JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of...

72
Nature Watch JANUARY Look out for: This is the month of moulting, the casting of fir, feathers, skin, leaves and bark Scribbly Gums Eucalyptus haemastoma are finished moulting and have clean snowy/ creamy bark Dragon Flies mate Blue-tongue lizards are born late January January is the peak time for snake births, 90% will die in the first year. Young Australian Ravens leave their parents’ territory to establish a territory of their own Baby Koalas are born Coast Banksias Banksia integrifolia are dripping with nectar attracting birds & insects Lace Monitors lay eggs in termite nests in trees. Large nectar eating orange and black mud wasps (Cryptocheilus sp.) build their nests and fill them with spiders for their larvae to eat. White-throated Needletails (Swifts) feed on insects and flying ants over heaths and coastal forests. Breeding time for many species of skinks Little Penguin chicks leave their breeding homes on Lion Island and take to the seas Prevailing north-east winds blow Blue Bottles onto beaches The Fringed Midge Orchid Genoplesium fimbriatum starts flowering in forest understorey January & February are the months of highest temperature (27C average) and highest humidity (70%) Wattles: Acacia maidenii, A. schinoides, Eucalypts: Scribbly Gum E. haemastoma, Grey Gum E. punctata, and Sydney Blue Gum E. saligna and Geebungs: Persoonia isophylla, P. lanceolata are all in flower JANUARY Actinotus

Transcript of JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of...

Page 1: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

Nature Watch

JANUARY

Look out for:• This is the month of moulting, the casting of fir, feathers, skin, leaves and bark• Scribbly Gums Eucalyptus haemastoma are finished moulting and have clean snowy/

creamy bark• Dragon Flies mate• Blue-tongue lizards are born late January• January is the peak time for snake births, 90% will die in the first year.• Young Australian Ravens leave their parents’ territory to establish a territory of their own• Baby Koalas are born• Coast Banksias Banksia integrifolia are dripping with nectar attracting birds & insects• Lace Monitors lay eggs in termite nests in trees.• Large nectar eating orange and black mud wasps (Cryptocheilus sp.) build their nests

and fill them with spiders for their larvae to eat.• White-throated Needletails (Swifts) feed on insects and flying ants over heaths and

coastal forests.• Breeding time for many species of skinks• Little Penguin chicks leave their breeding homes on Lion Island and take to the seas• Prevailing north-east winds blow Blue Bottles onto beaches• The Fringed Midge Orchid Genoplesium fimbriatum starts flowering in forest understorey• January & February are the months of highest temperature (27C average) and highest

humidity (70%)Wattles: Acacia maidenii, A. schinoides, Eucalypts: Scribbly Gum E. haemastoma, GreyGum E. punctata, and Sydney Blue Gum E. saligna and Geebungs: Persoonia isophylla, P.lanceolata are all in flower

JANU

ARY

Actinotus

Page 2: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

diary

Central Coast

Weed GuideSummer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing.Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. upinto canopy. Fruit looks like a choko which bursts opento release feathery seeds.

nature study info

Blue tongue lizards make wonderfulgarden companions. They eat thesnails, slugs and caterpillars thatattack your favourite plants. But youshould keep snail and slug bait out ofyour garden and cats and dogs awayfrom the lizards.

The bright blue tongue is a threatdisplay, a way to deter predators.There are 7 species of blue-tonguelizard in Australia. They belong to theskink family, Scincidae which meansshiny scaled. Australia has morespecies of skinks than of all otherlizards put together.

Green & Golden Bell Frog

Page 3: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

Nature Watch JANUARY

date observations location weather

JANU

ARY

diary

Page 4: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

diary

Central CoastJANUARY

date observations location weather

diary

Page 5: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

Nature Watch JANUARY

date observations location weather

JANU

ARY

diary

Page 6: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

diary

Central CoastJANUARY

date observations location weather

diary

Page 7: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

Nature Watch

FEBRUARY

Look out for:

