Projektin Yellingbo and surrounds Päiväkirja

Notes from: a Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater hosted citizen science event.
As we set off on our first 2024 Bird & Frog survey, it was just 14.9 deg C at 8am with a wind speed averaging 2 km p/h. We were lucky today, the high winds came after we'd left at 1pm. What crazy summer weather we're having though - 20mm rain yesterday on top of previous heavy rain in January, and the tell-tale flattened grass all along Woori Yallock Creek indicating the bursting of its banks over the past weeks.

To the glorious, constant chorus of Pobblebonks, Striped Marsh Frogs and Laughing Kookaburras, our walk was rewarded with seeing and hearing some fabulous things in this special part of the world. Amongst the highlights were a pair of Gang-gang Cockatoos going into what we think is a nest hollow, two Wedge-tailed Eagles soaring over head with a 3rd calling nearby, a pair of Australasian Grebe's with 2 young, two species of Kingfisher (Azure & Sacred), Satin Bowerbird, Satin Flycatcher, the delicate Angled Lobelia covering the ground, Robert's apple slice 😋 and a Blue Ant which isn't an ant at all (it's a species of Flower Wasp)!

Can you beat taking time out and paying attention to the natural world?

Notes from: a Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater hosted citizen science event.
The dappled shade of mature Eucalypts created an inviting and welcome escape from the day's heat (it reached 32.4 deg C by 1pm) for our Flora survey today.
There's hardly a weed to be seen on this 20ha site, a highly valued legacy of its previous private landowner. Now part of the public estate, we are thankful for the quick response and foresight of the Judith Eardley Save Wildlife Association (JESWA) in purchasing this land and allowing it to be transferred into the public estate, extending the reach of Yellingbo NCA into perpetuity.
Today, we loved seeing the Pale Grass Lily, a previously unknown patch of Small Tongue-orchids, Rosy Hyacinth Orchids (but sadly, many flower spikes were browsed), a stunning pink Coral Fungi, a beautifully marked Red-lined Looper, Slender Devil's Twine looking, Alison observed, like fairy lights in the landscape, Small Grass-trees with their tall flower spikes setting seed and much, much more.
A special thank you to Peter for pulling out one of the few weeds we saw - a Blackberry seedling. We won't let them spoil this fantastic piece of bush!
Many thanks to Lisa, Alison and Peter for sharing some special treats over lunch! 😊💓

Notes from: a Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater hosted citizen science event.
Regular and new volunteers joined our Citizen Science & Youth Reference Group social kickoff for 2024. We ventured out in the Yellingbo Nature Conservation Area along Woori Yallock Creek, joined by our like-minded neighbours from the Friends of Hoddles Creek. Some of the exciting creatures spotted included a Speckled Orbweaver, Burrowing Crayfish, an Azure Kingfisher, Superb Fairy-wrens, White-necked Herons, a Wedge Tailed Eagle and the mesmerising display of Water Ribbons on the creek. We were also welcomed by the calls of a few Striped Marsh Frogs & the Eastern Banjo Frog.