Tilligerry Nature Watch Report - September 2011

Welcome to the September report and as you will see from the list of flowering plants below, there has been much to see.

Bees and Boronia flowers (pictured above) typify our bushland in September. They, along with many other flowers and insects, welcome the warmer sunshine and lengthening days. Some of our local birds have timed their nesting so that their fledglings will benefit from the sudden abundance of such food sources. It’s such a great time of year on our Peninsula if you love the bush.

Allison Webb will be in charge of the monthly nature walk next Saturday 8th October as I have family commitments at present. Thanks Allison!

The October walk will be on the Mallabula side of Lemon Tree Hill again, walking up to the Water Tower. There are interesting plants in flower now e.g. donkey orchids, Boronia, fringe lilies, and more bird life than usual.

Meet Allison at the usual spot near the bus shelter at the junction of Blanch St and Lemon Tree Passage Rd., Lemon Tree Passage and at 1pm. I hope the weather has improved by then! September Weather Report

Rainfall – The rainfall late in the month was most welcome, particularly after having a bushfire in Mallabula so early in the season. The ground had become very dry with only very light falls early in the month and then some 30C days. Suddenly on Sept.25th we had a deluge of 88mls bringing the month’s total up in the end to 146.6mls. By comparison, last year in September we had only 14.8mls; a big difference!

Temperatures- On three days the temperature reached the ‘thirsty thirties’ and it really seemed as though summer was here. The highest temperature was 32.3C on Sept.18th. The lowest was 6.9C, not quite as cold as the lowest temperature last September of 5.9.

Winds- The strongest wind was a WNW at the end of the month with 40.9kt on the 29th and 30.4kt the following day. There was also a strong NE reaching 31.3kt on the 20th which was more like our mid-summer winds.

Month/ Total No. of Heaviest Mean Highest Lowest Prevailing Wind Year Rainfall days rainfall in one Temp Temp. Temp. mls when day-mls Degree Degree C Degree C rain fell C

Sept.11 146.6 10 88mls -25th 16.3 32.3 6.9 W (Av 2.9) Sept 10 14.8 11 5.4mls 16.0 29.1 5.9 W (Av 2.7kt) Previous months Aug.11 63.2 14 31.2/20th 13.7 24 4.8 W (Av. 1.8kt) July ‘11 262.8 19 79.8 /20th 12.1 22.3 4.2 W (Av. 3.2kt ) June ‘11 162.6 16 77 13.5 21.5 5.1 W (Av. 2.1kt) May ‘11 248.2 16 61.6/30th 14 23/ 23rd 5.5/16th W April ‘11 118.8 13 31ml 18.4 27.9 9.2 SSE Mar ‘11 115.2 20 47.8 22.3 37 15.8 NE Feb.’11 76mls 13 26.4 24.5 40.8 14.3 ENE Jan. ‘11 22mls 9 6.2ml 24.3 35.3 17.5 ENE Plants Flowering in September

Melaleuca nodosa

One of the most noticeable plants in flower in September has been the creamy –yellow Melaleuca nodosa or Ball Honeymyrtle. It grows along our Peninsula on the damper areas beside Lemon Tree Passage Rd and is very abundant on the Mallabula stretch of the road. It is one of about eight Melaleucas or Paperbarks on our Peninsula.

Melaleucas were very useful to our indigenous people in many different ways. The paperbark was their ‘bush gladwrap’ and roofing material, the flowers were soaked in water to produce a sweet drink, the leaves were crushed for their medicinal oil. Tea tree oil is a product of Melaleucas that is produced commercially today.

Again the name is interesting. In Greek, Melas is black and this refers to the trunks of the trees that are often blackened by bush fires. Leucos is white and refers to the fresh white bark on the branches which escape the blackening fire.

Boronia pinnata ( See the photo at top of the newsletter)

Boronia pinnata is the most common Boronia in our area and it is an erect shrub usually about 1.5m high and has abundant pink flowers. It likes the moist sheltered patches in dry woodland in coastal areas.