Ringtailed Possums have their babies in the pouches.Mullet start to run up the NSW coast for the next three months.Blackbutt Eucalyptus pilularis in flower attracting Rainbow, Scaly-breasted and Musk LorikeetsThe Autumn Greenhood Orchid Pterostylis revoluta flowers in paperbark swamps.Mid February, Channel-billed Cuckoos gather their young, reared by currawongs and departnorthSeeds of the Grey Mangrove wash upon the beaches and estuary edges.Feral cats have their first litter of kittens for the year“Spitfires” (caterpillars) mass on eucalypt tree branchesDollarbirds, Koel Cuckoos and Sacred Kingfishers depart for northern Australia and NewGuinea.Little Penguins come ashore to moult on Lion Island for 2-3 weeksMigratory shorebirds, Godwits, Golden Plover, Curlew Sandpipers, Sharp-tailed Sandpiperand Red-necked Stints change colour, from dull browns and greys to reds, black and whitein preparation for migrationIn late February Spangled Drongos move south to our coastal heaths & dunes, seeking outnectar & insects, particularly associating with Coast Banksia in the first few monthsIn rocky heathland and woodland understorey Coral Heath Epacris pulchella is in full flower

FEBR

UARY

Crowea saligna

• •

• •

• • • •

Page 8: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

diary

Central Coast

Green Dates2nd February - World Wetlands Day(United Nations) www.un.org

Weed GuideLate Summer - Formosan Lily begins flowering - attractive large whiteflower but an invasive weed of bushland. Bulbs of weeds such as this aredistributed by Nurseries and through mail catalogues.Be careful what you buy !Enrol now in a TAFE course to do Bush Regeneration!

nature study info

Male antechinus or marsupialmouse usually dies after thebreeding season. The maleantechinus can mate with onefemale for up to six hours, withmales mating many times. Itappears the stress hormonesproduced during this periodreduce the effectiveness ofthe immune system, allowingthe males to succumb toparasites and bacterialinfections.

Brown Antechinus

Page 9: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

Nature Watch FEBRUARY

date observations location weather

FEBR

UARY

diary

Page 10: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

diary

Central CoastFEBRUARY

date observations location weather

diary

Page 11: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

Nature Watch FEBRUARY

date observations location weather

FEBR

UARY

diary

Page 12: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

diary

Central CoastFEBRUARY

date observations location weather

diary

Page 13: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

Nature Watch

MARCHLook out for:

Biting march flies.Long-nosed Bandicoot babies are out of the pouch (which species?)Leaf-curling Spiders are activeCrickets call at nightThe Parsons Band Orchid Eriochilus autumnalis flowers on sandstone ledges and indamp heathThe Double-banded Plover come to our coastal reefs & beaches from New ZealandBrush-tailed Possums have their first of two litters of babies for the yearBlack-faced Monarchs and Leaden Flycatchers depart for North Australia and NewGuineaPuff-ball Fungi calvostia spp & Fly Agaric Fungi Amarita muscaria appear on the groundOrb Weaver Spiders are activeLate March, Rufous Fantails and White-throated Needletails, move north, the former tonorthern Australia and the latter to Siberia.Camphor Laurel fruiting attracts Topknot & White-headed PigeonsSweet Wattle Acacia suaveolens and Geebung Persoonia pinifolia are in flowerSpotted Gum Corymbia maculata commences flowering, but only every two-three years,and when it does it is important for honeyeaters, Swift Parrots and Lorikeets and flyingfoxes.

Topknot Pigeon

MARC

H

• •

• •

• • •

Page 14: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

diary

Central Coast

Green Dates1st Sunday Clean Up Australia Daywww.cleanup.com.au

22nd March World Water Day United Nationswww.on.org

End of March Autumn Water Bug Surveywww.bugsurvey.nsw.gov.au

nature study info

In the month of March wader birdsgather on Australian shores beforeflying north to breeding grounds asfar away as Siberia. They’ll flybetween 10 - 15,000 kilometres andlose half their weight on the way.The trigger for migration is part ofthat in-built mechanism that tellsbirds what to do and when tomigrate, which direction to migrateand how far to migrate. It’s thechanging day length that triggersthe fat deposition all over the bodyof the bird over that two or threeweeks before it starts its migration.

And that fat is really like an aircrafttaking on board fuel. Before a jumbojet leaves Melbourne for Singaporeit will take on sixty tons of fuel itwill weigh 330 tons when it lands inSingapore it will only weigh 270tons.

An eastern curlew which is thelargest wading bird in the worldnormally weighs about 750 gms.When it leaves here it can weigh akilo and a half, almost twice theweight.

