The Clematis

Autumn 2013 Issue No 95

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 Winter Clematis must be in by June 1st

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE 1. To further the awareness and study of all branches of natural history within the East Gippsland community through field excursions, regular surveys, specialist guest speakers and publications. 2. To observe and strengthen the laws for the preservation and protection of indigenous flora, fauna, habitat and important geological features. 3. To promote the formation and preservation of National and State Parks and Reserves. 4. To collaborate with other groups and agencies with similar environmental interest.

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 li- brary books or from other books that you believe our library could look at purchasing.

CONTENTS:

Program - March to June 2013 5-6 Omeo Camp – November 2012 7-14 Bentley Plain - February 2013 16-19

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.

Front Cover:

Rufus Whistler, Cobungra area Photo by: John Saxton

4 PROGRAM - MARCH 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.

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

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’

5 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

☺

Graceful Sun Orchid (Thelymitra simulate) at Cobungra

Photo by: John Saxton

6 OMEO CAMP - 23-27 November 2012 by Margaret Regan

Saturday 24 November After travelling to our very comfortable base at the Omeo Caravan Park on the Friday, we set out on Saturday for Cobungra which is along the Great Alpine Highway to Mt Hotham. One of our Field Nats, Anne U’Ren, lives at Cobungra View and has an intimate knowledge of the sur- rounding bushland. At Anne and Jim’s property were several mature Mountain Gum (Eucalyptus dalrympleana), with hollows which were be- ing utilised by both Striated Pardalote and Crimson Rosella. Many more pairs of pardalotes were nesting in the roof cavity of their house. There were also Yellow-faced Honeyeaters around.

Anne led us up the road to a reserve that she has observed and protected for many years. It is almost 10 years since the 2003 fires which almost took her home, and would have affected this vegetation. An overhead tree was Broad-leaved Peppermint (E. dives). Being spring there were masses of plants in flower. Some of the most obvious were the pea shrubs with yellow Blunt-leaf Bitter-pea (Daviesia mimosoides); orange and red Mountain Mirbelia (Mirbelia oxylobioides) which has small stiff leaves in 2s or 3s; and yellow Leafy Bossiaea (Bossiaea foliosa) with small hard shiny leaves. Other shrubs were the white daisy Common Cassinia or Dogwood (Cassinia aculeata); Woolly Grevillea (Grevillea lanigera) with red/pink/cream flowers and soft hairy leaves; Twin-flower Beard- heath (Leucopogon fletcheri) with pendent white flowers; Daphne Heath (Brachyloma daphnoides) which has white scented blooms; and bright yellow Grey Guinea-flower (Hibbertia obtusifolia). Smaller plants were the deep pink Forest Trigger-plant (Stylidium armeria); Creamy Candles (Stackhousia monogyna); cream Common Rice-flower (Pimelea humilis); purple Rough Burr-daisy (Calotis scabiosifolia) with a basal rosette of strappy leaves and small leaves up the floral stem; two billy-buttons, Craspedia variabilis with spherical flower heads and C. jamesii with more hemispherical flower heads; and Spiny-headed Mat-rush (Lomandra longifolia). Of course, most people were interested in the orchids, which were in abundance. There was white Mountain Caladenia (Caladenia alpina) with reddish spots or bars on the labellum; Musky Caladenia (C. gracilis) whose overarching tepal is reddish-purple; a creamy Honey Ca- ladenia (C. hildae) whose white fringed labellum has a purple apex and

7 calli; a possible hybrid between Black-tongue Caladenia (C. congesta) and a pink Honey Caladenia; and Mountain Spider-orchid (C. montana) with clubbed tepals and a red labellum, also called the Cobungra Orchid. Other orchids were Common Bird-orchid (Chiloglottis valida); yellow and brown Leopard Orchid (Diuris pardina); blue Graceful Sun-orchid (Thelymitra simulata) which has darker spots on the petals and dorsal se- pal; and pale blue to pinkish Highland Sun-orchid (T. alpina). Birds were Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Brush Cuckoo, a pair of Satin Flycatchers, Rufous Whistler, Spotted Pardalote, Grey Shrike-thrush and we disturbed a White -necked or Pacific Heron on Anne’s dam.

