May 2008 : Vol. 29 No. 4 ‘MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF THE BENDIGO FIELD NATURALISTS CLUB Bendigo Field Naturalists Club Inc. Address for correspondence: PO Box 396, Bendigo 3552 ISSN 0812-423X Office Bearers for 2007 - 2008 President Glenise Moors Mandurang South Road, Sedgwick 54396254 Senior Vice President Richard Goonan 0423 418815 Junior Vice President Matthew Comer 0409 162627 Secretary Anne Bridley 5449 3479 Minute Secretary Peter Ellis and Jan Orr Treasurer Rob Moors Membership Officer Anne Bridley 5449 3479 Excursion organiser __ Richard Goonan 0423 418815 Syllabus organiser Rod Orr 2 Cockerel Court, Bendigo 5443 5668 (an assistant’s position for the syllabus organiser is still vacant) Librarian (t.b.c.) DianaCollier 31 Milroy Street, Bendigo 5443 0137 Garden Convenor/Secretary Matthew Comer 0409 162 627 Hall Management Maurie Lewis (assisted by Bill Holsworth and Kath Thompson) 0407 427179 Whirrakee contact Sabine Wilkens 82 Somerville Street, Bendigo 5443 2797 e-mail: s.wilkens@latrobe.edu.au Membership of the Bendigo Field Naturalists Club is open to all those interested in Natural History. The subscription rates are: Single $34; Family $40; Concession: Single $28.50; Family $34. Whirrakee subscription only is $34. General meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month. The venue for General meetings is the Golden Square Senior Citizens Building, Old High Street, Golden Square. The invited speaker at general meetings starts at 8:00pm and meetings conclude with supper. If a workshop is held prior to the meeting, it will be advertised and it usually starts at 7.00pm. The Annual Meeting is held in September. Committee meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:30pm. Members of the Committee are the Office Bearer listed above and the following members: Bob Ruddick, Rod Orr, Jan Orr, Peter Ellis, Ben Goonan, Anthony Sheean, Stuart Fraser, Liz Graham Excursions are conducted regularly and are advertised on the diary page of the Whirrakee. The assembly point for excursions is the Golden Square Senior Citizens Building, unless otherwise specified. In addition to local excursions, campouts are held several times each year, usually coinciding with long weekends or holiday periods. The Bendigo Field Naturalists Club has one active group that meets regularly (the Fauna Study Group) and other groups that meet at irregular intervals. Fauna Study Group: meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 7:30pm in the Golden Square Senior Citizens Building. Chairman: John Burtonclay, Fadersons Lane, Mandurang (5439 5710) Secretary: Bill Holsworth, 13 Nabilla Crs., Bendigo (5443 4063) Equipment Officer: Maurie Lewis (0407 427179) . Bird Observers Group: This group has field excursions and the occasional lecture evening. Please consult the Whirrakee for details. Special bird observations should be reported to Anne Bridley 5449 3479. To propose meetings or excursions please contact Kerrie Norris 5447 8017. Front cover photo?...see page 2. WHIRRAKEE Monthly Newsletter of the Bendigo Field Naturalist Club Vol. 29, No. 4, May 2008 Whirrakee takes its name from the Whirrakee Wattle (Acacia williamsonii) which is virtually endemic to the Bendigo region CONTENT Item Contributor Page Short notices and upcoming speaker 3 Lizards of the Bendigo District (Legless Lizards and Dragons) Darren Green 6 Notes from the March General Meeting Jan and Rod Orr 7 April General Meeting — Thing of the Night Rod Orr 8 Notes from the April General Meeting Jan and Rod Orr 9 Authors are responsible for the accuracy of the information they use and also for any opinions expressed in their articles. Contributions will be included as soon as possible after they are received, although articles received more than one week after the monthly General Meeting will probably be too late for inclusion in the next issue of Whirrakee. Articles in Whirrakee may be reproduced, but permission should be obtained from the Bendigo Field Naturalists Club, and acknowledgment should be given to the author and the Club. Some back issues are still available on request. Editor’s Note In this issue, we are continuing the series on reptiles of Bendigo by Darren Green. I hope most of you have been watching ‘Life in Cold Blood’, which, I believe is David Attenborough’s last series. All the more sad that it is shown with advertisements between segments — not a good