2012 Annual General Meeting

BCFNC Inc

PRESIDENTS REPORT 2012

A most extraordinary year for the Club as most of our district suffered inundation from the most wide-spread flooding seen in recorded history. Our area has been flooded before and in recent times too, as evidenced by the ’93 and ’73 floods. But this time the waters were surprisingly quick in their rise and pervasive in their spread and the damage they caused . Many of our members were badly affected with some losing absolutely everything they owned .Many were flooded in, or out, of their homes and properties and others had their lives and livelihoods affected for weeks. Roads and other infrastructure across the region are still damaged and the repair bill to us all must be enormous. Many areas still have water that hasn’t drained off affecting farmers’ abilities to productively use that land .

Having said that, the effect on the biodiversity of our region is immense. Water birds haven’t bred in such numbers for some years. Refreshed groundwater and subsoil moisture reserves have seen larger trees responding with growth spurts. Understory that has been for some years pressured by drought has responded by putting on sustained growth. Personally, Catherine and I have a seemingly permanent wetland where once we had a dry creek bed running through our property. The birdlife attracted to that water is a source of constant surprise All manner of ducks, egrets, ibis, herons, cormorants, and both types of spoonbill have been seen within 100 mts of our home .A lot of our members have also reported greater than usual sightings of raptors .Many of the robin species, fantails, pardalotes and honeyeaters have been reported in larger numbers too with some rarer types recorded as well. The natural regeneration of native grasses and shrubs is also pleasing after years of losing tube stock plants to drought .Our walk on the day of the AGM through the Wunghnu Common should see this regrowth responding to the inundation. Some species of course have not recovered from the flooding, but with time , residual seed should regenerate. The old adage that ‘every cloud has a silver lining ‘ will never be more true !

Our membership continues to improve and now stands at 77 financial members .This is gratifying as I know that many of us have done their best to invite family, friends, and colleagues and introduce them to field naturalism and the many diverse facets of our area .We continually need to bring in new members as it would seem that field naturalist clubs in general have a declining and ageing membership. Skills and knowledge accumulated over years of study and excursions needs to be handed on to the next generation of members. Many clubs across the State are in serious decline with many unable to continue. Of these Ararat and Horsham are having membership problems and the Southern Riverina and Sunraysia clubs have folded ,unable to attract a younger membership to continue. Timboon Field Naturalist Club hosted the most recent Camp in March 2012 with a membership of 6 ! Their President, also the current President of SEANA, did most of the work single-handedly. My observation of these clubs is that they can sometime become too “scientific” with research and collection of data the main intention of their meetings. Our approach of a field trip led by someone with some experience and a bit of get-together around a picnic lunch and the sharing of anecdotal sightings seems to works for the members of our club. Certainly many of our members have excellent professional knowledge and experiences to share but for some the sheer joy of being in the great outdoors with like-minded people is the point of membership. Let’s continue to invite our guests and build our membership.

SEANA
As you may be aware, I have been elected to the Management Committee of the South East Australian Naturalists’ Association Inc. I am very proud to represent our club and our region at this level and it will give us a voice in the running and policies of SEANA. At the last Committee meeting in early July, the Timboon Club reported on the success of their Camp at Camperdown .In all, 110 field naturalists attended over the three days and the club returned a profit to SEANA of $840 .

The next bi-annual Camp is in a month’s time at Bendigo and some of our members have indicated that they will attend .This will give them an insight into the day-to-day running of a Camp and help in the running of our Camp next year in Spring .Next year in March the Peninsula Club will run a Camp based at Merricks with the lower Mornington Peninsula their specific interest. I would encourage all members to seriously consider attending if you can’t get to Bendigo. We need some of our people to experience the Camps and bring that back to help co-ordinate and run our Camp which is only 14 months away. On that point, at today’s AGM I will present to the club the dates I propose for our SEANA Camp for your discussion and approval and subsequent publication.
The SEANA Committee also had reported to them that a new Risk Management Policy for all financial members is being investigated and any changes will be discussed at the next meeting. SEANA finances are still very healthy with nearly $43,000 in term deposit and a cash balance of $16,000.At the next Camp there will be a discussion of what may be done with the funds and the suggestion that individual clubs may apply for works grants will be looked at.
I have also accepted the role of SEANA Archivist. The Association is now 50 years old and has accumulated an enormous amount of material that needs researching and collating, a subsequent transfer to digital backup, and then, storage. A short history of the Association and it’s member clubs also needs to be undertaken, which I will oversee .

