Western Australian Naturalists Club

WA Nats Bushwalking Group
2025-06-08 09:30 - 15:00 (Australia/Perth) | Forrestfield
Whistle Pipe Gully
Meet: End of Lewis Road, Forrestfield (car park can be very busy).
Details: This walk is short, 3.2 km, and almost all incline (about 130 metres) – uphill on the way out and downhill on the way back. The surface is rocky and in parts slippery, hard, sandy, lateritic, uneven and so a bit skiddy especially on the way down. If there is water in the creeks this may also impact walking surfaces. This is a beautiful walk but is quite challenging in parts.
Bring lunch and drinking water. Lunch will be back at the cars. If you want, bring chair/blanket and extra provisions.
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 7th June.
Contact: Haydee Adel 0405244900

Spotlighting Excursion to Pinnaroo & Craigie Bushland
2025-06-07 17:00 - 20:00 | Craigie Bushland, Whitfords Ave, Craigie, WA
Pinnaroo Valley Memorial Park Cemetery, then over to Craigie Bushland
Bring: Headtorch (torch is ok), Mossie Repellent, Snacks & water, Enclosed Shoes
Meet at 5pm at Pinnaroo Valley Memorial Park Cemetery off Whitfords Ave to see the many kangaroos that live within the grounds.
Park by the lake (first turn off roundabout then first left – directions in link).

We will watch the plentiful Western grey kangaroos before moving the cars over to Craigie Bushland (Google Maps Location) which is encompassed by a predator proof fence.
We will move cars to
Craigie Bushland is found just off Whitfords Ave, Craigie behind the Craigie Leisure Centre and managed by the City of Joondalup.
The reserve encompasses 56ha, of which 42ha has a predator free fence. The fence was put up in 2010 and 3 years later 43 Quenda (Isoodon fusciventer) were reintroduced to the reserve. We will walk on mostly level gravel tracks by night for around an hour.

See my blog of one of my previous visits – Ry’s blog
We should see plenty of wolf spiders, other night time critters and hopefully Quenda & Brush tailed possums. I will have a thermal camera and bat detector as well.

Contact Ry ryber1@gmail.com or 0439994338 if needed.

Sticky diversity¦The Sundews of Western Australia
2025-06-06 19:30 - 21:30 | Hew Roberts LT, Nedlands Lecture Theatre, Clifton St., Nedlands
Sundews (botanical name Drosera) are carnivorous plants that capture and digest insects using leaves covered in sticky, mucilage-producing tentacles. Western Australia is the global diversity hotspot for the genus, with more than 150 species that primarily occur in the South-West and Kimberley regions. New species continue to be discovered and described each year, with many of them already being on the verge of extinction due to habitat loss. This presentation will introduce the genus Drosera with a focus on natural history aspects such as rediscoveries of long-lost species, novel plant-animal interactions (especially kleptoparasites), and the rapidly growing role of citizen science in taxonomic and conservation research.

D. pinata

D. neesii

D. squamosa

D macropetala

Thilo Krueger is a PhD student at Curtin University (Perth, Western Australia) researching carnivorous plants. He is particularly interested in their ecology, taxonomy, and conservation, primarily studying them by field research throughout Western Australia. Currently, he is researching plant-animal interactions such as prey spectra and pollinators, describing new species, and preparing assessments of the conservation status of potentially threatened species.

Theo with Drosera gigantea and Utricularia

Focus talk

Jolanda will briefly introduce her new book as a ‘soft launch’ at our next meeting. The official launch will happen during the Verticordia Festival in Wongan Hills, which falls on 1 and 2 November. She will have the book available for members to buy at a discounted price of $45. Bring cash if you are interested in purchasing a copy.

Excursion Fremantle Shipwrecks Museum
2025-05-31 10:30 - 12:00 | WA Shipwrecks Museum, Cliff Street, Fremantle, WA
Dive into the fascinating history of Australia’s oldest shipwrecks. The WA Shipwrecks Museum is recognised as the foremost maritime archaeology museum in the southern hemisphere. Steeped in history, the museum galleries house hundreds of relics from ships wrecked along WA’s treacherous coastline, including the original timbers from Batavia (wrecked in 1629), the de Vlamingh Dish, and also countless artefacts from the Dutch shipwrecks Zuytdorp, Zeewijk and Vergulde Draeck.

