July 2009 Volume 20 Two - Indigenous Flora and Fauna Association

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Towards the end of the walk, some of us lifted our heads long enough to glimpse woodland birds including Scarlet Robins, Brown Tree-creepers and a flock of Varied Sittellas. The last allowed a comparison of their habit of cork-screwing down the trunk in search of insects in contrast with with the Tree-creepers, which starts at the bottom and works upwards. It was an absolute delight to be a part of this respectful, knowledgeable group as it continually budded off side-groups to investigate flora and other fauna. In following days, John Wainer generously followed up his walk with confirmation on species identification and extra pointers for following up questions. Four absorbing hours later we shared a convivial (if chilly) lunch beside Harkness Road before we hastening into our vehicles and leaving the bullants of Melton in peace. Report: Linda Bradburn Pictures: Brian Bainbridge *Myrmecophilia (appreciation of ants) John Wainer’s investigation of Species 17 http://medusa.jcu.edu.au/crozier/croziergrouphome/ rosspage/myrmeciatheses/Wainer1996Report.pdf Friends of Toolern Creek http://www.fotc.com.au/ Jenny Barnett’s 1977 thesis introducing 17 (as Myrmecia sp. 10) http://medusa.jcu.edu.au/crozier/ croziergrouphome/rosspage/ myrmeciatheses/Barnett1977thesis. pdf Varied Sitella. Walters, Bryan and Frood, Doug 2004 Assessment of Natural Values at Harkness Road, Melton. Unpublished report for RJ Wigg, Department of Human Services. Varied Sittella Darryl Ackers — an expert at reading his local landscape around Melton. Ian Faithfull’s glove bears the wrath of 17’s jaws and sting 4 INDIGENOUS FLORA AND FAUNA ASSOCIATION INC
One day under Flinders jetty It was the last day in Australia for Rhonda, an exchange ranger from Canada, and the plan was to see one of Victoria’s state emblems — the Weedy Seadragon The late April weather wasn’t promising — a blustery day with ragged clouds running across the sky. However, the wind was from the north and Flinders jetty, a known lurking spot of these Southern Australian marine creatures, would be relatively sheltered. We agreed to all meet at Flinders jetty, on the Western Port Bay side of the Mornington Peninsula, having seen Weedy Seadragons there previously (both by snorkelling – a lucky chance, I think – and using scuba gear). After a leisurely cup of hot chocolate and with one eye on the weather, we geared up and started down the jetty. The water was surprisingly clear and calm, and the marine life covering the pier legs extraordinary in its variety of shapes, colours and sizes. Ascidians and sponges in a dazzling array. The more we looked, the more we saw. Unfortunately, I couldn’t begin to put names to these – in the end, I could only play “art appreciation” not “marine biologist”. As we moved further towards the end of the jetty, we started to see our quarry. These dainty, timid creatures swim slowly and gracefully, and are surprisingly difficult to photograph. They much prefer to face the camera, keeping an eye on possible danger, rather than turning sideways where their amazing colour pattern of orange-red background, bright blue stripes and many white spots and yellow markings can be admired. Tiny fins are found on either side of their head for balance and a long shimmering dorsal fin along their back propels their body through the water. They are not strong swimmers and are often found washed ashore after storms. However, they do have a surprising turn of speed just when you have them perfectly framed to photograph! Long leaf-shaped flaps of skin protrude from stalk-like bony projections at intervals along the top and bottom of IFFA EVENT Global Financial Crisis? No, Global Environmental Crisis! Presented by Dr Roger N Jones. 2pm Sunday 30th August Climate is changing faster than anticipated, and even if the world manages to reach a peak in emissions and global population around 2050, the world is likely to have a population of about 9 billion and be 2°C warmer than pre-industrial temperatures. In Victoria since 1996, climate has already reached levels of change that were projected for 2030-2050. Ecosystems are responding to that change — wetlands and floodplain ecosystems are under severe stress, tree dieback is widespread in grassy ecosystems and woodland and wetland birds are in decline. We are facing a global ecological crisis. The world’s ecosystems underpin everything: our economy, human livelihoods and environmental security. This is green infrastructure. If we look at the current investment in this infrastructure, it is being allowed to decline to well below sustainable levels. However, by better the body, and as well as looking like seaweed, their similar swaying motion as seaweed in the water current makes them difficult to spot. Luckily, Flinders jetty is something of a haven for them and, particularly in winter and in their spring breeding time, large numbers gather in the shelter provided by the pier. The males (like sea horses) carry the eggs for up to 2 months before the baby seadragons hatch as miniature versions of the adults, just 2.5 centimetres long. Weedy seadragons can grow up to 46cm long and live for up to 10 years. They eat plankton, sea lice, larval fishes and small shrimp-like crustaceans called mysids. Along with pipe fish and seahorses (which can also be found at Flinders jetty – although we didn’t see any today), they are members of the Syngnathidae family. They are found only along the coast line of southern Australia usually in shallow water (up to 50m deep) mainly inhabiting kelp forests, reef edges, seagrass meadows and seaweed beds. We saw our ones in 2 metres of water in the seaweed bed alongside the jetty. The Weedy Seadragon was selected as Victoria’s official marine faunal emblem by public nomination in 2002, and is fully protected under the Victorian Fisheries Act 1995. The aim of the day was met, with Rhonda’s experience of Victorian flora and fauna rounded out with the intricate, beautiful marine life on our rocky shores. The Canadian ranger saw her Weedy Seadragons, Phyllopteryx taeniolatus, and Parks Victoria ranger Jono Stevenson filled in the marine biology side for us all. Jo James OVERLEAF: A beautiful pictorial record of the day understanding ecological processes and how they maintain this infrastructure, we can learn how to build resilience into adaptation planning. It is time that departments of finance and treasury became interested in green infrastructure. We need a business plan for ecosystems. Dr Roger N Jones, previously with CSIRO, is now Professorial Research Fellow of the Centre for Strategic Economic Studies, Victoria University. 2pm Sunday 30th August at Victoria University City Campus, 300 Flinders Street Melbourne (opposite Flinders Street Station) 11th floor room 1101. Don’t forget you can buy a Sunday Saver Metcard for $3.10 that will get you there and back again on public transport from anywhere in Melbourne. All welcome. Enquiries to Michele Arundell, phone (03) 9755 3347 or email michelearundell@yahoo.com INDIGENOTES VOLUME 20 NUMBER 2 5
Page 1 and 2: July 2009 Volume 20 Two INDIGENOTES
Page 3: A load of Bullants On a dull, frigi
Page 7 and 8: 8 9 10 11 12 1 Weedy Seadragon, Phy
Page 9 and 10: Frogs in Melton Whistling Treefrog
Page 11 and 12: Common Froglet bottlebrushes and Re

July 2009 Volume 20 Two - Indigenous Flora and Fauna Association

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