All in all, our club has had a very successful year with interesting outings and good attendance. For me, the excursion to Kinnairds and the Naring grasslands, and then the Feral Feast, were the highlights—great days with good attendance. Let’s hope we can come up with an even better year in 2013, culminating with our SEANA Camp in the Spring

I need to thank the Committee , especially our Secretary and Treasurer for the hours of work they do. I see the work Catherine puts in at the computer, correcting my gaffes , and preparing our monthly newsletters for emailing or post. Anne has the responsibility for handling the monies paid in and the accounts going out and I thank her for that. In this day and age, it is not as simple as it used to be. Without Anne and Catherine doing the behind-the-scenes work, our club would grind to a halt ! Thank you both, from us all .

Paul Huckett
President
BCFNC Inc

November trip- bird list and notes

The following bird list was compiled partly during our boat cruise on the Murray River provided by Kingfisher Cruises .A very successful outing of 1.5 hours duration with several highlights .Incredible numbers of Nankeen Night Herons ,active during the day as well ,with lots of juveniles after the wetter than usual season .A personal highlight for many were the large numbers of Azure Kingfishers which can be approached quite closely by the drifting boat .The only missing bird was the majestic Sea Eagle ,which may have been spotted up very high but unconfirmed by anyone else .Nesting Whistling Kites were very active and everywhere were the usual waterbirds .A highly recommended cruise for birdoes with a reasonably professional commentary .Anyone else will be impressed with wjhole experience of drifting though the Murray River at its narrowest point ,the Barmah Choke and and on into the nearby Barmah Lake .
Some of us wandered along the nearby shore line on the lake ,discovering huge ancient Red Gums , and evidence of the hatching of many native tortoises, species unknown .There are ancient Aboriginal middens here ,fenced off and protected ,evidence of an unbroken usage for many thousands for years .This is the traditional land of the Yorta Yorta Nation and we thank them for their stewardship of this land ,now the country's newest National Park .
Lunch and Christmas Break-up at the Barmah Pub was an enjoyable end to the day ,and also to the year's official outings .

Bird list for Barmah - Kingfisher boat trip and camping area 27 November 2011

Musk Duck
Brown Falcon
White-plumed Honeyeater
Australian Wood Duck
Purple Swamphen
Jacky Winter
Pacific Black Duck
Galah
Rufous Whistler
Darter
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Grey Shrike-thrush
Little Pied Cormorant
Yellow Rosella
Restless Flycatcher
Little Black Cormorant
Red-rumped Parrot
Magpie-lark
Great Cormorant
Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo
Willie Wagtail
Australian Pelican
Azure Kingfisher
Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike
White-faced Heron
Laughing Kookaburra
White-breasted Woodswallow
Little Egret
Sacred Kingfisher
Dusky Woodswallow
White-necked Heron
Dollarbird
Australian Magpie
Eastern Great Egret
White-throated Treecreeper
Australian Raven
Intermediate Egret
Brown Treecreeper
Welcome Swallow
Nankeen Night Heron
Superb Fairy-wren
Tree Martin
Australian White Ibis
Striated Pardalote
Australian Reed-Warbler
Straw-necked Ibis
Weebill
Little Grassbird
Whistling Kite
Little Friarbird
Rufous Songlark
Swamp Harrier
Noisy Miner

Warrenbayne visit bird list

Bird List for Warrenbayne area 23 October 2011 -compiled by Gary ,Kathy and other 'birdoes'

Straw-necked Ibis
White-browed Scrubwren
Leaden Flycatcher
Brown Goshawk
White-throated Gerygone
Grey Fantail
Wedge-tailed Eagle
Brown Thornbill
Willie Wagtail
Common Bronzewing
Yellow Thornbill
Olive-backed Oriole
Galah
Striated Thornbill
Australian Magpie
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Red Wattlebird
Pied Currawong
Australian King-Parrot
Noisy Miner
Satin Bowerbird
Crimson Rosella
Yellow-faced Honeyeater
House Sparrow
Eastern Rosella
Brown-headed Honeyeater
Red-browed Finch
Fan-tailed Cuckoo
New Holland Honeyeater
Mistletoebird
Shining Bronze-Cuckoo
Jacky Winter
Welcome Swallow
Sacred Kingfisher
Golden Whistler
Silvereye
White-throated Treecreeper
Rufous Whistler
Common Blackbird
Superb Fairy-wren
Grey Shrike-thrush

October visit to the Warrenbayne Valley

Warrenbayne Valley visit-October 23rd 2011 by Hele

Full bird list from Kinnaird's Wetland

With our group led very ably by Ian Davidson from Birds Australia ,many people with more generalist interests observed birds that they had not seen before . His ability to spot and then call in smaller woodland birds had many of our visitors enthralled .The highlight was a pair of Royal Spoonbills nesting in a huge old Red Gum ,easily observed through Ian's scope.

