Western Australian Naturalists Club

DRB Presents: Rochelle Steven talking about Birds
2025-03-14 19:00 - 21:30 (Australia/Perth) | Kalamunda Community Centre, Kalamunda Community Centre, end of Crescent Rd, Off Mundaring Weir Road,, Kalamunda, WA, 6076, Australia
DRB Presents: Rochelle Steven talking about Birds
Note: no RSVP required.
COVID19: Even though restrictions have eased, we will still encourage members and visitors to take precautions and please do not attend if unwell.
Speaker:
Rochelle Steven

Lecturer, School of Environmental and Conservation Sciences, Murdoch Uni
Rochelle describes herself as follows:
I joined Murdoch University in January 2022 as a Lecturer in Environmental Management.
My research and professional experience includes working on threatened species management, the role of citizen science in threatened species conservation and in building greater community support for conservation more broadly. My research themes have explored issues related to human interactions with the environment, both positive and negative.
I pride myself on having a diverse multi-sectoral background, including: Species Conservation Project Coordinator (WWF-Australia), (2020-2021) and postdoctoral researcher with the University of Queensland’s node of NESP’s Threatened Species Recovery Hub and ecological project manager in private consulting. I am an active member of BirdLife Australia, and have held volunteer Convenor positions for the Southern Queensland and Western Australia branches.
Having a background in sales and customer service, I enjoy engaging students and the general public alike in nature appreciation through sharing my passion for birds, as well as taking action for conservation on private land through using native plants to create ecologically sustainable gardens. I have contributed to ecological and social research in diverse settings, including the Australian Alps, Australia’s tropical north (Northern WA, NT, Qld), Southeast Queensland, Southwest Australia, Fiji and the United Kingdom.

Topic:
Rochelle will share key points from her recently published article: More than garden plants: extending the conversation of urban gardens as an important refuge for Australian birds. Learn what actions you can take to improve to future of Australia’s birds on private land.
Plus:

Kids’ talk – one of your younger members will be giving a 5 minutes kids’ talk.
Boffins talk – A member will give an 8 minutes Boffins’ talk. Arlene Quinn will give a talk on “Kangaroo Island”.
“Nature road show”. Members and visitors are encouraged to bring items to place on the display table or to send photographs to the MC in advance, e.g. a sample flower, an insect, and so on – anything of natural history interest that has legally been obtained. If we have time, one of our experts will identify them or briefly talk about them, or the person bringing them can talk about where they saw it, etc. Photographs are particularly welcome, as everyone can see them. If you wish to show a photograph please email it, no later than the Wednesday before the meeting, to our MC for this night, and she/he will include it on her PowerPoint slides. We have a dedicated email for this purpose” natclub@webco.com.au
Thing of the month / Things coming up next month: These two presentations are about things in nature happening this month and things coming up, so if you have any photos or information, send them to: natclub@webco.com.au
Door prizes: You could also be the lucky winner of a door prize. We make sure there are prizes for both members and visitors.
Raffle: We will have a great raffle – please raid your piggy bank for a bit more cash, $5 for 3 tickets.

Time: Please come at 7.15pm or earlier if you wish, for a 7.30pm start as we start promptly. We are open from 6.45pm. We finish formal proceedings no later than 9.30pm.
Donation: All this for only a donation of $3 per person for adult members ($0 for child members), and $5 per adult visitor and $1 per visiting child to help with the costs of running the club, venue hire, insurance and so on. Please bring the right CASH to help us avoid long queues. Thanks. We do not have EFTPOS facilities yet.
Entrance: It is a condition of entry that everyone signs in on arrival, thank you.
Parking: Free parking right outside.
Wheelchair access: Everything is on one level.
Toilets: Are inside.
Bookings: No bookings required.
See you there for fabulous night.

Lauren Hawkins - Forest Orchestra: learning by listening
2025-03-07 19:30 - 21:00 | Hew Roberts LT, Nedlands Lecture Theatre, Clifton St., Nedlands
Ecoacoustics is the study of environmental sounds and the connection these sounds have to ecosystem function and health. Listening to the sounds of an ecosystem offers a unique way to monitor biodiversity, map species distribution, understand fauna behaviour, and track ecological change.

This talk by Lauren Hawkins will introduce ecoacoustics and the application of this technology to the assessment of ecosystem health, particularly through the work of the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation, and Attractions (DBCA). We will explore how DBCA uses ecoacoustics to increase our understanding of the soundscapes of our south-west forests, to monitor habitat changes, and track priority fauna species.

Audience members will also have an opportunity to step into the shoes of an ecoacoustician, getting to listen to a diverse array of natural sounds as we play a game or two of “What’s Making That Sound?” The session will conclude with a discussion on the importance of ecoacoustics in conservation, which will highlight some new developments in the field.

Doors open at 7.10 pm and the meeting begins at 7.30 pm at the Hew Roberts Lecture Theatre, University of Western Australia, Nedlands. Parking is available at the Gordon St or Clifton St entrances to the campus. All are welcome to attend, with a donation of $3 for members or $5 for non-members giving you a chance to win the door prize (EFTPOS available). The main presentation will be followed by a short “focus” talk, after which you are welcome to join us for tea/coffee and conversation.