ending for the phenomenon ‘David Attenborough’. : Apologies to Rod Orr as well as Chris and Sandra Bunn, for making a special effort to get articles to me from afar. I had plenty of material this month and had to hold over their contribution till next time. Front Page Illustration — Photographer: Darren Green What a great photo (and even better in colour!) Read the description of the defensive behaviour of this Bearded Dragon, Pogona barbata, in Darren Greens article (page 6) and this will colourise the image for you somewhat. Sn Short notices May General Meeting ‘Speaking up for our Waterways: the role for a Waterkeeper’ Presented by Stacey Bloomfield, Program Support Coordinator at Waterkeepers Australia. The Waterkeeper movement began on New York's Hudson River in 1966 when commercial and recreational fishermen united to save the river. In 1983, they hired the first full-time Hudson Riverkeeper to patrol the river, to restore its abundant fisheries and to lead citizen-based enforcement of environ- mental laws. The early successes of Hudson Riverkeeper spurred an explosive growth of similar grassroots programs across the globe. Today there are over 177 Waterkeeper programs across the globe, with 19 Water- keeper programs in Australia. One of the great strengths of the Waterkeeper movement is its grassroots approach to address local water quality and quantity problems. Most simply, a Waterkeeper is an on-the-water environmental “neighbourhood = watch” program, it is about grassroots participation and action in waterway protection. Come and find out move about the Waterkeeper movement and its presence in Australia. Through Australian and US case studies, learn how communities are engaged in protecting and restoring some of Australia’s iconic waterways for all living things to enjoy. Presentation: Wed 14 May 2008, 7.30pm Effect of Fire and Flood on Platypus The Australian Platypus Conservancy is collecting data on platypus seen in Gippsland both before and after the 2006/2007 fire and flood. This joint study with DSE will help to find out how platypus and surving and breeding following these disasters. For a copy of the sightings report form, contact Anne Bridley (544 93479) or go to www.platypus.asn.au. All records will be used only for genuine conservation purposes and will not cause any problems for the animals concerned. Koala Sighting on One Tree Hill by Chris Cope, lecturer in IT, Latrobe University I was riding my mountain bike along Kairn Road (track), One Tree Hill, on Sunday afternoon (6" April), when a koala shot across the track Sm in front of me, leapt 2m up an ironbark and clung there looking at me. I stopped and we exchanged pleasantries for 10 minutes until the koala leisurely climbed further up the tree and I rode on. In 19 years of regularly exercising on One Tree Hill, I have never seen a koala before. Have I had my eyes closed; was this a rare sighting; or must I have been dreamin'? The koala looked well and was very alert and active. I took a photo on my mobile phone. This observation was sent around the university and drew a couple of comments about other people having seen koalas locally. This one is from Alistair Stewart: Over the last 10 years I've seen koalas in the forests of Mandurang, Sedgwick and Lyell (out toward Eppalock). continued on page 10, Lizards of the Bendigo District This series was begun in the April Whirrakee with Part 1. This included an overview and a diagram depicting relationships between the groups. Part 2: Legless Lizards Pygopodidae Author and Photographer: Darren Green Due to their appearance and snake-like locomotion, legless lizards are often mistaken for snakes and killed. Some smaller specimens are also mistaken for worms. They can be distinguished from snakes by their fleshy tongue, which licks the eye under stress, the presence of an ear opening and well-developed hind-limb flaps in some species. Legless lizards are known to be vocal, emitting a loud squeak if provoked. These lizards are terrestrial, however they may climb through grasses and bushes in search of prey. They are also diurnal, however may become nocturnal in hot weather. Pink-tailed Worm Lizard Aprasia parapulchella Colour moves from a dark brown to blackish- brown head and nape, uniform grey to greyish-brown body, merging to a pink or pale reddish-brown tail. Adults reach a SVL (snout-vent length) of 140mm. This small legless lizard can