After lunch beneath Anne’s lovely trees and near the lush dam with geese, we moved to another area close to the road above Anne’s property. Here again the focus was on species of orchid. There was Highland Sun-orchid which is usually blue, but there was also a pinkish one; Brown-clubbed Spider-orchid (Caladenia phaeoclavia); and the very similar Small Spider- orchid (C. parva). The two spider-orchids may just grade from the larger one to the smaller one, as they seem to have the same insect pollinator. There was more Mountain Mirbelia; Matted Bossiaea (Bossiaea buxifo- lia), a prostrate shrub with rounded leaves; the creeper/climber Purple Coral-pea (Hardenbergia violacea); white Dusty Daisy-bush (Olearia phlogopappa) including one which was incredibly floriferous; and white to pale cream Lanky Buttons (Leptorhynchos elongatus). The bird noticed was White-eared Honeyeater.

Anne took us down to the large new block she has acquired. The eleva- tion near the top is 1030m above sea level and it slopes down steeply to the Cobungra River. We stopped to examine a small patch of Ovens Wat- tle (Acacia pravissima), a distinctive small tree with slender arching branches and triangular leaves; a small-leaved dwarf form of Box-leaf Wattle (A. buxifolia) and Dagger Wattle (A. siculiformis) which has green stiff sharp-pointed phyllodes. Surrounding young trees were Mountain Gum. Other shrubs were white Sticky Everlasting (Ozothamnus thry- sinoides), a dark green shrub with long narrow leaves and copious flower heads; and Pomaderris phylicifolia var. ericoides which had small densely -packed thin leaves with flowers in clusters at the ends of the branches with the flowers having very long stamens. Small plants were blue and pink Sweet Hound’s-tongue (Cynoglossum suaveolens); purple Austral Bugle (Ajuga australis); a large Bluebell (Wahlenbergia sp.); a pennywort

8 (Hydrocotyle sp.); and a Veronica sp.. The only orchid noticed was High- land Sun-orchid. Birds were Grey Fantail and Pied Currawong. We were much surprised when Anne’s dog, Monty, chased a Jacky Lizard, which escaped possible death by climbing me!! He raced right up to my head, but was swiftly removed by Anne. I would have liked to have seen a pho- to taken first! Jacky Lizards are one of the dragons which are character- ised by their upright posture and small rough non-glossy body scales. Most dragons rely on speed to escape predators. They feed on insects and other small arthropods.

We drove to the Hotham Airport to see if we could find Slender Golden Moths (Diuris subalpina) with a red throat, which is very rare, and we did! Part of the land is swampy and we disturbed about 50 Latham’s or Japa- nese Snipe. They remain hidden and then erupt from the vegetation when they feel you are too close. You never get to see what they really look like – they are much to fast! It was a site for yellow flowers as there were big Buttercups (Ranunculus sp.) and the billy buttons Craspedia coolaminica which has long silvery-grey leaves and fairly small flower heads. The Swan Greenhood (Pterostylis cycnocephala) was also found. The flower- ing stalk of this greenhood only grows to 15cm with up to 10 small clear green flowers with an overarching hood and at the base of the labellum is a darker green appendage with a forward spur.

Sunday 25 November Today we were off to Buenba. We stopped first just off the Beloka Road overlooking the Beloka Valley. The orchids here were yellow and brown Tiger Orchid (Diuris sulphurea), Musky Caladenia, Brown-clubbed Spi- der-orchid, Highland Sun-orchid, and an onion-orchid (Microtis sp.). There were of course other plants including the broom-like Leafless Sour- bush (Omphacomeria acerba); Daphne Heath; Grey Guinea-flower; the prostrate Dwarf Boronia (Boronia nana); the peas Purple Coral-pea and Austral Indigo (Indigofera australis); Creamy Candles; Diggers Speedwell (Derwentia perfoliata) whose grey-green ovate opposite leaves are usually joined at the base and inflorescences with up to 70 mauve flowers; a big Bluebell; Yam-daisy (Microseris sp.); and the grasses Tussock Grass (Poa sp.) and Kangaroo Grass (Themeda australis).

