Summer 2012-2013 Issue No 94

The Clematis

Quarterly Newsletter of theBairnsdale & District Field Naturalists Club Inc A0006074C 1 BAIRNSDALE & DIST FIELD NATURALISTS CLUB INC. A0006074C List of Office Bearers for 2013

President: Pat McPherson ph. (03) 5152 2614 [email protected] Vice President: John Saxton ph. (03) 51568737 [email protected] Secretary: Pat McPherson Assistant Secretary: Fran Bright ph. (03) 51522008 [email protected] Treasurer: Margaret Regan ph. (03) 5156 2541 Correspondence to: The Secretary, P.O. Box 563, BAIRNSDALE 3875 Web Site: www.bairnsdalefieldnaturalists.com.au General meetings take place at: Noweyung Centre, 84 Goold Street Bairnsdale as per program at 7.30pm sharp Committee meetings take place: at members homes, at 4.00pm (see program) Group Co-ordinators: Botanic Group: James Turner Ph. (03) 5155 1258 Fauna Survey Group: Jenny Edwards Ph. (03) 5157 5556 Bushwalking Group: Noel Williamson Ph. (03) 5152 1737 Newsletter Editor: Pauline Stewart Ph. (03) 5152 1606 57 Lorimer Dve. Eastwood 3875 email: [email protected]

All articles for Autumn Clematis must be in by March 1st

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE 1. To further the study of natural history in all its branches, promoted by periodical meetings, field excursions and other activities. 2. To observe and strengthen the laws for the preservation & protection of indigenous flora and fauna and habitat and important geological features. 3. To promote the formation and preservation of National and State Parks and Reserves.

2 RULES TO OBSERVE ON FIELD TRIPS: 1. Excursions are cancelled on days of TOTAL FIRE BAN. 2. Participants to keep a visual on the car in front and behind. 3. When making a turn, give signal, and stay at intersection until following car has also turned. 4. If separated from other cars, stop, and stay with your car. Other members will return to find you. 5. The Car Pooling Cost Calculator is used to assist drivers and car pool passengers to share fuel costs.

SUBSCRIPTION FEES

Single membership $30 Family membership $45 Mid-year fee (new members only) $15

Responsibility for the accuracy of information and opinions expressed in this newsletter rests with the author of the article.

LIBRARY INFORMATION - Librarian - Dot Prout Phone: 5153 1303 • Books are generally borrowed for one month - however you can write on the sign-out sheet if you wish to have it longer. • Should any library materials need maintenance, please make me aware of same. • If you wish to recommend a book, this can be done by writing a short recommendation for the Clematis. This information could be from our library books or from other books that you believe our library could look at purchasing.

CONTENTS:

Program January to June 2013 5- 6 Annual Report 2012 7-11 Library News 12 Lake Tyres & Colquhoun 12-15 Freestone Creek area 15-18 Blond Bay 18-19 Wonnangatta 20-26 Australian Pelican 26-27

3 CONTACT PHONE NUMBERS and email address’s for meetings and field trips. Andrew Bould 51 566494 [email protected] Fran Bright 5152 2008 [email protected] Pat McPherson 5152 2614 [email protected] Margaret Regan 5156 2541 John Saxton 5156 8737 [email protected] Pauline Stewart 5152 1606 [email protected] James Turner 5155 1258 m.0427 290838 [email protected] Noel Williamson 5152 1737 [email protected]

DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY FOR BUSH WALKS Easy Flat, good firm track. Moderately easy Mostly flat, track in good to fair condition Moderate May be undulating, track in good to fair condition Mod. difficult May be some steep sections, track may be rough in places Difficult May have long steep sections, track may be non existent at times Walks vary in distance from 6 to 14 km. Contact the leader of the walk for a rating if it’s not included in the program.

Please take note of safety procedures in your Bairnsdale & District Field Naturalists Club Inc. ‘RISK MANAGEMENT POLICY’ booklet.

The Clematis is printed and supported by Dept. of Sustainability and Environment, Bairnsdale.

Our thanks go to the staff at DSE who have helped with the printing and posting of the Clematis throughout 2012. We wish them all a happy New Year.

Front Cover: Pelicans nesting and courting (see article on page 26)

Photo by Andrew Bould 4 PROGRAM - JANUARY TO JUNE 2013

It is your responsibility to contact the co-ordinator of each field trip to notify them of your intention to participate. The co-ordinator can then notify you if the trip has to be cancelled due to adverse weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances.

JANUARY No activities

FEBRUARY Thurs. 7th Committee meeting, 4.00pm at Pauline Stewart’s home. Frid. 15th General meeting, 7.30pm at the Noweyung Centre. Speaker: Roger Bilney ‘Feral Animals in the High Country’. Sun. 17th Monthly excursion, meet at 9.00am at the Bridge Club, 9.30am at Bruthen for a trip to Bentley Plains. Contact: James Turner Sun. 24th No Bush Walk this month.

MARCH Thurs. 7th Committee meeting, 4.00pm at Noel Williamson’s home. Frid. 15th General meeting, 7.30pm at the Noweyung Centre. Speaker: John Topp on ‘Anacondas and Anorexia’. Sun. 17th Monthly excursion, meet at 9.00am at the Bridge Club for a trip to see the Cabbage Tree palms and to the Frenches Narrows area Leader: John Saxton. Sun. 24th Bushwalk, meet at 9.00am at the Bridge Club for a walk on the Bruthen Trails. Contact: Noel Williamson or Pauline Stewart Rated: Easy

APRIL Thurs. 11th Committee meeting, 4.00pm at Pat McPherson’s home. Frid. 19th General meeting, 7.30pm at the Noweyung Centre. Speaker: John Ariens ‘Marine Invertebrates of East Gipps land’. Sun. 21st Monthly excursion, meet at 9.00am at the Bridge Club, 9.30am at Red Knob for a trip to the Buchan area. Contact: James Turner →

5 Sun. 28th Bushwalk, meet at 9.00am for a walk on the Mississippi Trail. Contact: Noel Williamson or Pauline Stewart Rated: Easy

MAY Thurs. 9th Planning meeting and Committee meeting at 4.00pm at Margaret Regan’s home. Frid. 17th General meeting, 7.30pm at the Noweyung Centre. Speaker: Eric Sjerp, ‘Gippsland Lakes’ Sun. 19th Monthly excursion, meet at 9.00am at the Bridge Club for a fungi trip. Contact: Andrew Bould. Sun. 26th Bushwalk, meet at 9.00am at the Bridge Club for a walk in the Mitchell River National Park. Contact: Noel Williamson or Pauline Stewart Rated: moderate

Committee meetings and general meetings will now be in recess for the winter months and will commence again in September. Monthly excursions and bushwalks will continue.

