Geelong Naturalist : monthly magazine of the Geelong Field Naturalists Club

16 Pages·1996·3.5 MB·und

GEELONG NATURALIST
MONTHLY MAGAZINE OF THE GEELONG FIELD NATURALISTS CLUB INC
(Incorporating The GFNC Monthly News)
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Vol 32 No. 5
ISSN 0726-7363
GEELONG NATURALIST
September 1996 Vol 32 No 5.
ISSN 0726-7363.
CONTENTS
1
Plant Group Report
Excursion Notice - Anglesea 1
Bird Group Report 2
Bio-diversity Group Report 3
VFNCA / WVFNCA Campout 3
Excursion Report - Lerderderg Gorge 4
- Reporto n Water Sports Complex Meeting 5
Club Notes 5
Spring in Geelong 6
August Meeting Report - Tony Robinson 8
Jerringot, Frogs and Snipe Dennis Greenwell 8
Library Notes 9
Another Kind of Spring Alban Lloyd-Jones 11
Bird Observations 12
COMING EVENTS
SEPTEMBER
3 General Meeting Clive Minton “Tundra Ecology”
10 Plant Group Margaret MacDonald “Anglesea Flora”
15 Excursion Anglesea
Leaders: Winston Huggins 632 787
Margaret MacDonald
24 Bird Group * Trevor Pescott “P J Wood - Birds of Geelong 1945-58”
25 Biodiversity Group Workshop Meeting
OCTOBER
1 General Meeting * Patrick O’Leary “Logging: What Are the Threats?”
8 Plant Group * Debra Whitall “Conservation:
An American Perspective”
18,19,20 WVFNCA Campout Casterton
27 Excursion Ocean Grove Nature Reserve; 25th Anniversary
22 Bird Group Phil de Gueselin “Rufous Bristlebird Recovery Plan”
23 Biodiversity Group Workshop Meeting
* CHANGES TO PROGRAM
GEELONG NATURALIST Vol 32.5
Plant Group...
PLANT GROUP REPORT EXCURSION NOTICE
September Meeting
... Joe Hubbard ... Dick Southcombe
Margaret MacDonald, President
of Angair will be our guest
Anglesea, September 15.
speaker.
“If we do not act now there will be no
tomorrow for many of our plants and
All club members are invited as Leaders, Margaret MacDonald and
animals”.
Margaret's illustrated talk will Winston Huggins have been
serve as an introduction to our checking Salt Creek and Bald Hills
This point was made during the
club excursion on September 15th tracks and have found some of them
discussion on what our attitudes
Margaret works hard for and has so eroded that they have decided not
were towards conserving what was
a wide knowledge of the to finalise a particular route until
left of our plant species.
wonderful and abundant natural closer to the excursion day.
history features at Anglesea.
And how many of these species
As the Marshy Creek area and the
would be left for the use and
m) heathlands - illustrated on the front
pleasure of future generations?
of Mary White’s book - behind the
power station are favoured sites, we
It was acknowledged that we live in
SPRING IN GEELONG will meet our two ieagers at the
a more environmentally aware
Great Ocean Road / Forest Road
society but more has to be done in
intersection and from there be
promoting conservation issues. ... by Joe Hubbard
- guided to one or two of Anglesea’s
top spots.
And how are we to tackle this most This month Joe’s column has
urgent of causes? expanded somewhat as he and Please assemble at Karingal at 8.50
some of his friends have a centrefold
for a 9am sharp departure or meet at
Education was identified as a critical to celebrate the coming of Spring. Forest Road at 9.45am.
factor, with children receiving a high
priority. (The key players of Asked what Spring means to them, A bus is available. Put your name on
tomorrow). they have given us all something to the bus list tonight or phone me on
think about. Their answers will help 433 916.
Although nothing was resolved, you find the many treasures which Oo
these ideas were talked out. Froma are waiting for you in our region
pool of members the Club could during this envigorating season. PROGRAM CHANGES
provide a support service for
teachers and children in their study On your behalf | would like to give
General Meeting...
of natural history in the school and special thanks to Joe and his team.
local environment.