The higher areas of Lemon Tree Hill are the best places to see these but for easier access, the area behind the Tanilba Bay Primary school is also home to many of these beautiful shrubs.

Boronia belong to the Rutacaea family, a family of trees and shrubs characterised by translucent oil glands in their leaves. The oil in the glands is strongly aromatic and highly volatile. Citrus fruit also belong to this family. This genus has 95 endemic species found in all states and we havethree species recorded for our peninsula.

Once again the name of this genus has a very interesting and there is a tragic tale attached to it. It was named in memory of an Italian, Francis Borone, who was the faithful personal attendant of a English botanist, Dr Sidthorpe who wrote text books on wild flowers. One day, as they were doing field work near Athens, a plant was spotted in a place that was very difficult to access. Despite the doctor’s warnings, Francis Borone insisted on trying to collect the specimen but tragically fell to his death. A sad story attached to such a joyful flower!

------Flannel flowers are a big favourite with everyone and one of the most easily recognised of our wild flowers. Did you know that the flower part is the central knob where the tiny, densely hairy flowers are tightly packed together. What looks like the petals are actually the bracts (the leaf-like appendages below the flower). Well, petals or bracts, I can never resist feeling their softness; they are such a contrast to so many sharp and prickly things in the bush.

You will often see these plants with the flowers eaten off and I believe our wallabies and kangaroos are the culprits.

In Lemon Tree Passage, adjacent to the Tip, where the bush was burnt off in the winter, there are many new young flannel flowers coming through. Let’s hope the bracken fern doesn’t crowd them out too much so that next year they will provide a beautiful display.

The botanical name for Flannel Flowers, Actinotus helianthe, is again interesting. Actinotus = Greek for having rays, referring to the ray- like bracts helianthe = Greek for Sunflower.

One sad sight this month was to see many badly deformed Flannel Flowers in the area adjacent to the Tanilba Bay Primary School.

------Patesonia provide another beautiful bush event in September, but unfortunately they are very short lived so many people miss them. They are members of the Iridaceae family and have purply –blue flowers which are scattered across the understorey of our woodlands, particularly Lemon Tree Hill. I’m sorry my photo doesn’t really do them justice!

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My list below is indicative of the abundance or flowers in our bushlands in September, and these are just the ones I’ve spotted on our walks.

Key to locations: The Knoll=K, Oyster Farm Rd area= OF, Lemon Tree Hill=H, MA=Mallabula Mallabula Headland South=MHS, Mungara= M, Tilligerry Creek Foreshore=TCF, SRP=Sunrise Point, Tanilba Bay Central=TB,