JUNE Sun. 23rd Monthly excursion, meet at 9.00am at the Bridge Club for the Lake Tyers area. Contact: James Turner Sun. 30th Bushwalk, meet at 9.00am at the Bridge Club for a walk in the Bullumwaal area. Contact: Noel Williamson or Pauline Stewart Rated: moderate

☺

6 BAIRNSDALE & DISTRICT FIELD NATURALISTS CLUB INC. Reg. No. A0006074C ANNUAL REPORT 2012 I am pleased to present the Annual Report of the Bairnsdale and District Field Naturalists Club for 2012.

MEMBERSHIP Current member ship of the Club is 71.

COMMITTEE The following committee was elected at the AGM in December 2011:  President: Pat McPherson,  Vice President: Andrew Bould,  Secretary: Fran Bright,  Treasurer: Margaret Regan MEETINGS

Six committee meetings, two planning meetings and seven general meetings were held in 2012 with an average attendance of 20 members and visitors at the latter who heard excellent guest speakers make the following presentations:  Rohan Bilney - Fur and feathers

 John Hutchison - Birds of South America

 Grant Kuseff - Cicadas

 Geoff Lay - Fungi

 Lucas Bluff - New Caledonian Crows

 David Wakefield and Ron Litjens - Focus on Fauna- Post fire surveys

 Faye Bedford - Sea Eagles in the local area.

CLUB ACTIVITIES Field excursions

Monthly field excursions were once again ably planned and led by James Turner (with some help from John Saxton) to Nunniong Plateau, Bengworden NCR/ Swallows Lagoon, Canni Creek, Fairy Dell, Colquhoun Forest, Sarsfield & Wiseleigh, Dead Horse Creek & Kenny Forest, Tostaree, Freestone Creek and Tulloch Ard Road.

7 James also conducted the annual survey of Metallic Sun Orchids at Blond Bay in October.

Geoff Lay from Melbourne conducted fungi excursions which were planned and led by Andrew Bould to Lake Tyers and Fairy Dell over the weekend of 19th & 20th May.

Bush walks

Bush walks were lead by Noel Williamson, Jen Wilkinson and Rhys Maddern- Wellington to “The Junction” Lower Dargo, Eagle Point/Paynesville area, Ray- mond Island, Fairy Dell, Stony Creek in Mt Alfred State Forest, Lanky Tom Creek and German Gully.

Camp outs

Successful campouts were held at Native Dog Flat, Crooked River where new country was explored and Omeo which included day trips to Cobungra, The Knocker and Buenba Creek.

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES INVOLVING THE CLUB

Macleod Morass Community Reference Group

I continue to represent the Club on this group which has overseen the implemen- tation of recommendations from the Macleod Morass Working Group The work is almost completed and the last meeting is scheduled for April 2013.

Submission

In February we made a submission to the Review of the Code of Practice for Tim- ber Production to register our objection to proposed changes to the wording of this Code which would give the Secretary of Department of Sustainability and Environment the authority to override individual Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act Action Statements for threatened species of wildlife and their habitat.

Bairnsdale District Fire Operations Plan

In August the Club responded to the current plan by focusing our concerns on the proposed burns in the sub alpine areas around Wulgulmerang and the fire sensi- tive areas that contain rare species in the upper levels of Mt Elizabeth.

8 Regarding the Orbost Fire District, we pointed out that the proposed burn so soon after the control burn in 2010/11 in the Croajingolong National Park would de- stroy any regrowth of seedlings thus posing a very real threat to the long term survival of the Banksia Croajingolongensis.

Nature Conservation Reserve at Wingan River

Early in the year James Turner expressed an interest in the establishment of this Conservation Reserve and followed this up with consultations with key depart- mental officers in far East Gippsland and a key contact person at the Arthur Rylah Institute. The outcome of these preliminary discussions was not encouraging so the Committee did not progress this initiative any further. James has commenced the process of having a rare orchid discovered in this area registered as an endan- gered species under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act.

Marlo Airfield

In September we were alerted by members of ANOS that drainage works proposed for the Marlo Airfield will affect three rare species of orchids i.e. Diuris punctata; Cryptostylis erecta, C. hunteriana. ANOS suggests that we dig up and store the orchids in polystyrene boxes and re-plant them when the works are completed and the Club will assist in this process in due course.

COLLABORATION WITH OTHER GROUPS

Eagle Point-Paynesville Landcare/Coastcare Group

In September we were pleased to write a letter of support for this group to accom- pany their submission for a Coastcare Community Grant to finish developing a bat house on the Eagle Point Reserve. We are pleased that their application for funding has been successful.

Nicholson River Landcare group

In April the Club was invited to join with this group on a private property in Ni- cholson to identify existing plant life and suggest indigenous species suitable for revegetating this badly degraded area. The owners had involved the local bird group in a similar exercise.

9 GENERAL MATTERS AFFECTING THE CLUB

Club Finances

For the second year running the Club has run at a deficit and a close examination of our expenditure revealed that current expenses are essential for the functioning of the Club. In addition, costly upgrades of the website and computer software were necessary. At the May meeting members voted to increase the membership fees from 1 January 2013 following the AGM process. The new fee schedule is: Singles $30, Families $45 and new members, mid-year $15.

B&DFNC website

During the year we found that the Google search engine could no longer access our website by using our web host’s domain name. Accordingly we have now set up our own domain name: bairnsdalefieldnaturalists.com.au

Computer equipment

Our 2003 Windows programme reached its use-by date and has been replaced by a Windows 2010 programme and a McAfee anti-virus package.

B&DFNC data base

Last year Scott Leech, the Senior Biodiversity Data Curator at DSE advised that the contract of the person who enters our excursion data would expire on 30 June. I met with Doris Alfaro on 29th May who informed me that thus far she has entered all data from Volumes 1 to 6 and Volumes 81 to 86 of Clematis (twelve in total) and that these data will eventually be entered into the Victorian Biodiversity Atlas by DSE.

The Committee will look at available options for continued data entry next year keeping in mind that Doris advised that it takes a full week to enter all data from one newsletter.

Raymond Island lease

The lease of the Caladenia Valida orchid site on Raymond Island has been re- newed and extended from two years to “indefinite”. Thanks to Andrew Bould

10 who negotiated this deal with David Rowbury and obtained his permission for the Club to authorize prescribed burns on the site.