Weed GuideBerries are ripening on Privet and Camphor trees. Birdsspread them through the bush where they flourish as weeds.No permmission required to get rid of these trees from yourgarden.

Leptospermum squarrosumPink Teatree

Page 15: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

Nature Watch

diary

MARCH

date observations location weather

MARC

H

Page 16: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

diary

Central CoastMARCH

date observations location weather

diary

Page 17: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

Nature Watch

diary

MARCH

date observations location weather

MARC

H

Page 18: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

diary

Central CoastMARCH

date observations location weather

diary

Page 19: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

Nature Watch

APRIL

Look out for:

Early April, migratory shorebirds depart from our coastal reefs and mudflats and migrate to the ArcticCircle.Lilli Pilli are fruiting particularly the Magenta Lilli Pilli. Flying Foxes & birds eat the fruit.Banksia ericifolia, B. oblongifolia and B. spinulosa are all flowering in heaths and woodlandsSwamp Mahogany Eucalyptus robusta commences flowering attracting birds and mammalsYellow-faced Honeyeaters and Tasmanian Silvereyes appear on migration from southern AustraliaFlying Foxes at night move to the Swamp Mahogany groves to feed on the nectar source.The Tall Greenhood Orchid Pterostylis longifolia and the first Autumn Greenhood P. nutans appear inthe woodlandsMid April, Wedge-tailed & Short-tailed Shearwaters (muttonbirds) migrate northwards along the coastline.The first Autumn Greenhood Orchids Pterostylis nutans appear.White-breasted Sea-eagles & Black-shouldered Kites commence courtship and nest buildingLate April, shearwater chicks leave their burrows on Bird & Lion Islands and head to sea, eventually tothe Bering Sea in the northern Pacific Ocean.Koalas are active at night bellowing, fighting and scent marking until September.Regent Honeyeaters and Swift Parrots come to the coast to feed on Swamp Mahogany flowersWattle Acacia ulicifolia in flowerTiger Quoll mating takes place, males become more active, juvenile males are thrown out of territories.This is the time when most reports of Tiger Quolls are received.

Grevillea speciosaRed Spider-flower AP

RIL

• •

• •

Page 20: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

diary

Central Coast

Green Dates22th AprilInternational Day of Biological Diversity

nature study info

Wildlife Corridors – Whoneeds them?All of our animals needhabitat, that is a place to live.Many areas of natural habitathave been isolated andfragmented. Animals usecorridors (green freeways) totravel from one habitatfragment to another, it may befor breeding, or it may be tofeed on plants flowering atcertain times of the year.

Many threatened speciessuch as the Squirrel Glider,Yellow-bellied Glider andKoala use wildlife corridors toaccess winter floweringeucalypts in the SwampMahogany forests of theCentral Coast.

Corridors themselves providehabitat, you can help tocreate corridors in your localneighbourhood by plantinglocal native plants in yourgarden to provide food andhabitat for local nativeanimals.

Weed GuideWeeds - Under the ground tubers are swelling. Turkey Rhubarbhas tubers like lots of potatoes along the roots.....dig..dig..dig ! Plus,1000s of papery seeds fly on the wind.

Squirrel Glider

Page 21: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

Nature Watch

APRI

L

diary

APRIL

date observations location weather

Page 22: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

diary

Central CoastAPRIL

date observations location weather

diary

Page 23: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

Nature Watch

APRI

L

diary

APRIL

date observations location weather

Page 24: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

diary

Central CoastAPRIL

date observations location weather

diary

Page 25: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

Nature Watch

MAYLook out for:

The mournful, persistent calling of Fantailed Cuckoos in the bushlandGrass Trees Xanthorrhoea sp in flower attracting many Honeyeaters, Friarbirds and insectsThe Southern Cross is high in the evening skySunshine Wattle A. terminalis in bloom attracting bugs and butterfliesThe Trim Greenhood P. concinna commences flowering in dunes close to the seaWhite lerps form on bushesOn Wybung Head Hakea bakerana is in flowerHumpback Whales migrate northwards along the coast from late May to AugustSuperb Lyrebird males call loudly from prepared display moundsEastern Grey Kangaroos can give birth at any time, but May is a favoured monthMany Banksia’s in flower attracting birds and Ringtails & Pygmy PossumsForest Red Gum Eucalyptus tereticornis commences flowering attracting lorikeets, honeyeatersand Swift Parrots in some years.

