A total of nine members plus three visitors attended the excursion at Goodale Sanctuary where our hosts Bob and Lynette Goodale greeted us. We arrived under grey skies, but the clouds would soon break up and deliver fine conditions. As we signed in, we were treated to the distinctive call of a Fan-tailed Cuckoo. Bob then gave a brief introduction to Goodale Sanctuary for those who were visiting for the first time.

Also close to the car park he pointed out a colony of endangered Glossy-leaved Hammer Orchids (Drakaea eleastica) that he had recently discovered, adding to the other colonies on the property. We then followed Bob along the limestone access track where he pointed out Jug Orchids (Pterostylis recurva), Blue Squills (Chamaescilla corymbosa) and other flora.

Daniel turned over a large piece of bark lying on the ground to reveal Honeycomb Coral Slime Mould (also known as Icicle Fairy Fans – Ceratiomyxa fruticulose,.

Photo C. Prickett).

At the edge of the car park Bob showed us a native snail that he had only recently found on the property. It is an undescribed Bothriebryon land snail (below, C Prickett) known only from Goodale Sanctuary and the nearby Herron Point.

Photo C. Prickett

Tiny orb weaving spiders (Plebs sp.) were common along the side of the track. Overhead we were treated to a glide past by a Swamp Harrier, possibly on of the resident pair that are nesting near the property’s large lake. We then walked off the track through the old camping area to pick up another track through the centre of the property. At the edge of the track, we would spot more Jug orchids plus Little Pink Fairy Orchis (Caladenia reptans subsp. reptans). Hibbertia hypericoides was commonly seen in flower, attracting Diphucephala sp. June Beetles that were present in large numbers. Twining Drosera (possibly Bridal Rainbow) were commonly spotted in flower along this track along with Jug Flower (Adenanthos obovatus). Rufous Whistlers, Splendid Fairy Wrens and Inland Thornbills were spotted in the trees while overhead a Wedge-tailed Eagle was spotted some distance away being harassed by what appeared to be a Whistling Kite. A Grey Butcher Bird and Striated Pardalote were heard calling. Reaching the western boundary of the property we turned back to retrace our steps as the track around the boundary was flooded in parts.

On the way back a small spider was spotted hurrying across the track. It was caught in a specimen jar for photographs to be taken before it was released. It was a beautifully coloured Wolf Spider, an undescribed species from the Subfamily Lycosinae

Photo: C. Prickett

We then made our way to the large lake, which held a good level of water following being dry for some time. Musk Duck and Eurasian Coots were present on the lake. It was then time for a quick lunch at the house, where we noticed the plants in the garden were attracting large numbers of pollinating insects plus Western Spinebills. After lunch we headed out to the area where there are reasonable numbers of Hammer and Duck Orchids that Bob protects from grazing kangaroos with cages. No Hammer orchids were in flower and only a couple of Duck Orchids were found in bud. However, two species of Snail Orchids were found in flower, Slender Snail Orchid (Pterostylis crispula – previously P.aff Nana) and the other was the Coastal Short-eared Snail Orchid (Pterostylis actites, left, C Prickett). While looking around in this area a Tiger Snake was spotted, a bit of a surprise as it was not a warm day.

Another reptile spotted was a Fence Skink (also known as a Buchanan’s Snake-eyed Skink). All too soon it was time to head back to the house and thank Bob and Lynette for the wonderful day. It is always special to visit this wonderful property, though it was sad to see that it had suffered during the hot summer.

Colin Prickett