KRMB Excursion to Penguin Island
2025-02-23 08:30 - 12:30 | Penguin Island, 155 Arcadia Drive, Shoalwater, Australia
Our February excursion is to Penguin Island. Meet at the ticket kiosk at Shoalwater at 8:30 – 8:45 am to catch the 9:00am ferry. Bring Binoculars, cameras, drinks and snacks.
Note: if the island is closed to the public due to hot weather we will visit Point Peron instead

MEET & EAT: NSB POST CHRISTMAS GET TOGETHER AND BBQ
2025-02-18 17:30 - 20:00 | Henderson Environmental Centre, Henderson Environmental Centre End of Groat St, North Beach, Australia
Note we are meeting on a Tuesday*
What did you do over Christmas? What new toys did you get? Any more socks and jocks? Did he remember your favourite perfume this time?
Come along and share your festive season stories and tell us what Talks and Walks you would like in 2025.
We will meet from 5.30pm onwards with a walk around Star Swamp before firing up the BBQ.
As usual we will share salads and desert. This year Even house numbers bring salad, Odd numbers dessert
BYO Meat, drinks, plates, cutlery. Tea and coffee available
* Note our February, March and April meetings will be held on the third Tuesday, not Wednesday due to HEC being unavailable.

KRMB General Meeting - Members' Night
2025-02-17 19:00 - 21:00 | Naragebup Rockingham Environment Centre, 49 Safety Bay Road, Peron, WA, Australia
Members are encouraged to share images that they have captured of sightings over the summer period

WANats Bushwalking Group
2025-02-16 08:00 - 11:00 | WA
Nedlands Planning Meeting (and foreshore walk)
Time: Meeting will start at 8.00 am under the shady trees – please be there promptly.
NB There is no formal walk although individuals may choose to arrive early to walk along the foreshore.
Meet: J. H. Abrahams Reserve (Eastern end) UBD (577 – L17). Travel down Hackett Drive from Stirling Highway past Bayside Kitchen cafe and Matilda Restaurant, continuing on Hackett through the roundabout (at Australia Drive), taking the second exit. Then take the first exit on the left after Australia Drive (which is just after the ‘Matilda Bay Reserve’ sign and before the bus stop on the right).
Details: There are toilets adjoining the car park and along the foreshore. Please bring morning tea to share as well as folding chairs and your own tea/coffee/hot water and paper and pen.
Agenda: Ideas for new walks
This year we are aiming to re-examine our walk schedule in response to the need to reduce their length and difficulty. We are asking everyone to give this some thought and try to find some alternatives and some new areas that may suit us. If you have any suggestions and would like to send these to Viv, she will collate them into a list that we can discuss at the meeting. You may also wish to print information out and to bring it for the group to look at on the day.
Contact: Vivien Cass – Ph: 0414 474 401

Darwin Day - Snorkelling in Coogee
2025-02-15 08:30 - 10:00 | Omeo Shipwreck, Socrates Parade, North Coogee, Western Australia, 6163, Australia
Charles Darwin’s birthday, which falls on 12 February, is generally used to highlight Darwin’s contributions to science and to promote science in general. To commemorate his achievements, the Club will head to Coogee this year, to go snorkelling around the Omeo wreck and the maritime trail, and discover and learn about the underwater biodiversity at this location. RSVP required for this event.

A School of Rough Bullseye (Pempheris klunzingeri)

The Omeo wreck is located very close to the shore at Coogee Beach, mostly submerged and literally covered with marine growth. Anybody interested in the maritime history of the wreck can navigate to the WA Museum website (museum.wa.gov.au/maritime-archaeology-db/wrecks/omeo) as it has some interesting information.

We will meet at the stairs on Socrates Parade going to the beach where the Omeo Wreck is located. Please note this is a very popular snorkelling and swimming site and parking nearby might be difficult. Leave plenty of time to be there at the starting time. The excursion is suitable for all ages and levels of snorkelling competence. Water depth varies between 0.5 m to 5 m.

Bring: snorkelling gear (mask, snorkel, fins), sun protection, towel, drinking water; optional a floating device, underwater camera, fish and or marine life ID book. We will go to a nearby cafe for refreshments afterwards but you can bring your own as well.

DRB Presents: Fred and Jean Hort - More Amazing Discoveries
2025-02-14 19:00 - 21:30 | Kalamunda Community Centre, Kalamunda Community Centre, end of Crescent Rd, Off Mundaring Weir Road,, Kalamunda, WA, 6076, Australia
DRB Presents: Fred and Jean Hort – More Amazing Discoveries
Note: no RSVP required.
COVID19: Even though restrictions have eased, we will still encourage members and visitors to take precautions and please do not attend if unwell.
Topic:
More Amazing Discoveries

We want to share about the marvels to be seen in our environment, both plant and animals.