Further along, by the side of the road, were Tiger Orchid; Highland Leek- orchid (Prasophyllum odoratum sp. 11) which grows to 60cm with up to

9 40 green, brown and white flowers; and Spotted Sun-orchid (Thelymitra ixioides). There were also copulating black and white butterflies.

Just after the Mount Hope Road turnoff in the Alpine NP and now on Buenba Road, before Beloka Gap Road, at 1000m were Olive-backed Ori- ole, Striated and Spotted Pardalote, Rufous Songlark, Sacred Kingfisher and Rufous Whistler. The orchids here were again Highland Sun-orchid; Spotted Sun-orchid, both with and without spots; and Mountain Golden Moths (Diuris monticola). There was also Small-fruit Hakea (Hakea mi- crocarpa) with needle leaves; white Drumstick Heath (Epacris brevifolia); yellow Button Everlasting (Helichrysum scorpioides) with grey-green hairy leaves; billy buttons; and white Ivy-leaved Violet (Viola hederacea). Many of the Highland Sun-orchids had case moths with the cases decorat- ed with flower parts, with pink petals around the opening to the case.

There were a number of camping areas along the flats adjoining Buena Creek. There were signs of feral animals with lots of brumby manure and a deer wallow near the creek. Most of the ground cover was introduced pasture grasses including the tufted perennial Yorkshire Fog (Holcus la- natus). While searching for Blue-tongue Greenhood (Pterostylis oreophi- la) (which we didn’t find!) in the area around the creek we found yellow Curved Rice-flower (Pimelea curviflora), a small shrub with tubular hairy flowers; Drumstick Heath; Golden Weather-glass (Hypoxis hygrometrica); Mountain Golden Moths; Montane Greenhood (Pterostylis monticola) with a single large flower with erect or swept back lateral sepals and the dark labellum protruding from the sinus; and Swan Greenhood.

On our way back to Omeo we diverted in Benambra to Lake Omeo, which this year had water. The lake was covered in water-birds. Many we were unable to identify because they were distant and we were looking into the light. However we saw Black Swan, White-faced Heron and many differ- ent ducks. It would have been great to have had time and a telescope. Unfortunately some sort of unaccompanied “gun dog” was having a whale of a time dashing through the shallow water chasing the birds. It was too far away for us to scare it off. Along the roadside was the rare Stork’s Bill (Pelargonium sp. 1); so rare it is only found at this site! Growing here was also Woolly New Holland Daisy (Vittadinia cuneata).

Monday 26 November

10 We headed towards the Bogong High Plains Road by way of the Omeo Highway. Our first stop was by the Bundara River. The river was very attractive with lots of water cascading over the warm brown granite rocks. Here were some rare shrubs – Mitchell Bertya (Bertya mitchellii), an erect multi-stemmed shrub with stiff narrow leaves and the male and female flowers borne on different plants; Omeo Grevillea (Grevillea willisii) which has divided pointed leaves and pink inflorescences; and white Small -flower Grevillea (G. europhylla). Omeo Grevillea is only found in the catchments of the Mitta Mitta River and Nariel Creek, among granite rocks near streams. Small-flower Grevillea prefers sandy soils derived from granite near streams. There were, of course, loads of other plants. The orchids were Common Onion-orchid (Microtis unifolia); Highland Leek-orchid; Midget Greenhood (Pterostylis mutica) which has up to 20 small pale green flowers and each labellum has a darker basal erect ap- pendage; Tiger Orchid; Plain-lip Spider-orchid (Caladenia clavigera) whose sepals have clubs, but petals do not ; and Small Spider-orchid (C. parva). Other shrubs were yellow and brown Hop Bitter-pea (Daviesia latifolia); Matted Bossiaea (Bossiaea buxifolia), a prostrate shrub with rounded leaves; Violet Kunzea (Kunzea parviflora) which is usually in soil derived from granite; Slender Teatree (Leptospermum brevipes) with slim red drooping branchlets found near streams; Grey Guinea-flower; Daphne Heath; Woolly Grevillea; Pomaderris phylicifolia subsp. eri- coides; Hazel Pomaderris; and Dwarf Boronia. Two lilies were a Fringe Lily (Thysanotus sp.) and yellow Bulbine Lily (Bulbine bulbosa). The daisies were many, with yellow Clustered Everlasting (Chrysocephalum semipapposum); yellow Sticky or Shiny Everlasting (Xerochrysum vis- cosum) which has sticky leaves; yellow Scaly Buttons (Leptorhynchos squamatus); yellow Showy Podolepis (Podolepis jaceoides) where the petals of the disc florets are deeply toothed; the billy button Craspedia variabilis; white or mauve Rough Burr-daisy; a New Holland daisy (Vittadinia sp.); and the weed Hawkweed (Picris angustifolia subsp. merx- muelleri). Other small herbs were bright purple Austral Bugle (Ajuga aus- tralis); yellow Spur Velleia (Velleia paradoxa) with unequal petals; a Bluebell (Wahlenbergia sp.); and a plantain (Plantago sp.) with burgundy stamens. The birds seen or mostly heard were Spotted and Striated Parda- lote, Grey Fantail, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Rufous Whistler and Pied Currawong. There was a rock spider, which was all black with a flattened body.

