Koala Observer Training & Venus Bay Pipi Report available

For those interested in learning how to spot, monitor and help Koalas, South Gippsland Landcare is hosting a seminar at Ruby Hall on February the 27th at 6:30pm. Link below;

http://www.fosk.org.au/

 
In other observing-related news, the latest report on the Stock Assessment of Venus Bay Pipis (2011) is released and available the DPI website, link below;

http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/fisheries/about-fisheries/publications-and-resources/fisheries-reports/your-licence-fees-at-work-reports/2013/stock-assessment-of-venus-bay-pipis

Hooked on Bidgee-Widgee

Bidgee-Widgee (Acaena novae-zelandiae) is a native ground-cover of Australia and New Zealand which is endemic to the Point Smythe area.

It is through the burrs produced in Summer which attach to socks, pants or shoelaces that most people realise they have had an interaction with Bidgee-Widgee, unwittingly drafted as agents of seed dispersal. Each seed has four spines which terminate in minute barbs that hook onto clothing or animal hair, similar plants overseas inspired the invention of hook & loop fasteners like Velcro.

It does play an important role in soil binding and erosion control, and is tolerant of a wide range of conditions from shade to full sun, wet to dry soils, making it worthy of consideration for the local home garden. So the next time Bidgee-Widgee covers your socks in burrs, look on the bright side that your socks have become a free packet of seed!

Hot Hot Hot!!!

Common Brown Butterfly Heteronympha merope (male)

 

During the sweltering heatwave afflicting most of southern Australia this week, one could be excused for thinking that all animals suffer as we do in the heat. Ectothermic (cold blooded) animals however have a metabolism that works much more efficiently at temperatures that would risk heat-stroke for any bird or mammal species, including us. Often considered as "primitive lifeforms" it is only by observations during hot weather that this misconception can be challenged. 

 

Pale-flecked Garden Sunskink Lampropholis guichenoti

Unknown Bull Ant Myrmecia sp.

                                 Common Bottle-daisy Lagenophora stipitata

Something To Sing About

All the signs that Spring has arrived in Venus Bay abound. The melodious calls of birds proclaiming territory and breeding rights fill the bush, and one of the most musical is the Golden Whistler Pachycephala pectoralis is hard for your ears to miss. (Male pictured above, females are duller and lack the black & white head markings).

The plants are also getting into the mood, with many beginning their flowering. The Running Postman Kennedia prostrata (above) delivers a crimson treat with its pea-like blooms. For keener eyes are the small Native Violets Viola hederacea (below) whose flower stalk stands only 10cms tall at most.

The Silky Guiana Flower Hibbertia sericea var. sericea (below).

What would Spring be without a Fungi responding to the rains and warmth? An Earth Star Geastrum sp. (right) adds yet another colour and texture to the community of life playing out the seasonal vocation of procreation.

Focusing on Andersen Inlet erosion risks

I guess there has been a lot of discussion in this blog about changes on the surf beach at Venus Bay but in reality the most significant erosion is going on all along Andersen Inlet.The deeper channels (think of them as a submerged meandering but tidal streams) are snaking back and forth changing position within the inlet progressively widening the inlet and eroding its banks (particularly at Inverloch, on the north eastern side, and around doyle’s road, on the western side. Sand is progressively  moving deeper into the inlet and this hinders the development of mangroves, which are really the only way to slow down eroding the shores. The open “beaches” allow waves to undercut the peat layer of the salt marshes and once compromised like this the salt marshes quickly wash away. Trees offer only slightly more resistance but they soon also succumb to the erosion.