Summer flora and fauna in the Perth Hills
A new population of Stylidium discovered in Kalamunda shire
A Neuroptera rarely seen
An extinct plant rediscovered
New 2025 postage stamp for WA Orchids

Photos: Owlfly, Stylidium glabrifolium P2, Utricularia volubilis.
Speaker:
Fred and Jean Hort – Brief background

Flora: Since my retirement in 1995 Jean and I have completed 25 years as flora conservation volunteers for the now DBCA, Parks and Wildlife. We are licenced to collect native flora specimens for lodgement and study at the WA Herbarium Science Centre. During the years we have specialised in searching for rare flora or species that are poorly known. During our many excursions through the SW Land Division and beyond we have recorded many unnamed plants as well as many plants unknown to science in WA. Seven native flora species have been named hortiorum/hortii for the Horts. The author of the recently described Styphelia capillaris has designated its common name: ‘Horts’ Styphelia. By 2021 we had collected/co-collected close on 5000 native flora specimens lodged with WA Herbarium. Duplicates from some of our collections are lodged in other Australian herbarium as well as in overseas institutions. We assist Parks and Wildlife Conservation officers in managing the conservation of rare flora species in Perth Hills. Just a couple of days ago we were asked for the use of our 2010 images of an undescribed Hibbertia – yellow buttercup, that had just been recognised as a new species for WA.
Fauna: For many years Jean photo’d the invertebrates that she saw while we were searching for plants. She recorded these on her Flickr website. Worldwide study groups began taking notice of her images. About 2011 we were asked by the Curator of Insects at the Chicago Museum US to collect specimens for a world-wide study of DIPTERA – true flies with one pair of wings. The curator from Chicago saw Jean’s images on her website. These were particular ‘flower’ flies needed for his study. The curator, Torsten Dikow visited WA and we assisted with collections. He encouraged us to continue to be WA field collectors for his study group. The thought was further progressed when Torsten Dikow suggested that we might also collect for other fly study groups in Australian and in overseas museums. Now as Research Associates for WA Museum our specimens from WA are used to assist with taxonomic and phylogenetic dna studies to determine the placement of some of the vast array of fly family groupings as well as determining, the genus and species.
One of the fascinating by-products of these collections indicates broadly that some invertebrate species recorded many years ago can still be found today.
Before long we were also asked to collect specimens for other invertebrate studies: butterflies, sun-moths, native bees, wasps, beetles, silverfish, lacewings etc and spiders occasionally. So we became collectors for other invertebrate specimens in WA for on-going taxonomic/phylogenetic research studies. By early 2021 we had collected over 13 000 specimens recorded with WA Museum and shared with other institutions. Most are pinned and labelled while others are delivered in 2-5mm labelled vials of ethanol for dna sampling to help determine fly family groupings. We have found many unnamed species and others new to science. A few have been named for the Horts.
While participation in flora and fauna studies in WA we have been rewarded with immense personal satisfaction and fulfilment. We have been extremely fortunate to have met so many passionate and inspiring individuals along the way.
The wider world of nature has special dimensions and diversions that never cease to amaze us!
Jean and I would enjoy presenting a visual ‘show and tell’ to share with your members about some of WA’s unique flora and fauna heritage.

TBC
Plus:

Kids’ talk – one of your younger members will be giving a 5 minutes kids’ talk.
Boffins talk – A member will give an 8 minutes Boffins’ talk. Mike Green will give a talk about “Carbon Dating”.
“Nature road show”. Members and visitors are encouraged to bring items to place on the display table or to send photographs to the MC in advance, e.g. a sample flower, an insect, and so on – anything of natural history interest that has legally been obtained. If we have time, one of our experts will identify them or briefly talk about them, or the person bringing them can talk about where they saw it, etc. Photographs are particularly welcome, as everyone can see them. If you wish to show a photograph please email it, no later than the Wednesday before the meeting, to our MC for this night, and she/he will include it on her PowerPoint slides. We have a dedicated email for this purpose” natclub@webco.com.au
Thing of the month / Things coming up next month: These two presentations are about things in nature happening this month and things coming up, so if you have any photos or information, send them to: natclub@webco.com.au
Door prizes: You could also be the lucky winner of a door prize. We make sure there are prizes for both members and visitors.
Raffle: We will have a great raffle – please raid your piggy bank for a bit more cash, $5 for 3 tickets.

Time: Please come at 7.15pm or earlier if you wish, for a 7.30pm start as we start promptly. We are open from 6.45pm. We finish formal proceedings no later than 9.30pm.
Donation: All this for only a donation of $3 per person for adult members ($0 for child members), and $5 per adult visitor and $1 per visiting child to help with the costs of running the club, venue hire, insurance and so on. Please bring the right CASH to help us avoid long queues. Thanks. We do not have EFTPOS facilities yet.
Entrance: It is a condition of entry that everyone signs in on arrival, thank you.
Parking: Free parking right outside.
Wheelchair access: Everything is on one level.
Toilets: Are inside.
Bookings: No bookings required.
See you there for fabulous night.