Image courtesy WA Shipwrecks Museum

Getting there: There is nearby paid car parking and it is a 10-15 minute walk from the train station and bus terminus.

Meet: At 10.30 am, outside the Museum entrance. Please be aware that the WA Shipwrecks Museum does not have cloaking facilities or bag storage areas. As a consequence, luggage and bags should not be taken into the Museum.

An introduction to the Museum will be given by the volunteer guides. This will take approximately 45 minutes. The remainder of the time will be yours to see the various exhibitions of all the many ships wrecked off our coast.

Cost: The Museum is free but you are encouraged to give a donation to help fund their conservation work.

Contact: Margaret or the Office before Wednesday May 28 or just RSVP if you are coming so we can be sure that Museum guides know the size of the group.

WA Nats Bushwalking Group
2025-05-25 09:30 - 15:00 | Coogee, end of Jervoise Bay Cove, Coogee, Western Australia, Australia
Woodman Point Walk
Meet: At the entrance to Coogee Beach Café, Powell Road, Coogee [UBD 366, E3]
Details: The walk is approx 8 km along paved and sandy paths, and beaches.
Wear clothes appropriate to the weather and suitable footwear. Bring morning tea, lunch and drinking water to have during the walk. Optional afternoon tea, coffee and cakes back at the cars. If you want to stay, bring chair/blanket and extra provisions.
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 24th May.
Contact: Sue Gardner – Ph. 9414 9417

NOTE: Late Change KRMB May Excursion - Wellard Wetlands, Bertenshaw Road, Baldivis
2025-05-25 09:00 - 11:30 | Wellard Wetlands, near Cnr. Bertenshaw Rd. and Cobby Lane, Baldivis, WA, Australia
Wellard Wetlands has good numbers of wetland and woodland birds. We will take a walk around the lake to see what birds, insects and other fauna are active here in late Autumn

Ollie Worrell Reserve, High Wycombe "Sit and stand bird watching excursion and bird photography mentoring"
2025-05-24 09:30 - 11:30 | Ollie Worrell Reserve, High Wycombe, WA, Australia
DRB Excursion: Leaders, renowned Naturalists Rachel and Mike Green
Ollie Worrell Reserve in High Wycombe has a permanent standing lake with many bird species. E-bird has recorded 84 species of birds there. Our excursion leaders, Mike and Rachel, have been visiting the reserve regularly since November 2024 and have been impressed with the different bird species they have seen. There are even two birds on the E-bird list they have never seen anywhere. They have seen a Reed Warbler’s nest with chicks, Dusky Moorhen with chicks, a Great Cormorant, a group of Hardheads, Musk Ducks, a Darter and several other birds of interest.
The opportunity to walk around the lake is limited, but some seats are supplied, and they are excellent places to observe the lake, the island, and the extensive reeds. People can also bring their own chairs. It is near Abernethy Road, so traffic can be noisy, but on the opposite side of the lake, where we will predominantly be focused, it is quieter.
This excursion will be ideal for beginner bird-watchers and those with moderate experience. Mike is an experienced bird watcher and will provide help with bird identification and sightings. Rachel is an amateur bird photographer and will be available to help people learn some extra techniques for bird photography. This will be ideal for bird photography beginners or those amateurs who want to improve the bird pictures they get. It doesn’t matter what kind of camera you have.
There is a flat concrete path around the best part of the lake, providing access for those with walkers, wheelchairs, disabilities, etc.
Please note that there are no facilities, and car parking is available at Mathew Gibney Catholic School next door or on Worrell Avenue. We will meet at the oval entrance next to the Worrell Avenue reserve, off Abernethy Road.
We anticipate having several visitors from Mike’s bird workshops attending from the local area.
Bring your binoculars. Watch out for the Weather and wear suitable clothing and shoes.