11 A few km further along the road on the higher side was Mountain Leek- orchid (Prasophyllum sp. aff. montanum) with Sticky Everlasting, Yam Daisy, a triggerplant (Stylidium sp.) and Curved Rice-flower. Mountain Leek-orchid grows to 80cm with up to 50 flowers. The tepals are long and narrow, and the labellum is pink or white. There was a Pobblebonk frog calling from a nearby creek.

We turned now onto the Bogong High Plains Road. We stopped beside the Shannonvale Station property at 950m with a view across the valley to Mt Wills. Drifts of snow could be seen on the far Bogong High Plains. Here we saw more Mountain Leek-orchid, some with flowering stems to 70cm; and Silvertop Wallaby-grass (Joycea pallida) which is tall with bright orange-red anthers. Birds were Superb Fairy-wren, Yellow-rumped Thornbill and Grey Fantail.

Further along, another site had plants of Mountain Spider-orchid (Caladenia montana) whose labellum has a dark red mid-lobe and the sep- als have prominent dark clubs; plus Highland Sun-orchid; Spotted Sun- orchid with spots; and Musky Caladenia. Sun orchids open in the middle of the day when the weather is warm and humid. Other small plant spe- cies were the mauve pea Twining Glycine (Glycine clandestina); blue Na- tive Flax (Linum marginale) whose flowers have five petals, and the inner bark was used by Aborigines to make twine for nets; the triggerplant Stylidium armeria and Purple Eyebright (Euphrasia collina) in the family Scrophulariaceae which includes foxglove and snapdragon.

After lunch in the forest we headed back and onto the Omeo Highway, and had a search on the hill above the Mitta Mitta River where Black- tongue Caladenia (Caladenia congesta) had been found before. Black -tongue Caladenia has

Striated Pardalote

Photo by: John Saxton

12 flowers which are normally pink and the dark pink labellum is densely covered with black calli. It was duly found again, along with Honey Ca- ladenia; and Erect Midge-orchid (Corunastylis arrecta) which grows to 20cm tall with up to 20 tiny purplish flowers in a short dense spike. There was Mountain Banksia (Banksia canei) found mostly above 900m on rocky sites; and the taller Silver Banksia (B. marginata) whose leaves are truncated or notched; Omeo Grevillea; and yellow Common Wedge-pea (Gompholobium huegelii) with trifoliate leaves. In the low cliffy edges of the track down to the river were holes dug by pardalotes. They dig long horizontal tunnels with nests constructed at the end.

We turned off the Omeo Highway and onto Bingo Munjie Track. Where we stopped the vegetation had been burnt in 2011. There was Brown- clubbed Spider-orchid , Highland Sun-orchid, Mountain Leek-orchid and loads of Tiger Orchids. Our journey back to Omeo via back tracks was very exciting with 4wd driving along sometimes steep, eroded dirt tracks until we came to an unexpected locked gate. This required a diversion leading at one point to deepish water over the track. The second vehicle became bogged, but was successfully towed out by the leader; the process of attaching the tow involving much mud for the second driver. The two heroic drivers eventually brought us safely home.

