Kwinana Rockingham Mandurah Branch, 22 October 2023
The Field Excursion for October was to the Stacy’s Loop Walk trail at Jarrahdale. This walking trail can either be taken as the lead into the longer Kitty’s Gorge trail or as a shorter loop trail. Reviewing the information board at the start of the walk showed that the loop trail was the more suitable option to complete within our morning timeframe.
A group of eight (8) members started on a beautiful morning with conditions perfect for a walk through the woodland. As we set out, the understory appeared to be dominated by Bracken, which did not give us confidence that we would see many native flora species. However, we were to be pleasantly surprised by the number of natives that were still surviving.
We had not gone very far when we came upon the first of many Sun Orchids (believed to be Shy Sun Orchids (Thelymitra graminea)) in full flower. Almost every Grasstree (Xanthorrhea sp.) along the trail was host to several Scarab Beetles, identified by Daniel Heald as Ecnolagria aeneoviolacea. Other flowering plants were soon spotted, including the Holly-leaved Mirbelia (Mirbelia dilatata), a Twining Fringed Lily (Thysanotus sp.), Slender Tetratheca (Tetratheca hirsuta virminea) and Tassel Flower – Leucopogon verticallatus. White Butterfly Triggerplant – Stylidium hispidum and Royal Robe – Scaevola calliptera were nice splashes of colour along the side of the trail, as were the Blue Grass Lily (or False Blind Grass) – Agrostocrinum stypandroides, Chorizema cordatum one of the Flame Peas, Hibbertia amplexicaulis and Yellow Autumn Lily – Tricoryne elatior. Unfortunately, we would also find more weed species, such as the Dog Rose (Rosa canina) and Blackberry.
Along the track down to the creek, the only reptile of the morning was spotted, a Three-lined Skink (Acritoscincus trilineatus) moving through the leaf litter. Daniel used our butterfly net to find insects amongst the shrubbery, such as a Cedusa sp. Plant Hopper, Wattle Seed Weevils (Melanterius sp.) and a Southwestern Bark Squeaker Cicada (Atrapsalta dolens). Ant species included Gulosa Group Bull Ants (Myrmecia gulosa) and Camponotus chalceus. A frog was heard calling at the creek, the lowest point on the trail. A recording was submitted to the FrogID app and would be identified as Crinia glauerti. It was concerning to find that Watsonia sp. dominated a large area along the creek. However, as we passed beyond that zone, we came upon a swathe of Stylidium recurvum, a truly beautiful sight.
As we made our way back up the return leg of the loop trail, we spotted a Cerdistus sp. Robber Fly. This was followed by a male Jotus sp. Jumping Spider and then a male Peacock Jumping Spider (Maratus hortorum).
Gill Beadell compiled a bird list (see page 2) for the walk that totalled twenty (20) species.
She also heard a Hawk and Fairy Wrens calling. Soon, we returned to the car park, sat down for morning tea and snacks, and compared sightings. As a tail-end Charlie, I missed the close encounter with a Spotted Pardalote, which must have been special. However, Daniel and I were the only ones in the group to find the Maratus hortorum, an unexpected and special find. It had been a very enjoyable walk.
Colin Prickett
Bird list see page 2