be found during spring sheltering beneath ‘hand-sized’ _ rocks throughout the Box-Ironbark forests in the Bendigo area. Otherwise these lizards are rarely encountered throughout the remaining months of the year. Due to their small size and appearance, they may be erroneously mistaken for worms. They appear to be restricted to the Box-Ironbark Forests around Bendigo, where they are currently listed as a . threatened species. These lizards are uncommon with a patchy distribution. This species has otherwise only been known to occur around Canberra, and in recent times has been added to the list of species discovered in the Bendigo district. One wonders if the Pink-tailed Worm Lizard once joined the Canberra population via a Box- Ironbark Forest corridor between the two sites. Specimens have been recorded from Whipstick, Maiden Gully, Wellsford Forest, One Tree Hill, Mandurang, and Sugarloaf at Axedale. The Pink-tailed Worm Lizard desperately needs further research into its biology, natural history and its full geo- graphic range. Striped Legless Lizard Delma impar Easily distinguished from other legless lizards in the Bendigo region by its stripes. This legless lizard is a pale grey-brown above with a series of dark-brown or black stripes extending from the neck and along the length of the body and tail. In some specimens and on re-generated tails, the stripes are less prominent or absent. The tail is two to three times longer than the body (SVL 90mm). It feeds on insects and spiders by ambushing any prey that wanders close by. It may be found on basalt plains and grasslands, usually under or beside rocks, or in grass tussocks. If touched, D.impar will emit a loud wheezing squeak. Considered rare due to habitat destruction. Records for this species are from Dingee, Prarie, Mitiamo, Kamarooka North, Joyces Creek, Mia Mia, and Redesdale. You can read more about the Striped Legless Lizard in Gibbons (1994). Olive Legless Lizard Delma inornata A uniform grey, grey-brown or olive brown colour above and whitish below. The tail is usually three times as long as the body (SVL 125mm) and can be regenerated if broken. Two eggs are laid in January. A harmless lizard that feeds exclusively on insects and spiders which it finds foraging amongst low dense shrubs and grasses during the day. They are found under rocks and logs usually in grasslands and open dry schelophyll forests and woodlands around Bendigo. When grasped by predators, D.inornata emits a wheezing squeak. They are often killed through mis-identification for baby Brown Snakes. Records are from all habitats in the Bendigo district. Common Scaley-Foot Pygopus lepidopodus A large legless lizard, that may reach a total length of 850mm (SVL 275mm). This lizard may vary considerably in colour throughout its geographic range, however they seem to be predominantly a grey-brown to mid-grey. The underside is patterned with a series of dark flecks or blotches. The scales are strongly keeled and large hind-limb flaps are present. This species has been infrequently encountered in the Whipstick and around Inglewood, with most reports coming from road kills. Records are from Kamarooka, Inglewood, Neilborough, Whipstick Speci- men Hill, Kangaroo Flat, and One Tree Hill. P.lepidopodus is another legless lizard of dubious status in the Bendigo district. Indeed its status is believed to be secure elsewhere within its natural geographic range, but records are now virtually non-existent in the Bendigo district. References COGGER, H.G. (2000) Reptiles & Amphibians of Australia, 6th edition, New Holland Publishers, Australia. EHMANN, H. (1992) Encyclopaedia of Australian Animals: Reptiles, Angus & Robertson, Australia. ; GIBBONS, D. (1994) The Finding of the Striped Legless Lizard (Delma impar) in the Bendigo Region, Whirrakee 15(5):3-4. WILSON, S.K., & KNOWLES, D.G. (1988) Australia’s Reptiles; A Photographic Reference to the Terrestrial Reptiles of Australia, Collins Publishers, Australia. Lizards of the Bendigo District Part 3: Dragon Lizards Agamidae Author and Photographer: Darren Green Dragons are a family of diurnal lizards which are predominantly terrestrial with some arboreal habits. They are characterised by their triangular shaped head and enlarged body spines. Largely insectivorous they will also feed on flowers and other plant material. Jacky Lizard Amphibolurus muricatus A.muricatus has a SVL of 100 to 120mm, its colour