9.30 am – 11 am.

NSB Golly Walk: Star Swamp Nocturnal Walk
2025-05-23 19:30 - 21:30 | Star Swamp, Henderson Environmental Centre, end of Groat Street, North Beach, WA, Australia
Instead of our usual morning walk this month we will be joining the Friends of Star Swamp Bushland for a walk around Star Swamp after dark.
About a 90 minute walk along paths looking at and listening for night creatures. Stay for a cuppa afterwards.
Children welcome.
Wear comfortable closed footwear and clothes suitable for the weather. Bring a torch.

MYGALOMORPH SPIDERS (TRAPDOORS AND THEIR RELATIVES)
2025-05-21 19:30 - 21:30 | Henderson Environmental Centre, Henderson Environmental Centre End of Groat St, North Beach, Australia
Note we are back to meeting on the third Wednesday of the month for the rest of the year.
Our speaker Jeremy Wilson is a Postdoctoral Researcher working on trapdoor spiders at UWA and WAM.
Jeremy’s presentation will examine the evolution of the burrowing behaviour in mygalomorph spiders (trapdoors and their relatives). During the talk he will discuss the various burrow types constructed by mygalomorph spiders (highlighting examples from WA), compare them to examples worldwide to illustrate convergent evolution, and explore how this broad evolutionary pattern has impacted taxonomy and systematics in the Mygalomorphae. Jeremy has indicated the talk will be WA-focused as possible with lots of relevant examples.
This is a great opportunity to learn more about trapdoor spiders and to acknowledge the pioneering work of our late patron, Barbara York Main.
(Photo: WA Museum)

KRMB May General Meeting - Insects and Medicine
2025-05-19 19:00 - 21:00 | Naragebup Rockingham Environment Centre, 49 Safety Bay Road, Peron, WA, Australia
Branch member Daniel Heald will deliver a presentation on the links between insects and medicine

WA Nats Bushwalking Group
2025-05-11 09:00 - 15:00 | Perth Hills Discovery Centre, 380 Allen Road, Mundaring, WA, 6073, Australia
Perth Hills Discovery Centre
Meet: Perth Hills Discovery Centre [UBD map 276 J11]
Details: Perth Hills Discovery Centre to Ball Creek Campsite on the Bibbulmun Track. It is approximately 5km return with a few gradual slopes and no steps.
Wear clothes appropriate to the weather (i.e. hat / rainwear) and suitable footwear. Toilets at the Discovery Centre and Ball Creek Campsite.
Bring morning tea, lunch and drinking water. Optional afternoon tea, coffee and cakes back at the cars. If you want to stay, bring chair/blanket and extra provisions.
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 10th May.
Contact: Haydee Adel 0405244900

Celebration of Life of Otto Mueller
2025-05-10 16:00 | Herdsman Lake Discovery Centre, Cnr Flynn and Selby St., Wembley, WA, 6018, Australia
Otto Mueller5/1/1930- 17/3/2025

Otto with Angela Rossen at Tomato Lake

photo: Pam Ghirardi

Time: 4pm onwardsVenue: Herdsman Lake Discovery Centre, corner Flynn and Selby streets, WembleyDate: Saturday 10th May 2025

Please RSVP for catering purposes by 7th May to:-

Feel free to bring any photos or stories to share.

The more of us, the less there is for everything else

DRB Presents: John Huisman (WA Herbarium) - William Henry Harvey and his Western Australian Seaweeds
2025-05-09 19:00 - 21:30 | Kalamunda Community Centre, Kalamunda Community Centre, end of Crescent Rd, Off Mundaring Weir Road,, Kalamunda, WA, 6076, Australia
DRB Presents: John Huisman (WA Herbarium) – William Henry Harvey and his Western Australian
Seaweeds
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.

John Huisman

Asparagopsis armata
Dr John Huisman is the Curator of the Western Australian Herbarium (Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions) and also undertakes taxonomic research into the Western Australian marine plants. Other than a two year sojourn to the Hawaiian Islands, he has pursued a goal of a State-wide marine Flora since moving to Western Australia in 1985. John has written ten books and over 200 articles and chapters describing various seaweed related topics, including the recent pictorial guide, ‘Marine Plants of Australia (revised and updated) in 2023’, which depicts over 640 species, mostly photographed in situ.