Family Botanical Name- Common Name Flowers/ Location Genus Species fruit Apiaceae Actinotus helianthe Flannel Flower White TH,TB Apiaceae Xanthosia pilosa Woolly Xanthosia Green/ white TH, TB Asteraceae Ozothamnus White TB diosmifolium Dilliniaceae Hibbertia linearis? Leafy guinea flower Yellow TB Dilliniaceae Hibbertia scandens Yellow H Dilliniaceae Hibbertia virgata TB Droseraceae Drosera peltata Pale Sundew White TH Epacridaceae Astroloma pinifolium Red/yellow/ TB green at tip Epacridaceae Brachyloma TH daphnoides Epacridaceae Leucopogon Bearded Heath White TB ericoides Epacridaceae Leucopogon White TB apressus Epacridaceae Leucopogon Lance-bearded White TH - lanceolatus Heath finishing Epacridaceae Leucopogon White H,TB virgatus Epacridaceae Monotoca elliptica Pidgeon Berry White H Euphorbiaceae Rinocarpus pinifolius Wedding Bush White TB Fabaceae Aotus ericoides Aotus Yellow with TH red markings Fabaceae Dillwynia retorta Parrot Pea Yellow/red TH Fabaceae Dillwyniasp.’trichop Pale yellow TB oda? Fabaceae Bossiaea ensata Sword Bossiaea Yellow/red TB Fabaceae Bossiaea Variable Bossiaea Yellow, TB heterophyla orange, red Fabaceae Bossiaea rhombifolia Round Leaf Yellow. TH - Bossiaea finishing Fabaceae Erythrina X sykesii Coral Tree Red I Fabaceae Platylobium Handsome Flat Pea Yellow/red H formosum Fabaceae Kennedia rubicunda Dusky Coral Pea Red/black TH markings Fabaceae Hardenbergia False Sarspirilla Mauve TH violacae Fabaceae Glycine clandestine Climbing Glycine Pale H blue/mauve Fabaceae Podolobium Native Holly Yellow/red H ilicifolium Fabaceae Gompholobium Braod-leaf Wedge Lemon- TB latifolium Pea yellow Fabaceae Gompholobium Golden Glory Pea Lemon TB,H grandiflora yellow Fabaceae Pultanaea Yellow +red H daphnoides markings and keel Fabaceae Pultanaea villosa Yellow H Goodeniaceae Goodenia Variable –leaved yellow H heterophylla Goodenia Iridaceae Freesias Yellow/white I /mauve Iridaceae Patersonia glabrata Leafy Purple Flag Blue/mauve H Iridaceae Patersonia fragilis Short Purple Flag TB Iridaceae Patersonia sericia Silky Purple Flag Purple TB Liliaceae Burchardia Milk Maids White H umbellata Liliaceae Dianella caerulea Blue Flax Lily Rich blue H with yellow anthers Liliaceae Sowerbaea juncea Vanilla Plant/Rush Mauve H Lily Mimosaceae Acacia longifolia Sydney Golden H finishing Wattle Mimosaceae Acacia ulicifolia Prickly Moses Cream H Mimosaceae Acacia elongata Rich lemon TH yellow Mimosaceae Acacia longifolia Sydney Golden Golden Finishing Wattle yellow Myrtaceae Callistemon citrinus Crimson Bright red MA,TB Bottlebrush filaments Myrtaceae Euryomyrtus Rose/purple H, TB ramosissima Myrtaceae Leptospernum Tea Tree White H laevigatum Myrtaceae Melaleuca nodosa Ball Honeymyrtle Creamy MA yellow Myrtaceae Petrophile pulchella Cone Sticks Yellow H (beginning) Pittosporaceae Billardiera scandens Apple Berry Cream TB Pittosporaceae Pittosporum Rough Fruit Yellow M revolutum Pittosporum Pittosporaceae Pittosporum Sweet Pittosporum White H undulatum Proteaceae Conospermum Cone seed/Smoke White TB,H elipticum Bush Proteaceae Isopogon Drumstick Yellow TB,H anemonifolius Proteaceae Personia levis Broad-leaved Green(f) M Geebung Proteaceae Xylomelum Woody Pear Dense rusty H pyriforme furry spikes Polygalaceae Comesperma Heath milkwort Mauve TB ericinum Rutaceae Boronia pinata Pinate Boronia Pink/4 petals TB Rutaceae Philotheca Wax Flower Pink/mauve TB salsolifolia Rutaceae Zieria lavigata White or H pinkish Rutaceae Eriostemen Pink Wax Flower Pink TB australasius Stylidiaceae Stylidium Trigger Plant Pink H graminifolium Thymelaeaceae Pimelia linifolia Slender Rice Flower White TB,H

Tremandraceae Tetratheca Black-eyed Susan Deep pink TB,H thymifolia Violaceae Hybanthus Slender Violet Bush Mauve H monopetalus Xanthorrhoeace Lomandra glauca Pale yellow H ae Xanthorrhoeace Lomandra longifolia Pale yellow TB ae References: Robinson, Flowers of the Sydney Region; Betty and Don Wood, Flowers of the South Coast and Ranges of NSW, Native Plants of Australia Via Google search: Flora of NSW Fantastic Fungi

We are hoping to do more research on our local fungi next year, they are so diverse and great to photograph. Allison has already begun a data bank with the photos we have collected.

