlighting, including is situated in one looking north-eastern Victoria, approximately 200 down at our km northeast of Melbourne. It lies half-way campfire. between Mansfield and Benalla between the Strathbogie Ranges and the Toom- The catch of bullups. the weekend goes to Ray Briefing notes provided to attendees before White, who the camp, written by your correspondent, hand-caught suggested two routes to the Park. The first an Agile was Williams Road from Lima East and the Antechinus. second Swanpool Road from Swanpool. It escaped Taking my own advice with trailer in tow, I before most took the Lima East exit. It soon became of us saw it clear that during my one previous visit as a and if the passenger, I paid far too little attention to catch had not the intricacies of the Williams Road route. been wit- Nevertheless a couple of U turns later I nessed by made it to the Samaria Well camp site, a Carl Hansen, pretty spot on the banks of a creek. A route- Ray would march to the toilets notwithstanding, it pro- not have vided an excellent base camp. been be- lieved. One of the exciting things about the Park is the reported presence of the Spot-tailed Our hopes of seeing a Quoll (Dasyurus maculates). We had quoll or other less abun- hopes, and still do, of seeing this animal. dant species lie with our remote cameras and more From the base camp it is a steep and bumpy specifically our ability to ride to the plateau. On arriving, however, use a GPS to locate them. one is rewarded with a diversity of vegeta- tion types, including “Narrow-leaf Pepper- Watch this space! mint and Blue Gum forests (which occur over most of the plateau), drier low open Mt Samaria is a place we forests with a grassy understorey, closed will visit again. heath and mossland-herbfield” (Mt Samaria Robin Drury Management Plan)

Cage and Elliott traps were set at four sites, Photos (from top): Mountain Grasshopper, Acripeza reticulata (J. Broadberry); Mt spotlight surveys were carried out at three Samaria crew (S. Bewsher): Sorting Elliot traps (J. Broadberry) sites and 13 infrared cameras were set up at six sites. The cameras are to be retrieved after three weeks. General observations KING ISLAND FIELD NATURALISTS INC. were made at all sites. would like to invite members of the FNCV to join them in celebrating the 50th birthday of their fabulous Club. The cage and Elliott traps yielded the usual suspects, the Bush Rat (Rattus fuscipes) They offer a weekend of field trips, dinner, history, photos. Participants will be and Agile Antechinus (Antechinus agilis). responsible for their own travel and accommodation arrangements. Please visit www.kingisland.org.au or ph 1800 645014 Toll Free. Early bookings recom- General observations and spotlighting mended to ensure flights. found two species of amphibian, six rep- tiles, 12 mammals and 38 species of bird. RSVP October 1st to Carmen Holloway, ph 6461 1248 [email protected] or Even though the Park had been selectively Graeme & Margaret Batey, ph 6462 1698 logged during its history, old growth trees [email protected] Field Nats News 219 Page 5

more perfect in form and more transpar- ent; faster growth yields more opaque and Geology Group imperfect crystals. In the laboratory, synthetic crystals can be produced in “An Insight into How large autoclaves by subjecting raw ingredients to hydrothermal condi- Minerals Form” tions of high temperature (500- 600ºC) and pressure (500-1000 atms). Talk by Dr. Stuart Mills, Synthetic crystals are grown on seed Museum Victoria plates composed of thin slices of sin- 22 February, 2012 gle crystals and eliminate the nuclea- tion step seen in nature. Dr. Stuart Mills gained his PhD at the University of Melbourne after researching Dr. Mills talked in more detail about the uranium geochemistry of the Lake pegmatites and the gem tourmaline Boga granite in Victoria, then the secon- and beryl pegmatites from San Diego dary mineralogy at Broken Hill, NSW. Mills cited the rapid cooling, nuclea- County, California, particularly the fa- He then travelled to Canada where he tion and crystallisation associated mous watermelon ‘candelabra’ pegmatite lectured in Geology at the University of with black smokers, which occur on held in the Smithsonian Institution in British Columbia for five years. Dr. Mills the sea floor near spreading or sub- Washington D.C. This large crystal came is now Senior Curator of Geosciences at ducting zones. In black smokers, from the Tourmaline Queen Mine and Museum Victoria. measures over 30cm in height. As ex- hydrothermal solutions rising through Dr. Mills commenced his talk with the the inner core at a temperature of pected from its name, it is pink coloured statement: “How, when and why do crys- 350ºC suddenly come into contact and has a blue capping; its composition is tals form?” describing that this is a very with the cold sea water at 2ºC. In an tourmaline, feldspar and mica. The Mel- active area of study and of uncertainty. illustrative photograph, a man-sized bourne Museum also has a nice, although He proceeded to elaborate on these black smoker held in the Museum’s smaller, sample of a watermelon tourma- points. collection contained crystalline cop- line crystal with pink and green colour- per sulphide. Some of the world’s ore ings. The formation of any crystal is controlled deposits derive from the crystallisa- (Continued on page 6) by two factors: nucleation and growth. tion processes associated with black Nucleation is the formation of a ‘seed smokers and ocean floors around crystal’ and growth is the addition of new spreading or subduction zones are atoms onto the seed. Nucleation can be active sites for a great deal of mineral the most difficult step. It requires the exploration – an example being Papua right conditions, consisting of the right New Guinea. elements, in the right proportions and the right conditions of temperature and pres- Crystal growth takes place once nu- sure to form a tiny ‘baby’ or seed crystal cleation has occurred and consists of of maybe 500-1000 atoms (nanoparticle the addition of new material, again in size). Generally, the higher the tempera- the right conditions of fluid composi- ture, the greater the amount of dissolution tion and temperature. As a generali- occurs and this allows for a concentration sation, the slower a crystal grows, the of elements to develop in the fluid. As the solution then cools, crystallisation occurs.