Black Swan
Peregrine Falcon
Crested Shrike-tit
Australian Shelduck
Purple Swamphen
Golden Whistler
Australian Wood Duck
Black-tailed Native-hen
Rufous Whistler
Grey Teal
Dusky Moorhen
Grey Shrike-thrush
Pacific Black Duck
Black-winged Stilt
Australian Magpie
Crested Pigeon
Black-fronted Dotterel
Grey Fantail
Peaceful Dove
Masked Lapwing
Willie Wagtail
Tawny Frogmouth
Galah
Australian Raven
Australasian Darter
Eastern Rosella
Little Raven
Little Pied Cormorant
Red-rumped Parrot
Restless Flycatcher
Little Black Cormorant
Laughing Kookaburra
Magpie-lark
Australian Pelican
Brown Treecreeper
White-winged Chough
White-necked Heron
Weebill
Red-capped Robin
Eastern Great Egret
Yellow Thornbill
Australian Reed-Warbler
White-faced Heron
Yellow-rumped Thornbill
Little Grassbird
Straw-necked Ibis
Striated Pardalote
Rufous Songlark
Royal Spoonbill
White-plumed Honeyeater
Welcome Swallow
Yellow-billed Spoonbill
Noisy Miner
Zebra Finch
Whistling Kite
Brown-headed Honeyeater
Brown Falcon
Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike

Kinnairds Wetlands and Naring Grasslands
25th September Diary Notes by Ron and Heather