Changes to Club rules

Date of AGM

During the year I again raised my long held concerns about the inordinate work- load involved in Club activities in December whereby 3 meetings are scheduled within a two week period just before Christmas. The solution was seen as a change of date of the AGM and at a meeting of members on 16th March there was general consensus for this initiative with a preference for the AGM to be held in October. Decision was made not to take any action until after the impending intro- duction of the revised Incorporated Associations Act under which the Club is incorporated.

Incorporated Associations Reform Act 2012

This Act and its Model Rules were released on 26th November and the Committee is currently examining the implication of these changes for our Constitution. The issue will be dealt with in full next year.

THANKS

I would like to close this Annual Report by recording my thanks to the management of Noweyung for the continued use of their building for our general meetings and to DSE for photocopying our Clematis newsletter.

I also thank all the members for their support and contributions to the activities of the Club during the year, in particular the Executive and Co-ordinators who, year after year, keep us in business and keep our field work and activities relevant.

I extend to you all, every good wish for a safe and happy Christmas and for peace, good health and prosperity in 2013.

Pat McPherson

President ☺

11 LIBRARY NEWS by Dot Prout We now have a small number of DVDs in our library collection. These are thin enough to fall out of the library shelves. There will now be a container to put single discs in for storage in our library unit. Other discs which are in the back of books will be OK unless the sleeve comes loose. If this should happen please put these in the box also.

For those who did not hear the talk at the October meeting you can collect the booklet and disc from the library. The same applies to the Platypus Conservancy information. Please sign these items as you would when borrowing a book. A list of all disks for loan will be available.

A few more journals have been donated in the last couple of years and we now have some to help fill a few spaces in our stored collection.

To those who have donated to our library, Thank You.

LAKE TYERS & COLQUHOUN - 19 August 2012 by Margaret Regan In the morning we explored the area of Lake Tyers State Park east of the Nowa Nowa Arm, travelling down Lake Tyers House Road and turning off and stopping along Camerons Arm No. 1 Track. The predominant trees overhead were Coast Grey Box (Eucalyptus bosistoana) which has grey fibrous bark on the lower part of the trunk that is smooth above, rather narrow pale green leaves and fruit with 5-7 cells; and Blue Box (E. bauerana), again with box bark, but with ovate leaves. Being the end of winter, the wattles were coming into bloom. Here was Sallow Wattle (Acacia longifolia), which has phyllodes to 20cm with 2-4 main veins and flowers in spikes to 4cm. We also saw Hazel Pomaderris (Pomaderris aspera) which has large soft leaves which are dark green above, but covered with rusty stellate hairs below, and large clusters of tiny flowers without petals; Bootlace Bush (Pimelea axiflora), a small shrub with opposite leaves and the white flowers in the axils of the leaves; and Com- mon Correa (Correa reflexa) with red and green tubular flowers. The orchid here was Veined Helmet-orchid (Corybas diemenicus). The burgundy flower sits on a single flat heart-shaped leaf. The large circular labellum is transparent with reddish veins leading to coarse teeth on the margin and a white centre. We saw a colony of Rock fern (Cheilanthes austrotenuifolia) which has broad, almost triangular tripinnate fronds.

12 We mostly see the Narrow rock-fern (C. sieberi) whose fronds are narrow- er and bipinnate. There were still some fungi about with Scarlet Bracket (Pycnoporus coccineus) being common, but also a tiny deep red gilled Mycena, the circular fluted leathery shelf Rosette Fungus (Podoscypha petalodes) and a small fawn cup fungus. Moist logs were covered with a suite of light green lichens. We heard an Eastern Whipbird, and the soil had been turned in places by Superb Lyrebird. From the picnic ground at the end of Camerons Arm No. 1 Track we walked down to the water’s edge. The underlying rock here is limestone. This limestone extends from Newmerella to the Lindenow area and is from the Middle Tertiary period which was 5-10 million years ago. The Buchan limestone is much older, being from the Middle Devonian which was 350 million years ago. We could see downstream some limestone cliffs that are filled with the shells and body parts of marine animals. On the walk to the water was the tall shrub Blue Howittia (Howittia trilocularis) with hairy leaves and blue flowers. It is found in Victoria in East Gippsland and around the Grampi- ans. The genus was named for Dr Godfrey Howitt, a Melbourne physician and the uncle of the more famous surveyor and local identity Alfred Howitt, who owned the land now developed as Eastwood near Bairnsdale. Other plants were Narrow-leaf Hop-bush (Dodonaea viscosa subsp. an- gustissima) with red capsules with 3-4 papery wings; yellow Hop Goode- nia (Goodenia ovata); Violet Westringia (Westringia glabra); Small Grass -tree (Xanthorrhoea minor); mauve Twining Glycine (Glycine clandestina) (the soybean is also in the genus Glycine); and finished Small Mosqui- to-orchid (Acianthus pusillus). Brown Thornbills were darting among the leaves trilling.

Further down Lake Tyers Road we turned onto Morass Break. Along the edges of the track were numbers of the orchid White Fingers (Caladenia catenata), all white but for the burgundy stripes across the labellum. They apparently prefer an open area. Other orchids were Cobra Greenhood (Pterostylis grandiflora) and Nodding Greenhood (P. nutans). Trees here were Gippsland Ironbark (Eucalyptus tricarpa), White Stringybark (E. globoidea), Mahogany Gum (E. bosistoana) and Black She-oak (Casuarina littoralis). [We rather hoped that with the She-oaks about, we might see Glossy Black Cockatoos which feed on them, but we were dis- appointed. We did however hear the screech of Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos.] A tall shrub was a different hop-bush, Large-leaf Hop-bush (Dodonaea triquetra) which grows to 3m and has fragile capsules with

13 three wings. Smaller shrubs were mid-pink and deep pink Common Heath (Epacris impressa), and Hairy Pink-bells (Tetratheca pilosa). Really small plants were mauve and white Ivy-leaved Violet (Viola hederacea), White Marianth (Rhytidosporum procumbens) and Tall Sundew (Drosera peltata subsp. auriculata). A bright pea creeper was Purple Coral-pea (Hardenbergia violacea). Two strappy plants were the Nodding Blue Lily (Stypandra glauca) and Spiny-headed Mat-rush (Lomandra longifolia), which is in the same family Xanthorrhoeaceae as the grass trees! A tiny fern was Screw fern (Lindsaea linearis). Screw fern has separate vegeta- tive and fertile fronds, and the pinnae on the fertile fronds are twisted in a manner thought to resemble the thread of a screw. This time we saw both yellow and fawn cup fungi, and the large bracket White Punk (Laetiporus portentosus) which is often seen high up on the trunk of a living eucalypt where it causes white heart-rot.

