Field Trip 31st August 2013 – 1st September 2013

The August field trip saw a return to Goodale Sanctuary on Saturday 31st August. KRMB members were joined by a few members from the Main Club for the opportunity to spend a day or two as guests of Bob and Lynette Goodale. The wet August was evident on the drive down, with flooded paddocks providing good foraging for large numbers of White Necked Herons, Australian White Ibis, Straw Necked Ibis and Yellow Billed Spoonbills. At Goodale Sanctuary there was further evidence with water levels high in all three lakes and inundation of the walking track/firebreak at the north-west corner. The wet conditions meant that Fungi were still abundant making good subject matter for macro photographs.

On the large lake a pair of Black Swans were sighted near the Melaleucas on the western edge with five newly hatched cygnets. They wisely stayed close to cover as protection from predators, such as a Whistling Kite that soared above the lake in search of an easy meal. Through binoculars we watched as the cygnets alternated between paddling alongside mum and dad and riding on mum’s back. Other visitors to the lakes included Pacific Black Ducks, Wood Ducks and Australian Shelducks. Other bird sightings included Golden and Rufous Whistlers, Scarlet Robin, Spotted Pardalote, Grey Shrike Thrush and Red Wattlebird. Australian Ringneck Parrots, Red Capped Parrots and Pink and Grey Cockatoos were also spotted. Ravens were plentiful as were Magpies, which provided a chorus throughout the night.

A total of twelve species of Orchids were in flower, including Flying Duck Orchid (Paracaleana nigrita), Purple Enamel Orchid (Elythanthera brunonis), large colonies of Slender Snail Orchid (Pterostylis aff. nana), Jug Orchid (Pterostylis recurva), Little Pink Fairy (Caladenia reptans subsp. reptans), Banded Greenhood (Pterostylis vittata), Silky Blue Orchid (Cyanicula sericea), Warty Hammer Orchid (Drakaea livida) and three types of Donkey Orchid. Many of the rare Glossy Leafed hammer Orchids (Drakaea elastica) were in bud. Other plants in flower included four species of Hibbertia, two different Conostylis, Blue Squills (Chamaescilla corymbosa), both the pink and white climbing Drosera and the Twining Fringed Lily (Thysanotus manglesianus). Both purple and yellow flags (Patersonia occidentalis and Patersonia umbrosa var. xanthina) were also in flower. Shrubs in flower include Pepper and Salt and Prickly Moses (which had some nice coloured beetles feeding on the flowers).

For those of us that stayed overnight there was an extra treat after dusk when three Southern Brown Bandicoots (Quenda, two female with young in the pouch and one male) and a female Brush Tailed Possum (also with young in her pouch) visited Bob’s camp, presenting wonderful photo opportunities. A walk with Bob along the track resulted in a number of Moaning Frogs (Heleioporus eyrei) being spotted. A Slender Tree Frog (Litoria adelaidensis) was also spotted in the camp area. Off the lakes came a wonderful chorus of frog calls. Thankfully the rain that had threatened for most of Saturday afternoon was restricted to a couple of light showers and Sunday morning brought clear sky and the rising sun produced some colourful reflections on the lake. After an early breakfast we set off once again to explore and photograph the many treasures that can be found on the property. Many thanks to Bob and Lynette for the invitation to share the Sanctuary for the weekend and for their hospitality, it is greatly appreciated.

Colin Prickett