What a day! Sun shining, grass and leaves so green in the light, water reflecting the red gums, birds and people everywhere.
This was a special meeting to celebrate Biodiversity Month combining members and friends of Trust for Nature, Landcare Network and the Broken Creek Field Naturalists – over 60 people in all.
We were fortunate to have wonderful leaders in Ian Davidson –Environmental Biologist, Lanie from Landcare Network and CMN, Sheila Curmie from Trust for Nature, Gary from the Moira Shire and of course our own Howie Marshall, plus so much skill and knowledge amongst our ranks.
Ian led us through Kinnairds and explained the development of what is becoming a true environmental area as understory develops and water fills the low areas to provide both woodland habitat and wetland. The development of this area would not be as valuable without the creek connection for bird movement.
As we wandered through the woodland, under the Red Gum cohorts from the floods in ’56,’74 and ’93, the understory was bright with hop bush and acacia (golden, gold dust, mallee, silver and hedge), Ian explained that if you can see through the understory it will not have a great many smaller birds. Another two years will see this understory becoming an even more useful habitat.
We met a company of Weebills, (called up by Ian!) He explained these are the smallest Australian birds weighing the same as a 10 cent coin with a unique call which we were told we had to remember! As we stood (60 people being amazingly quiet except for some who will remain nameless!) we could see Yellow rumped Thornbill, Grey Fantail, Willy Wagtail, Currawongs, Golden Whistler, Rufous Whistler, Restless Flycatcher, Striated Pardelote and a very inquisitive Red-capped Robin – called up again by Ian, possibly nesting. Being that time of year, there was a lot of territorial behaviour going on.
Then above us in a large Red Gum a Ring-tailed Possum was spotted asleep high on a branch. Ian explained that when hollows are scarce these possums make a drey on a branch – making them vulnerable to owls. This tree seemed large, but still not old enough to have hollows.
The large dragonfly was glistening in the sunshine busy defending its territory, breeding in the water, and moving into the open woodland nearby, while smaller dragon fly tend to stay over the water. A flock of swans flew overhead- did you know that swans fly in an inverted V while ibis fly in pointed V??- new to me!
About this stage I realised that I had volunteered to write the notes but it was going to be a book, -so much information was pouring out! Fantastic!
We then moved through the woodland to the areas of lake and the Western Wetland Meadow (now with a shallow water level. Here we could see the water plants in and around the water- Duckweed, the reddish covering of azola, Nardoo, Swamp Wallaby Grass, the Giant Rush jancus, Spike Rush, Carax, (with round stems) and Water Pepper. Flitting over these were smaller dragon flies (with wings forward) and damsel flies. The chorus of frogs paused while we passed but Don Robert’s keen ear identified Common Froglet, Plains Froglet, Plains Froglet, and Spotted Marsh Frog.
Here the birds became so numerous in variety and quantity it was so good to have all those keen eyes to identify Pacific heron, Black –fronted Dotterels, Rufous Song-lark, Swamp hens, Black tailed Native Hens, Large Egret, Darter, Reed Warblers, Cormorants, Ravens, and ducks galore! – Teal, Black and Mountain.
When we moved to the edge of the flooded Western Wetland Meadow we saw two sightings which gave us all a lift – firstly a pair of Royal Spoonbills nesting in a Red Gum on the other (a significant sighting – an endangered species and the first nesting observation of these at Kinnairds. Then a sharp eyed photographer looked up and 2 meters above the heads of 60 people were two Tawny Frogmouths on a branch in identical camouflage mode (you can’t see me, I’m a branch!)
This was a very special sighting to be so close and also the first recording in Kinnairds. At the same time a Peregrine Falcon was observed low over the trees on the west side of the flooded Meadow.
It was amazing how quickly so many people de-camped for the Naring Hall – us Field Nats do like regular meal times! It was wonderful to sit in the comfort of the hall and share stories and sightings with so many like minded people before hearing from Shelagh Curmi on the work of Trust for Nature then crossing to the Naringaningalook Grasslands owned by Trust for Nature. When observed from the road this area looks uninteresting but as you move through the grasses you discover so many treasures tucked away. Ian felt that after a rain the plants would be at their peak in another 2 weeks. He also said how Kangaroo Grass is traditionally the dominant grass here but as it is very palatable in summer, this has suffered under grazing.
However, it is great to see its resurgence now it is under TFN’s care and he expects it to soon resume its dominant role.
In amongst the grasses there could be seen Button Quail circles made as they scratch and feed around them. Howie was in his element here with the names of plants rolling off his tongue and his sighting of a legless lizard. These are the only food the Bandy Bandy snake eats so although none have been observed around here recently they would have been present here in earlier times. The snake skin also was a reminder that we share the area with Brown, Black and Tiger snakes. The empty duck eggs a signal that foxes were also here. The highlights for me were the two present- firstly the showy but delicate mauve Broughton’s Pea and the unobtrusive sericea with it’s darker smaller bloom. Also interesting was the healthy protective covering of lichens (coral lichen) and the mosses over the soil crust between the grasses – this crust so easily broken down by stock.
In exhaustion, as the Black Shouldered Kite soared overhead and the thought of the shared afternoon tea, we all returned to the hall to finish up. A wonderful day of old and new friendships, joy in our environment and thankfulness for the work of the few which helps to save our fragile natural areas.

Many thanks to Ian Davidson for his vast knowledge, big voice and wonderful sharing of enthusiasm,;to Landcare Network for providing knowledge and funding through the Woodland Birds Project; to Lanie for her infectious enthusiasm and organisational skills; to Howie our own guru, patient with our questions ;to Gary for his endless work in Kinnairds, now showing results ;and of course to Catherine and Paul . our mighty team of secretary and president. Our thanks to you all.
From little things big things grow!!

Plant list from Naring Grasslands (Spelling open to criticism!)
Bulbine, Chocolate and Vanilla Lilies, Swainsona Broughtons and sericea, Lemon Beauty Heads,New Holland Daisy, Blue Bush, Cut Leaf Burr Daisy, Wallaby Grass,(10 in the district) Kangaroo Grass, Curly Windmill Grass, Plains Spear Grass, Spear Grass(sp), Copper Burr Daisy (in full bloom) Lamb Tails telotis, Drum Sticks, Native Flax, (not in full flower yet) Goodenia, Common Everlasting, Rock Fern, Blue Devil (dry), Grey Germander, Woodruff, Wood Sorrel, Dianella revoluta, Hop Clover, Hairy Willow Herb, Native Dock, Club Rush.

Next week Lola, our founding first president and Life Member will be shifting to an Aged Care Facility near Geelong to be closer to her daughter Linda and family. Although Lola has not been able to join us on our excursions as she used to, she is always vitally interested in the environment and enjoys the monthly newsletter .All her friends in the BCFNC wish her well and we'll keep in contact and visit when we can .