We continued on to behind the dunes at Pettmans Beach. Most of the dunes were covered with Coast Teatree (Leptospermum laevigatum) with at the edges Coast Wattle (Acacia longifolia var. sophorae) with thick broad rounded phyllodes and flowers in spikes; Golden Wattle (A. pycnan- tha) which has dark green leathery phyllodes and large bright yellow globular flower heads; Climbing Lignum (Muehlenbeckia adpressa), a climbing shrub with stems to 2m, unisexual flowers and fruits are a small black nut; and Common Beard-heath (Leucopogon virgatus) with pointed leaves and white furry flowers. The canopy of the Coast Teatree was dense, but beneath it was quite open. Here we found patches of greenhoods, Nod- ding, Trim (Pterostylis concinna), Blunt (P. curta), Dwarf (P. nana) and finished Coastal (P. alveata). There were thousands of mosquito-orchid leaves. There were green swathes of different species of moss, light green Thuidiopsis, bright green velvety Bryum and Ptychomnion to identify just three. In one area were clumps of a fine white lichen. There were papery dark brown puffballs like Lycoperdon scabrum, and two different earth stars, one tiny with the outer star darker. On a fallen tree trunk was an orange jelly fungus.

In the afternoon we moved onto the Colquhuon Forest to an area along Smarts Break which looked like a garden. Pink Beard-heath (Leucopogon ericoides) was in flower, and the Common Heath came in deep pink, pale pink and white, with some flowers being two-toned. We saw the small shrub with trifoliate hairy leaves and white flowers which was Woolly

14 Xanthosia (Xanthosia pilosa). The wattles were Myrtle (Acacia myrtifo- lia), Juniper (A. ulicifolia) and Spreading (A. genistifolia), the latter two of which are very spiny. Another yellow-flowered plant was Hoary Guinea- flower (Hibbertia crinita) which has silky hairy upper and lower surfaces of its leaves. “Crinit” is Latin for “bearded”. Small shrubs were Blue Dampiera (Dampiera stricta) and the lilac pea Common Hovea (Hovea heterophylla) with ovate leaves below and linear leaves above, and abun- dant flowers in clusters. As well as eucalypts there was Saw Banksia (Banksia serrata).

We continued on to over the west side of the Bruthen to Nowa Nowa Road and about one km down Stoney Break was the tree Silver Wattle (Acacia dealbata) which has feathery pinnate foliage and globular flower heads in racemes; and the shrub Hop Wattle (A. stricta) which has upright narrow phyllodes and globular flower heads, usually two in the axils of the phyllodes. A pea shrub just coming into bloom was Prickly Parrot-pea (Dillwynia juniperina) with sharp leaves, and yellow and red flowers in dense clusters. Here was again a feast of greenhoods with Nodding, Co- bra, Maroonhood (Pterostylis pedunculata) whose flowers have a dark reddish tip to the hood, Dwarf and Tall (P. melagramma) which grows to 80cm with up to 20 flowers on the stem. The lateral sepals of the Tall Greenhood are partly fused and extend downwards leaving the flower open, and the labellum has a dark central stripe.

Thanks once again to James. ☺

FREESTONE CREEK AREA - 23 September 2012 by Margaret Regan

Our first stop was at the Gippsland Plains Native Grassland Reserve along the railway line near Resides Lane. A small tree was Black She- oak (Casuarina littoralis). Orchids were Golden Moths (Diuris chrys- eopsis), Purple Diuris (D. punctata), and Purple Beard-orchid (Calochilus robertsonii) in bud. Orchids in the genus Diuris have erect slender grass- like leaves and the flower spike bears up to 10 showy coloured flowers. The lilies in flower were white Milkmaids (Burchardia umbellata), white Early Nancy (Wurmbea dioica), purple Twining Fringe Lily (Thysanotus patersonii) and Blue Stars (Chamaescilla corymbosa). Milkmaids and

15 Early Nancy look very similar, but Early Nancy has purple nectary bands near the base of each tepal (where the petals and sepals look alike). There were many plants of the Spiny-headed Mat-rush (Lomandra longifolia) and also tiny plants of the Tall Sundew (Drosera peltata subsp. auriculata). A daisy was yellow Button Everlasting (Helichrysum scorpioides) and there were some plants of the small white Common Rice-flower (Pimelea humilis). A fern was the Narrow rock-fern (Cheilanthes sieberi). On the way to our next site we saw a White-necked or Pacific Heron.

We had a long drive up the Dargo Road and then down the Freestone Creek Road to the Lee Creek campsite on the edge of the creek. There was some worry that morning tea might be missed!! Plants were flowering all the along the roads with yellow wattles, the creamy climber Clema- tis, purple Austral Indigo (Indigofera australis), Purple Coral-pea (Hardenbergia violacea) and yellow everlasting daisies along the edge. At the picnic area were Bootlace Bush (Pimelea axiflora) and Mountain Greenhood (Pterostylis alpina). Mountain Greenhood has a very upright, usually single, green and white striped flower with swept back lateral sepals.

After a very late morning tea, we bundled everyone into the 4WDs for a short but slightly hairy ride, first through the creek and then along what seemed like the Big Dipper to see some special orchids – what else?? Again we saw Mountain Greenhood, but also Nodding Greenhood (P. nutans), Maroonhood (P. pedunculata), Tall Greenhood (P. melagramma) and finished Tiny Greenhood (P. parviflora). Tiny Greenhood lacks a basal rosette of leaves, but rosettes are borne on small side-shoots. The flower stalk has up to 12 very small green and white-striped flowers. There was yellow and brown Leopard Orchid (Diuris pardina) and Com- mon Bird-orchid (Chiloglottis valida), Dusky Fingers (Caladenia fuscata) and Southern Spider-orchid (C. australis). An overhead tree was Blue Gum (Eucalyptus globulus). Across the small dry creek bed was a hillside of cream Dusty Miller (Spyridium parvifolium), a shrub to 2m whose flo- ral leaves are dusty-white surrounding small heads of white flowers. Oth- er shrubs in flower were a very floriferous white Common Beard-heath (Leucopogon virgatus) with spiky leaves; a mid-pink Common Heath (Epacris impressa); Cluster-flower Geebung (Persoonia confertiflora) with ovate leaves and yellow flowers; Varnish Wattle (Acacia verniciflua) which has phyllodes with two main veins, which are often shiny and

16 sticky as if varnished, and 1-3 globular flower-heads in the axils of the phyllodes; a cream Common Correa (Correa reflexa); and Grey Guinea- flower (Hibbertia obtusifolia). Climbers were blue Love Creeper (Comesperma volubile), an Apple-berry (Billardiera mutabilis) and Purple Coral-pea. Lilies were blue Tasman Flax-lily (Dianella tasmanica) in bud and Nodding Blue Lily (Stypandra glauca). Small herbs were Ivy-leaved Violet (Viola hederacea) and a buttercup (Ranunculus sp.) with a dissected leaf; and there was even some Maidenhair (Adiantum).