is pale grey to dark brown with a series of large angular blackish patches along the middle of the back. During late spring to early summer it lays around 8 eggs hatching some 74 to 79 days later. Multiple clutching is suspected to occur in the Bendigo area. This dragon is normally encountered either along rock ridges, perched on fallen or standing timber or on the ground. It runs away in bursts over short distances and will readily climb trees, keeping the tree between itself and the aggressor. If cornered, A.muricatus will adopt a threatening posture with mouth agape, displaying a bright yellow colouring of the interior of the mouth. A.muricatus feeds opportunistically on small insects. It is typically found in woodlands and dry sclerophyll forests, where they often shelter in hollows and low vegetation or under rocks, timber and bark. They are common throughout the Bendigo district. Bearded Dragon Pogona barbata Seater P.barbata is variable in colour that can change with temperature, being dark when cold, and lightening as its body temperature rises. Generally the colour ranges from a pale grey, fawn or brown, through to a reddish brown or almost black. It may obtain a SVL of around 250mm and lays between 15 and 35 eggs around December. It is a semi-arboreal lizard that is often seen on roadsides or perched on fence posts and stumps throughout the Bendigo district. Typically inhabiting woodlands and dry sclerophyll forests, it may also be found in many urban and rural areas. It is often confused with the frill-neck lizard (Chlamydosaurus kingii), to which it is distantly related. During the day, P.barbata may forage for insects but will also eat flowers and soft herbage. A variety of displays are characteristic to Pogona spp., some are head bobbing, arm waving and push ups. On approach, they remain motionless and rely on their colour in order not to be seen, however, as a last resort they puff out their distinct beard and hold the mouth agape showing the yellow mouth parts (see front cover of this issue). The bluff ends as they run away. References COGGER, H.G. (2000) Reptiles & Amphibians of Australia, 6th edition, New Holland Publishers, Australia. EHMANN, H. (1992) Encyclopaedia of Australian Animals: Reptiles, Angus & Robertson, Australia. WILSON, S.K., & KNOWLES, D.G. (1988) Australia’s Reptiles; A Photographic Reference to the Terrestrial Reptiles of Australia, Collins Publishers, Australia. Acknowledgements I wish to acknowledge my old ‘herping’ partner Dale Gibbons who graciously bestowed his knowledge and records. Notes from the March General Meeting By Jan and Rod Orr Reports 1. SEANA, March long weekend campout at Naracoorte SA Rob Moors: This was the first time a campout has been held at this venue and over 100 Field Naturalists were able to attend. The Naracoorte FNC with the generous support of the South Australia Parks and Wildlife Department were able to organise a most varied program centred around the World Heritage Listed Naracoorte Caves National Park. The Naracoorte Caves have been formed by ground water dissolving ancient marine limestone. The caves have long been famous for their beautiful cave formations but it was the discovery of the bones of extinct Australian fauna in the late 20th century that has aroused world interest and brought about its World Heritage listing. The activities included trips to local nature reserves, which were all as dry as our local bush and many trips were cut short in the afternoons as the heat was extreme. However the visitors were still able to appreciate the great plant and bird diversity these reserves contain. One popular activity was an excursion to hunt for the Red-tailed Black Cockatoo but alas they were unsuccessful, however they were able to explore the interesting border area of SA and Victoria. On Sunday evening, the group visited the Bat Caves and saw the bats, with the aid of infra- red lighting, getting ready to venture out to hunt. They went outside to see the bats leaving the cave. The bats were the Southern _ Bent-wing Bat. The Sunday evening speaker spoke about changes to the SA south-west landscape since the arrival of Europeans. The area was once very wet and swampy. The first settlers quickly set about draining the land to make it suitable for agriculture. The first drains were _ dug by private individuals, then later the government got involved and constructed a network of large