Pollination of Southwest Western Australian Flowers
2025-02-07 19:30 - 21:00 | Hew Roberts LT, Nedlands Lecture Theatre, Clifton St., Nedlands
Were you ever interested about the insects, birds and marsupials pollinating our flowers? Flowers compete to attract pollinators using colours, scents and shapes tailored for pollinator-specific sensory systems. Some flowers have evolved to attract relatively specific pollinators, presumably to increase pollen transfer within a species. Differences between plants in their flower types, pollination mechanisms and biotic or abiotic pollen vectors are classified into pollination strategies.

Native Bee visiting Pilotheca spicata (left). Buzz pollination by native bees of Hibbertia hypericoides (middle) and Thysanotus sparteus (right). Photos by Mark Brundrett.

A study into pollination strategies of all plants in our biodiversity hotspot (9000 plants) identified that the complexity of pollination evolution here is globally unique and has major consequences for rare flora management and ecosystem restoration, especially due to increasing habitat degradation, fire and climate change.

Dr Mark Brundrett Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Western Australia and Research Associate of the West Australian Herbarium is co-author of a study into the pollination of southwest Australian plants. He will give a fascinating talk about the relationships between floral characteristics and animal association with many excellent photos.

Doors open at 7.10 pm and the meeting begins at 7.30 pm at the Hew Roberts Lecture Theatre, University of Western Australia, Nedlands. Parking is available at the Gordon St or Clifton St entrances to the campus. All are welcome to attend, with a donation of $3 for members or $5 for non-members giving you a chance to win the door prize (EFTPOS available). The main presentation will be followed by a short “focus” talk, after which you are welcome to join us for tea/coffee and conversation.

WA Nats Bushwalking Group
2025-02-02 07:15 - 11:30 | WA
Mullaloo to Whitford Nodes
Meet: In the car parking area of Mullaloo Beach, north of main building. [UBD map 185, F3]
Details: The walk is about 7 km along the beach and you can have a swim amongst the nippers when we return if you want. Bring morning tea/ lunch, and drinking water. There are toilets at the meeting point and at Whitfords Nodes.
Please be aware, if the weather dictates, the leader may choose to cancel change the walk. Check the website for updates after 6pm on Saturday 1 February.
Contact: Jack Moore – Ph 0418643093

WA Nats Bushwalking Group
2025-01-19 07:15 - 11:00 | Shoalwater Bay Rockingham, Arcadia Drive and Penguin Road, Shoalwater
Shoalwater Bay Rockingham Summer Walk
Location: Shoalwater (near Rockingham)
Meet: Corner of Arcadia Drive and Boundary Road Shoalwater, [UBD map 464, M1]
Details: The walk is an easy walk along beach and road from Mersey Point to John Point and return. Toilets near the beginning of the walk
Wear clothes appropriate to the weather (i.e. hat / rainwear) and suitable footwear. Bring morning tea, lunch and drinking water. There are toilets near the meeting point.
Please be aware, if the weather dictates, the leader may choose to cancel or change the walk. Check the website for updates after 6pm on Saturday 18 January.
Contact: Norm Hodgkinson Ph 0474 520 086

NSB AGM and PHOTO COMPETITION 2024
2024-12-18 19:30 - 21:30 | Henderson Environmental Centre, Henderson Environmental Centre End of Groat St, North Beach, Australia
Excursion, Talk

All members of the Club are invited to attend the Annual General Meeting of the Northern Suburbs Branch of the Western Australian Naturalists’ Club Inc.

Agenda.

Confirmation of the minutes of the 2023 AGM

Chairman’s Report

Treasurer’s Report

Election of Office Bearers and Committee for 2024

Any Other Business.

The meeting will be followed by our annual photo competition.

Categories

Flora,

Fauna,

Land or Marinescape,

In My Backyard

Conditions of Entry:

members only

max 4 photos per member (can be multiple entries in the same category)

must have been taken in 2024

winner of each category by popular vote

Please send digital copies to Graham at: natsnorthernbranch@gmail.com by Monday 16 December.

WA Nats Bushwalking Group
2024-12-15 07:30 - 11:00 | Alfred Cove, cnr Cunningham St and Melville Beach, Applecross, WA, Australia
Alfred Cove Walk
Meet: Car-park on the foreshore opposite the river end of Cunningham St UBD 307, N12
Details: The walk to Point Walter and return is approximately 7km along foreshore paths, with possible detours over even parkland. Toilets are available at each end of the walk and there is a café at Point Walter.
Wear clothes appropriate to the weather bring drinking water. After the walk there is a group morning tea under shady trees. Bring folding chair, food to share and your own thermos, tea/coffee etc.
Please be aware, if the weather dictates, the leader may choose to cancel or change the walk. Check the website for updates after 6pm on Saturday 16 December.
Contact: Jack Moore Ph 0418643093