This dainty little fungi was photographed in the Old Quarry, Lemon Tree Hill but we have seen it in other places. It seems to be associated with Sydney Golden Wattle, Acacia longifolia. Can anyone help me with a name for it? Also, we want to purchase a good field guide to fungi so if you can recommend one, please let me know. Birds Sighted in September

This dear little immature male Scarlet Honeyeater literally dropped into our neighbourhood early this month. They are usually very hard to see because they are small and feed on the outer canopy of flowering trees way up high. This bird was sitting on the driveway of Heather and Brian Baldwin’s house as they drove in one afternoon. It flew into the nearby hibiscus and fortunately stayed to be photographed while presumably it was recovering from some unseen event. It seemed in no hurry to move on.

The females of this species are very plain in comparison with brown wings and tail and a creamy colour underneath. The immature males such as the one above begin life looking like the female but with a touch of yellow at the base of the bill. They then gradually develop scarlet feathering on the chin, head, shoulders and back and finally on the breast. So this little bird was at that last stage of developing his red breast feathers.

Satin Bower Birds in Dean Parade garden- update. After the young males rebuilding the bower 3 times overnight and each time having it destroyed by the older male/s, the young ones have finally got the message that it is now nesting time and there is no need for the courtship bower. The birds are still there, about 6 of them and it is thought they are now nesting in a nearby tree as has happened in previous years.

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The Koels have arrived and I first heard one on the 27th as soon as I got out of the car after returning from a trip away. My Husband was offering to go and find the bird a girlfriend if only he would shut up! I believe they had been here earlier in the week because Allison’s mother noticed them eating her mulberries! No wonder they like coming here! ------

Pied Oyster Catchers on the Foreshore- a lovely part of our local scene

List of Bird Sightings

Key to locations: The Knoll=K, Oyster Farm Rd area= OF, Lemon Tree Hill=H, Mallabula Headland South=MHS, Mungara= M, Tilligerry Creek Foreshore=TCF, MA=Mallabula, I= Inala Court, LTP.BI = Bull Island,T H= Tilligerry Habitat, LTM= Lemon Tree Marina area, C=Cook Parade area, Lemon Tree North=LTN, Sunrise Point Foreshore=SRP, Tanilba Bay = TB, Tanilba Village = TV,

Bird This month’s sightings Notes Australian Magpie I Flying to and from nest Australian Pelican LTM Australian Raven LTM Australian Wood Ducks M Bar -tailed Godwits C, C (12 0n 9th), SRP-16on 14th Black-faced Cuckoo Shrike Black Ducks Black Swan Blue-faced Honeyeater I Brahminy Kite I Bush Stone Curlew Caspian Tern SRP,SRP 14th, Chestnut Teal C (6 on 9th) Looked like mother, 4 half grown and father at the rear Corellas – short and long-billed I,H Large flock seen dalily Crested Pigeon I

Dotterel SRP 1 only 6th and 7th,19th Eastern Curlew C, C (2 on 9th), SRP-14th Eastern Spinebill H Eastern Rosella I Feeding on bird tray on 12th Eastern Yellow Robin H No longer on nest (10th) Fantail Cuckoo TCF Possible sighting by Merv. Galahs MA Grey Fantail H Grey Butcherbird

Koel I First heard 27th Kookaburra H Little Wattle Bird I

Masked Lapwings M, C Magpie Lark C,C, H Noisy Friarbird H

Noisy Miner I,H Osprey Pied Butcher Bird H Pied Cormorant C, SRP Pied Oyster Catcher MHS (6)1st On rocks at low tide 9am C(9) 7th On rocks receeding tide, one being bullied by the others! Photos taken Rainbow Lorikeet I, C Red Wattle Bird H Satin Bower Bird LTN See Story below Scaly Breasted I,H Hadn’t seen one for a while Scarlet Honeyeater I On Heather’s driveway and then in Hibiscus by the driveway when I took photo Silver Gulls LTM Sooty Oyster Catcher SRP 2 on 7th,1 0n 14th-possibly nesting? Spotted Pardelote H Heard only Spotted Turtle Dove I