drains that removed most of the surface water. Today the policy is to try and reverse some of this and retain water. The area has vast underground water supplies that is used to provide water for towns and agriculture, yet it is only in recent times that — people have come to realise that there is a direct link between what happens in the surface to the quality and quantity of underground water. In the past, sink holes have been used as dumps for liquid waste and rubbish causing a decline in water quality in the groundwater, A highlight of this campout was being able to meet with Steve, a palaeontologist, in his lab and being put to work using a small paint brush, to sort through samples of cave dirt. The dirt contained 1000s of tiny bone fragments of animals such as bat species and antechinus species. It was utterly fascinating. Jane Cleary: In spite of it being so dry she was able to identify the following plants on the excursions to Bailey’s Rocks and Margaret Seymour Nature Reserves: Eucalyptus camaldulensis, River Red Gum Eucalyptus fasciculosa, Pink Gum Eucalyptus leucoxylon, Yellow Gum Eucalyptus ovata, Swamp Gum Eucalyptus baxterii, Brown Stringy Gum Banksia marginata, Bursaria spinulosa Acacia pycnantha Acacia verticillata Acacia mearnsii Melaleuca brevifolia Melaleuca lanceolata Melaleuca uncinata Leptospermum continentale Dodonea viscosa Exocarpos cupressiformis Hakea rugosa Hakea nodosa Hakea rostrata Xanthorrhoea caespitosa Xanthorrhoea minor Heaths including Flame, Cranberry Peas including Bossiaea prostrata, Daviesia ulicifolia, Daviesia brevifolia The fruiting bodies of a sun orchid (tall, 10 seed capsules) and onion orchid species. Tetratheca ciliata (Pink Bells). There were many plants she couldn’t identify, most striking were the masses of grass trees and beautiful clumps of a fine sedge. The only plants that were flowering were : Pelargonium rodneyanum, Wahlenbergia sp.; Flame Heath; Cranberry Heath and Banksia. Observations 1.Gemma Cumming has been observing Dingy Swallowtail butterfly larvae develop through their life cycle on the citrus trees in her back yard. She photographed _ their changes and showed the photos to the meeting. Nathan Gregory 2.1 On an recent warm evening he has seen the back-swimmers in his backyard pond shedding their skins. 2.2 He has noticed that the male Superb Fairy Wrens have begun to moult their blue colouring. Jane Cleary read to the meeting a quotation from a 10th century text of Sufi origin titled “Animals Lawsuit Against Humanity”. The quotation was in the concluding chapter of a paper she has been reading titled “The language of the Birds”. ‘I am setting signs as a warning to you lest you backslide. Should you err, the animals will begin to disappear, one by one, forever, from the face of the earth; and the air in your settlements and fortresses will become dangerous to breathe. Should you still not change, the sky will weaken and the earth will reveal its nakedness to the sun; the water in your streams and the rain in the sky slowly will turn undrinkable. Persevere in your wicked ways and still worse will happen: the seasons will be reversed and your climates turned on end; the earth will cease yielding up its goodness and the sky will cease its rain. Nor shall this be the end. Continue, and the animals you eat - fish and fowl, beast and bug - will bring sickness and death upon you. In the end, should you ignore all these previous signs - so help me God - you humans will be displaced from your place of glory and no longer rule the earth. So mark my words, you humans, and heed my warning. Change your ways while there is yet time.” April general Meeting -Thing of the night - Mistletoe species of our region Author: Rod Orr I rediscovered a short article, which prompted me to offer to talk briefly about mistletoes of our region, as our ‘Thing of the night’ at the April meeting. There are 8 species of mistletoe which grow within a reasonable distance of Bendigo - they represent 3 genera as listed below: Amyema miquelii, Box Mistletoe (or Stalked Mistletoe) Amyema pendula, Drooping Mistletoe Amyema quandang, Grey Mistletoe Amyema preissii, Wire-leaf Mistletoe Amyema linophyllum, Buloke Mistletoe Amyema miraculosum, Fleshy Mistletoe Lysiana exocarpi, Harlequin Mistletoe Muellerina eucalyptoides, Creeping Mistletoe Victoria’s other 4 mistletoe species are found in East Gippsland - you can find them at Mallacoota, if