Tuesday 27 November Off to one of our favourite orchid sites – up the Knocker Track; which is accessed off the Omeo Valley Road, after crossing the Mitta Mitta River. We stopped along Burnside Track to visit what we named in the past, Or- chid Creek. On the way down to the creek were Daphne Heath, Hop Bit- ter-pea, Common Wedge-pea, Twining Glycine, Mountain Banksia, Woolly Grevillea, Dwarf Sour-bush (Choretrum pauciflorum), a small shrub to 1m with leaves reduced to triangular scales, a flax-lily (Dianella sp.), Rough Burr-daisy and Spur Velleia. There were orchids too – Com- mon Onion-orchid (Microtis unifolia), Mountain Leek-orchid, Musky Ca- ladenia, Tiger Orchid and Cinnamon Bells (Gastrodia sesamoides). “Gastrodes” is Greek for pot-bellied, referring to the tubular flowers which are sac-like at the base. These flowers are brown with white interi- ors with a three-lobed mobile yellow labellum. Cinnamon Bells is polli- nated by a small native bee which collects a starch-enriched false pollen from the labellum. Before the 2003 bushfires we had seen many green- hoods in and near to the creek – Sickle Greenhood (Pterostylis falcata),

13 Leafy Greenhood (P. cucullata), Maroonhood (P. pedunculata), Tall Greenhood (P. longifolia) and a rare hybrid between Sickle and Leafy Greenhood called P. aenigma. This time we only found Slender Green- hood (P. foliata), along with Mother shield-fern (Polystichum proliferum) and an enormous Tussock-grass (Poa sp.). We heard Satin Bowerbird calling and saw a Red-necked Wallaby.

Further up the Burnside Track beneath Broad-leaved Peppermint (Eucalyptus dives) was Mountain Spider-orchid (Caladenia montana) with 6 rows of calli on the labellum. Some other plants were Common Beard- heath (Leucopogon virgatus), a shrub to 50cm with upright white tubular flowers with a hairy throat; Dwarf Sour-bush, Heath Pink-bells (Tetratheca bauerifolia), purple Eyebright, Sticky Everlasting and Small Poranthera (Poranthera microphylla), a spreading annual herb with clus- ters of minute white flowers. A little further along were Erect Midge- orchid and blue Graceful Sun-orchid. Everywhere we travelled Hop Bitter -pea was rampant. Is this the first established plant here after a fire, as wattles are in other areas? Is it usual that the primary post-fire higher plant is a nitrogen-fixer?

At a stop of the way down Burnside Track were Mountain Moths with White-eared Honeyeaters and Gang-gang Cockatoos. At a special hill we again found Black-tongue Caladenia. The birds we noticed were Olive- backed Oriole, Rufous Whistler and Yellow-tailed Black-cockatoos which were dining on the cones of Mountain Banksia.

Back on the Knocker Track between the 4 and 5 km marks were Spotted Sun-orchid, Tiger Orchid and Mountain Spider-orchid with Cluster-flower Geebung (Persoonia confertiflora) wihich had big green berries, red buds and ovate leaves. The birds were Superb Fairy-wren and again Yellow- tailed Black-cockatoos.

Thank you to James and Bill for a wonderful long, long weekend and to all for a very Happy Birthday. ☺

14

Ancient Black Sallee (Eucalyptus stellulata) at Bentley Plain Photo by: John Saxton