MAY

Banksia robaSwamp Banksia

• •

• • •

Page 26: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

diary

Central Coast

Weed GuideClusters of small black berries on Lantana are attractive to birds and foxes.Cut stems and ‘paint’ (with herbicide) and pile up the cut branches on a ‘raft’to form great habitat for small birds and small marsupials.

nature study info

Snakes often take up residence intimber or corrugated iron left lyingaround the backyard. To detersnakes from residing in yourbackyard clear away such debris.If you see a snake, leave it aloneand wait for it to leave the area.

Around the Central Coast there areseveral large venemous snakes egRed Bellied Black Snake, BrownSnake, Tiger Snake and DeathAdder that get all the hype. Howeverthere are several smaller speciesthat are more frequentlyencountered but that unfortunatelyget the ‘shovel treatment’ onsuspicion.The dark grey-green Swamp Snakeis not a baby Tiger Snake. Lookclosely and you will see they havedistinct white stripes, behind the eyeand above the lip. If disturbed thelittle Golden Crowned and DwarfCrowned Snakes will put on a bravefront raising their head but it’s allbluff. The larger Green Tree Snakeand Diamond Python are beautifuland harmless. Red-bellied BlackSnakes prey on other snakes andmay be controlling the numbers ofthe more dangerous Brown Snake.

Red-bellied black snake

Page 27: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

Watch

diary

MAY

date observations location weather

MAY

Page 28: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

diary

Central CoastMAY

date observations location weather

diary

Page 29: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

Watch

diary

MAY

date observations location weather

MAY

Page 30: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

diary

Central CoastMAY

date observations location weather

diary

Page 31: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

Nature Watch

JUNELook out for:

Pixie-cap Orchid Acianthus fornicatus and the King Greenhood P. baptistiiflowers appear.Mosquitoes die off, the few survivors forming the breeding stock for next seasonAt sea Tailor are being caught locally as they travel north to Fraser Island (Qld)Echidnas mate and female Superb Lyrebirds lay their one eggFungi are most abundant at this time of the yearSnakes begin hibernation as the nights are getting colderAlbatross, mostly Black-browed, Yellow-nosed & Wandering are regularlysighted offshoreWinter solstice, 22 June, longest night shortest dayBream head up the creeks to lay their eggsJune & July are the coldest monthsIn the woodland on sandstone soils, Acacia myrtifolia flowers appear. Earlyflowering Sydney boronia B. ledifolia may be seen in heath and woodland. Inmarshy heathlands Sprengelia incarnata may be seen

Yellow fin Bream

JUNE

• •

Page 32: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

diary

Central Coast

Green Dates5th June World Environment Day

Weed GuideGardeners spread weeds when they dump plants such as Asparagus fern andkikuyu over their fence and onto the edge of the bush. Asparagus fern has redberries over winter which are spread by birds.

nature study info

Echidnas breed in winter so, atthis time of year, they’re out andabout on the lookout for a mate.Lovelorn male echidnas oftenqueue up behind a female, noseto tail, forming long trains, up toten echidnas long. These trainsare the first part of the strangeechidna courtship and mark thebeginning of the breeding season.

Styphelia tabifloraRed Fi ve-corners

Page 33: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

Watch

diary

JUNE

date observations location weather

JUNE

Page 34: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

diary

Central CoastJUNE

date observations location weather

diary

Page 35: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

Nature Watch

diary

JUNE

date observations location weather

JUNE

Page 36: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

diary

Central CoastJUNE

date observations location weather

diary

Page 37: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

Nature Watch

JULYLook out for:

Fuel reduction of bushland (control burning) is underway to help control summer bushfiresMagpies start collecting nesting material,Spotted Pardalotes start digging nest holes in banksGymea Lily in flower.Ratstail Orchid Dendrobium teretefolium begins flowering in mature Swamp OaksBoobook owls call persistently at nightFemale echidnas lay their one soft eggBaby Ringtail Possums leave the pouch and start riding on their mothers backWattles Acacia longifolia, A. sophorae will flower along with the drooping tubular flowers of Correa reflexaThe heathlands are alive with colour, Epacris longiflora, E. microphylla, Golden Glory Peas Gompholobiumspp, Pink Buttons Kunzea capitata, Borina lediflolia and ‘bacon and Eggs’ Dillwynia sppFan-tailed Cuckoos seek out the nests of Brown Thornbills and White-browed Scrub-wrens in which to laytheir eggs.Adult male Brush Turkeys commence re-construction of the nesting mounds.