Note: New venue - see below! DRB Presents: Boyd Wykes from Owl Friendly Margaret River speaking about Night Calling: how Yornitj the Masked Owl inspired Australia’s first ‘owl friendly’ community
2024-12-13 19:00 - 21:30 | ZigZag Seminar Room, 50 Railway Road, Kalamunda
Note: New venue – see below! DRB Presents: Boyd Wykes from Owl Friendly Margaret River speaking about Night Calling: how Yornitj the Masked Owl inspired Australia’s first ‘owl friendly’ community
Our usual venue of the Kalamunda Community Centre is undergoing renovations so this event has been moved for the December meeting to: ZigZag Seminar Room behind Café Mason and Bird (formerly ZigZag Café), 50 Railway Road, Kalamunda

Note: no RSVP required.
COVID19: Even though restrictions have eased, we will still encourage members and visitors to take precautions and please do not attend if unwell.
Speaker:
Boyd Wykes

Topic:

Night Calling: how Yornitj the Masked Owl inspired Australia’s first ‘owl friendly’ community
When award-winning film maker Sue Taylor and husband Bob built a retirement home in Augusta, they reconnected with well-known local ornithologist Boyd Wykes and offered their assistance with an Owl Friendly campaign he and colleagues had established to alert their community to poisoning of wildlife from widespread use of ‘one-dose kills’ rodent baits.

Two years later, the resulting film, Night Calling captures the heart breaking and heart-warming highs and lows of Boyd’s nocturnal dedication to researching a previously little known local population of the enigmatic Masked Owl. Together with equal dedication by the Owl Friendly group to educate our community about ways to control rodents without harm to owls and many other wildlife.

The Owl Friendly campaign, embraced by the Augusta-Margaret River Shire as a declared Owl Friendly local government, has inspired communities and local governments around Australia to follow suit. The campaign has received key support from the Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association’s Capes Foundation since the Capes Raptor Centre (formerly Eagles Heritage) was folded under its wing.

Plus:

Kids’ talk – one of your younger members will be giving a 5 minutes kids’ talk.
Boffins talk – A member will give an 8 minutes Boffins’ talk.
“Nature road show”. Members and visitors are encouraged to bring items to place on the display table or to send photographs to the MC in advance, e.g. a sample flower, an insect, and so on – anything of natural history interest that has legally been obtained. If we have time, one of our experts will identify them or briefly talk about them, or the person bringing them can talk about where they saw it, etc. Photographs are particularly welcome, as everyone can see them. If you wish to show a photograph please email it, no later than the Wednesday before the meeting, to our MC for this night, and she/he will include it on her PowerPoint slides. We have a dedicated email for this purpose” natclub@webco.com.au
Thing of the month / Things coming up next month: These two presentations are about things in nature happening this month and things coming up, so if you have any photos or information, send them to: natclub@webco.com.au
Door prizes: You could also be the lucky winner of a door prize. We make sure there are prizes for both members and visitors.
Raffle: We will have a great raffle – please raid your piggy bank for a bit more cash, $5 for 3 tickets.

Time: Please come at 7.15pm or earlier if you wish, for a 7.30pm start as we start promptly. We are open from 6.45pm. We finish formal proceedings no later than 9.30pm.
Donation: All this for only a donation of $3 per person for adult members ($0 for child members), and $5 per adult visitor and $1 per visiting child to help with the costs of running the club, venue hire, insurance and so on. Please bring the right CASH to help us avoid long queues. Thanks. We do not have EFTPOS facilities yet.
Entrance: It is a condition of entry that everyone signs in on arrival, thank you.
Parking: Free parking right outside.
Wheelchair access: Everything is on one level.
Toilets: Are inside.
Bookings: No bookings required.
See you there for fabulous night.

XMAS Lunch with the KRM Branch
2024-12-08 12:00 - 14:00 | Naragebup Rockingham Environment Centre, 49 Safety Bay Road, Peron, WA, Australia
Please bring lunch, drinks etc. plus please bring a contribution for the Xmas Hamper that will be drawn as a door prize.

Contact Colin for further details.

Club Christmas BBQ
2024-12-06 17:00 - 20:30 | Herdsman Lake Discovery Centre, Cnr Flynn and Selby St., Wembley, WA, 6018, Australia
Please join us for our Club’s annual Christmas get-together at Herdsman Lake Discovery Centre

Join us for a nature walk around the boardwalk (or lakeside if the boardwalk is inaccessible) at 5.15pm before a picnic/BBQ and the drawing of the raffle prizes.

Please bring:

your own food and drink with even house numbers, salad, odd numbers, dessert, to share.

Items for the hampers (to be raffled)

Digital photos of 2023 activities (max. of 10 per person).

Folding chairs, side tables; plates & cutlery

a torch, mosquito protection, binoculars, camera etc.

You might also like to wear something with a natural history theme e.g. hat, scarf or costume.

Tea and coffee provided, with BBQ facilities available on-site.