John’s presentation will give a general overview of the history and current state of seaweed diversity in the Perth region, but then concentrate on his efforts to clarify the identities of several species that were described by Irish botanist William Henry Harvey in 1855, but since that time have defied attempts to place them in appropriate genera.

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. Tony Start (DRB Member) will do a talk on “Dragonflies and Damselflies”
“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.

The Western Australian Naturalists’ Club – writing a Centenary history
2025-05-02 19:30 - 21:30 | Hew Roberts LT, Nedlands Lecture Theatre, Clifton St., Nedlands
Dr Sue Graham-Taylor accepted the challenge of writing the centenary history of the Western Australian Naturalists’ Club being aware of the key role it has played in documenting and protecting WA’s environment as well as in educating the community. Her research has unearthed many aspects of our history that are not so widely known.

Sue will touch on some of her early findings. She will address why the Club was not established until 1924, when field naturalist clubs in other states were established from the 1880s.

Dr Sue Graham-Taylor in the Battye Library

The talk will outline the state of knowledge of Western Australian flora and fauna at that time and the work of those earlier natural history societies which preceded the founding of the Club.

The challenges in establishing the WA Naturalists’ Club were many but Dominic Serventy refused to believe, as the Museum’s Ludwig Glauert did, that establishing such an organisation would be impossible:

The people out here were not educated enough, all they thought about was horse racing, the trots, sports, etc.

Don Serventy decided to see for himself.

Sue will discuss this early membership, influential personalities, the huge range of early activities undertaken by the club such as exhibitions and Wildlife Shows, and their impact. Ideas, memories and photos from today’s members will be welcomed as she continues the task of working on our history.

Dr Sue Graham-Taylor AM is a professional historian and researcher, previously Curator History and Sustainability at the Western Australian Museum. Since that time, Sue has curated a range of exhibitions, including the WA Museum Boola Bardip’s Changes Gallery that looks at environmental change in Western Australia and has worked on a range of Swan River research projects. Sue has an ongoing interest in the environment being involved with the Conservation Council and regularly volunteering with the Swan Estuary Reserve Action Group.

NOTLEY LATE EASTER CAMP 2025
2025-05-01 00:00 - 2025-05-07 23:59 | Wellington Forest, Collie, WA, Australia
Dates: Thursday 1 May – Wednesday 7 May
A deposit of $100 is required to save your place and once the final number of attendees is known (a week before commencement) we will advise you of the remaining amount to pay.
Pay deposit via Humanitix.
Venue: Wellington Forest and Collie region
Activities: Wellington Discovery Forest Centre – Potters Gorge – Wyvern Road Nature Reserve – Coalfields Museum – Westralian Conservation Park – Harris Dam – Harris River Winery. Guided Tour of Collie Mural Trail featuring Flora and Fauna, Wildflowers – Birds – Fungi – Snails – Ring-tailed Possums.
Accommodation: Our accommodation for the 6 nights will be the Wellington Forest Cottages and Conference Centre, situated 31 km southwest of Collie. https://wfccc.com.au/cottages/
We have reserved 4 cottages. Three with inside toilet, one with outside toilet.
Each cottage has 3 bedrooms:
– Master bedroom has 1 double and 1 single bed
– Bedroom 2 has 3 single beds (no bunk beds)
– Bedroom 3 has 2 single beds
Options: stay 6 nights or weekend only (2-3 nights). We will do our best to accommodate your request for a single room but cannot guarantee. Move in from 2pm on Thursday 1 May. Depart by 10am Wednesday 7 May.
The final cost per person can only be determined once we know the final number of attendees, but we estimate $60-$65 per person per night.
What’s included in the cost
– Accommodation
– Use of Conference Centre
– Guided tour of Collie Murals and Arboretum
What’s not included
– Entry to Collie Coalfields Museum
– Hire of canoes/kayaks
Non-members are welcome but will be charged an extra $75 or they can spend the same amount and join the Club.
Bring: your own bedding- sheets, blankets, pillow case and towels, as well as food. We will make a couple of visits to Collie where you will be able to restock.
Contact: Don Poynton for any questions and further information. If you have a medical condition we should be aware of please provide information directly to the organizer at natsnorthernbranch@gmail.com