There is also a situation in crystal forma- tion called ‘undercooling’ whereby nu- cleation and crystallisation are not initi- ated until the actual temperature has dropped below the theoretical or ‘normal’ crystallisation temperature. Pegmatites are igneous rocks found in nature that contain well-formed, often perfect or gemmy crystals which have possibly de- veloped following a high degree of under- cooling.

Formation of crystals in nature can follow a different course to that in the laboratory – hence a degree of uncertainty in under- standing the processes. From nature, Dr. Page 6 Field Nats News No. 219

(Continued from page 5) governed by ground water chemistry, formed and the potential for them to be used Taking the Californian pegmatites as an the relative solubilities of minerals as environment/climatic change time mark- example, Dr. Mills then talked about and the stabilities of the solution com- ers. ‘when’ crystals form in rock and their time plexes. , a small granite frames. Pegmatites are emplaced along quarry near Swan Hill, provided a Many uranyl minerals and other minerals of fracture sets in spaces called miarolitic productive collecting and research note were discovered by Dr. Mills and his cavities (gas pockets) in host rock area. The Lake Boga granite is Late colleagues and include: ulrichite (type lo- (hornblende norite). The chronology of Devonian (365±3 Ma). Quarrying has cality), kunatite (type locality), torbernite, the emplacement has been determined taken place since the 1940s for saléeite, metanatroautunite, bleasdaleite using various geochronological methods crushed aggregate for road building; (type locality), lakebogite (type locality) and and shows: however, the uranium mineralisation the attractive fluroapatite.  Host rock at 650ºC 120 Ma was only discovered in 1958. As Dr. Mills rightly concluded about Lake Cooling to 300ºC 107 Ma  The Lake Boga secondary minerals Boga’s minerals: “We have a really cool  Cooling to 150ºC 104 Ma were formed 125,000 to ~500,000 thing in our backyard”.  Pegmatite emplacement years ago during weathering of the  & crystallisation 100 Ma granite. They are noteworthy because We thank Dr. Mills very much for his most they comprise a natural system for informative and interesting presentation, Rate of cooling, however, can be rapid. storing uranium for hundreds of thou- which was very well-received by the many Modelling of the cooling rate for the Hi- sands of years. Research is continu- present. malaya Mine dyke shows the 0.5-1m thick ing into when the U-bearing minerals Kaye Oddie dyke cooled rapidly – from 650ºC to 550ºC in only five days!

Dr. Mills then moved on in his presenta- tion to talk about uranium and other crys- tals in , particularly those at Lake Boga in Victoria, which he researched during his Honours.

Uranium mineralogy in Australia is better known for its association with commercial mining – at Jabiluka and Ranger in the Northern Territory and Olympic Dam in . Radioactive uraninite (UO2) is the main mineral of interest in these mines. However, Dr. Mills and colleagues have a greater interest in the secondary uranium minerals. These are often brightly coloured – orange, yellow, green and fluoresce – as shown in a num- ber of accompanying photos. Formation of most secondary uranium minerals is

If you can bring a plate of after- noon tea and/or arrive a little early and help with the setting up, please let Hali know.

You are invited to attend the FNCV AGM, FNCV Hall, 1 Gardenia St. Blackburn.

Agenda: Annual Report, Election of Council*, Honorary & Long Term memberships,, Environment Fund, Future Directions of the FNCV etc. Guest speaker: Dr. Gary Presland. ‘Aspects of the History of the FNCV”

Afternoon tea served. A great speaker and the future of your club, also we must have a quorum. All welcome.

*Nominations for the committee due in the office 48 hours before the meeting. See p14 for Council nomination form. Field Nats News 219 Page 7