15 BENTLEY PLAIN - 17 February 2013 by Margaret Regan

At Bentley Plain Scenic Reserve, north-east of Ensay, we first examined the open plain area west of the road. The area is cool and sub-alpine. Cattle are grazed here, and although we didn’t see any animals, we did see their deposits. One of the surrounding small trees is Black Sallee (Eucalyptus stellulata) which has dark bark with olive green patches. It is usually multi-stemmed and its fruits are arranged in star-like clusters, hence the species name of “stellulata”. Also around the edge of the plain were the shrubs Mountain Beard-heath (Acrothamnus hookeri) with bright red glistening berries; Mountain Pepper (Tasmannia lanceolata) which has red stems, hot (as in chili) leaves and black berries; and the rare Poi- son Riceflower (Pimelea pauciflora) which also has red berries, but pre- sumably not to be eaten. There were a number of daisies. There were two yellow species of Podolepis whose large flower heads have the petals of the outer or disc florets toothed - Showy Podolepis (Podolepis ja- ceoides) where the petals are deeply toothed; and Alpine Podolepis (P. robusta) whose plant is very woolly. Other daisies were white or pale blue Tufted Daisy (Brachyscome scapigera); Golden Everlasting (Xerochrysum subundulatum); Pale Everlasting (Helichrysum rutidole- pis); tiny yellow Scaly Buttons (Leptorhynchos squamatus) where the stalk of the inflorescence is scaly; and yellow Fireweed Groundsel (Senecio linearifolius) where the flowering stalk subtends numerous inflo- rescences. Other small herbaceous plants were white Alpine Trachymene (Trachymene humilis) which is in the family Apiaceae with carrot and parsley, and bears its flowers in an umbel (all the flowers arise at the same point); the starry Golden Weatherglass (Hypoxis hygrometrica); Gunn’s Willow-herb (Epilobium gunnianum) whose small mauve flowers have very long thin ovaries below the petals; Waxy Bluebell (Wahlenbergia ceracea) whose sepals and ovary are waxy and lustrous; pink Forest Trig- gerplant (Stylidium armeria); blue Slender Speedwell (Veronica gracilis), a dainty little perennial with fine straggling stems and flowers with four petals; and a Buttercup (Ranunculus sp.). Bright green Spreading Rope- rush (Empodisma minus) is proliferating and taking over. It is a sedge- like plant in the family Restionaceae where the leaves are reduced to sheathing unfused scales, and the male and female flowers are separate. We also saw a flightless female Mountain Grasshopper. She was a dull brown, and wouldn’t have been noticed if she hadn’t moved. We tried to

16 annoy her enough to force her to open her wing covers and expose the brilliant orange, blue and black stripes on her body, but only caught brief glimpses. The males can fly, thus raising their wing covers and exposing their brilliance.

We took our lunch in the very pleasant picnic area adjoining the plain, and then moved across the creek to Moscow Villa. Moscow Villa is the re- stored home of Bill Ah Chow who was a fire spotter at the nearby fire tower on Mt Nugong. He finished building the house in 1943 on the same day as the Battle of Moscow. Because of the prejudices of the time, Bill explained that it was really “My Own Summer Cottage Officially Wel- comes Visitors Inside Light Luncheon Available”! After checking out this renovated home, we took the walking track through the Douglas Reserve on the east side of the road. There are now three different walking tracks around the Bentley Plain – Moscow Villa area. Our track had been recent- ly renovated and includes an elevated metal walkway through the upper storey of the shrubs, and a resting wooden lookout. One of the enormous overhead trees was Mountain Grey Gum (Eucalyptus cypellocarpa) which has greyish gum bark and long leaves. The ribbed buds and fruit are held on a flattened peduncle. Also very tall here was Silver Wattle (Acacia dealbata) and the conical Southern Sassafras (Atherosperma moschatum) which has nutmeg-scented leaves. Other tall shrubs were Banyalla (Pittosporum bicolor) probably named for its small grey capsules which when open reveal on their yellow interiors, sticky red seeds; white Moun- tain Teatree (Leptospermum grandifolium), a dense shrub with largish leaves, which was in flower; and the mint bush Victorian Christmas Bush (Prostanthera lasianthos). Also at that height was Soft tree-fern (Dicksonia antarctica). Smaller shrubs were Tree Lomatia (Lomatia fra- seri) with long narrow toothed leaves; Mountain Beard-heath; Mountain Pepper; Dusty Daisy-bush (Olearia phlogopappa) whose flower heads have white ray florets and yellow disc florets; and White Elderberry (Sambucus gaudichaudiana) with pinnate leaves and cream translucent berries. Sambucus is the genus of the northern hemisphere elders from which elderberry wine is made! Another tall fern was soft pale green Bat’s wing (Histiopteris incisa). Smaller plants still were Tasman Flax- lily (Dianella tasmanica) which bears the most gorgeous deep blue ber- ries; Pale Everlasting; another daisy yellow Variable Groundsel (Senecio pinnatifolius var. alpinus); Royal Bluebell (Wahlenbergia gloriosa); Self- heal (Prunella vulgaris) with a terminal cluster of purple flowers; and pink

