Kinnairds Wetlands and Naring Grasslands
25th September Diary Notes by Ron and Heather

What a day! Sun shining, grass and leaves so green in the light, water reflecting the red gums, birds and people everywhere.
This was a special meeting to celebrate Biodiversity Month combining members and friends of Trust for Nature, Landcare Network and the Broken Creek Field Naturalists – over 60 people in all.
We were fortunate to have wonderful leaders in Ian Davidson –Environmental Biologist, Lanie from Landcare Network and CMN, Sheila Curmie from Trust for Nature, Gary from the Moira Shire and of course our own Howie Marshall, plus so much skill and knowledge amongst our ranks.
Ian led us through Kinnairds and explained the development of what is becoming a true environmental area as understory develops and water fills the low areas to provide both woodland habitat and wetland. The development of this area would not be as valuable without the creek connection for bird movement.
As we wandered through the woodland, under the Red Gum cohorts from the floods in ’56,’74 and ’93, the understory was bright with hop bush and acacia (golden, gold dust, mallee, silver and hedge), Ian explained that if you can see through the understory it will not have a great many smaller birds. Another two years will see this understory becoming an even more useful habitat.
We met a company of Weebills, (called up by Ian!) He explained these are the smallest Australian birds weighing the same as a 10 cent coin with a unique call which we were told we had to remember! As we stood (60 people being amazingly quiet except for some who will remain nameless!) we could see Yellow rumped Thornbill, Grey Fantail, Willy Wagtail, Currawongs, Golden Whistler, Rufous Whistler, Restless Flycatcher, Striated Pardelote and a very inquisitive Red-capped Robin – called up again by Ian, possibly nesting. Being that time of year, there was a lot of territorial behaviour going on.
Then above us in a large Red Gum a Ring-tailed Possum was spotted asleep high on a branch. Ian explained that when hollows are scarce these possums make a drey on a branch – making them vulnerable to owls. This tree seemed large, but still not old enough to have hollows.
The large dragonfly was glistening in the sunshine busy defending its territory, breeding in the water, and moving into the open woodland nearby, while smaller dragon fly tend to stay over the water. A flock of swans flew overhead- did you know that swans fly in an inverted V while ibis fly in pointed V??- new to me!
About this stage I realised that I had volunteered to write the notes but it was going to be a book, -so much information was pouring out! Fantastic!
We then moved through the woodland to the areas of lake and the Western Wetland Meadow (now with a shallow water level. Here we could see the water plants in and around the water- Duckweed, the reddish covering of azola, Nardoo, Swamp Wallaby Grass, the Giant Rush jancus, Spike Rush, Carax, (with round stems) and Water Pepper. Flitting over these were smaller dragon flies (with wings forward) and damsel flies. The chorus of frogs paused while we passed but Don Robert’s keen ear identified Common Froglet, Plains Froglet, Plains Froglet, and Spotted Marsh Frog.
Here the birds became so numerous in variety and quantity it was so good to have all those keen eyes to identify Pacific heron, Black –fronted Dotterels, Rufous Song-lark, Swamp hens, Black tailed Native Hens, Large Egret, Darter, Reed Warblers, Cormorants, Ravens, and ducks galore! – Teal, Black and Mountain.
When we moved to the edge of the flooded Western Wetland Meadow we saw two sightings which gave us all a lift – firstly a pair of Royal Spoonbills nesting in a Red Gum on the other (a significant sighting – an endangered species and the first nesting observation of these at Kinnairds. Then a sharp eyed photographer looked up and 2 meters above the heads of 60 people were two Tawny Frogmouths on a branch in identical camouflage mode (you can’t see me, I’m a branch!)
This was a very special sighting to be so close and also the first recording in Kinnairds. At the same time a Peregrine Falcon was observed low over the trees on the west side of the flooded Meadow.
It was amazing how quickly so many people de-camped for the Naring Hall – us Field Nats do like regular meal times! It was wonderful to sit in the comfort of the hall and share stories and sightings with so many like minded people before hearing from Shelagh Curmi on the work of Trust for Nature then crossing to the Naringaningalook Grasslands owned by Trust for Nature. When observed from the road this area looks uninteresting but as you move through the grasses you discover so many treasures tucked away. Ian felt that after a rain the plants would be at their peak in another 2 weeks. He also said how Kangaroo Grass is traditionally the dominant grass here but as it is very palatable in summer, this has suffered under grazing.
However, it is great to see its resurgence now it is under TFN’s care and he expects it to soon resume its dominant role.
In amongst the grasses there could be seen Button Quail circles made as they scratch and feed around them. Howie was in his element here with the names of plants rolling off his tongue and his sighting of a legless lizard. These are the only food the Bandy Bandy snake eats so although none have been observed around here recently they would have been present here in earlier times. The snake skin also was a reminder that we share the area with Brown, Black and Tiger snakes. The empty duck eggs a signal that foxes were also here. The highlights for me were the two present- firstly the showy but delicate mauve Broughton’s Pea and the unobtrusive sericea with it’s darker smaller bloom. Also interesting was the healthy protective covering of lichens (coral lichen) and the mosses over the soil crust between the grasses – this crust so easily broken down by stock.
In exhaustion, as the Black Shouldered Kite soared overhead and the thought of the shared afternoon tea, we all returned to the hall to finish up. A wonderful day of old and new friendships, joy in our environment and thankfulness for the work of the few which helps to save our fragile natural areas.

Many thanks to Ian Davidson for his vast knowledge, big voice and wonderful sharing of enthusiasm,;to Landcare Network for providing knowledge and funding through the Woodland Birds Project; to Lanie for her infectious enthusiasm and organisational skills; to Howie our own guru, patient with our questions ;to Gary for his endless work in Kinnairds, now showing results ;and of course to Catherine and Paul . our mighty team of secretary and president. Our thanks to you all.
From little things big things grow!!

Plant list from Naring Grasslands (Spelling open to criticism!)
Bulbine, Chocolate and Vanilla Lilies, Swainsona Broughtons and sericea, Lemon Beauty Heads,New Holland Daisy, Blue Bush, Cut Leaf Burr Daisy, Wallaby Grass,(10 in the district) Kangaroo Grass, Curly Windmill Grass, Plains Spear Grass, Spear Grass(sp), Copper Burr Daisy (in full bloom) Lamb Tails telotis, Drum Sticks, Native Flax, (not in full flower yet) Goodenia, Common Everlasting, Rock Fern, Blue Devil (dry), Grey Germander, Woodruff, Wood Sorrel, Dianella revoluta, Hop Clover, Hairy Willow Herb, Native Dock, Club Rush.

Next week Lola, our founding first president and Life Member will be shifting to an Aged Care Facility near Geelong to be closer to her daughter Linda and family. Although Lola has not been able to join us on our excursions as she used to, she is always vitally interested in the environment and enjoys the monthly newsletter .All her friends in the BCFNC wish her well and we'll keep in contact and visit when we can .