FOREST TYPE SILVICULTURAL MAIN REGENERA- Day Group SYSTEM TION METHOD AFTER HARVESTING. Mixed species - low Seed Tree Burn + Induced Seedfall Silviculture in Victoria's Mixed species - high Seed Tree Burn + Induced Seedfall State Forests: A brief Alpine Ash Clear-felling Burn + Aerial Sowing overview- 27/3/12 Mountain Ash Clear-felling Burn + Aerial Sowing Speaker: Peter Fagg Box-Ironbark Selection - single tree Natural Seedfall +/-Burn Silviculture is the science and practice of managing forest harvesting and regenera- River Red Gum Selection - group Natural Seedfall (+ Flood) tion (from Latin silv(a) - forest). FNCV ALL TYPES Thinning Regeneration not required member, Peter Fagg, recently retired, has spent his life in forestry, most recently with DSE as Senior Project Officer spe- proximately 80,000 ha in State for- Red Ironbark, the stump re-sprouts cialising in Native Forests. He has au- ests. (coppices). Regeneration of other species, thored or co-authored over 50 scientific River Red Gum Forest: includes River such as Red Gum, rely more on natural seed publications. Each section of his presen- Red Gum and Black Box, with ap- fall. A seedbed is created through distur- tation was illustrated with photos and proximately 15,000 ha in State for- bance by machinery or patch burning. The charts. ests. Most of this forest type along forest remains, or becomes, uneven-aged. the Murray River has recently been Thinning Systems (commercial) Peter began his talk with an overview of 6 made into national parks. Thinning is used in dense regrowth to allow broad forest types (of forestry impor- the better trees to grow larger. The small tance) found in Victoria. Peter then went on to detail the various timber is usually used for paper manufac- silvicultural systems by which coupes Mixed species forest found at low eleva- ture or firewood. Approximately 50% of the tions—less than 700 metres: the are regenerated. A coupe is an area of main eucalypt species include White forest designated for harvesting and/or Stringybark, Messmate, Yellow regeneration activities, usually 15-20 ha. Stringybark, Brown Stringybark, In Victoria the maximum size for a coupe Silvertop, Yertchuk, Manna Gum, destined for clear felling is 40 ha. See Blue Gum and Peppermint, with summary table above approximately 1,730,000 ha in State forests. Seed Tree System Mixed species forest found at high ele- Trees with seed capsules are marked be- vations—more than 700 metres: fore the area is harvested. Seed trees must includes Messmate, Cut-tail, Shining represent the species mix present. Usually Gum, Mountain Grey Gum and about 10 trees per ha are retained for seed. Manna Gum, with approximately Additional trees may be kept for habitat. 383,000 ha in State forests. The logging slash is burnt in autumn to Alpine Ash forest with approximately create a seedbed. The seedfall is moni- 190,000 ha in State forests. tored by traps. If insufficient seed is pre- Mountain Ash forest (the tallest hard- sent then the area is sown or planted.

wood species in the world), with Clear-felling System approximately 137,000 ha in State Seed capsules (mature gum- Mixes spp. Thinning Orbost 1996 Photo: P.Fagg nuts) are collected from felled trees, or standing trees are climbed to collect the cap- sules. The seed is extracted by heating in kilns, then tested for Climbing to collect seed Photo: P.Fagg viability and stored, prior to aerial sowing. Depending on basal area of a stand is harvested . climatic conditions, mainly Thinning Systems (pre-commercial) rainfall, the amount of seed Dense young regrowth may be manually produced in a forest varies thinned to encourage the growth of the re- greatly, with Mountain Ash tained trees. Tools used include axes, brush- having about one really good cutters or herbicide injection. The treated seed year in four. Different trees are not harvested. As this system is eucalypt species have different labour-intensive system, it is not widely cycles of flowering and seed used but pays dividends in terms of future production. forests. tree growth. Selection System Box-Ironbark forest: includes Red Iron- Some Problems Foresters Encounter Single trees or small groups of trees are bark, Yellow Gum (White Ironbark), a. Browsing Animals Grey Box and Red Box, with ap- marked for felling. For some species, like (Continued on page 8) Page 8 Field Nats News No. 219

(Continued from page 7)  Australian Forestry Standard Library (2007) Browsing animals, mainly the Black or News Swamp Wallaby eat very young tree Peter concluded with the words: “From seedlings. Fencing is sometimes needed little seedlings, easily crushed under- Recently catalogued additions to the to exclude them. Rabbits, kangaroos, foot, forest giants grow, dwarfing peo- deer, cattle and wombats cause localised Library include the following: ple within a lifetime. Let us value and The state of Australian birds 2010, by damage. look after our forests for everything they Julie Kirkwood and James O’Connor; b. Fungi and Insect Damage provide.” Examples include the Honey Fungus, Going bush with Chinchilla Nats; Armillaria luteobubalina or the Gumleaf This was a very interesting talk, taking Burke & Wills: the scientific legacy of Skeletoniser Caterpillar, Uraba lugens. most of us into an area we had previ- the Victoria Exploring Expedition. Eucalypts have an amazing ability to re- ously not had the opportunity to explore This last volume, edited by EB Joyce cover from most attacks by insects and in depth. Having spent his career in and DA McCann, includes a collection fungi. forestry, Peter has a wonderful knowl- of very interesting chapters detailing the c. Bushfires edge of his subject and answered many natural history of the areas traversed by This is THE major problem. questions from the audience. He also the 1860 expedition.