Notes from Wahgunyah Forrest 28 th August 2011 – Thanks to Collier for recording our observations and to those who contributed their knowledge through sharing – we are learning and benefiting all the time! We welcomed 6 new members to our club recently (Margie,Karen, Richard, Ian, Philippa and Bonny - so keep spreading the word... for example, you could: forward the newsletter or have a cuppa with a friend and tell them about our outings, take a walk with a friend/neighbour and point out some birdlife, flora or fauna- you might just ignite a spark of interest! New members always welcome.

Wahgunyah Forest -28 August 2011
A handsome group of nearly 30 members gathered in Barooga NSW on a beautiful late winters morning , and after meeting and greeting , headed in an orderly convoy towards our destination at the Wahgunyah State Forest , arriving some 1/2 hour later.
Geoff Backhouse as our guide for the day gave us a brief description and history of the area , and telling us that much of the Murray Pine used by the early settlers for building materials had been harvested in this forest , buildings still standing today. While Geoff was speaking , my eye was drawn to a patch of white amongst the dominant Cypress pine and Red Gum (E blakelyi) and as we broke up to examine our
surroundings , a group of us headed in that direction to be rewarded with a fine clump of Pimelea (humilis?) in full bloom. Having volunteered for note-taking with the mistaken idea that there did not appear to be a great many species to record ,it soon became apparent that there was plenty of diversity to be found on closer inspection , and that it was somewhat different to any sites that I had visited before with the Group.
Amongst the predominant overstory of Cyprus Pine and Red Gum , some Yellow Box ,Buloke and Drooping Sheoke were observed. The shrub layer consisted mainly of Grey Mulga (Ac.brachybotrya), which was in full flower.
It was at the ground cover level that the diversity is most apparent...the predominant grass being Rough Speargrass (Austrostipa scabra) interspersed in different areas with the following :-- Lomandra , Cranberry Heath , Early Nancy , Nodding, Berry and Saloop Saltbushes ,Austral Carrot , Green Rockfern , the endangered Tick Trefoil , Tiny Fringe Lily ,Purslane , Jersey, Flannel and Annual Cudweed , Cotton Fireweed and various Groundsels ,Stinking Pennywort , some unidentified lilies, possibly Chocolate or Vanilla Lilies not yet flowering ,and likewise various flatweeds, which might or might not be native plants.
Of particular note was the sprinkling of blue Common Wax-lip Orchids (Glossodia major) in flower throughout the forest floor . Other Orchids sighted were Dwarf Greenhood (Pterostylis nana) , Pink Fingers (Caladenia carnea) ,and what appeared to
be Leopard and Onion Orchids not yet open. A feature of the Cyprus Pine is the silvery Lichen which attaches itself to the bark and extends to quite large areas on the ground; mosses and some fungi were also covering soil in some spots.
Last but not least was the mystery plant of the day...( da-dum!!) .. a cute little daisy with a flower like a Brachyscome, on a short (50mm) stem, rising from a small cut-leaf rosette , which occurred here and there or in loose drifts in sunny spaces between the trees. Looking through our books on daisies ( Australian Daisy Study Group etc.) it does not appear to resemble any of the Brachyscomes in its growth habit ; the closest match seems to be the Cutleaf Burr Daisy , although that one is listed as occurring mostly in swampy areas . Any ideas ?
Well-- we all made it back to our rendevous and lunch without getting lost , thanks to Gary's advice to stay in sight of the tracks !! All enjoyed our usual alfresco lunch , with added interest being engendered by Von's samples of the 'Pink' Wattle and another WA specimen she identified as Ac. merinthophora. Thanks to Geoff for hosting a lovely day .
Collier.

Bird List for Wahgunyah State Forest 28 August 2011

Brown Falcon
Yellow Thornbill
Rufous Whistler
Nankeen Kestrel
Red Wattlebird
Grey Shrike-thrush
Painted Button-quail
Noisy Friarbird
Grey Fantail
Galah
White-plumed Honeyeater
Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike
Eastern Rosella
Brown-headed Honeyeater
Olive-backed Oriole
Pallid Cuckoo
Jacky Winter
Dusky Woodswallow
Brown Treecreeper
Red-capped Robin
Grey Butcherbird
Striated Pardalote
Flame Robin
Australian Raven
Western Gerygone
Hooded Robin
White-winged Chough
Chestnut-rumped Thornbill
Grey-crowned Babbler
Willie Wagtail
Yellow-rumped Thornbill
Golden Whistler