WA Nats Bushwalking Group
2025-04-27 09:30 - 15:30
Rocky Bay to Chidley Pt and return
Meet: The Tom Perrott Reserve car park, McCabe Street, Mosman Park (UBD 306, E10)
Details: The walk is about 8 km return. Toilets at Tom Perrott Reserve and Russell Brown Adventure Park (BYO paper). Walk down-river to Cyprus Hill for morning tea and rest stop. Walk up-river to Chidley Point Lookout and return to Russell Brown Park for lunch. Short walk back to Tom Perrott Reserve car park from Russell Brown Adventure Park.
Mostly paved track, short section on sand track with some limestone rocks. It’s mostly flat with two moderate hill sections. It has good shade from the trees in most parts with a few exposed sections. Lovely views of the river along the whole way. There are a lot of historical spots to read/talk about along the way e.g. aboriginal sites/the old sugar refinery etc.
Wear clothes appropriate to the weather (i.e. hat / rainwear / sunscreen) and suitable footwear. Bring morning tea and drinking water, and lunch to have back at the cars.
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 26th April.
Contact: Robyn Weir 0407 993 098 / Chris Gillam 0407 005 940 (text only please).

Goegrup Lake
2025-04-27 09:00 | Goegrup Lake, Redcliffe Rd and Wanda Rd, Greenfields, Western Australia, Australia
Goegrup Lake is a scenic spot where the Serpentine River approaches the Peel Harvey Estuary. It is a good place to view migratory and resident shorebirds, raptors such as Ospreys, plus birds that use the Samphire and shrub habitats present in the reserve.

Meet: At the carpark at the Riverside Gardens picnic area, at the intersection of Redcliffe Road and Wanda Road, Greenfields.

Contact: for further details.

BEACHCOMB AND SNORKEL : ILUKA BEACH
2025-04-23 08:00 - 10:00 | Iluka Foreshore Park, Iluka Foreshore Park, Burns Beach Rd, Iluka, Western Australia, 6028, Australia
NSB’s annual Beachcomb and Snorkel will be a month later than usual due to the re-enactment of our first walk in 1985 taking precedent in March.
However, given the sea temperature was 2-3 degrees above the norm for summer we should still be able to get into and out of the water without turning into icebergs.
If the weather is not conducive to a swim we will take a walk along the coastal path. Either way the coffee van will be waiting for us.

Australian Flora and Fauna in Popular Culture
2025-04-21 19:00 | Naragebup Rockingham Environment Centre, 49 Safety Bay Road, Peron, WA, Australia
Tonight’s speaker will be Desiree Heald

For further information contact

Serventy Memorial Lecture 2025
2025-04-16 19:30 - 21:00 | Social Sciences Theatre, Hackett Drive, Nedlands, WA, Australia
Biotic interactions – the essence of nature conservation

Southwestern Australia has a unique natural heritage. Our ecosystems contain many complex interactions between plants, animals and fungi. Prof. Lamont will outline examples of these interactions such as occur with the Albany pitcher plant, orchid mimicry, the woylie, and black cockatoos. He will explain how these cycles form an essential part of the environment that we all love and depend on. Content has been tailored for senior high school students and above.

Purchase you ticket now. Ignore the optional access code unless you have been advised of one.

Prof. Emeritus Byron Lamont

Biotic interactions – the essence of nature conservation

Byron is Distinguished Professor Emeritus in Plant Ecology, at Curtin University. His expertise is adaptations of Mediterranean floras to fire, poor soils, drought, herbivores and pollinators. Byron has published 420 papers since 1972, currently cited 35,000 times. He became a Member of the Order of Australia for services to botany in 2010. Since retirement in 2010, Byron has published 115 papers, and a book on the SW Australian flora (Groom and Lamont 2015, de Gruyter Open). Byron is a regular speaker and excursion leader for naturalist and mature-age learning groups and occasional international conferences.

