Main Club,13 October 2024

This year’s visit to Collins Road on 13th October was a month later than last year’s, and it was interesting to see a change in which flowers were in bloom. The swampy area, for example, which last year had large numbers of Pink Petticoats (Utricularia multifida), was instead covered by a field of Bloodroots (Haemodorum sp). Other common plants were:

• The Purple Flag Iris (Patersonia occidentalis).
• Several species of Sundew (Drosera spp) glisten in the sun.
• Several species of Triggerplant (Stylidium spp).

Many of the orchids we saw last year were finished, but some different species were in bloom, such as the Leopard Orchid (Thelymitra benthamiana), the Dragon Orchid (Caladenia barbarossa), and the Darting Spider Orchid (Caladenia uliginosa).

We heard the frequent calls of two birds that migrate to the Southwest in summer, the Sacred Kingfisher and the Rainbow Bee-eater. There was also the very distinctive “Witchy-moo” call of the Rufous Songlark. Altogether, 20 bird species were noted, 12 of which had been recorded last year. The bird list has been sent to the Club for the record. 

At the carpark we met an avid orchid enthusiast, and a couple just off the plane from the United States the previous day, who had been told about this special piece of Wandoo Woodland. Unfortunately, we only had a small turnout, but those of us there enjoyed the event. John Cresp, with his special enthusiasm for, and knowledge of, birds and orchids, was invaluable as a guide.

Mike Gregson