David Cameron who was scheduled
for the October meeting apologises
Local field guides could create
for not being able to speak next
interest and inspiration for all ages.
month; his studies prevent it. We
October Meeting...
are hoping to find a suitable date in
A single sheet production could
next year’s program. A speaker
introduce short walks or drives with
Logging: What are The from Environment Victoria has been
key natural features indicated on an
Threats? Patrick O’Leary. on our list for some time and we
easily read map suitable for tourist,
thank Patrick O'Leary for stepping in
school or naturaiist.
Patrick, who has a degree in at short notice.
Zoology worked with the Dept. of
Richard Mason, a year 12 student,
Conservation and Natural Plant Group...
attended the meeting and we were
Resources where he was involved
pleased to be able to exchange
in studies on the Impact of Timber The guest speaker at the October
ideas with him on one of his current
Harvesting in various forests Plant Group meeting will now be
assignments. He has to ascertain
across Victoria. More recently he Debra Whitall - Conservation: An
the status of a group of Snow Gums
has been working with American Perspective.
situated on a roadside reserve at
Environment Victoria which has
Vickery’s Road, Bellbrae, and come
enabled him to pursue his interest Bird Group...
up with a conservation plan.
in the animals which are being
denied suitable habitat by logging. See the last two paragraphs in Barry
It is certainly heartening to see the
Leadbeater's Possum, which is Lingham’s report on page 2.
education system taking on, and
fhe only mammal endemic to
encouraging environmental studies
Victoria and one of Victoria’s two See what fun it is being a program
and young people such as Richard
faunal emblems is just one of the co-ordinator.
prepared to take up the challenge.
animals under threat. Why?
mi
GEELONG NATURALIST Vol 32.5
About 6% of bird species are Some patterns emerged from this
promiscuous, where’ both males study, but many other questions
BIRD GROUP REPORT
and females will mate with several remain unanswered such as what
... Barry Lingham
other birds. Typical of these birds specific benefit is there to the
are the Birds of Paradise, where a moorhens in forming these unusual
female will mate with the most breeding groups.
colourful male. Certain tribes from Sean showed us the mysteries that
August 27th 1996 Western Africa have a custom are still to be solved in relation to one
where the men dress in the most or more common and easily
Our guest speaker for the meeting colourful costumes they can, paint observed birds. Please consider
was Sean Pywell. Sean is currently their faces and wear jewellery to their interesting ways when you next
studying at Monash University and attract a wife at an annual festival. visit your favourite wetland.
his talk was entitled "Moorhens and The next year, the women can
Other things” choose a different partner at the Please note the change in our
festival. program for next month's speaker.
Sean began by making some Unfortunately Roger Hicks has not
observations on the mating patterns A very small number of birds yet been able to retrieve his
of those strange animals, Homo (about 12 species worldwide) collection of slides on the "Birds of
sapiens. Although we live in a practice polygyndry where a Chile" from Israel.
society which is basically communal group form mating
monogamous (one male to one bonds. The Dusky Moorhen is Instead, Trevor Pescott has offered
female), throughout history and in one of these species, along with to give us information about " PJ
other cultures various other types of certain Woodpeckers and Wood - Birds of Geelong 1945-58".
mating patterns have evolved to suit Trumpeters. This is an opportune time to hear this
the conditions prevailing. talk, as Trevor has just released his
Sean has been studying the latest book "Geelong's Birds in
Certain African tribes still practice moorhens at Jell's Park for over Retrospect" dealing with the
polygamy (more than one female to five years, noting their breeding contributions to the knowledge of
one male). This system has the habits. Moorhens usually nest in local birds made by PJ Wood
benefit to the male of allowing him to reed beds but they may use small through his column in the Geelong
produce a maximum number of mud islands or logs. Their mating Advertiser during a 13 year period.