The Serventy Memorial Fund is a memorial to the contribution by the Serventy family to the Western Australian Naturalists’ Club, with the aim of assisting and encouraging young people in the study of natural history. The Serventy Memorial Lecture is the main source of funding for the Serventy Memorial Prizes for students awarded annually at the four WA public universities.

POLYPHAGUS SHOTHOLE BORER
2025-04-15 19:30 - 21:30 | Henderson Environmental Centre, Henderson Environmental Centre End of Groat St, North Beach, Australia
Note our February, March and April meetings will be held on the third Tuesday, not Wednesday, due to HEC being unavailable.
The NSB of the Naturalists’ Club and the NSB of the Wildflower Society will hold a joint meeting to enlighten members to the devastation this sesame seed-sized beetle can cause.
Our speaker will be Courtney Butterworth,
| Stakeholder and Community Engagement Officer
Polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB) Response
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

Courtenay’s presentation will cover the beetle’s biology, the environmental risks it poses, and the hosts it prefers. Additionally, she will discuss how community involvement—including citizen science and local initiatives—can play a vital role in controlling its spread.

WA Nats Bushwalking Group
2025-04-13 09:30 - 15:00
Bibra Lake
Meet: Bibra Lake Reserve, Progress Drive, Bibra Lake, at the carpark on the eastern side of Progress Drive, nearest the intersection with Gwilliam Drive. (-32.090102, 115.8207149) UBD Map 347 Ref L10.
Details: The walk is along mostly paved paths around the Lake but some optional limestone paths and boardwalks for better lake viewing, an easy approx 6 km walk. Toilets are available near the meeting point and along the way. If there is enough interest, we may do a short 2-3 km walk around North Lake after lunch.
Wear clothes appropriate to the weather (i.e. hat / rainwear / sunscreen) and suitable footwear. Bring morning tea and drinking water, and lunch to have back at the cars.
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 12 April.
Contact: Sue Gardner 9414 9417

DRB Presents: Critters Up Close Live Reptile Demonstration
2025-04-11 19:00 - 21:30 | Kalamunda Community Centre, Kalamunda Community Centre, end of Crescent Rd, Off Mundaring Weir Road,, Kalamunda, WA, 6076, Australia
DRB Presents: Critters Up Close Live Reptile Demonstration
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:
Critters Up Close
Topic:

The Speaker will bring reptiles for demonstration and will give a talk about them.
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 Griffiths will give a talk about “Road Crossing Signs”
“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.

Facts about Prescribed Burning in the South-West Forest Region
2025-04-04 19:30 - 21:30 | Hew Roberts LT, Nedlands Lecture Theatre, Clifton St., Nedlands
This presentation by Peta Kelsey will describe the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions’ current prescribed burning program on the lands it manages in the South-West Forest Region. It will look at the effectiveness of the current regime in preventing wildfire and protecting people and infrastructure, and also its impact on biodiversity and forest flammability.

After retiring at the end of 2023, Peta took a private interest in, and investigated prescribed burning in south-west Australian forests. As a member of the South-West Forest Defence Foundation for many years, the foundation chose to publish Peta’s work in the booklet ‘Prescribed Burning Fact Sheets’ (https://southwestforestsdefence.org/prescribed-burning/).

Peta is a physicist / mathematician. After graduating she worked as a geophysicist in the Antarctic, Canberra and Fiji, and then at the School of Mathematics and Statistics at Curtin University. She spent the last 20 years of her career in what is now WA’s Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, managing the Aquatic Science Branch’s mathematical modelling team, which involved modelling groundwater, catchments and estuaries.