WA Nats Bushwalking Group
2024-12-01 07:15 - 11:00 | WA
Kwinana Beach to Rockingham Jetty return
Meet: Wells Park, Kwinana Beach Road, Kwinana Beach. UBD Map 426 C16 (Coordinates -32.24912132 S, 115.7579190 E).
Details: The walk is an easy walk along the shore of Cockburn Sound – mainly beach but some bush tracks and footpaths, approximately 9kms.
Wear clothes appropriate to the weather (i.e. hat / rainwear) and suitable footwear. Bring drinking water and morning tea. There are toilets near the meeting point.
Please be aware, if the weather dictates, the leader may choose to cancel or change the walk. Check the website for updates after 6pm on Saturday 30 November.
Contact Sue Gardner 9414 9417

GOLLY WALK: CONTINUING OUR BURNS BEACH TO FREMANTLE RAMBLE
2024-11-27 08:00 - 10:00 | Cottesloe, opposite Forrest St
Photo: Muderup Rocks. Town of Cottesloe
This year we will depart from the norm and skip the couple of kilometres that would have taken us from Swanbourne to Cottesloe. Instead we will start our walk at Muderup Rocks at the southern end of Cottesloe Beach and walk to the beach opposite the Old Cable Station
Our guides will be Sue Conlan from Friends of Mosman Park Bushland and Mike Gregson from the Naturalists’ Club. We will start by observing some of the geological features of the rocks and learning the significance of the rocks to the Noongar people. Further along the beach we can explore the beach wrack and look for the osprey and other birds that frequent the area. Mike will also point out the spot on the reef where he has seen a sea horse. Our walk will conclude with a talk about the history of the old cable station. From there we will organise a shuttle back to our starting point and then drive to the Secret Garden for morning tea.
Our meeting place will be the lawn opposite the western end of Forrest St, Cottesloe.
The walk will be a mixture of walking on the beach and on made footpaths. Please note there are no toilets along the way. As this is our last walk of the year please bring a plate to share.
We are almost in sight of the finish line! Just a couple of more years and we will be there.

Yeedong Nature Reserve
2024-11-24 09:00 | Yeedong Nature Reserve, cnr Yeedong Rd and Avalon Parade, Falcon, Western Australia, Australia
Location: Yeedong Nature Reserve, Falcon, is a coastal reserve with a mixture of coastal heath in the reserve plus access to the dune/beach frontage.

Meet: Car park at the corner of Yeedong Road and Avalon Parade, Falcon.

Contact: Colin) for further details.

GOING BATTY: NSB NOVEMBER MEETING
2024-11-20 19:30 - 21:30 | Henderson Environmental Centre, Henderson Environmental Centre End of Groat St, North Beach, Australia
Local ecologist, David Pike, has added bats to his long list of interests, particularly in insects and wildflowers. David will explain how this interest came about and what he has learnt about the four species found around Perth. He will also demonstrate how technology is being used to detect and identify the species here and overseas. If time and weather permits, we may venture into Star Swamp Bushland to listen for bats. (Photo: Gould’s Wattled Bat. T Hodge)

KRM Branch AGM and Members Night
2024-11-18 19:00 | Naragebup Rockingham Environment Centre, 49 Safety Bay Road, Peron, WA, Australia
Topic: Annual General Meeting plus a Members’ Night (if time allows) following the formal AGM process

Time: 7:00 pm

Venue: Naragebup (Rockingham Regional Environment Centre), Safety Bay Road, Peron

Contact:

WA Nats Bushwalking Group
2024-11-17 07:30 - 23:00 | Heathcote Reserve, Applecross, Cnr Cunningham St and Dunkley Ave, Applecross, Australia
Meet: Car-park on the foreshore opposite the river end of Cunningham St UBD 307, N12
Details: The walk is to Heathcote Reserve (Goolugatup) and is approx 8km return. The walk follows the river foreshore along the shared access path and across some grassed areas. We pass Applecross jetty with lovely views of the river before wandering up to the reserve which is on the hill overlooking the river. The building/heritage precinct area is very interesting to walk around. There is plenty of bird-life along sections of the foreshore so you may wish to bring binoculars. Toilets are at the beginning of the walk and at Heathcote Reserve.
Although the cafe/restaurant at Heathcote is closed at the moment there might be a coffee van but it can’t be guaranteed so please bring your own morning tea/drink.
Wear clothes appropriate to the weather (i.e. hat / rainwear / sunscreen) and suitable footwear. Bring morning tea and drinking water.
Please be aware, if the weather dictates, the leader may choose to cancel or change the walk. Check the website for updates after 6pm on Saturday 16 November.
Contact: Robyn Weir/Chris Gillam 0407 993 098 / 0407 005 940

1970s – 1990s Junior and Intermediate Naturalists’ Reunion
2024-11-09 15:00 - 19:00 | WA
In Celebrating the Centenary of the WA Naturalists Club 2024 we are holding a REUNION for those who were members of the Juniors or Intermediates sections of the Nats Club anytime in the 1970’s, 1980’s or 1990’s.

Do you remember the excursions, bushwalking, camping, meetings as a youngster?