offspring, after consideration of the is quite conspicuous, involving the (see Ray Baverstock to purchase a
amount of mouths he is able to male chasing the female as a copy at a discount price! )
provide for! Females tend to favour preliminary to copulation. This
richer mates or good hunters, thus allowed Sean to easily note (m)
maximising the chance of survival of copulation frequency and the birds
their offspring. A woman may have involved.
a better chance of survival with a rich FROG EVENING AT THE
man who already has several wives From a genes viewpoint, males of
MELBOURNE ZOO.
than with a poorer single man. all species tend to try to maximise
... Dennis Greenwell
the chance of producing their own
Polyandry (one woman with several offspring. Sean statistically
husbands) is a rare occurrence analysed the mating patterns to try | recently approached the Victorian
amongst humans, but it is common to find any general patterns that Frog Group, to ask if a number of our
in some Tibetan tribes where the could help to explain how a male members might attend one of their
very limited available arable land would try to gain any advantage meetings, to see what went on.
means that many single men could over other males within the group.
not support a family on their plot. By | received an invitation, to be
pooling resources, two men can use Moorhen breeding group sizes extended to anyone who might like to
their land to raise one family. Often vary. Some birds form attend their next meeting night,
the two men are brothers. This monogamous pairs. Polygynous which is this Friday, 6th September
means that although one male is not groups with male to female ratios
necessarily sure that any offspring of 1:2 are common as are To allow for extra seating, | need to
belong to him, the progeny will be polyandrous groups with male to let the organisers know the number
closely related genetically to him. female ratios of 2:3, or 4:1. of people who may be attending, so
Groups practising polygndry with will anyone interested please let me
Amongst birds, many variations in ratios of 2:2 or 3:2 are somewhat know as soon as possible.
mating patterns exist. About 90% of less common.
the world's birds are monogamous. In line with good conservation
About 3% are polygynous (this Sean tested such variables as: practices, car pooling is strongly
includes birds such as Reed e the number of copulations by recommended.
Warblers and some other territorial particular male and female
birds where the female will nest in a e the copulations per female Please ring me on 437 047.
good territory presided over by one during the egg laying period
male. Other females may also be e and the total number of
nesting within this territory. copulations per male.
GEELONG NATURALIST Vol 32.5
satisfactorily as they appeared to be COMBINED VFNCA /
two different species; the larger
WVFENCA CAMPOUT NOTICE
BIODIVERSITY GROUP ones were all quite strikingly
marked on the dorsal surface, the ..- Dick Southcombe
. ..Ade Foster
smaller ones were a plain olive
brown. The marbled belly gave a October 18-20.
clue as to their species, and when
Hosted by Casterton FNC.
several mating pairs were netted
Excursion, Inverleigh Common
from the dam, it was obvious that
11/8/96.
Where: On the Glenelg River at
the larger brighter ones were
Myaring Reserve which is 6km west
females, ardently pursued by the
Members met at the Fyansford Hotel
smaller duller males. (Young Jarrod of Pieracle on the Casterton -
carpark at 9.30 on a fine and sunny
was nick-named Amplexus Dartmoor Road. Refer RACV South
Sunday morning; a very pleasant
interruptus for his netting prowess.) Western Victoria map. About 400m
change from the weather of the past
before the river turn left on to a track
two weeks, which had been
Small Tenebrionid beetles were into the reserve.
inordinately cold and wet. A very brisk
very common under fallen timber
breeze was. blowing from the north-
west on our arrival at Inverleigh. throughout the Common. These Directional signs will be erected to
were particularly notable for their show the route from Casterton. Tank
Some months ago, using old railway absence on our last visit. Though water and toilets at reserve.
we searched diligently for orchids, it
sieepers, members constructed
was not until late in the day that we
artificial nesting logs for coconut ants, Program: Casterton FNC members
came across a large patch of
the symbiont host of our club emblem, will be at camp from 6pm-Spm Friday
butterfly, Common Greenhoods in flower. A
the Small Ant Blue to welcome visitors.
small patch of half a dozen
Acrodipsas myrmecophila. These
Helmeted orchids were the only
were modelled on those used
- Excursions commence 10.00 am
others we found.
successfully by Tim New and others in Saturday to some wonderful plant
their search for the SAAB at Mt. Piper,
and bird areas looking mainly for
Bio-diversity Workshop 28/8/96
(See Biodiversity Note 2, October
orchids and Red-tailed Cockatoo.