17 Forest Triggerplant. There were two nettles, the stingless Shade or Smooth Nettle (Australina muelleri); and the nasty Stinging Nettle (Urtica incisa). There were a number of ferns closer to the creek running through the reserve. These were Mother Shield-fern (Polystichum proliferum); and four species of Water fern; Fishbone water-fern (Blechnum nudum); Hard water-fern (B. wattsii) with harsh fronds which have stalked pointed pin- nae; and the much smaller Ray water-fern (B. fluviatile) whose fronds have rounded pinnae with the lower ones stalked; and Alpine water-fern (B. penna-marina) where the frond pinnae are rounded and sessile (not stalked). Unfortunately we found some plants of the ghastly (although the fruit are delicious) weed Blackberry (Rubus sp.). We heard the creaking gate call of the Gang-gang Cockatoo.

From Moscow Villa we drove to the top of Mt Nugong. The view was poor because of smoke from bushfires. There is now a new fire tower which was manned. Then down from the mountain and onto Nunniong Road to visit the Washington Winch. The heritage-listed Washington Winch was used for logging in the past and has been partially restored by DSE. It has a steam-powered engine and was rigged to haul timber up steep slopes and over rocky ground. The engine was driven by twin hori- zontal cylinders mounted either side of the vertical boiler, and powered three cable drums. Originally the winch was used as High Lead with one spar tree, partly lifting the logs and towing them up the steep slope, using a steel cable 800m long. Roping the logs required two men on this main line and a steam whistle blasted signals to the winch operator. [John had heard a story that within 3 months, the local Superb Lyrebirds had learned to copy the whistle, and so a new system had to be devised.] When the snig tracks for dragging the timber became too rutted, it was converted to Skyline Lead with two spar trees lifting the logs off the ground. Rigging the spars for these systems was one of the most spectacular and physically demanding jobs ever practised in the timber industry. Riggers had to climb 60m up a straight tree with spurs and a climbing belt, remove the side branches and crown of the tree (presumably without chainsaws), rig the guy cables to anchor the spar and attach the tackle. This could take a full day, with lunch sent up on a rope! The engine was mounted on a skid frame so that it could be moved to different sites. The timber cut here was mostly Alpine Ash (Eucalyptus delegatensis) and some Messmate (E. obliqua). The timber was air-dried and then kiln-dried, and used for floor- ing, furniture and architraves.

18 The winch was built in Seattle, Washington in USA. Two were brought to Australia in the 1920s to be used in the Kauri forests of WA. After the 1939 Black Friday bushfires, they were bought by the Victorian Forests Commission to assist in salvaging fire-killed timber. In 1959, this winch was bought by Jack Ezard, working out of Swifts Creek. It was used for harvesting logs in this area at the head of the Little River catchment in the 1960/61 logging season, hauling three million super feet of timber. It was already antiquated by 1961 and replaced by crawler tractors. It was left in working order, although some changes have been made to preserve its his- toric value. The spring which fed the boiler has been diverted away to reduce corrosion, and the shed over it has been reconstructed using origi- nal fixtures wherever possible. The main and tail spars have been re- placed with new Alpine Ash cut nearby.

Not far along the Nunniong Road on the way home through Bindi, we stopped to admire a bank covered in large bluebells. There was also Self- heal; white Derwent Speedwell (Derwentia derwentiana) named for the Derwent River, Tasmannia where this species was first found; Gunn’s Willow-herb; Fireweed Groundsel; and mauve and white Ivy-leaved Vio- let (Viola hederacea). A Grey Currawong was heard calling.

A great day, thank you James. Washington Winch Photo by: James Turner ☺

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

BAIRNSDALE

POSTAGE

Victoria

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3875

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