Regeneration after Bushfires brought along some eucalypt seedlings Stands of timber often self regenerate via which he had raised from local seed – to Recent periodicals: fire-induced seedfall IF the seed crops are give away. Once again I would like to Wildlife Research 39(1) investigates the sufficient and viable. A million seedlings thank him for a great presentation. implications for native wild- per ha may emerge, but competition will life of the suggested reintro- reduce these to 1000-2000 after about 25 NB. Personally I would like to thank duction of the dingo in west- years. It takes 15-20 years for a seed crop Peter for offering me a copy of his over- ern NSW. to be produced, therefore when forests are heads. This made the write-up of the Muelleria 30(1) has articles about new burnt twice, as in the bushfires of 2003 March Day Group meeting very easy. species of sun-orchid and 2006, there is no seed source to re- (Thelymitra); also about Cal- generate the forest naturally. This is a big Joan Broadberry listemon, Spyridium and issue and DSE has projects in place to Lachnagrostis. build up a large seed stock for future reha- An article in the Australian Journal of bilitation after extensive forest fires. Botany 60(1) reports studies Madagascar Magic of population structure in Me- To measure seedfall after a fire, seed traps with Michèle Adler & Rod or soil sampling are used. Time is critical McMillan laleuca ericifolia. if seedfall is not adequate, as sowing in the forests should be by winter to allow Join us on a safe adventure to The latest periodicals are displayed in a for spring germination. Helicopters are a exotic Madagascar (magical rack in the library. You can borrow versatile and effective means for sowing land of the lemurs) + optional periodicals in the rack, as well as previ- eucalypt seed, usually at about 150,000 visit to ous issues. Don’t forget to fill in the seeds per hectare. Reunion (with its active volcano) ‘Periodicals’ borrowing book. + Mauritius (delicious). Sustainable Forest Management Lemurs, chameleons, frogs plus Gary Presland For environmental sustainability, native thousands of weird and wonderful Honorary Librarian forestry in Victoria must conform to, birds, insects and plants mixed in among others, the following Act, codes, with an interesting culture. guidelines and standards:  Sustainable Forests (Timber) Act Travel beyond the 2004 ordinary  Code of Practice for Timber Pro- 4-27 Sept 2012 duction “Last chance to see” so, book  Code of Practice for Fire Manage- now. Small group (16). Fully es- ment corted.  Flora & Fauna Guarantee Action Ring Michèle on 51 455 422 Statements www.adland.com.au  Management Procedures for tim- ber harvesting, roading and regen- eration  Forest Management Plans for each of the 14 FM Areas  Silvicultural Guidelines for for- estry operations  Silviculture Reference Manuals Field Nats News 219 Page 9 Still no sign of Pomaderris vacciniifolia of his keys to identifying the Damp Forest FNCV 2011 but, walking back down the track to the EVC was the presence of Calochlaena lower, wetter section nearer the road, dubia (Common Ground-fern or False BIODIVERSITY SYM- David’s imminent depression was lifted Bracken) (or, as David and Willis call it, POSIUM ‘FORESTS’ by seeing a large flush of P. vacciniifo- Rainbow Fern, in recognition of the varie- lia foliage. That very large old dead gated green and reddish-brown colouring). Excursion to Wirrawilla Rain- specimen (since consumed by fire) had This fern is closely related to Dicksonia forest Walk, with Pomaderris obviously cast its seed wide. Some were antarctica (Soft Tree-fern) because both hunting diversions on the way over 2 m tall. In this area, before the have hairs on the base of the fronds, instead fire, the wet track had been covered of scales (a later development in ferns). 20 November 2011 with sphagnum moss of which there Calochlaena dubia is much softer-textured was no longer any trace. Pomaderris than the nearby Pteridium esculentum We first travelled on the Melba Highway, vacciniifolia has small leaves 12-15 mm (Austral Bracken). where, just into the Kinglake National Park, long x 8 -10 mm wide. After Pomader- On the roadside, the continual disturbance the slope rises fairly quickly onto the ridge ris elachophylla which, confusingly, by slashing had produced a Herb-rich Foot- where Peppermint is the dominant eucalypt also occurs at the site, this species has hill Forest environment where we saw: and then onto the saddle where Mountain the smallest leaves of any Pomaderris. Olearia erubesecens (Moth Daisy-bush) – a Ash dominates. On the way varying densi- The leaves are thin, smooth and dark small spindly shrub, with distinctive dark ties of juvenile regrowth could be seen after green above and, on the underside, dis- green and toothed leaves and small loose the burning in 2009. Goodenia ovata (Hop tinguished by a dense mass of minute panicles of white flowerheads which have Goodenia) is one of the early pioneering stellate (star-shaped) hairs. This looked yellow centres; Thelymitra media (Tall Sun- plants after disturbance and here it was somewhat similar to a non-flowering orchid) – a tall robust stem with a large growing profusely and flowering in many of Spyridium parvifolium (Dusty Miller), thick lanceolate leaf at the base, the sun was the gaps where the light was good. but that species has leaves with strongly

The first stop was at the junction of the Healesville-Kinglake Road and the Melba Highway near Mt Slide. This is on the lower part of the Great Dividing Range at an altitude of 370 m. Here, in the wet areas, David Cameron was hoping to find a small population of the Flora and Fauna Guaran- teed listed rare and threatened Pomaderris vacciniifolia (Round-leaf Pomaderris). This was the site at which the oldest known indi- vidual of the species had been recorded. In his presentation on Saturday, he showed an image of himself measuring the long trunk of a dead, recently fallen mature specimen. It was the largest seen in recent times, but now the area was so grown over and changed after the 2009 fires that it was not possible to relocate this plant.