1995, compiled by Les Barrow) and
The last meeting of the Bio-diversity
placed beside active nests in the hope
group was again very well attended. During the evening we will be treated
that they would be colonised by the
The group looked at the to dinner at the Bluff and a talk about
ants. They could then be easily
invertebrates inhabiting several the limestone cliff formations next
opened and examined for any sign of
samples of water from Jerringot. doort o our camp.
SABB larvae, and resealed without
This was a very productive evening
permanently upsetting the tenants.
... over 20 different animals were > We will search for fossils on Sunday
One nest was inhabited by a range of recorded, and a list of freshwater morning and enjoy a barbeque lunch
cockroaches and an impressive Black invertebrates being compiled by the provided by our hosts before heading
House Spider, but no ants. The other group had two new specimens homewards. As the Bluff is only a few
had been colonised, but had become added to it. We also spent some kilometres from our camp site those
time keying and identifying ants and
very wet and it's continued habitation who find the Glenelg River water too
spiders as part of an on-going study
was in doubt. Both were moved cold may take a hot shower at the
that the group is undertaking.
slightly to allow for better run-off of Bluff. BYO everything except
rain water, and.re-sealed. No sign of Saturday dinner and Sunday lunch.
Some of our members will be
the Small Ant Blue.
attending the next meeting of the
Cost: The camnout fee of $30
former Frogwatch group at
A puddle beside the dam on the golf-
covers Saturday dinner, Sunday
Melbourne Zoo on Friday 6th
course was swarming with newly
lunch and other charges met by
September. Anyone interested in
hatched tadpoles and masses of frog-
attending can contact Dennis Casterton FNC.
spawn. Because it was very shallow,
Greenwell or meet at the Elliott
we doubted that it would survive to
Avenue entrance to the Zoo at 7.45 Please send your cheque direct to Ms
allow the tadpoles to mature. The
pm. Carol McKinnon, RMB1108,
spawn and as many tadpoles as
Casterton, 3311 by 10th October.
possible were collected and
The topic at the next meeting will be
transferred to the dam itself. (Dennis
returned the following week to retrieve Reptiles and Amphibians with guest Other accommodation: Hotels and
speaker Neil Davie, President of the
a net inadvertently left behind and the motels in Casterton. Phone numbers
Geelong Herpetological Society.
puddle was dry! A timely intervention available.
Our next excursion is to Gum Flat at
indeed.) No on-site vans at Casterton.
Anglesea. Meet at the corner of
BE EARLY.
Anglesea and Forest Roads at 9.30
Having done our bit for the frog
am on Sunday September 8th.
population of the area, we turned our Further information: See me at
attention to the area surrounding the meetings or phone 433 916.
Anyone interested in joining the
dam. We uncovered Southern Brown oO
Biodiversity group can contact
Tree Frog, a very large Spotted Marsh
convener Les Barrow on 430 061 or
Frog, (with very few spots and no
Dennis Greenwell on 437 047.
diagnostic stripe) and several
m)
specimens of the Common Froglet.
These last took some time to identify
GEELONG NATURALIST Vol 32.5
Not to be forgotten were the long LERDERDERG EXCURSION
EXCURSION REPORT stretches of a rogue species of BIRD LIST
shrub which covers the tracks and
.. . Diana Primrose
smothers the normal vegetation.