Along the edge of a fallen log were a line of small bracket fungi which were fawn and pored below and the surface above had brown and grey concentric rings with the edge being white. A White-winged Chough was discovered high in a tree sitting on its mud nest. When we visited again a month later, there was still a bird on the nest. An Olive-backed Oriole was calling. On a rock close to the dry stream was a large Skink with white stripes above and below the eye which may have been a Southern Water Skink.

Red Spider Orchid, an as yet unnamed Caladenia sp found at Freestone Creek Photo by Fran Bright

After a very late lunch we headed back home via Winkie Creek Road where more orchids were to be seen. There was again Leopard Orchid, Mountain Greenhood, Maroon-

17 hood, Nodding Greenhood, and a tiny Dusky Finger. New sightings were Trim Greenhood (Pterostylis concinna), Musky Caladenia (Caladenia gracilis) and Dainty Wasp-orchid (Chiloglottis trapeziform- is). The basal leaves of the Dainty Wasp-orchid have wavy margins, the flowering stalk can be to 8cm and the labellum is trapezoid in shape with a central group of calli. Other small plants were the pea yellow Creeping Bossiaea (Bossaeia prostrata) and White Marianth (Rhytidosporum procumbens). White Marianth is a small shrub (to 40cm) in the Pittospo- raceae, with leaves whose tips are three-lobed, and white starry flowers. Birds around were Yellow-tufted Honeyeater, Fan-tailed Cuckoo and Horsfield’s Bronze-cuckoo.

Thank you to John and Bill for leading us to all these treasures. ☺

BLOND BAY - 29 September 2012 by Margaret Regan

We set off for our annual counting of the rare Metallic Sun-orchid (Thelymitra epipactoides) on Grand Final Day in a screaming wind, but fortunately fine. The orchid was found in this locality by James in 1990. It grows mostly in coastal areas in Victoria, in heathland, grassland and shrubby woodland, and a few in- land localities with mallee vegetation. Much of the orchid’s original habitat has been destroyed for agriculture, and it is also threatened by weeds and rabbits. This magnificent orchid, which can grow to 50cm, has a long grey-green strappy leaf which may be large and leathery. The flower stalk can have up to 20 large flowers of many colours – bronze, pink, blue, green or reddish, with a metallic lustre. It did occur in SA and NSW, but it may be extinct there now. DSE built a secure fence around the greatest concentration of orchids here at Blond Bay Re- serve in 1997. A much larger enclosure was added in 2005. Unfortunately, this wasn’t as well constructed as the earlier enclosure. Unfortunately this fence has been breached in many places, presumably by wombats, with some wombat bur- rows within the enclosure. There was faecal evidence of rabbits and kangaroos and/or wallabies inside the fence. We started counting in the oldest small fenced enclosure. Here we counted 40 orchid plants in flower and 2 leaves. Being sun- orchids and the day cold, all the flowers seen on that day were closed. In some parts there was a dense overstorey of Black Wattle (Acacia mearnsii), juvenile eucalypts and banksias. The area was burnt before our October visit in 2010.

18 There were some shrubs of Grey Parrot-pea (Dillwynia cinerascens). This pea is a small shrub with grey round leaves, and small mainly yellow flowers in cylin- drical clusters at the ends of the branches. The groundcover was mostly Spiny- headed Mat-rush (Lomandra longifolia), with grasses and some Running Postman (Kennedia prostrata). Pelicans flew overhead. In the larger enclosure were 6 orchid plants in flower and 1 leaf. There was some growth of Burgan (Kunzea ericoides) and Sallow Wattle (Acacia longifolia). A chattering Grey Fantail was heard. We also searched the area east of the enclosures which is being en- croached by Burgan and found 11 orchid plants in bud. Across the road we searched again in Phiddian’s Swamp. There were 24 orchid plants with flowers and 14 large leaves. One Pink Fingers (Caladenia carnea) was also seen.

Records of the numbers of the orchid from previous years are 2011 – 35, 2009 – 23, 2008 – 20, 2007 – 136 and 2005 – 261.

Further along the track on the left beneath a stringybark with a fine leaf, was Sil- ver Banksia (Banksia marginata); Austral Grass-tree (Xanthorrhoea australis); white Common Heath (Epacris impressa); a pink beard-heath (Leucopogon sp.); and the orchids purple Waxlip (Glossodia major) and the leaves of Red-beaks (Pyrorchis nigricans).

Further along Phiddians Track we went to the site where we have seen Red-beaks before. There were many of the single, leathery, ovate ground-hugging leaves, including some very large ones (c. 12cm across) beneath the shelter of shrubs. We found a few plants with flowers, each of which had two blooms. These flowers were red and white striped, and partly enclosed by a sheathing bract. The labellum is white with crimson lines. There was also Pink Fingers; Small Gnat- orchid (Cyrtostylis reniformis), whose round basal grey-green leaf was silver un- derneath; and Large Gnat-orchid (C. robusta) which is larger and the leaf is green. Small shrubs were white Daphne Heath (Brachyloma daphnoides) and Silky Guinea-flower (Hibbertia sericea). We also saw the minute Austral adder’s- tongue (Ophioglossum lusitanicum). The specimens of this tiny primitive fern we saw only had one simple frond with an erect spike bearing sporangia containing the spores. It grows in damp soil and is fairly common, but not often noticed be- cause of its small size. These plants were yellow-green. Further along we saw Fairy Fingers (Caladenia alata) and again Waxlip. Fairy Fingers grows to 10cm with 1 or 2 flowers. The tepals are white or pink. The colourful labellum has purple stripes and an orange tip.