JULY

Boronia ledifloliaSydney Boronia

• •

• •

Page 38: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

diary

Central Coast

Green Dates 23rd July Arbor DayEnd of July National School Tree Day Planet Ark

www.planetark.orgEnd of July National Tree Day Planet Ark

www.planetark.org

Weed GuideJoin a voluntary Bushcare group! Now is the ideal time of year to be outsideworking. Roll up your sleeves and rollup a mat of Wandering Jew...cover it inplastic and wait for summer to cook it. Be vigilant and hand weed regrowth.You can win! Any little piece that gets washed into a creek or gutter will beable to shoot and grow. Spread by garden refuse dumping andwatercourses.

Brush Turkey

Brush Turkeys buildmounds of leaf litter to laytheir eggs. Thetemperature of the moundis between 33 degrees and35 degrees and isregulated by the maleBrush Turkey removingand adding layers of themound as necessary torelease or increase theheat.

nature study info

Page 39: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

Nature Watch

diary

JULY

date observations location weather

JULY

Page 40: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

diary

Central CoastJULY

date observations location weather

diary

Page 41: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

Nature Watch

diary

JULY

date observations location weather

JULY

Page 42: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

diary

Central CoastJULY

date observations location weather

diary

Page 43: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

Nature Watch

AUGUSTLook out for:

Both Northern Brown & Long-nosed Bandicoots commence breedingMagpielarks & White-winged Choughs start building their mud nestsMale Brown Antichinus (a locally common marsupial mouse) die, leaving the females to raisethe next generationPallid Cuckoos arrive and commence their semi-toned ascending callsMid August, Wedge-tailed Shearwaters return to NSW waters from the seas around ThePhillipinesKoala cubs leave their mothers pouches and climb onto their mothers’ backsGolden Donkey Orchids Diuris aurea & Pink-finger Orchids Caladenia carnea flower.Mid August the first migratory shorebirds return particularly Sharp-tailed SandpipersDouble-banded Plovers assume breeding plumage and then return to New ZealandLate August, young Magpies hatch in the nests, and male Magpies start swooping on us!Little Penguin eggs hatch on Lion IslandGosford Wattle Acacia prominens commences flower attracting bees and butterflies.Bush Flies overwinter as larvae and pupae in crevicesWhite Donkey Orchid Diuris alba, White Finger Orchid Caladenia catenata & the Spotted SunOrchid Thelymitra ixiodes all commence flowering in low coastal heathSawfly grubs cluster on Eucalypt leavesFringed Wattle A. fimbriata will flower during AugustGrevillea shiressii is now rare on the Central Coast but may be found flowering in some gullies

Long-nosed Bandicoot

AUGU

ST

• •

• • •

Page 44: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

diary

Central Coast

Green Dates2nd Week of August Landcare Week

Landcare Australiawww.landcareaustralia.com.au

Sharing and CaringBitou Bush was introduced to Australia and used to stabilise the coastal dunesafter sand mining. Bitou took over and smothered our native coastal scrub. It isnow listed as a “key threatening process” by National Parks and Wildlife. Foxeseat the berries and spread the seeds. Biological controls are not as successfulas we would like.

nature study info

Conical scrapes in the lawn orgarden are evidence thatBandicoots have been visiting.These shy, rabbit sized marsupialsforage at night for invertebrates andplant tubers. The major threats toBandicoots are land clearing, foxesand wildfire.

Of the three species found on theCentral Coast the most commonis the Long Nosed Bandicoot. TheHawkesbury River is generallythought of as the divide betweenthe Northern and Southern BrownBandicoots however there is someoverlap and there are records ofthe endangered Southern Brownnorth of the River. Any sightings ofBrown Bandicoots should bereported to the National Parks andWildlife Service.