. . . compiled by Barry Lingham
This species proliferated after the
1983 fires and has changed the
nature of the Lerderderg bush. Species seen between
Report on Lerderderg Geelong and Lerderderg
As we made our way down the
Excursion - Gorge
ridge we had some nice views
August 18th 1996.
across the gorge and down the
Little Black Cormorant
side gullies. At one point there is
This was more a bush walking day White-faced Heron
a birds eye view of a stretch of the
than an intensive natural history Straw-necked Ibis
river heading straight towards us
Maned Duck
exercise - weather forecast, rain, hail
before taking a sharp horseshoe
Wedge-tailed Eagle
and snow showers. We were not
bend just below, to curve around Australian Kestrel
disappointed!
to our lunch spot on the flat at the Silver Gull
bottom of McKenzie track. The Common Bronzewing
Eleven of us made the journey. We
drop to the river from this view is Galah
started the day in fine conditions
quite precipitous. Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
travelling in the mini bus through
Crimson Rosella
Anakie, Staughton Vale and Bacchus
Twenty-three bird species were Laughing Kookaburra
Marsh - a scenic run within view of
seen between Geelong and the Welcome Swallow
the Rowsley Scarp all the way.
gorge. A highlight of the day was Richards Pipit
Golden wattle Acacia pycnantha in
the 30+ Flame Robins at the base Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike
flower along the way.
of Mt. Blackwood. Flame coloured Blackbird
Our target for the day was Chadwick breasts perched on rocks, fences Flame Robin 30+
Track and Mckenzie Track, down to and scattered over the paddock as Scarlet Robin
the Lerderderg River. Leaving the far as the eye could see! A Eastern Yellow Robin
vehicle in Loh Lane at the base of Mt. beautiful sight. Most probably a Grey Shrike-thrush
Blackwood, we made our way migrating flock which happened to Willie Wagtail
through wet soggy muddy farmland pause at Mt. Blackwood the same Superb Fairy Wren
to the start of the track - signified by day we did. White-browed Scrub Wren
Brown Thornbill
a blaze on a tree. You have to know
Yellow-rumped Thornbill
where to look! Another highlight of the day was
Striated Thornbill
the scene of our little band of
Varied Sitella
The track, originally well formed and walkers on the trail through a haze
White-throated Treecreeper
probably a main packhorse track to of pink and white heath and yellow
Red Wattlebird
the gold diggings (or sluicings), wattle with the snow flakes floating
Yellow-faced Honeyeater
follows the ridge through heathy down and settling on us. What a
White-eared Honeyeater
scrubby woodland, before dropping beautiful picture - and | had left my
White-naped Honeyeater
down to the river where vegetation is camera at home. A short time
New Holland Honeyeater
more “otways like”. before this a shower of hail came
Eastern Spinebill
Along the river... down and bounced straight off us
White-fronted Chat
Blackwoods Acacia melanoxylon, - So frozen it did not wet us!
Striated Pardalote
Hazel Pomaderris P. apetala,
European Goldfinch
Hop Goodenias G. ovata, An enjoyable day getting to know
House Sparrow
Hedge Wattle Acacia paradoxa the “Lerdy’ in all its weathers.
Common Mynah (Bacchus Marsh)
Swamp Bottlebrush Callistemon
Australian Magpie-lark
paludosus. (Note: Botanical names Australian Magpie
An introduced species of broom and mentioned are what used to be - Grey Currawong
gorse were also on the river flat. some have been changed - check Little Raven
your updated lists)
Along the ridge were beautiful
43 species in all.
stretches of pink and white Common o
Heath Epacris impressa, the gold of
Spike Wattle Ac. oxycedrus, with a HOODED PLOVERS
scatter of pink and white Silky Hakea
H. sericea and the occasional
stunted Silver Banksia B. marginata. | believe there is a count on the
weekend of Nov 9-10.
Barry Lingham will clarify this in
the next issue.
Oo
GEELONG NATURALIST Vol 32.5
BELMONT COMMON, proposed course does not directly
A WATER SPORTS COMPLEX lie across it. and that Jerringot is
CLUB NOTES
AND YOU! “seen as providing a significant
and complementary element for ... Claire McCormick
the Watersports complex as a
..- Valda Dedman wetland environment”. There are
Dick Southcombe of course implications for the Valda Dedman, Dick Southcombe
water table and the use of the and Trevor Pescott are looking
area by Latham’s Snipe and other
The Club has had two meetings with closely at the issue of Belmont
birds in any development of the
representatives of the City of Greater Common and its future uses.