Striated Heron Sulphur Crested Cockatoo M Superb Fairy Wren H Tawny Frogmouth Variegated Fairy Wren Welcome Swallow C, I Noticing more around now Whip Bird H Whistling Kite MA White- bellied Sea Eagle MBS ? Juvenile was perched midway up a tree -1st White-breasted Wood Swallow White-cheeked Honeyeater White-faced Heron TB 7th White Ibis C, LTF,I Willie Wagtail C

Yellow- faced Honeyeater H Yellow -tailed Black Cockatoo Orchid Report for September

Some of the most interesting native orchids are now in flower, e.g. the Flying Duck, Bearded and, as I write this report on Oct.1st- the Donkey Orchids. The beautiful Sun orchids are also just coming out so keep a look out for them. They are mostly pinks and blues.

Key to locations: TH = Tilligerry Habitat, TB =Tanilba Bay – back of primary school, M=Mungara Reserve, CAS-Caswell Reserve, RAF=RAF Park Tanilba Bay

Botanical Name- Common Name Flowers/ Location Genus Species fruit White Fingers Petalochilus White TH -10th catenatus K-15th white and pink Onion Orchid Microtis Green TH, TB,CAS-10th parviflora K-15th RAF-21st Red Beard Orchid Calochilus Reddish bronze TH,CAS -10th padulosa ‘beard’ K-15th Sun Orchid Thelymitra? Blue RAF-21st Tiny or Pinkish Thelymitra Bright pink to TH,TB-10th Sun Orchid carnea reddish pink Peppertop or Thelymitra Purplish blue K-15th Short-leaf Sun brevifolia? Orchid Purple Beard Calochilus Green with TH-10th Orchid robertsonii purple labellum K-15th hairs Has ‘eye’spots Purple Heart Petalochilus Deep Pink TB-10th has two flowers, Fingers hillmanii? K-15th Common Ant Myrmechila Greenish or K-15th Orchid formicifera reddish with black labellum callus Myrmechila? M-10th

Large Pink Petalochilus Pink CAS-10th Fingers quadrifarious King Greenhood Pterostylis White with CAS-10th baptistii green and brown markings Pink Fingers Petalochilus Pink K-15th carneus Common Leafy Bunochilus Translucent K-15th – finishing Greenhood longifolia green with transparent areas Trim Greenhood Taurantha Dk. green and K-15th Dying off concinna white, apex orange/brown Dusky Fingers Petalochilus White to pink K-15th fascata with red bars Copper Beard Calochilus Pale green and K-15th Orchid campestris red with purple labellum hairs

Koalas

The koalas that have come to my attention this month have been reported in Northumberland Ave, Richard Ave on the 14th (thanks Helen!) and scats evidence of them in Dean Parade, Lemon Tree Passage.

In Tanilba Bay the only ones I know of have been seen in trees bordering the shoreline boardwalk of the Habitat . Echidnas

The warmer days have brought the Echidnas out and I’ve heard of two sightings this month, one from Glenys Young who has seen one on the edge of Mallabula Headland and one from Pam Hill who had one in her garage!

Aquatic Mysteries

I was kyaking around Mallabula headland one lovely morning early in the month when I saw a friend, Glenys Young walking her dog. As I stopped to talk to her I saw an unusual jelly fish swimming by my boat. It had a frilly pink edging and since Glenys had her camera and is also an avid nature watcher we managed to photograph it. Unfortunately I’ve had trouble transferring it to this report but perhaps can try next month. It was about 15cm long and continually changed shape, with its frills looking like petals. Does this sound familiar to anyone? I’d never seen one like it before!

Just after that we then noticed another unusual thing on the sandy foreshore. There was a tube like structure with the texture like a soft straw protruding out of the sand. Again Glenys was able to take a photo which I hope to show you next time but again, it is a mystery to me, despite researching my library.

It is always intriguing to find something mysterious and it makes nature watching an endless joy, There is always a puzzle to be solved!

On that note I will wish you a very happy nature watching month ahead.