you know where to look. They represent the 4 genera: Korthalsella (Jointed Mistletoe); Notothixos (Golden Mistletoe); Dendropthoe (Long-flowered Mistletoe); and Muellerina (Coast Mistletoe). Some mistletoe species are restricted to growing on just a very few host plants - Buloke Mistletoe, for example, grows only on Casuarina species, most commonly on Buloke (Allocasuarina luehmanii). Amyema preissii grows on several Acacia species, although it may also be found growing on Tree Lucerne (Tagasaste); Drooping Mistletoe grows on several Eucalypt species but also on some Acacias, sometimes on Cherry Ballart and even Buloke. Lysiana exocarpi grows on Buloke and some Acacias, especially Deane’s Wattle (Acacia deanii) at Kooyoora State Park. Amyema miraculosum grows either as a parasite on some other mistletoes, particularly Box Mistletoe, but also on Quandong and Berrigan. Some of our local mistletoes have finished flowering and are developing fruit, Drooping Mistletoe is in bud; Grey Mistletoe is flowering now; Buloke, Creeping, Box, Fleshy and Wire-leaf mistletoes are developing fruit. Harlequin Mistletoe may still be found flowering if you are lucky. An interesting mistletoe plant at Rob and Glen Moors’ place was intermediate in appearance between Grey Mistletoe and Drooping Mistletoe - an apparent hybrid between these species, which also grow together there and flower at the same time. Unfortunately, the host Acacia has died thus killing the mistletoe growing on it. Mistletoes are very interesting native plants which can teach us quite a lot about relationships between plants and between plants and animals. We are fortunate that our region has such a surprising diversity of mistletoes. Notes from the April General Meeting By Jan and Rod Orr Reports Maurie Lewis Maurie and Glenise Moors attended the NCCMaA launch of the new Landcare CD. in March. It was held at a Sutton Grange winery. Glenise appreciated the opportunity to meet like minded conservationists. Observations Glenise Moors 1.1 Male Flame Robin (unbanded) was seen at Pilchers Bridge today. She walked the Sedgwick Flame Robin site at the weekend and saw no Flames. 1.2 A pair of New Holland Honeyeaters had a nest in a potted shrub at the Mandurang Goldfields Revegetation Nursery. There were Red-browed Finch nesting in shrubs as well. 1.3 Last Friday the Bendigo Advertiser did a feature article about Jackass Flat. She brought along a copy of the paper for those who missed it, to read. 1.4 Clover Glycine “has been found in the Sedgwick Water Reserve. Adam Muir 2. Where are all the Musk Lorikeets? Harcourt apple growers had been complaining to DSE about how these birds were destroying their crops a short time ago, now suddenly, the birds have gone. Members suggested that the very good Eucalyptus tricarpa flowering this year might be an answer. Large numbers of Musk Lorikeets have been seen foraging in the street trees in Bendigo. Matthew Comer 3.1 Matthew recently visited the Diamond Hill forest. It was very quiet as there were very few birds to be seen. 3.2 At Mandurang Goldfields Revegetation Nursery the most numerous birds were Yellow-faced Honeyeaters, New Holland Honeyeaters and Fuscus Honeyeaters. 3.3 Further to the Musk Lorikeet discussion, he saw them at Kangaroo Flat feeding on lerps that were on Red Gums. Pam Land 4. 10 species of honeyeater have been seen on their property at Neilborough recently. White Fronted and Black Chinned were 2 of the birds she saw. John Burtonclay 5. John read a quotation from the writing of Chief Whitecloud ‘The Prophet’ who lived from 1794 - 1835 about the responsibility of humans in the way we treat the earth. Maurie Lewis 6. Maurie has at last discovered the cause for the carpet of fallen blossoms that are commonly found under flowering eucalypts. Eastern Rosellas are responsible. They ‘sup and chuck’ on the flowers just like Macdonalds eaters. Bill Holsworth 7. Darren Green, a BFNC member living in Queensland, recently emailed Bill an article with photos of a Red-back Spider that had caught and killed a small snake. The photos showed how the spider was able to gradually wrap the snake up in its web over some days. em eee en en nn enn ene Editor’s note: Jackass Flat is in the news again, so I thought I print this observation before we have identified the turtle... Clive Fisher wrote: On Ist January I took some photographs of a small turtle in the water race