Common as well as questions of
Geelong to discuss the proposed Please see the report elsewhere in
salinity, pollution and the like. We
International Water Sports Complex this month’s issue.
feel that the real question should
on Belmont Common. The Victorian
be “Would a Watersports
government has given a grant of Rachel Keary and Barry Lingham
Complex complement the
$52,500 and the Council has added have submitted our response to the
Jerringot Wildlife Reserve?”
thousands more dollars towards a draft recommendations of the Land
Would it enhance the Belmont
feasibility study. The Club was Conservation Council - Marine and
Common as an area where
concerned because no detailed Coastal Areas. Thank you both
Geelong citizens can stroll and
plans for the complex were available Rachel and Barry.
relax? The area is worthy of
and there had been no real
protection; centrally situated and
opportunity for comment. As Barry Lingham reported that there
available to everyone, it is
lessees of the Jerringot Wildlife are still in excess of 22 domestic
common Crown land.
Reserve, an integral part of the geese at Balyang Sanctuary.
Common, we believed this was our
Our vision is even wider. As field
due. Finally, after many inquiries, Valda Dedman has offered to
naturalists we understand that
we found that our lease had not represent the Club on the Barwon
Jerringot is part of a larger
been renewed, although we had River Users Group (RUG). This
environmental unit, firstly of the
carried out all the terms of our lease group will meet about four times a
whole of the Belmont Common,
and had been involved with, and year “to provide Barwon Water with
then as part of the Barwon River
improved and protected the area the opportunity to remain responsive
floodplain, and this in turn is linked
since 1972. In 1992 the Club to customer needs and concerns.”
to the total river catchment and in
negotiated with the City of South We were asked to nominate one
particular to the system of
Barwon and the Department of person to represent both Geelong
wetlands leading through Reedy
Conservation and Natural Environment Council and us. Valda
Lake, Hospital Lake, Lake
Resources to include the wetland and Tony Woolford were interviewed
Connewarre, the Barwon delta
north of Golf Course Road in the by Barwon Water. They will choose
and the sea. And we also see the
Wildlife Reserve and a three year one person to represent both
importance of the Common as an
lease was drawn up. organisations. The G.E.C.and
urban park, a green heart to the
G.F.N.C. feel that we should both
city.
In our meeting with Council we were have representatives.
hoping to find out more details about
We have a vision for the Belmont
the project. We were amazed to The Club plans to reprint the very
Common, not just for Jerringot,
learn that the substantial grants had successful ‘GEELONG NATURE
and we are preparing a concept
been made with very little GUIDE’. We have received a Grant
plan to present to Council. The
information about the requirements of $400.00 from Surf Coast Shire
area has been dear to our hearts
of- international water sports. Four Council to start the ball rolling and
for a long time. We have planted
straight lines drawn across an aerial we are also seeking further funding
trees and shrubs there; we have
photo, with no details as to size, site from other sources.
built a bird hide; we have
requirements, infrastructure or
conducted surveys of its flora and
international standards gave us no Concern has been raised as to the
fauna; we have published a
understanding at all as to what is continued suitability of the Small Ant
brochure about it; we have held
envisaged. It is impossible to Blue Butterfly as our Club emblem.
bird walks there for our members,
comment without sufficient - The butterfly appears to now be
other environment and education
knowledge. It is also a matter for extinct in this region. This is very
groups, disabled persons,
concern that Councillors appear to scouting groups and the general sad, as | know how hard members
have been so influenced by the have worked to preserve its former
public; we have provided
lobbying and talking up by the habitat at the Ocean Grove Nature
information and practical
proponents - albeit with inadequate Reserve. Your feelings on the
assistance to students. We want
factual data - that general matter would be appreciated.
the Common to remain accessible
acceptance is assumed. This is
to all and to enhance its
regrettable especially as there was The final Seminar by COAST
environmental values and natural
no community consultation. appeal. ACTION will be held tomorrow night,
Thankfully things have now
Wednesday 4th September. The
changed. There is now to be
We need YOUR input, too. Please subject will be “Coastal Animals” and
extensive community consultation.