We walked some way up a horse trail to the drier obliqua and Eucalyptus radiata dominated area. Both species were of a fairly uniform size (indicating an earlier David Cameron pointing out the lumpy woody nodules on Atherosperma moschatum mass disturbance). They were the only (Southern Sassafras) Photo: P. Grey eucalypts and their fire-blackened trunks stood out. The vegetation at this site repre- impressed veining above. The hand lens not hot enough to open the blue flowers, but sents the Ecological Vegetation Class, revealed the close hairs on the underside blowing on one opened it to reveal a cream- (EVC) Shrubby Foothill Forest. Steve and bract-like stipules at the base of the ish column; Pomaderris elachophylla (Lacy Mueck commented that in his studies on leaves. Pomaderris aspera (Hazel Po- or Small-leaf Pomaderris) – a large shrub Tree Ferns, it was possible to find out the maderris) was also in evidence. It has which also has small leaves (to 6 mm), like growth rate after fires by measuring the larger, dull green and wrinkled leaves P. vacciniifolia but with scattered brown length of the brown area on the stems above and short rusty-coloured hairs on the non-stellate hairs; numerous Stylidium the black part. Measuring Tree Ferns from underside. Pomaderris vacciniifolia was graminifolium (Grass Trigger-plant) were in different areas, from 2009-2011 he found found in the gully on a drainage line, flower with spikes of numerous pink flow- that they had grown 10 cm (5 cm per year). near a stand of Acacia dealbata (Silver ers; Poa morrisii (Soft Tussock-grass) – This rate probably only occurred at this Wattle) and, growing at ground level, soft greyish green tussocks; and Pimelea stage because of the more open but still wet Adiantum aethiopicum (Common Maid- linifolia (Slender Rice-flower) with dark area, and the growth rate will vary in future enhair), a delicate lacy fern with distinc- green leaves, but whose flowering had fin- years. Throughout the walk Viola tive fan-shaped pinnules. The change in ished. hederacea (Ivy-leaf Violet) were in flower, structure of the forest after the 2009 fire the dense purple in the white flowers was was noted. We next stopped at the Yea River crossing very bright, and stood out. Interestingly, David mentioned that one (Continued on page 10) Page 10 Field Nats News No. 219 (Continued from page 9) one has yet lived long enough to verify on the Melba Highway where, prior to the the time required for a return to the fire, there had been the largest known original condition, even good early re- population of P. vacciniifolia. However, cords are not old enough. this area had also been massively disturbed during the installation of the North-South The Wirrawilla Rainforest Walk is near pipeline and David wanted to see if the Po- the headwaters of the Yea River, north maderris had survived both impacts. At this of the Great Divide, which flows north site, as at the previous stop, P. elachophylla to join the Goulburn River and then the also occurs with P. vacciniifolia and further Murray-Darling River system. David downstream toward Glenburn Pomaderris pointed out the plants that can be used racemosa (Cluster or Slender Pomaderris) to define the boundary between euca- has been recorded. This species also has lypt forest and rainforest. Rainforests small leaves (15-20 mm x 8-12 mm) dark have a closed canopy which excludes green above with sunken veins, but pale plants characteristic of eucalypt forests greenish underneath and stellate hairs which that require light, so at the rainforest are not as dense as in P. vacciniifolia and a margins and where there are large gaps margin that turns down. Collections of Po- in the rainforest canopy, light-loving maderris in the MEL Herbarium from this plants grow. At the margin we saw downstream location had to be re- Histiopteris incisa (Bat’s Wing Fern) determined since they had earlier been mis- with soft pale green pinnules, triangular identified as P. vacciniifolia. One of the in outline, and opposite and sessile. main differences is in the flowers – P. vac- Pteridium esculentum is also a strongly Pomaderris vacciniifolia (Round-leaf Pomader- ciniifolia has spade-shaped petals whereas light-demanding species of the eucalypt ris), note the stellate hairs around the buds. P. elachophylla and P. racemosa lack petals forest. Covering the ground in sunny Photo: P. Grey altogether. Unfortunately, all the distur- gaps in shady wet forests is Stellaria substrate for innumerable epiphytic ferns, bance caused by the works in this area and, flaccida (Forest Starwort). It has bright mosses, liverworts, lichens and other fungi subsequently, the 2009 fire, had decimated green ovate leaves and small star-like including: Grammitis billardieri (Common the Pomaderris vacciniifolia population. flowers with five deeply divided white Finger-fern) with small simple dark green Walking down to the river, we were reas- petals on slender stalks. Mixed in with it fronds which have rounded tips; Crepido- sured to find a healthy population of young is Australina pusilla subsp. muelleri manes venosum (Veined Bristle-fern) is light shrubs, all of which had germinated from (Shade Nettle), the upper surface of its green with delicate pendulous fronds looking soil-stored seed since the fire, one even had leaf has hairs which, unlike those of its like Sea Lettuce and covering the trunk like a buds and, with a hand lens, it was possible close relative the Stinging Nettles, has curtain; among the Filmy Ferns, Hymeno- to see the cover of stellate hairs. no sting. Intruding amongst the natives phyllum australe (Austral Filmy-fern) with were several weeds, including Fox wings of green tissue extending along the After lunch we headed toward the Wir- Gloves, which had spread to the edge of stipe and rachis of the fronds and grows from rawilla Rainforest Walk in the Toolangi the rainforest and are in ever increasing a thin creeping rhizome with numerous root- State Forest. On the way Peter Fagg, who numbers, and Blackberries including lets; Microsorum pustulatum (Kangaroo had worked with DSE on its silviculture Rubus laciniatus (Cut-leaf Bramble) Fern) often has fronds with a pair of lateral program, pointed out two areas that had which has large deeply divided leaves lobes resembling the foot of a Kangaroo, and been clear-felled. One area had used a wood and elegant pink flowers. Tmesipteris obliqua (Long Fork-fern) – a and matting base for machinery ten years primitive plant which lacks true roots but is a ago and had re-grown as much as an adja- Dicksonia antarctica is considered a close fern relative – with a pendulous flat- cent area clear-felled at ground level but, keystone species in temperate rainfor- tened stem and broad leaves arranged spirally although the eucalypts had regenerated suc- est, as it provides a substrate for the around it. The mosses included Dicranoloma cessfully, the understorey suffered. Tree establishment of almost every class of menziesii with long setae carrying brown/ Ferns were only in evidence at the edge. plants diagnostic of rainforest. All the yellow capsules and Cyathophorum bulbo- Olearia argophylla (Musk Daisy-bush) was following plants were growing on the sum, a species that could be mistaken for a only very small in contrast to the area oppo- stem of just one Dicksonia: – Pitto- fern but has a distinctive third row of circular site which had been burnt but not logged. sporum bicolor (Banyalla) had germi- leaves and orange-brown capsules on very This unlogged area showed that the O. ar- nated on the stem which is typical for short setae often overlooked since they are gophylla were much larger than the seed- the species, Senecio minimus (Shrubby hidden on the underside of the plant. lings which established themselves in the Fireweed) had leaves tasting like fruit logged areas, and had recovered quickly by salad, Microsorum pustulatum Some Dicksonia have a defensive system to resprouting from lignotubers over a pre- (Kangaroo Fern) had fronds shaped like prevent epiphytes growing on the stem. Dead established root system. Tree Ferns had the foot of a Kangaroo, and Tetrarrhena fronds sometimes remain attached to the recovered quickly throughout the area and juncea (Forest Wire-grass) twined over stem, hanging down to create a skirt-like provided shade and blanketed the forest all these plants. mass which discourages the establishment of floor while the fallen logs remained as habi- Steve pointed out that Tree Ferns are epiphytes. tat and a nutrient source for numerous vital ‘walkers’ albeit very, very slowly and In a reversal, one Dicksonia was seen grow- smaller organisms. The wind was filtered we saw one that started on the right side and thus prevented the trees from blowing ing high up on the trunk of a Nothofagus of the track, crept under the walkway cunninghamii (Myrtle Beech) and another over. Logging may be argued to be neces- and emerged on the left to grow further sary, but the forest can never be the same case was that of a Nothofagus growing on the onwards in the rainforest. stem of a Dicksonia. Here the Nothofagus again, especially in the short term, and no- Dicksonia antarctica stems provide a (Continued on page 11) Field Nats News 219 Page 11