Thanks to John for leading the excursion. ☺

19 WONNANGATTA - 21-24 October 2012 by Margaret Regan Sunday 21 October On our way to the Wonnangatta Valley we dropped in at the Fernbank Recreation Reserve; always a feast of Purple Diuris (Diuris punctata) at this time of the year. There were also a few Blotched Diuris (D. sp.aff. dendrobioides). It is confined to the Gippsland plains near Bairnsdale in remnant herb-rich grassy woodland. Both orchids are purple with ovate erect stalked petals, broad dorsal sepal and labellum, and long thin lateral sepals held beneath. The Blotched Diuris is smaller, paler and blotched with white. We found one lovely albino Purple Diuris!! If one ignored the many invading introduced grasses such as Sweet Vernal-grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum) and other weeds such as Sheep Sorrel (Rumex acetosella), Red Bartsia (Parentucellia latifolia) and Suckling Clover (Trifolium dubium); there were quite a few native grassland/woodland herbaceous species in flower. We saw purple chocolate-scented Choco- late Lily (Arthropodium strictum), yellow Bulbine Lily (Bulbine bulbosa), Golden Weather-glass (Hypoxis hygrometrica), cream Common Rice- flower (Pimelea humilis), Pale Sundew (Drosera peltata), Bluebells (Wahlenbergia sp.), Wattle Lomandra (Lomandra filiformis), Showy Vio- let (Viola betonicifolia), a Spear-grass (Austrostipa sp.) and a Groundsel (Senecio sp.). Other orchids were Slender Onion-orchid (Microtis parviflora) which grows to 50cm with up to 80 tiny green sessile flowers with heart-shaped labelli with no apical callus; and yellow Tiger Orchid (Diuris sulphurea). Nearby trees were Forest Red Gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis). Birds were Crested Pigeon, Noisy Friar Bird, Red Wattlebird, Noisy Min- er, Welcome Swallow, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Magpie and Black- faced Cuckoo-shrike. There was a gorgeous beetle about 1cm long whose wing covers had a brown base with gold metallic shining spots.

We then climbed up the Dargo Road and stopped near Cobbannah Creek where the vegetation had been slashed beneath the power lines and the area had been burnt recently. Our eyes were drawn to the bright blue of Spotted Sun Orchid (Thelymitra ixioides). It was sunny and many of the flowers were open – often a problem with sun orchids on cloudy days! A pink Spotted Sun-orchid was seen. There was also Salmon Sun-orchid (Thelymitra rubra) in bud. Other orchids were Dusky Fingers (C. fuscata), Waxlip (Glossodia major) and Copper Beard-orchid (Calochilus cam- pestris) which has a huge labellum covered with long purplish, yellow-

20 tinged hairs and two purple callus plates at the base. A further blue plant was Blue Dampiera (Dampiera stricta). However a pink Blue Dampiera was also found!! The Common Heath (Epacris impressa) here was all white. Hop Bitter-pea (Daviesia latifolia) we were to see the whole trip in swathes of yellow. Other plants were Slender Violet-bush (Hybanthus monopetalus) which has a large spurred lower petal; Ploughshare Wattle (Acacia gunnii) with asymmetric pointed phyllodes and single globular flower heads; the slender climber Apple Berry (Billardiera scandens); the tall Prickly Erect Guinea-flower (Hibbertia calycina) with small thin pointed leaves; and the two yellow daisies Sticky Everlasting (Xerochrysum viscosum) and Clustered Everlasting (Chrysocephalum semipapposum). A fern was Screw fern (Lindsaya linearis) with masses of new erect crosiers which were presumably the new fertile fronds uno- pened. Birds here were Striated Pardalote, Olive-backed Oriole, Sacred Kingfisher, Grey Shrike-thrush, Pied Currawong, Red Wattlebird and Ru- fous Whistler. The nest of a probable White-browed Scrub-wren was discovered when a foot was placed too close and the resident bird, which was very chestnut-coloured, erupted from the nest. The nest was perfectly round with a side entrance and placed directly on the ground.

We stopped at Pretty Boy Hill Saddle Picnic Area for lunch. Here was a magnificent display of yellow Rough Bush-pea (Pultenaea scabra). There was also the climbers purple Twining Fringe Lily (Thysanotus patersonii), blue Love Creeper (Comesperma volubile) and the vigorous cream Moun- tain Clematis (Clematis aristata); Grey Guinea-flower (Hibbertia obtusifolia); the daisies Snow Daisy-bush (Olearia lirata) and yellow Austral Bears-ear (Cymbonotus preissianus); the peas yellow Creeping Bossiaea (Bossiaea prostrata) and Purple Coral-pea (Hardenbergia violacea); Var- nish Wattle (Acacia verniciflua); and Creamy Candles (Stackhousia monogyna). Now we found some greenhoods – Tall Greenhood (Pterostylis melagramma), finished Mountain Greenhood (P. alpina) and a greencomb spider-orchid which couldn’t be identified. The bird noticed was Satin Bowerbird.

We walked a little way up McDonald Gap Track on a wild goose chase, but didn’t find the wild goose, which was Black-tongue Caladenia (Caladenia congesta). We did see Nodding Greenhood (Pterostylis nutans), Tall Greenhood and Pink Fingers (Caladenia carnea). Other plants were Nodding Blue Lily (Stypandra glauca), often found in dry areas; Ivy-

21 leaved Violet (Viola hederacea); and the daisies Common Cassinia (Cassinia aculeata), Snowy Daisy-bush and Clustered Everlasting; and the pea Golden-tip (Goodia lotifolia).

We left the bitumen after crossing the Wonnangatta River at Waterford and proceeded along the gravel Crooked River Road. We stopped opposite the rock formation called Gibraltar Rock. Some of the overhead trees here were Yellow Box (Eucalyptus melliodora), Apple Box (E. bridgesiana) and Red Stringybark (E. macrorrhyncha). Other species were Rock Wax-flower (Philotheca trachyphylla) whose branchlets are covered with tubercles and the stamens of the white flowers have very hairy stalks; cream Slender Rice-flower (Pimelea linifolia); yellow and brown Box-leaf Bitter-pea (Daviesia buxifolia); Twiggy Lignum (Muehlenbeckia diclina); pink Small Crowea (Crowea exaltata); and pink bindweed (Convolvulus sp.).

While in the WonnangattaValley we stayed at Elm Cottage in the Black Snake Creek Walnut Grove. The cottage is owned by Ian and Barbara Perrin, who have a grove of 700 organic walnut trees on the banks of the Wonnangatta River. Elm Cottage has been flooded many times. The Per- rins must have finally got fed up with living under such conditions and built a new house on higher ground. There are flood markers on the window frame in the kitchen of the cottage and the highest (1990) is almost to the top of the window. The cottage is right by the river, but the river was quite low when we visited – the cottage must have been 5-6m above the water level. The cottage is shaded by large elm trees. As we drove through the property to the cottage, a mob of eastern grey kangaroos were disturbed whilst grazing beneath the walnut trees. Apparently the size of the mob can be up to 100. Some of the birds seen and heard around the property were Wood Duck, Superb Fairy-wren, White-browed Scrubwren, Crimson Rosella, Striated Pardalote, Noisy Friarbird (very loud and common), Red Wattlebird, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Yellow-rumped Thorn- bill, Welcome Swallow, Willie Wagtail, Grey Fantail and Laughing Kook- aburra.