let us have all your ideas. The the speaker is Barbara Wilson. The
Common, reserved in 1839, could meeting begins at 8.00 p.m. at the
We have been told that it is unlikely
be a jewel in the crown of Geelong West Town Hall.
that “our” wetland would be
Geelong.
detrimentally affected, since the
mj o
6 GEELONG NATURALIST Vol 32.5
SPRING IN GEELONG
.... by Joe Hubbard
and his special helpers
The proponents of the six season cycle of nature will tell you Spring is already here. But this
old conservative waits until September 1 to celebrate its coming. Whatever you believe
everyone with our interests looks forward to the bounty of the next few months. And what a
bounty!
It is such a special time that we have asked some of our members to share with us their
Spring thoughts with the usual emphasis on what and where.
Valda Dedman...
Valda is another fan of the Brisbane Ranges
and its wattles and is looking forward to
sharing this bounty with a lot of friends.
She also recommends Forest Road and
Gum Flat Road, Anglesea for more wattle -~
viewing.
The swans at Jerringot Nature
Reserve should have cygnets by
now. She will check on their
progress.
Gordon McCarthy...
Spring brings the pleasure (7?) of
being awakened by the dawn
Gordon feels that September brings
chorus of the birds.
an awakening of nature. He looks
for the first orchids flowering and the
And the colonies of greenhoods
song of the birds and their mating
everywhere.
and territorial behaviours.
“Yesterday, you could feel spring in
the warm wind - there is something
intangible about the prospect about
the approach of spring - you feel it,
smell it, sense it. You feel as though
you have turned the corner. Every
thing starts to feel better.”
Gordon feels that spring starts in
August when he finds the first
Scented Sundew in flower.
GEELONG NATURALIST Vol 32.5 7
Carleen Huggins...
This marks the beginning of the spring orchids.
Carleen looks out for Blunt Greenhoods,
Maroonhoods and the first of the Caledenias.
She likes Forest Road, Anglesea.
She also will take a drive down Purnell Street,
Anglesea stopping off at the Bowman Reserve
where there will sure to be something of interest.
At the end of this street there is a lovely walk
across to the cliff tops.
Trevor Pescott...
The remarkable changes that occur in
nature as August ticks over into ©
September never fail to excite - more
than at any other time of the year. It is a season of
awakening. Itis still too cold though to visit forests,
wetlands and shores, so as a nature photographer
| head out to open woodlands at the You Yangs,
Inverleigh and the Brisbane Ranges.
Birds have started nesting and wildflowers are in
profusion. Wattlebirds, New Hollands, chats, Leila Ramsay...
pardalotes and robins will be busy at their nests;
and ravens, lapwings, magpies, kites and even
“The burst of colour of the wattles
wedgetails may already have young.
makes you feel so much better -
the gold against the green of the
Anglesea too is worth visiting, but not yet the
bush. For a variety of wattles e.g.
“Otways’”.
Spike, Rough, Golden, you can't
do better than the Brisbane
Ranges. Thompsons Road and
Aeroplane Road are
recommended”. (Access from
south end of National Park via
Switch Road or from the north via
Mt Wallace Road off the Geelong-
Ballan Road.)
“A drive along the Geelong-Ballan Road is a
treat in itself. Don’t forget the beautiful Fairy
Wax-flower on the right hand side of De Motts
Road, Anakie, just over Clarkes Road”. It
grows roadside and spills over into private
property.
Joe Hubbard...
| guess my first trip this Spring will be to the
Brisbane Ranges and the stony, dry hillsides
around the Stony Creek picnic ground (via
Anakie) to look for Pink Fingers orchids.
If I am lucky |w ill find growing in close proximity to each other, pink and white Pink Fingers and the lovely
Blue Caladenia.