(Continued from page 10) ble. Try to include: From the office….

trunk had a braided structure at the base  Name of talk, Donations for Hall formed from numerous anastomosing cables Thank you to the people who have  Name of speaker with association forming a ‘basket of roots’. This tree is responded to my unusual request for (eg Monash University etc.) probably over 200 years old. items for the Something about the talk that will  hall. These stimulate interest. The other tree commonly seen is Atheros- items will be perma moschatum (Southern Sassafras), a used in the  Contact person. nutmeg-scented tree, leaves shiny green running of above, whitish below, opposite and hanging the kitchen Be sure to check your contact people on below branchlets. Often there are lumpy and the hall the back of the current calendar and let woody nodules on the straight grey-green generally. If me know if there are any changes. trunk, which are caused by woody tissue you could put If you have difficulty meeting this deadline malforming in the cambial layer. These one item please contact me. The most frustrating nodules can be twisted off the trunk, the from the list in your shopping trolley and bring it to the hall when you are in thing is to have no news. bark removed and the musky-smelling mar- ble can be sucked to alleviate thirst (and, as next it would be greatly appreciated. This month’s donations are: STOP PRESS the early settlers discovered, a heart stimu- The FiNCV is now on Facebook!! lus!, acting like the Fox Glove Digitalis). Coffee (instant Nescafe or Moccona)

Biscuits (packet) Just press ‘Like’ and you will receive Most ecological studies of rainforest vegeta- Long Life Milk weekly updated calendars and Club news tion have traditionally concentrated on vas- Pine-o-clean wipes (for bin) quickly and easily. While you are there, cular plants, but with the inclusion of bryo- Peppermint Tea—we have run out the Marine Research Group is also now phytes and fungi (including lichens) the Green Tea Or on Facebook. documented species richness of temperate Gift vouchers from Office Works, rainforest is increased three- to five-fold. Coles or Safeway. SIG Co-ordinators One very interesting question came up as to Also, as a result of the Future Directions whether it is possible to regard the promi- Volunteer Register meeting, it was decided that a good re- nent and familiar elements in a community, As the Club moves forward, the role of source would be to have a such as mammals and dominant trees and the volunteer is more vital than ever “Recommended Reading List” for new shrubs, as surrogates for the protection of before. To facilitate our volunteer members. I will stock these books in the the ‘orphan’ floras and faunas i.e. species resources and spread the load, we are bookshop so any new members can pur- chase them straight away. Could each not yet officially described or those not yet once again asking members to take the time to fill in the Volunteer Regis- SIG supply me with a list of 5-6of the most discovered. The answer is not known. important books in your area to purchase ter form and return it to the office. The form can be collected from the office for the book shop. Numerous ferns covered the ground includ- ing: Blechnum wattsii (Hard Water-fern), or down loaded from the website. Cheers, Hali Ferguson Please help us with this vital piece of robust and noted for the new bronze-pink club business. fronds, and the erect and fan-shaped Help the Club fundraise for Sticherus urceolatus (Silky Fan-fern), Future Directions of the Club 2012 which is usually found on creek banks Thank you for the 10 submissions that the President’s Roof Appeal with where the ground is very wet. The Giant were received. These submissions Good Will Wine Dawsonia, Dawsonia superba was there – were read and the Council met on Goodwill wine is a fundraising website, which the Tallest moss in the world (except for a Sunday 4th March to discuss the sug- offers Charities and Not for Profit Organisa- taller species in Papua-New Guinea). It has gestions. The council are preparing a tions the opportunity to raise money through dark green leaves, thinly triangular and plan for the Club which will be pre- wine sales. Simply go to the website straight radiating around the stem to look a sented (in written form) to the mem- www.goodwillwine.com.au or call them on bers at the AGM. bit like a pine seedling. 59629155 and order half a dozen or a dozen