Monday 22 October We headed up the valley along Crooked River Road which later becomes Wonnangatta Road when it enters the Wellington Shire. Just past Black Snake Creek we paused to look about. We heard Pied Currawong, Fan-

22 tailed Cuckoo, Noisy Friarbird and White-winged Chough. Two of the overhead trees were Red Stringybark and Apple Box. There was Varnish Wattle and two peas, Hop Bitter-pea (Daviesia latifolia) and Small-leaf Parrot-pea (Dillwynia phylicoides). Other shrubs were Slender Rice- flower with some heads of flowers white and some pink; Grey Guinea- flower (Hibbertia obtusifolia); Twin-flower Beard-heath (Leucopogon fletcheri) and Narrow-leaf Pomaderris (Pomaderris angustifolia) with small oblong leaves. Herbs were a Bedstraw (Galium sp.) and Austral Carrot (Daucus glochidiatus), a slender annual with carrot-like leaves and tiny white flowers in loose terminal groups. The Clematis here was a vari- ety of Small-leaved Clematis (Clematis microphylla var. leptophylla) which comes from rocky sites and has smaller leaflets and flowers. The orchids were Nodding Greenhood (Pterostylis nutans), finished Tall Greenhood, purple Waxlip (Glossodia major) and Tiger Orchid.

Across Kingswell Bridge over the Wonnangatta and past Billy Goat Bluff Track we saw a grey hairy Small-leaf Bush-pea (Pultenaea foliolosa), the greenhood Common Ruddyhood (Pterostylis squamata) and Narrow rock- fern (Cheilanthes sieberi). Common Ruddyhood grows to 30cm and can have up to 10 small reddish flowers. The exposed labellum has white hairs around the margin and at the base. We heard a Rufous Whistler. Along one rocky cliff several plants of Twiggy Lignum (Lignum diclina sp. 1). Growing also on the roadside granite cliffs were the herbs blue Rock Isotome (Isotoma axillaris) and purple Diggers’ Speedwell (Derwentia perfoliata). Rock Isotome has an acrid, burning and poison- ous sap throughout the plant. Diggers’ Speedwell grows particularly in gold-bearing rock areas, presumably hence the common name. It has grey -green opposite leaves, often joined at the base, and the inflorescence above can have up to 70 flowers. We stopped along the road beneath Red Box (Eucalyptus polyanthemos) with Hedge Wattle (Acacia paradoxa) which has nasty spines, wavy-edged phyllodes and single globular flower heads; white Daphne Heath; purple Small Vanilla-lily (Arthropodium mi- nus) where the anther is shorter than the bearded part of the filament; and Tiger Orchid. Birds were Flame Robin, Horsfield’s Bronze-cuckoo and Spotted Pardalote. A little further on was the small shrub Bitter Cryptan- dra (Cryptandra amara) whose branchlets are often spine-tipped. It has narrow grey leaves and bell-shaped pinkish flowers. Cryptandra is from the two Greek words kryptos (hidden) and andros (a man), referring to the anthers that are hidden in the hood-shaped petals.

23 At Bullock Flat by the river was Rosemary Grevillea (Grevillea rosma- rinifolia). This prickly shrub to 2m has rosy-red flowers and is localized to gold-bearing country. After much searching following calling, we saw a Leaden Flycatcher. Further along the road to Moroka Junction were many small herbaceous plants. The orchids were greencomb spider orchids ??including Mantis Orchid (Caladenia tentaculata). Lilies were Twining Fringe-lily and many Small Vanilla-lily. Daisies were Leafy Daisy (Brachyscome rigidula) with very divided and glandular-hairy leaves; B. willisii; and Tall Daisy (B. diversifolia) which grows to 30cm with dissected basal leaves and entire stem leaves. Other plants were the gorgeously perfumed Sweet Hound’s-tongue (Cynoglossum suaveolens), the Bluebell (Wahlenbergia luteola) and yellow Curved Rice-flower (Pimelea curviflora). Birds here were again Noisy Friarbird, Pied Curra- wong, Yellow-faced Honeyeater and lemon Little Thornbill with a striated throat.

On Moroka Junction Road we could see huge pinnacles ahead including Snowy Bluff (1390m). The main tree was Red Box (Eucalyptus polyanthemos). A shrub was Daphne Heath. Lilies were Twining Fringe Lily, Small Vanilla-lily, Early Nancy (Wurmbea dioica) and a Flax-lily (Dianella sp.). The yellow daisies were Yam-daisy (Microseris sp. 3) and the very pretty Scaly Buttons (Leptorhynchos squamatus). The tubers of the Yam-daisy can be quite large and were much eaten by Victorian abo- rigines who knew it as murrnong. Orchids were Waxlip and an Onion- orchid (Microtis sp.). Other species were a pale pink GrassTriggerplant (Stylidium graminifolium), orange Showy Parrot-pea (Dillwynia sericea), purple Twining Glycine (Glycine clandestina) and Pink-bells (Tetratheca ciliata). There was the primitive fern Adder’s Tongue (Ophioglossum lusitanicum) and a Grey Shrike-thrush called. We took a short walk up a side track south of the river near Eaglevale, finding no new plants, but hearing many Rufous Whistlers, also Grey Fantail, Yellow-faced Hon- eyeater and Superb Fairy-wren.

Tuesday 23 October Today we made a detour on the way home to visit the site of the excursion the month before and drove along Freestone Creek Track to the Lee Creek picnic area. We were searching for Leafy Greenhood (Pterostylis cuculla- ta). This large colourful greenhood has a basal rosette of leaves. The single flower is borne on a short stem, is green and white striped with reddish

24 petals and lateral sepals which are held erect. The drive to Lee Creek was very scenic with masses of yellow Hop Bitter-pea in flower. Blues were provided by Diggers’ Speedwell, Nodding Blue Lily and Ivy-leaved Violet. At the picnic site was Waxlip and a greencomb spider-orchid. We were then forced to 4WD along the Lee Creek Track with six creek crossings until conditions on the far side of the seventh crossing forced us to turn back. Not far up the track was the area we had examined on the earlier excursion. To our surprise there was still a White- winged Chough on the mud nest high in a tree. Here was a small greencomb orchid and another spider-orchid which was reddish, but not a greencomb. The only other species of orchid was Waxlip. There was mauve Austral Indigo (Indigofera australis), Creamy Candles (Stackhousia monogyna), yellow Showy Podolepis (Podolepis jaceoides), Austral Bugle (Ajuga australis) and Maidenhair (Adiantum sp.). An Olive-backed Oriole called, just as it did last time.