Pushing my luck | will continue to the Bert Boardman Reserve at Steiglitz and take the gravel road through
it towards the creek. There | will find lovely mauve-blue Waxlip Orchids backed by the yellow of Guinea
Flowers.
GEELONG NATURALIST Vol 32.5
2 Discussions are taking place JERRINGOT,
AUGUST MEETING REPORT with Alcoa with regard to the FROGS AND SNIPE
discharge of waste water of low
. . Roy Whiteside ... Dennis Greenwell
salt content. The EPA advises
it is preferable to discharge
On 7th August, Í was at the wetland
onto a land area with recreated
with two other members looking for
habitat rather than straight into
frogs. As expected, we were able to
Report of illustrated talk the bay. It has suggested that
find a dozen or more Spotted Marsh
higher stacks would lower the
entitled "Protecting Frogs under some carpet alongside
fluoride level close to ground
Geelong's Environment" the cycle track. They exhibited a
level.
given by Tony Robinson at wide variation of colour and pattern
and many were very fat, which |
the General Meeting held 3 The Geelong Cement
concluded, was due to spawn. We
on 6 August 1996. Company is shortly to produce
were also able to find a single
an environment improvement
specimen of Ewing’s Tree Frog in the
plan which has been drawn up
Tony Robinson, a chemical engineer, same place. Although many
by the company in conjunction
is a Manager in the S.W. Region of Common Froglets could be heard
with the EPA, council and local
the Environment Protection calling from the edge of the swamp,
residents. The main concerns
Authority. He stated that the aims of we were unable to find any.
being addressed are with
the EPA are to monitor the quality of
regard to cement dust and
air, water and land and to ensure that While we were busy with our frog
discharges into the river from
pollution levels are kept below hunting, a rather “useful” thing
the quarry operation.
acceptable values. happened. A car travelling along the
Barwon Heads Road, backfired.
4 The Shell Company of
The EPA tries to encourage the local This had the effect of making all the
Australia has a similar
community to deal directly with a birds that had been peacefully going
environmental improvement
company whose practices are of about their business, take to the air
scheme.
concern. in panic. | knew that at any day, the
Latham’s Snipe would be returning
EPA Publications
The talk was illustrated with maps from their Northern Hemisphere
Catalogue
and aerial photographs were shown breeding grounds and | took
of the local area. particular notice of the birds in the
This gives a summary of all air, to see if any Latham’s Snipe were
The positions of EPA monitoring publications produced by the amongst them. However, none
stations were shown at S.Geelong, EPA. With the major areas being could be seen.
Corio and Point Henry. air, waste, greenhouse-effect,
ozone layer, industry, policies, On 13th August, Ade Foster and |
The EPA liaises with other agencies, technical guidelines. Videos are were at the Bird Hide carrying out our
eg. The Catchment and Land also available. routine water testing for Barwon
Protection Authority. Water. When we had completed our
The talk created a great deal of tests, we decided to have a walk
Water quality in this region is under interest from the audience who through the edge of the swamp to
the contrel of Barwon Water in asked a wide range of questions. see if any Snipe had arrived in the
conjuction with the EPA. Major concerns were expressed week since the “Frog hunting” day.
with regard to discharges from the
Tony stressed the importance of Shell Refinery into the atmosphere To our immense satisfaction, 15
community involvement with and Corio Bay. The major Latham’s Snipe took to the air almost
companies together with the EPA concerns were the odours from at once. Although it was very
and gave a number of examples: the waste water treatment plant, tempting to continue with our walk to
the increased temperature of the try to discover how many more birds
1 The EPA is working with Rohm bay from cooling water and visible had arrived, we thought that they
and Haas in conjunction with the smoke plumes. should be left in peace to recover
community at Pt Henry in an from their long flight back to
attempt to retain remnant Roy Whiteside gave a vote of Australia.
vegetation. Waste water thanks to the speaker.
(containing paint) had previously o (m)
been discharged into a pond. The
EPA advised that this practice
was unacceptable. It is now
planned to filter out the paint and
to make use of the waste water
to irrigate a rehabilitated area of
remnant vegetation.