Acacia sophoraeCoast Wattle

Page 45: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

Nature Watch

diary

AUGUST

date observations location weather

AUGU

ST

Page 46: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

diary

Central CoastAUGUST

date observations location weather

diary

Page 47: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

Nature Watch

diary

AUGUST

date observations location weather

AUGU

ST

Page 48: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

diary

Central CoastAUGUST

date observations location weather

diary

Page 49: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

Nature Watch

SEPTEMBERLook out for:

Reptiles can be seen basking in the sunHump-back Whales can be seen offshore heading southMicro-bats can be heard at nightChristmas Beetles start banging against the windows at nightMid September Channel-billed Cuckoos return calling raucously and loudly at night.The best time to see terrestrial orchids as now Flying Duck Orchids Caleana major and BearedOrchids Calochilus Spp also appear.Baby Magpies can be heard and seen, demanding foodCarpet Pythons lay their eggsLate September Dollarbirds, Rainbow Bee-eaters, Sacred Kingfishers and Koel Cuckoos allreturnSpangled Drongos depart to northern NSW to breedAfter flowering Drumsticks (Isopogon spp) develop spherical woody conesIn heath shrublands and woodland forests on sandy soils Dampiera stricta and Patersonia sppproduce beautiful purple flowersThe spectacular yellow flowers of Graceful Bush-pea Pultenaea flexilis appearBush Stone-curlews in the Brisbane Water area commence egg laying, earliest date 9 SeptemberWaratahs Telopea grandis begin flowering

Grey Fantail

SEPT

EMBE

R

Page 50: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

diary

Central Coast

Green Dates Biodiversity Month1st September Wattle Day www.wattleday.asn.au7th September Threatened Species Day

Threatened Species Networkwww.nccnsw.org.au/member/tsn

Weed GuideBlackberry is beginning to flower. Best time to poison it is from now until it sets fruit.Privet is flowering and the strong perfume may affect asthmatics.

nature study info

With its beautiful carolling and relative lack ofshyness, the ‘magie’ is a regular companion. Butthis normally friendly neighbour can become a bitpesky during breeding time.

During the short nesting season (August toOctober) the urge for the dominant male to defendtheir territory becomes very strong. The naturalreaction is for the birds to protect their young andeggs from any possible ‘attackers’ includinghumans. Most magpies will know most of thepeople that live within their relatively small territoriesand the small proportion that swoop (less than 10%of pairs will have a male that is a bit aggro) almostalways select the same individuals each time. Themainexceptions to this rule are those that swoopcyclists or posties or live neart schools - probablybecause there are simply too many people torecognise.Usually the divebombing attacks are onlyintimidation but there have been rare strikesinflicting painful scalp wounds on people.

What Can You Do?Magpies are fully protected throughoutNSW it is an offence to kill the birds orinterfere with the eggs or young. In only rarecircumstances when a bird is particularlyaggressive should you contact the localNational Parks and Wildlife Service.

Some ways to avoid actual attack include notwalking through the magpies territory particularlyduring breeding time, wearing a hat or carrying anumbrella or stick (do not swing it as this mayprovoke the bird).

Boronia pinnata

Page 51: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

diary

SEPTEMBER

date observations location weather

SEPT

EMBE

R

Page 52: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

diary

Central CoastSEPTEMBER

date observations location weather

diary

Page 53: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

Watch

diary

SEPTEMBER

date observations location weather

SEPT

EMBE

R

Page 54: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

diary

Central CoastSEPTEMBER

date observations location weather

diary

Page 55: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

Nature Watch

OCTOBERLook out for:

Mistletoe berries are abundant and the tiny Mistletoebirds are readily seen and heardLaughing Kookaburras tunnel into termite nests in trees for nesting hollowsRufous Fantails, Leaden Flycatchers & Black-faced Monarchs return to coastal forestsPied Currawongs and Willie Wagtails are nestingFlannel Flowers dominate the coastal sandy heathsExhausted Short-tailed Shearwaters are washed up on our beaches enroute to their southernbreeding islands.Snakes and Skinks are activeCicadas emerge from under the ground and leave their pupal cases on tree trunksPeak time for viewing terrestrial orchids continues with the Slender Onion Orchid Microtisparviflora coming into flower on the heaths and open woodland.Jacarandas and Illawarra Flame Trees commence floweringChristmas Bush puts on creamy coloured flowers and Waratahs commence floweringA large breeding colony of Grey-headed Flying Foxes forms at Matcham for the birth of theyoung, the adults using this as a base for forays into forests and gardens.Bushfire Season in earnest if there has been a dry springLate October, Cicadas emerge from the ground and commence callingSlender Onion, Turpentine Trees Syncarpia glomulifera begin to flower, attracting insects,lorikeets and Noisy Miners.

