Outing Report - Mt Alford area, 23 November 2019

A dry gully on the property

It was hot, smokey and very, very dry but that didn't deter the Field Naturalists who gathered at Mary & Phil's place. Before we started on the first walk Mary issued a challenge to the group to find interesting flora (particularly any orchid) and fauna – especially birds not already on her list – and the challenge was accepted! We didn't disappoint.

Dendrophthoe vitellina with flowers
on top left of picture with Viscum articulatum

Despite the uncomfortable conditions we managed to find 2 new birds for the property list, an orchid, and expand the flora list considerably. We noticed that many of the trees had Broad-leaved or Long-flowered Mistletoe (Dendrophthoe vitellina) in flower. On that mistletoe and some Native Cherry (Exocarpos cupressiformis) there was Leafless Jointed Mistletoe (Viscum articulatum). This is a mistletoe found in tropical Asia, northern and eastern Australia down to the mid NSW coast. Click this link for more on this mistletoe. 

Viscum articulatum on Native Cherry

Several species of small colourful invertebrates caught our eye during our walks. One was a planthopper, Teeth-marked Gum Hopper (Platybrachys barbata). They are usually found on the trunks of gum trees but this one seemed to like our shirts. Planthoppers can be quite colourful underneath and in the photo you can just see some of it's red markings. Click this link for more on the Gum Hopper.

Flowers of Dendrophthoe vitellina

Like most properties at the moment Mary & Phil's dams are empty and the lovely rock pools are just rock. Mary has put a child's plastic pool among the rocks and although no birds came down while we were watching, a goanna came in for a drink late in the morning. A reptile that is rarely recorded in our survey area these days. After lunch in the welcome shade of the terrace there was much discussion about the plants we'd identified and the geology of the area. It was agreed that we needed to return when conditions were much wetter.

Teeth-marked Gum Hopper (Platybrachys barbata)

Fauna: compiled from members’ observations
Birds: Common Bronzewing, Crested Pigeon, Peaceful Dove, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Brush Cuckoo, Rainbow Bee-eater, Dollarbird, Red-backed Fairy-wren, White-throated Gerygone, Brown Honeyeater, White-throated Honeyeater, Varied Sittella, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Cicadabird, Varied Triller, Rufous Whistler, Grey Shrike-thrush, Grey Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Willie Wagtail, Torresian Crow, Leaden Flycatcher, Eastern Yellow Robin, Welcome Swallow.
Butterflies: Caper White (Belenois java), Lesser Wanderer (Danaus petilia).
Spiders: Australian Jewel Spider (Austracantha minax).
Damsel/Dragonflies: Blue Skimmer (Orthetrum caledonicum).
Other Invertebrates: Potter Wasp or Australian Hornet (Abispa ephippium), Teeth-marked Gum Hopper (Platybrachys barbata).
Reptiles: Goanna or Lace Monitor (Varanus varius).

Some Flora noticed along the way: compiled from members’ observations
Ferns: Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum aethiopicum), Rough Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum hispidulum), Robber Fern (Pyrrosia confluens).
Grasses, Sedges, Rushes, etc.: Barbed Wire Grass (Cymbopogon refractus), Blady Grass (Imperata cylindrical), Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra).
Herbs: Burr Daisy (Calotis cuneifolia), Yellow Buttons (Chrysocephalum apiculatum), Blue Flax Lily (Dianella brevipedunculata), Native Glycine or Twining Glycine (Glycine clandestine), Bluebell (Wahlenbergia sp.).
Orchids & Epiphytes: Channelled Boat-lip Orchid (Cymbidium canaliculatum), Elkhorn (Platycerium bifurcatum).
Vines, Scramblers & Climbers: Scrambling Lily (Geitonoplesium sp.), Lawyer Vine (Smilax australis).
Mistletoes: Broad-leaved or Long-flowered Mistletoe (Dendrophthoe vitellina), Native Cherry (Exocarpos cupressiformis), Broad-leaved Cherry (Exocarpos latifolius), Leafless Jointed Mistletoe (Viscum articulatum).
Grass Trees: Grass Tree (Xanthorrhoea sp.).
Shrubs: Chain Fruit (Alyxia ruscifolia), Coffee Bush (Breynia oblongifolia), Hop Bush (Dodonaea triquetra), Dogwood (Jacksonia scoparia), Muttonwood (Rapanea variabilis).
Trees: Hickory Wattle (Acacia disparrima), Maiden's Wattle (Acacia maidenii), Hairy Bird's Eye (Alectryon tomentosus), Red Ash or Soap Tree (Alphitonia excelsa), Broad-leaved Apple (Angophora subvelutina), Kurrajong (Brachychiton populneus), Pink Bloodwood (Corymbia intermedia), Moreton Bay Ash (Corymbia tessellaris), Queensland Ebony (Diospyros geminata), Yellow Tulipwood (Drypetes deplanchei), Narrow-leaved Ironbark (Eucalyptus crebra), Silver-leaved Ironbark (Eucalyptus melanophloia), Blue Gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis), Foambark (Jagera pseudorhus), Brush Box (Lophostemon confertus).

November Outing - Mt Alford area, 23rd November 2019

PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF DATE - 4th Saturday (not 3rd)

Mt Alford

Time: 7.45 am for 8 am departure

Where: Mt Alford area (private property)

Directions: Email us for details - see left-hand margin for address.

Activities: A walk around our property. There is 40 very dry acres, of mixed, undulating bushland and paddock, with a tiny patch of vine scrub. There are easy, gently sloping walking tracks, and some slightly more challenging stretches for anyone who’s game, but there are a couple of spots to just sit and watch/listen to the birds. The drought has meant that the grass and lantana is sparse, so it’s not too difficult to get around and explore. But, if you’d rather just stay on the patio and watch the brown honeyeaters, that’s ok too.

After wandering around for a couple of hours, morning tea will be back near the cars, after which there are less energetic activities or more walking for those who are so inclined.

Level of Fitness: Ranges from 'none at all' to 'fit'.

What to Bring: The usual – morning tea, snacks, lunch, hat, sunblock, water, binocs, cameras, and a chair.

Upon Arrival: Please register in the Attendance Book and pay your $2 per person participant fee.