that runs through the Jackass Flat Nature Conservation Reserve. I don't know what species it is, but hope that Darren Green can identify it later on. It is the first one I have ever seen there. The next day the water had dried up and the turtle was nowhere to be seen. 10 Biodiversity Quiz (from ‘Victoria Naturally Alliance’ ebulletin No 12, via Stuart Fraser) Question 1 What am I? Once so common in the native grasslands of north-west Melbourne I was often referred to as ‘Snow-in-the-paddocks’. However, my habitat has long since disappeared and there are now only two places in the ‘wild’ you will find me, one being Melbourne’s Tottenham railyard. Question 2 Ancient Greenling, Pretty Relict, Streamcruiser, Mosquitohawk and Mystic are found only in Australia. What are they? Birds, orchids or dragonflies. Question 3 Victoria’s open coast is known for its species richness, which exceeds that of: a) California. b) Chile. c) South Africa. ‘d) All of the above. Question 4 In which of Victoria’s heathlands, internationally-known for their wildflower and orchid displays, can you find more than a quarter of the state’s native plant species? The answers will be in the next Whirrakee. The bulletin is a great read, go to: http://vi ctorianaturally.org -au/index.php a SA ae From page 3... Not lots of animals, but enough to make me think that they are semi-frequent visitors. Given there is a population on Mt Alexander, they probably come north through the forest corridors. Yet another reason to make sure that all our forests (on both public and private land) are connected to each other. Diary The General, Bird Observers Group and Fauna Study Group meetings are held at the Golden Square Senior Citizens Building, Old High Street, Golden Square, unless otherwise indicated. General Meetings Wednesday, May 14 7.30pm Stacey Bloomfield: ‘Waterkeepers Australia’ (see page 3 for a preview of this topic) Wednesday, June 11 7.30pm Geoff Lay will talk about ‘Fungi of the Box- Ironbark Forest’ Wednesday, July 9 7.30pm Chris Tzaros (Birds Australia), bird topic to be determined... Excursions Contact Richard Goonan if you have any comments, questions or ideas for excursions (ph 0423418815). Fauna Group This group meets (in the clubrooms) on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm. Wednesday, May 21 Topic for discussion to be determined. 7.30pm Regular Fauna Excursions Every Friday morning starting at around 9 to 9:30, the Fauna Group inspects nest boxes in the Spring Gully area. The excursions are led by Maurie Lewis, 16 Vains St. Golden Square. Phone 0407 427 179 or 5442 1813. Phone Maurie to confirm exact departure times and location. If you don’t phone but go directly to Maurie’s house and find nobody at the house between 9 and 9:30 then the excursion is not on. 11 Wildlife Rescue & Information Network Inc. W.R.I.N. is an organisation dedicated to the care of orphaned, sick or injured native animals. It is fully endorsed by the Dept of Sustainability and Environment. Please call our Emergency Number for Help for Fauna in Need. Phone: 0419 356433. Australian Naturalists Network (ANN) Get- together 10-18 May 2008 Mary River Park, Northern Territory. Expression of interest & deposit of $200 was due to NTFNC by 1/10/07. Accommodation at Mary River Park was to be booked directly by end of October 07. The second notice has been received. This includes an update on accommodation availability at Mary River Park (cabins are essentially full) plus lists of tour operators and natural history references. Anne Bridley (54493479) has further details Friends of the Box-Ironbark Forests (Mount Alexander region) Bushwalks 2008 All walks are on Sundays. Meet 9.30 am outside 30 Templeton Street, Castlemaine (Continuing Ed.) and carpool to the start of the walk. Take water, morning tea and lunch. Non-members welcome. No cost. (Walks are cancelled on Total Fire Ban days.) For more information ring Bronwyn Silver on 5475 1089. 18 May Taradale Conservation Reserve Beginning at Taradale Mineral Springs Reserve, walk under the Taradale Railway Viaduct, along the banks of the Coliban River, through the Taradale Conservation Reserve and finish in the Metcalf Forest. 7.5 km. For more information ring John Sinnot 5423 2437 or 9489 7661. 15 June Mount Lofty Visit Mount Lofty (near Redesdale), the lowest mountain in Mount Alexander Shire. Easy walk. c. 8 km. For more information ring Doug Ralph 5470 5407