Join us for a friendly get together to share stories, photos and celebrate the Club’s 100th year. Refreshments provided.

To register your interest in attending and for further information, please RSVP natsreunion@gmail.com or phone Sylvia on 0428 668 898.

Please join us – we would love to see you!

(You might not recognise anyone, but we all have Nats Club memories in common!)

DRB Presents: Lesley van Schoubroeck and Dan Carter speaking about on the Jirdarup Bushland and the Birds of Jirdarup Book
2024-11-08 19:00 - 21:30 | Kalamunda Community Centre, Kalamunda Community Centre, end of Crescent Rd, Off Mundaring Weir Road,, Kalamunda, WA, 6076, Australia
DRB Presents: Lesley van Schoubroeck and Dan Carter speaking about on the Jirdarup Bushland and the Birds of Jirdarup Book
Note: no RSVP required.
COVID19: Even though restrictions have eased, we will still encourage members and visitors to take precautions and please do not attend if unwell.

Speaker:
The presenters will be Lesley van Schoubroeck, author of our book “Jirdarup Bushland and the friends who care for it” and Dan Carter, author of our recently published book “Birds of Jirdarup – your garden will help them thrive ‘
We will bring our copies of these books for anyone who is interested as well as other information for anyone who may wish to visit or join us on one of our monthly walks in the bushland
Topic:
The talk will provide a presentation on the history and an overview of the flora, fauna and ecology of the Jirdarup Bushland Precinct located in Kensington. The bushland supports over 200 endemic plant species, over 70 different bird species and 16 reptile species along with various fungi and slime moulds. The talk will also provide an overview of the planned restoration of the Kent St sandpit.
The precinct is located just 3 kms from the Perth CBD and includes 10.7ha of Jarrah Banksia woodland identified as a Threatened ecological community and it is reported to have greater ecological diversity than either Kings Park or Bold Park. While the bushland is managed by the Town of Victoria Park for conservation, passive recreation and education, for over 25 years the Friends of Jirdarup Bushland (FOJB) have been instrumental in advocating for its protection, preservation and restoration. The talk will highlight the importance of community action to protect the flora, fauna and the ecology of valuable remnant bushland in our suburbs. 4.33 ha of the total area of 17.9 ha was previously a sandpit and waste dump however it is now undergoing a world first 5-star restoration project to jarrah banksia woodland under the guidance of Professor Kingsley Dixon and his team at Curtin University in partnership with the Town of Victoria Park and the FOJB.

Plus:

Kids’ talk – one of your younger members will be giving a 5 minutes kids’ talk.
Boffins talk – A member will give an 8 minutes Boffins’ talk.
“Nature road show”. Members and visitors are encouraged to bring items to place on the display table or to send photographs to the MC in advance, e.g. a sample flower, an insect, and so on – anything of natural history interest that has legally been obtained. If we have time, one of our experts will identify them or briefly talk about them, or the person bringing them can talk about where they saw it, etc. Photographs are particularly welcome, as everyone can see them. If you wish to show a photograph please email it, no later than the Wednesday before the meeting, to our MC for this night, and she/he will include it on her PowerPoint slides. We have a dedicated email for this purpose” natclub@webco.com.au
Thing of the month / Things coming up next month: These two presentations are about things in nature happening this month and things coming up, so if you have any photos or information, send them to: natclub@webco.com.au
Door prizes: You could also be the lucky winner of a door prize. We make sure there are prizes for both members and visitors.
Raffle: We will have a great raffle – please raid your piggy bank for a bit more cash, $5 for 3 tickets.

Time: Please come at 7.15pm or earlier if you wish, for a 7.30pm start as we start promptly. We are open from 6.45pm. We finish formal proceedings no later than 9.30pm.
Donation: All this for only a donation of $3 per person for adult members ($0 for child members), and $5 per adult visitor and $1 per visiting child to help with the costs of running the club, venue hire, insurance and so on. Please bring the right CASH to help us avoid long queues. Thanks. We do not have EFTPOS facilities yet.
Entrance: It is a condition of entry that everyone signs in on arrival, thank you.
Parking: Free parking right outside.
Wheelchair access: Everything is on one level.
Toilets: Are inside.
Bookings: No bookings required.
See you there for fabulous night.

Family BBQ & Picnic at Lake Leschenaultia to celebrate 50th year of Darling Range Branch
2024-11-03 11:00 - 15:30 | Lake Leschenaultia, Rosedale Rd, Chidlow, wa, Australia
To celebrate the end of our 50th anniversary year we are inviting members and guests to come and join together to reminisce and recall the experience of picnic and nature walks in 1974 – to present day.
DRB has booked a large shelter with 4 tables exclusively for our picnic group., you will need to bring your own everything. Those of you familiar with the venue need no introduction to the opportunities to bring along children and grandchildren to allow them to swim in the dam and let loose on the bike trails. 1/2 canoe hire from the Shire is available for around $16.00
There is a campsite and canoe hire ( around $16/30 minutes) from the Shire make a weekend of it.
https://www.mundaring.wa.gov.au/council/fees-and-charges/fees-and-charges-lake-leschenaultia.aspx
Lake-leschenaltia-map

