Notes from Wahgunyah Forrest 28 th August 2011 – Thanks to Collier for recording our observations and to those who contributed their knowledge through sharing – we are learning and benefiting all the time! We welcomed 6 new members to our club recently (Margie,Karen, Richard, Ian, Philippa and Bonny - so keep spreading the word... for example, you could: forward the newsletter or have a cuppa with a friend and tell them about our outings, take a walk with a friend/neighbour and point out some birdlife, flora or fauna- you might just ignite a spark of interest! New members always welcome.

Wahgunyah Forest -28 August 2011
A handsome group of nearly 30 members gathered in Barooga NSW on a beautiful late winters morning , and after meeting and greeting , headed in an orderly convoy towards our destination at the Wahgunyah State Forest , arriving some 1/2 hour later.
Geoff Backhouse as our guide for the day gave us a brief description and history of the area , and telling us that much of the Murray Pine used by the early settlers for building materials had been harvested in this forest , buildings still standing today. While Geoff was speaking , my eye was drawn to a patch of white amongst the dominant Cypress pine and Red Gum (E blakelyi) and as we broke up to examine our
surroundings , a group of us headed in that direction to be rewarded with a fine clump of Pimelea (humilis?) in full bloom. Having volunteered for note-taking with the mistaken idea that there did not appear to be a great many species to record ,it soon became apparent that there was plenty of diversity to be found on closer inspection , and that it was somewhat different to any sites that I had visited before with the Group.
Amongst the predominant overstory of Cyprus Pine and Red Gum , some Yellow Box ,Buloke and Drooping Sheoke were observed. The shrub layer consisted mainly of Grey Mulga (Ac.brachybotrya), which was in full flower.
It was at the ground cover level that the diversity is most apparent...the predominant grass being Rough Speargrass (Austrostipa scabra) interspersed in different areas with the following :-- Lomandra , Cranberry Heath , Early Nancy , Nodding, Berry and Saloop Saltbushes ,Austral Carrot , Green Rockfern , the endangered Tick Trefoil , Tiny Fringe Lily ,Purslane , Jersey, Flannel and Annual Cudweed , Cotton Fireweed and various Groundsels ,Stinking Pennywort , some unidentified lilies, possibly Chocolate or Vanilla Lilies not yet flowering ,and likewise various flatweeds, which might or might not be native plants.
Of particular note was the sprinkling of blue Common Wax-lip Orchids (Glossodia major) in flower throughout the forest floor . Other Orchids sighted were Dwarf Greenhood (Pterostylis nana) , Pink Fingers (Caladenia carnea) ,and what appeared to
be Leopard and Onion Orchids not yet open. A feature of the Cyprus Pine is the silvery Lichen which attaches itself to the bark and extends to quite large areas on the ground; mosses and some fungi were also covering soil in some spots.
Last but not least was the mystery plant of the day...( da-dum!!) .. a cute little daisy with a flower like a Brachyscome, on a short (50mm) stem, rising from a small cut-leaf rosette , which occurred here and there or in loose drifts in sunny spaces between the trees. Looking through our books on daisies ( Australian Daisy Study Group etc.) it does not appear to resemble any of the Brachyscomes in its growth habit ; the closest match seems to be the Cutleaf Burr Daisy , although that one is listed as occurring mostly in swampy areas . Any ideas ?
Well-- we all made it back to our rendevous and lunch without getting lost , thanks to Gary's advice to stay in sight of the tracks !! All enjoyed our usual alfresco lunch , with added interest being engendered by Von's samples of the 'Pink' Wattle and another WA specimen she identified as Ac. merinthophora. Thanks to Geoff for hosting a lovely day .
Collier.

Bird List for Wahgunyah State Forest 28 August 2011

Brown Falcon
Yellow Thornbill
Rufous Whistler
Nankeen Kestrel
Red Wattlebird
Grey Shrike-thrush
Painted Button-quail
Noisy Friarbird
Grey Fantail
Galah
White-plumed Honeyeater
Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike
Eastern Rosella
Brown-headed Honeyeater
Olive-backed Oriole
Pallid Cuckoo
Jacky Winter
Dusky Woodswallow
Brown Treecreeper
Red-capped Robin
Grey Butcherbird
Striated Pardalote
Flame Robin
Australian Raven
Western Gerygone
Hooded Robin
White-winged Chough
Chestnut-rumped Thornbill
Grey-crowned Babbler
Willie Wagtail
Yellow-rumped Thornbill
Golden Whistler