On our first crossing of Lee Creek we treed a Lace Monitor. After two more crossings we found Leafy Greenhood and Mountain Greenhood (Pterostylis alpina). There was another Olive-backed Oriole and also an Eastern Whipbird. At the second and fourth crossings of the creek we disturbed Water Dragons sunning on rocks by the creek. Just after the sixth crossing was a damp area where we discovered Mountain Greenhood again, Pink Fingers and Mother shield-fern (Polystichum proliferum). The birds were Yellow-tufted Honeyeater and very active Welcome Swallows. On the return trip, between the fifth and fourth crossings were a tiny white unknown Caladenia and more Leafy Greenhood. Along the track we disturbed a tiny Button Quail.

Back on the Freestone Creek Road and travelling SW we saw purple Round-leaf Mint-bush (Prostanthera rotundifolia), blue Love Creeper (Comesperma volubile), yellow Bulbine Lily (Bulbine bulbosa), Heath Pink-bells (Tetratheca bauer- ifolia), and the yellow daisies Clustered Everlasting and Sticky Everlasting. A little further west was Midget Greenhood (Pterostylis mutica) whose tiny pale green open flowers have a labellum with a darker appendage at the base; a pure white Waxlip and a greencomb spider-orchid. There were also the yellow herbs Lanky Goodenia (Goodenia elongata) and the daisy Common Billy-buttons (Craspedia glauca). This time a Satin Bowerbird gave its raucous call.

Down Winkie Creek Road and after passing the creek there was Slender Violet- bush, Tiger Orchid, an open!! Spotted Sun-orchid and Purple Beard-orchid (Calochilus robertsonii). The labellum of the Purple Beard-orchid does not have the purple basal plates of the Copper Beard-orchid, and ends in a long tail. A little further on in a wetter area was the Midget Greenhood again and a pair of Sacred Kingfishers.

Thank you James and John for a wonderful weekend. ☺

25 AUSTRALIAN PELICAN Pelecanus conspicillatus by Jim Reside

(Pelecanus = Greek word for Pelican, conspicillatus = spectacled, referring to the patch of yellow-coloured-bare-skin surrounding the eye)

“Their Bill Can Hold More Than Their Belly-Can”, Oft quoted by my mum.

The Pelican is now a much loved (mostly) and easily identified denizen of our rivers and lakes, often interacting with humans using the waterways, scavenging for food. In the Gippsland Lakes they are usually seen at jetties and boat ramps, in one’s or two’s or small flocks waiting for the fishermen to clean their catch, to discard carcasses and undersized fish. Occasionally they congregate in much larger numbers, sometimes in 100’s, joining the cormorants and gulls, to round up schools of fish far out in the lakes, enjoying a sumptuous feast, and making the “water boil”. If not swimming, Pelicans can be observed wheeling in formation in majestic circles climbing higher and higher into the sky, seeking upper level thermals, heading for parts unknown.

They are great travellers, arriving at recently flooded ephemeral wetlands, far out in the arid interior of Australia, in places as remote as Lake Eyre. Here they also form vast breeding rookeries, taking advantage of the great volumes of fishes hatching and following the floodwaters into the basin lakes. It is now thought that a few individual birds undertake exploratory flights of great distances, feed suc- cessfully, return to the coastal lagoons with the “Good News” and encourage their mates to follow them back.

However Pelicans weren’t always a popular bird. In fact, along with cormorants, pelicans were much maligned by fishermen who saw them as competitors for the valuable fish stocks of the Lakes. In the 1930’s, 40’s & 50’s efforts to keep a lid on the populations of these piscivores (fish-eaters) saw breeding rookeries being vandalised and disrupted, leading to desertion and an absence of breeding sites for these birds for many decades post this era. In recent times with protection and better community awareness, we have seen a gradual return of many species again breeding in the Gippsland Lakes, including the Pelicans, which have established a rookery on Crescent Island, at Ocean Grange for almost 10 years. The location of the rookery has shifted over the years but currently is at the Eastern tip of the island. It is easily located due to the stalks of dead paperbarks, killed by the Peli- cans excreta.

At the breeding rookeries adult Pelicans morph into beautiful, multi-coloured, versions of their black and white selves. In the breeding plumage, the pelican bill glows a bright deep lucent pink in the soft afternoon sunlight. The gape is lined

26 with slate-blue and the yellow eye-ring is vivid. A yellow “tassock-like” patch of feathers appears on the lower throat, and the black and white patterned wings are crisp. Other black & white, plain-billed birds mooching around the rookery are sub-adults, not ready to breed.

Life around the Pelican rookery for these colourful breeding plumaged birds, which commences usually around late-Winter to early-Spring, is hectic. Courtship plays an integral part in pair bonding, as with all species. Females, in identical plumage to the males, are eagerly “courted” by several male suitors, both on the land and in the water. In the water, small flotillas of up to 7-8 males following a single female sail back and forth around the colony. Eventually one very persis- tent male is left to mate with the female. Pouch rippling, by both males & females, is a sight never forgotten.

Males threaten other males in an almost comical fashion, with bill thrusting, gap- ing, pouch swinging & strutting all being measures of the males masculinity. When pairs settle down to the business of breeding, a very rudimentary ground nest is constructed of whatever sticks, bits of seaweed, flotsam & jetsam, are lying around. One to three, large white eggs are laid, which quickly become stained. Incubation is shared by the sexes, and is usually between 32-35 days. Young are born helpless (altricial), are naked, and within a week are covered in down. After 25 days of age they are left alone, usually in crèches of several young of similar age. At 3 months of age, the first flights are attempted.

Sometimes adult pelicans can be observed delicately popping small tidbits of re- gurgitated fish into the mouths of the very small young, using the hooked tip of their bill as a tool. After feeding, the young go through a quite unusual and dis- concerting fit of convulsing, thrashing around with wings outstretched, falling over, biting nearby bemused onlookers, before settling down. Why they do this is a mystery, are they short of breath, were the parents gastric juices just too much, was the excitement of the feed too much, no-one really knows!!

It is exciting indeed to know we have such a spectacle occurring every year in the Gippsland Lakes once again. Our rookery has increased in size and now numbers several hundred birds. ☺

27 P.O. Box 563, BAIRNSDALE. Vic. 3875 If return please undelivered to: Inc. Club Naturalists Field District & the Bairnsdale of Newsletter The

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