bottles of wine. Most of the wine is sourced Vic Nat Back Issues Then we had fun with the Liverwort Plagio- within Victoria, Yarra Valley, Mornington Some of you will have seen the table chila fasciculata. A piece was passed Peninsula etc, with the rest coming from else- with back issues of the Vic Nat on the around and we had to identify the smell where in Australia. For every dozen bottles table in the hall. I replenish this table after crushing it. Only one person recog- sold the club will receive with new issues as they run out. nised it as ‘mothball’ (camphor). Its com- $20.00 ($10.00 per ½ dozen). mon name is Forest Camphor. One other, Please take the time to have a look and fill any gaps you may have in your Plagiochila strombifolia, has the smell of The wine comes with a 100% collection and leave a donation in the money back guarantee if you parsnip when crushed (Forest Parsnip). tin on the table. are not happy with the vin- Other Plagiochila species do not have such tage and will be delivered to distinctive smells. ATTENTION SIG CO-ORDINATORS your door. These bottles of Calendar of Events due wine, with our FNCV label, After this wonderful excursion, it was a race This is your first reminder that the cal- would make a great gift and a back to the bus to drive home. Thanks to endar deadline for the June to Sep- wonderful way to advertise the David Cameron, Steve Mueck, Peter Fagg tember Calendar is April 13th. Please club. So drink up, enjoy a and the bus driver try and get as much information about good wine and raise money for Pat Grey each talk and/or excursion as possi- the Club.

Page 12 Field Nats News No. 219 Donations requested for the Second Mural in the Hall

If you are in the building, please take the time to look at our wonderful new mural on the wall next to the kitchen. See FNN 217 for story.

We are raising money for a second mural to be painted by the same artist, Lori Duncan, on the back (south) wall of the hall. A coloured drawing of the design of the proposed mural is available to view in the office. If you care to donate, mail your details to FNCV, Locked Bag 3, BLACKBURN 3130; ring 9877 9860 or email: [email protected] All donations will be acknowledged in FNN.

Name: ______

Address:______TOTAL ENCLOSED $

*Please make cheques payable to Field Naturalists Club of Victoria Inc or provide credit card details: VISA Mastercard     CARDHOLDER’S NAME: ______EXPIRY DATE:/ SIGNATURE ______

Extracts from SIG written reports presented to the last FNCV Council Meeting

Bat Study group The highlight of this year for Bat people is the Australasian Bat Society’s Conference. This will be held at Melbourne University next month, starting on the 10th April and culminating in a field trip to Kinglake on 14th and 15th. The ABS covers a broad range as far as Bat lovers are concerned with contributions from amateurs, wildlife carers and some of the top bat researchers in Australia. If you can spare the time I recommend it.

Botany Group Graeme Lorimer presented on Rushes and Sedges. He introduced us to all the Genera found in Victoria and the number of species for each genus. Graeme also explained the main identifying features for each genus. Our field trip was on Saturday at the Bon View Wetland, at Ruffey Lake Park. Graeme identified many rushes and sedges, and pointed out their reproductive structures and identifying features. Both the presentation and the field trip were extremely interesting, educational and well attended.

Fauna Survey Group Meeting, 6-3-2012The speaker for the meeting was Dr Mike Weston from Deakin University on the subject Determining the Fate of Shore Birds Nests. Mike discussed his re- search into the constant battle of nesting shore birds such as Red -capped Plover, Hooded Plover and Masked Lap- wing with predators including foxes, ravens and human interference.

Stagwatch Survey, 24 March 2012 This survey was attended by 10 members and at a site previously surveyed 4 years ago. Again Leadbeater's Possum was re- corded, as were , Greater Glider, Yellow-bellied Glider and Mountain Brushtail. Unusually, a Bush Rat was spot-lit on the track and approached closely; it was in a poor state of health and moved slowly into the bush.

Fungi Group The Fungi Group held its first 'monthly meeting' for 2012 on 5 March, when Paul George gave an interesting presentation about how to photograph fungi. Twenty-one members and three visitors attended.

Your milk bottle caps can make $ for the club. Box is in kitchen. Field Nats News 219 Page 13 Marine Research Group News Report on the MRG meeting Monday of management interventions. River).