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WA Nats Bushwalking Group
2025-03-30 09:30 - 15:00
Naval Memorial Park to Palm Beach and return
Meet: Naval Memorial Park car park (adjacent to Governor Rd Reserve) Corner of Rockingham Beach Rd and Governor Rd.
Details: The walk is about 8km return along a mostly flat paved coastal path, offering views of the ocean, boats, birdlife, parkland and shaded in parts. In some sections the beach and path are close, allowing the group to divide according to preference but still stay together. We will walk to a grassy knoll at the Bakers Beach end of Palm Beach for morning tea before returning to the start where we will have lunch with coffee/cake etc (lunch and afternoon tea are combined). There are toilets at the beginning and during the walk.
Bring morning tea and drinking water for the walk. Lunch can be left in the car for when we return. Bring folding chairs, lunch, own coffee/tea/hot water, cake/biscuits to share.
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 29 March.
Contact: Vivienne Cass 0414474401

Ellis Brook Valley Reserve- Clean-up Australia excursion
2025-03-30 09:00 - 13:00 | Ellis Brook Valley Reserve, Rushton Road, Martin, WA, Australia
Where: Ellis Brook Valley Reserve is located along Rushton Road in the suburb of Martin. The reserve straddles the Darling Scarp and is known for its wildflowers, Sixty Foot Falls and blue wrens.

When: 9.30 am we will meet at Honeyeater Hollow picnic area (carpark and toilet) and walk one or several of the easy to moderate walking trails.

Bring: gloves and bags to collect rubbish, camera, binoculars, food, water. Come prepared for the weather (slip-slap-slop). You will need enclosed walking shoes/boots.

NSB's Re-enactment of First Excursion : Lake Joondalup
2025-03-26 08:00 - 10:00 | Neil Hawkins Park, Boas St, Joondalup, Australia
The Wanneroo and District Branch held its first excursion on 31 March 1985. It was to Neil Hawkins Park. Not long after, Noelene Goodsell, wife of the inaugural president, used her position as a school teacher to involve the Wanneroo Primary School in planning a Nature Trail along the shore of Lake Joondalup.
Our re-enactment will take us from the park to the Yellagonga Scenic Lookout and beyond. There won’t be too many wildflowers but hopefully lots of birds and maybe a turtle or two.
Prize for anyone in early 1980s dress. Guys, how quickly can you grow a mullet!
Comfortable footwear and clothes suitable for the weather. Bring morning tea.
There is an added bonus – Neil Hawkins Park is the venue for a special installation during the Joondalup Festival – come along, listen and learn.
(Photo: Gary Tate)

Lake Mealup
2025-03-23 08:00 - 17:00 | Peel Harvey Estuary, Greenlands Rd, West Pinjarra, Australia
Lake Mealup, where water levels after summer should be suitable for a mix of waterbirds and waders. Greenlands Road West just after leaving the Forrest Highway – there is an area on the right-hand side where it is safe to pull off the road. We will then make our way to Lake Mealup together once all have arrived.

CLUB AGM
2025-03-22 14:00 - 16:30 | ZigZag Seminar Room, 50 Railway Road, Kalamunda
The 2025 Western Australian Naturalists’ Club Annual General Meeting will be a members-only event, hosted this year by the Darling Range Branch. The AGM Agenda and other meeting documents will be made available to members prior to the meeting in a personalised email.

If you are unable to attend, please complete and return a proxy form as it counts towards the required quorum for the meeting.

Our annual general meeting will be held at the Zigzag Cultural Centre, Seminar Room in Kalamunda.

NSB'S 40TH ANNIVERSARY
2025-03-18 19:30 - 21:30 | Henderson Environmental Centre, Henderson Environmental Centre End of Groat St, North Beach, Australia
Note our February, March and April meetings will be held on the third Tuesday, not Wednesday, due to HEC being unavailable.
The Northern Suburbs Branch was formed as the Wanneroo and District Branch in 1984 and held its first meeting in March 1985. To celebrate our 40th anniversary members who attended early meetings and excursions will (try to) recall some of the highs and lows of those early days.
Members from all the branches are invited to share this occasion with us.
If you have photos, memorabilia or just memories from the era please bring them along and share them with us.
Please bring some supper to share. Tea and coffee available.