WA Nats Bushwalking Group
2024-11-03 07:30 - 11:00 | Burns Beach, Ocean Pde, Burns Beach, WA, 6028, Australia
Meet: Burns Beach Café Car Park, end of Ocean Parade Burns Beach [UBD Map 145, A10]
Details: An easy walk along the seaside and paths past Ocean Reef marina to a lookout and return—about 11 km. There is a café and toilets at the meeting point. Group usually has coffee at Burns Beach Cafe afterwards. As part of the path is closed, with good path by the road, an alternative walk is to the viewing place. Return distance about 6 km.
Please be aware, if the weather dictates, the leader may choose to cancel or change the walk. Check the website for updates after 6pm on Saturday 2 November.
Contact: Jack Moore – Ph: 0492 851 156

Conserving and Creating a Future for Kyloriny- the Critically Endangered Western Ground Parrot
2024-11-01 19:30 - 21:00 | Hew Roberts LT, Nedlands Lecture Theatre, Clifton St., Nedlands
Dr Sarah Comer is the Regional Ecologist for DBCA’s South Coast Region, a position she has been privileged to work in for over 25 years. Sarah’s work is focused on conservation: implementing threatened species recovery programs, monitoring and management of native species, and integrating invasive predator management, fire ecology and science into management of biodiversity in the region. Sarah is the chair of the South Coast Threatened Birds Recovery Team, which oversees the implementation of recovery actions for Kyloriny.

Kyloriny, the cryptic Western Ground Parrot (Pezoporus flaviventris) is teetering on the edge of extinction. With an estimated population of < 150 birds, Kyloriny occurs in a single wild population on the south coast of Western Australia, and a small number of birds are housed at Perth Zoo. At risk from bushfire and predation from the invasive feral cat, establishing a second wild population is a priority.

Photo: B.Barrett, DBCA

The ecology of the species is not well understood, and the decision to implement a wild-wild conservation translocation was challenging. Taking birds for translocation, with no guarantees of success, was explored in depth through a collaborative assessment of the complex risks, assessing habitat potential in the face of a drying climate and management capacity. With the first stage of this project completed there is optimism that the risk of taking birds from the last population were worthwhile, but ongoing interventions will be required to maximise the chances of establishment of a new population.

At the completion of the first three years of translocation effort project partners have now come together to work through a Structured Decision-Making process that has captured diverse perspectives from conservation professionals, traditional custodians and project partners. This work has mapped a clear path for the next steps in conservation efforts for Kyloriny, which can be approached with some confidence. Here we share some of the challenges and rewards of an adaptive and collaborative approach to conservation of this enigmatic parrot.

Sullivan Rock
2024-10-27 09:00 | Sullivan Rock, J792+W7 Mount Cooke, WA, Australia
Sullivan Rock is a granite outcrop situated alongside the Albany Highway between Mt Vincent and Mt Cooke in the Monadnocks Conservation Area. It is located roughly 9km south of the Jarrahdale Road/Albany Highway intersection.

Meet: Sullivan Rock carpark (turn right at Millars Log Road, if heading south on Albany Hwy).

This is a great place to walk and view plant life, including orchids, Drosera and lichens, birdlife, invertebrates and possibly some reptiles such as the Ornate Crevice Dragon.

Contact: Colin Prickett for further details.

GOLLY WALK-JOONDAKAMMER: A CABINET OF CURIOSITY FOR JOONDALUP
2024-10-23 08:00 - 10:00 | Neil Hawkins Park, Boas St, Joondalup, Australia
Our excursion today will highlight the natural history of the City of Joondalup in a most unusual way. After a short walk from Neil Hawkins Park through the bushland of Lakeside Park and Centennial Park we will visit the Joondalup library for a personal explanation by Dr Perditta (Perdy) Phillips of her Joondakammer.
Perdy, the daughter of Club stalwart, Margaret Larke, created Joondakammer: A cabinet of curiosity for Joondalup, after being awarded the City’s major Visual Arts Commission in 2022.
Her work was inspired by early museums that housed artefact collections in cabinets of curiosity or Wunderkammer, which inspired the content and name of the new artwork.
The artwork consists of a wooden cabinet, complete with abalone shell inlays and filled with specimens found from the Joondalup region, including pinecones, nuts, feathers, bones, soil and other objects including a xylotheque. What’s a xylotheque? Join us to find out.
“It is a true museum for Joondalup,” the artist said. “I visited many parks and areas where natural lives still carry on – from beaches and sand dunes to bushland and the swampy shores of Lake Joondalup”.
We will have refreshments at a local patisserie before returning to our vehicles.

Members' Night¦Kwinana Rockingham Mandurah Branch
2024-10-21 19:00 | Naragebup Rockingham Environment Centre, 49 Safety Bay Road, Peron, WA, Australia
Members are invited to share images of sightings or other subjects of interest

Contact for further details:-