6th February, 2012: ‘Using Fish as The Index of estuarine condition Estuaries were studied in their lower, Indicators of the ecological condition themes are: middle and upper reaches, were se- of Victoria’s Estuaries’ by Fiona lected to represent a gradient of per- 1. Physical (bathymetry, sediment load, ceived threats, and were sampled in Warry and P. Reich of the Arthur Rylah upstream barriers, no. & type of artifi- autumn and spring using a rapid assess- Institute for Environmental Research cial structures on foreshore); (with acknowledgements to Melbourne ment approach. 2. Hydrology (marine exchange, fresh- Water, collaborators and the field team). Fish data gathered includes: water flow, salinity); 1. assemblage structure (species (NB. This summary has been prepared 3. Water quality (water clarity – turbid- composition and diversity, rare or threat- solely on the basis of the PowerPoint ity, dissolved oxygen content); ened species, introduced species); presentation provided by the speaker). 4. Sediment (sediment particle size,

Estuaries are the interface between bank erosion, sediment respiration 2. estuary use (residents, dependants or rate); opportunists), and fresh- and marine water. They are highly dynamic environments and often 5. Flora (aquatic macrophytes, aquatic 3. diets (fish or invertebrate eaters; the very productive systems with high fau- macroalgae, fringing macrophytes, mi- potential of stable isotopes in providing nal diversity. crophytobenthos, phytoplankton), and dietary insights is also being examined).

Estuaries face a number of threats such 6. Fauna (fish, birds). Results are still preliminary but seem to

as modified catchment land use reflect catchment land uses and environ- (agriculture, grazing); water flow modi- The group at the Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research is dealing mental variables in the ways predicted. fication and water abstraction; urbanisa- tion of coastal catchments; and modifi- with the trial and development of the The program is under ongoing trial and cation of estuary mouth geomorphology fish component of the fauna theme of development. A further ten estuaries in which impacts on how and when estuar- the IEC. Fish are good indicators of the western Victoria were sampled in 2011 ies open and close. and ten estuaries in eastern Victoria are health of an estuarine environment. The presence of threats to estuaries led currently being evaluated in 2012. A trial and appraisal of sampling and to them being incorporated into the Vic- Ultimately the aim is to gather consistent assessment was undertaken in eleven torian Strategy for Healthy Rivers, Estu- data from around eighty estuaries across aries and Wetlands in 2009, with a need estuaries in the re- the state on a rolling three to five year for consistent condition assessment of gion in 2010, these being in Port Phillip estuaries. Bay (Little River, Werribee River, time interval.

Yarra and Maribyrnong Rivers, Bal- Currently there is a trial of a multi combe Creek) and Westernport Bay We thank Fiona very much for her work themed Victorian Index of Estuarine (Merricks Creek, Warringine, Watsons and presentation. Condition (IEC) involving consistent Creek, Cardinia Creek, Bunyip River P. Vafiadis state-wide assessment, prioritisation of and Bass resource allocation and evaluation

soil and bowel flora, resulting in an anerobic infection pro- Microscopical Group ducing toxins that kill cells resulting in the need for corneal transplants. River Blindness is caused by a parasitic worm, Black Fly larvae, Onchocera Volvulus, which enter and mi- Eye Diseases and Diagnosis grate through the body, releasing bacteria. These larvae can live in the body for 14 years, symptoms can appear 1-3 years The Microscope Group’s March meeting was presented by after infection. 99% of the 18 million people infected live in Dannilla Grando, diagnostic microbiologist and project leader Africa, 270,000 are blind! There is now a safe effective for Bio-technology at RMIT. She spoke on ‘Eye Diseases and yearly dose drug available. Trachoma is an infectious eye Diagnosis’ and of the importance the microscope plays in disease caused by Chlamydia Trachomatis and is a major quick and accurate diagnosis. cause of blindness in Aboriginal communities and developing Dannilla spoke on several eye diseases, accompanied by illus- countries. It is passed on via contact with mucus secretions trative photos and instructional videos. Acanthamoeba is a through sharing towels or wash cloths and is treated with anti- commonly found amoeba that can cause several rare but severe biotics.

illnesses. These amoeba are everywhere, dust, soil, rivers and Dannilla was an enthusiastic, entertaining speaker, well able hot springs and can enter the body through a wound or via the to present her work in a clear and easily understood manner, nostrils. Pastuella causes ‘pink eye’ in cattle and sheep and is prompting a great question and answer session, so much so, also known as ‘cat bite/scratch fever’ resulting in abscesses, that we are now all experts!! ulcers and conjunctivitis. Gas gangrene is a bacteria found in Phillipa Sterpin Page 14 Field Nats News No. 219

NOMINATION FORM FOR FNCV COUNCIL 2012 The FNCV AGM will be held on Sunday 6th May,

2 pm FNCV Hall, 1 Gardenia Street, Blackburn 3130

Name of Member Nominated

………………………………………………………………………..

Position Nominated * …………………………………………………….………………….

Signature of Member Nominated

……………………………………………………………………….. TWO MEMBERS SUPPORTING NOMINATION

Name …………………………………….. Signature ……………………...…Date………

Name ……………………………………. Signature ………………………...Date……...

*Elected members of the FNCV Council are President, two Vice-Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer and six Councillors. Council- lors must be FNCV members. (Council also consists of Immediate Past President, and a representative, nominated in writing by each Special Interest Group.)

Please return this form to the FNCV office Locked Bag 3, Blackburn 3130- Phone/Fax 9877 9860 E-mail: [email protected]

Nominations must reach the registered office of the Club no later than 48 hours before the AGM, i.e. Friday 4th May by 2 pm..

Field Nats News 219 The Field Naturalists Club of Victoria Inc. PRINT POSTAGE Locked Bag 3 PO POST PAID BLACKBURN VIC 3130 PP333964-0003 Reg.No. A0033611X AUSTRALIA

If undeliverable, please return to FNCV, Locked Bag 3, PO Blackburn 3130