MARCH Excursion 2017
Our field outing on March 26 was a walk along the shore at the Point Peron Reserve in Rockingham. Not put off by a very windy, cool morning, certainly not the best of conditions for a walk around this coastal reserve, nine members plus one visitor (Brian) met in the car park ready to explore this wonderful area. We set off along the track to the north of the car park. Looking out towards the Garden Island causeway white-capped waves whipped up by the strong wind meant that the seascape was far from its picture postcard best. Turning our attention to the coastal vegetation Daniel Heald soon brought our attention to a large Bird Dropping spider (Celaenia excavata) plus egg sacs on a shrub.
As its common name suggests this species has evolved to look like unappetizing bird droppings to avoid being eaten by predators such as birds or wasps. Having heard of this species it was good to finally see one. A short time later we spotted an Orchid Dupe Wasp (Lissopimpla excelsa), a European Paper Wasp (Polistes dominula), a Native Paper Wasp (Polistes sp.) and a White-flanked Braconid (Callibracon sp.), all on one scale-insect-infested shrub.
At the base of the same shrub there was a spectacular tachinid fly (possibly Microtropesa sp.).
Many shrubs had the tips of branches covered in webs formed by Beet Webworm (Spoladea recurvalis). The shrubbery continued to deliver invertebrate sightings with one having a Belid Weevil (Rhinotia suturalis)
and a Spiny Red-legged Weevil (Catasarcus spinipennis) that was infested with numerous red mites.
A small blue butterfly, later identified as a Wattle Blue (Theclinesthes miskini miskini), was spotted resting out of the wind on a low twig. A Lesser Wanderer butterfly (Danaus petilia) was also seen during our walk. A leaf from a Platypus Gum tree (Eucalytus platypus) had bright yellow Paropsine Leafbeetle eggs on the tip. Other invertebrates spotted during the walk included Leaf-curling Spiders (Phonognatha sp.), and a large Golden Orb Weaver (Nephila edulis) on a web suspended above a walking track. There were also numerous large black Hairy Flower Wasps (Fam. Scoliidae) and a tartessine leafhopper, and a wingless native cockroach. Daniel also spotted a tiny black bee-fly on sand beside the walking track (Anthrax funestus).
The vegetation in the reserve was generally in very good condition. Plants in flower included Basket Bush (Spyridium globulosum), Thick-leaved Fan Flower (Scaevola crassifolia), Coastal Daisybush (Olearia axillaris), Seaheath (Frankenia pauciflora) and Dysentery Bush (Alyxia buxifolia). The Blueberry Tree (Myoporum insulare) was abundant as was Pittosporum ligustrifolium with many fruiting plants all appearing to be doing well, causing members to express the opinion that they have never seen Pittosporum with so much fruit.
The walkway network throughout the reserve is currently being upgraded through a DPAW project that commenced in March and to be completed in May. Unfortunately this has meant the loss of some vegetation due to the widening of tracks. However, a nice specimen of Broom Ballart (Exocarpos sparteus) was found next to a track that is currently being widened; it was lucky to have survived the front end loader.
We made a brief visit to a north facing beach where we found mostly Ecklonia radiata kelp on the beach, with Bubble Shells (Bulla sp.), Anemone Cone (Conus anemone), Elongate Slit-limpet (Macroschisma producta), Purple Urchin (Heliocidaris erythrogramma), Blue Manna Crab (Portunus pelagicus) and Ghost Crab burrows (Ocypode sp.).
Overall bird sightings were low with Ospreys, White-bellied Sea Eagles, a Whistling Kite, Singing Honeyeater, Crested Tern, and Pied and Little Black Cormorants among the 13 species of birds sighted.
Having followed a loop around the walk tracks we arrived back at the car park ready for a well-earned cuppa. Over morning tea we reflected on a good morning’s walk. We had all enjoyed it despite the windy conditions. Thanks to Daniel Heald for providing the list of invertebrates and marine species.
Colin Prickett