OCTO

BER

Kunzea capitata

Page 56: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

diary

Central Coast

Green DatesLate OctoberWater WeekDepartment Land and Water Conservation

www.dlwc.nsw.gov.au

Weed GuideAnnual and perennial weeds start flowering along with many introduced exoticgrasses such as Rye grass. The pollen is so small and light that when it driftsthrough the towns and cities susceptible people develop hay fever. Sometimesthey blame Wattle because it is flowering now and is so spectacular! Wattle is notto blame because its pollen is so heavy it doesn’t drift far in the wind.

nature study info

Look for scratches on trees causedby arboreal marsupials such asgliders, possums and koalas. Thereare many mammals that leave signsof their presence. This includes scats(i.e. droppings) tracks, scratches ontrees, diggings, shelters and bones.Look for tracks or footprints in areasof soft soil or mud. Good places tolook are around dams, puddles oralong the sides of dirt roads or vehicletracks. Tracks are easier to see inearly morning or late afternoon whenthe sun is low casting a greatershadow.

Tiger Quoll

Page 57: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

Nature Watch

diary

OCTOBER

date observations location weather

OCTO

BER

Page 58: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

diary

Central CoastOCTOBER

date observations location weather

diary

Page 59: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

Nature Watch

diary

OCTOBER

date observations location weather

OCTO

BER

Page 60: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

diary

Central CoastOCTOBER

date observations location weather

diary

Page 61: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

Nature Watch

Look out for:Prawns wait for rain to go to seaTrigger Plants are now commonFlying Ants swarm on humid eveningsFox Cubs are bornCoast Wattle Acacia longifolia in bloom, attracting many bugs and butterfliesNoisy Miner, Noisy Friarbird, Red Wattlebird & Little Wattlebird chicks are calling to be fedShearwaters lay their eggs on Lion Island & Bird IslandPeak time for meteor showers in Australia, the Leonids, 15-17 NovemberCabbage Tree Palm fruit ripen and attracts Flying Foxes and Topknot Pigeons.Spotted Gums shed their bark, leaving piles of spent bark at their bases.Horned Orchids Orthroceras strictum and the Bonnet Orchid Cryptostylis erectus appearGrasshopper plagues

NOVEMBER

NOVE

MBER

Angophora hispidaDwarf Apple

Page 62: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

diary

Central Coast

Green Dates1st to 9th November Frog Week Frog andTadpole Study Group of [email protected]

2nd November World Habitat DayUnited Nations 02 92625111www.un.org

Weed GuideNow’s the time to attack Camphor Laurel. While it is actively growing in Spring you can“frill” it. Don’t choose a hot day because the tree may feel heat-stressed and the poisonwon’t circulate. Cut off and ‘bag’ the flowers and seed heads of the annual and perennialweeds.

nature study info

LyrebirdsThese shy birds escape by running and dodgingrapidly through the undergrowth when threatened.Feeding mainly on ground-dwelling insects, spiders,frogs, and other small invertebrates that they findby scratching among the leaf litter. Lyrebirds arecapable of imitating almost any sound, usuallymimicking loud clear sounds made by other birdsand mammals, mixed with their own song, callsand clicks. Lyrebirds have been known to mimicthe sounds of chainsaws, horns, alarms and eventrains. They sing throughout the year and it isthought the mimicry helps them to vocally defineand defend their territory from other lyrebirds.

Lyrebird

Page 63: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

Nature Watch

diary

NOVEMBER

date observations location weather

NOVE

MBER

Page 64: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

diary

Central CoastNOVEMBER

date observations location weather

diary

Page 65: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

Nature Watch

diary

NOVEMBER

date observations location weather

NOVE

MBER

Page 66: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

diary

Central CoastNOVEMBER

date observations location weather

diary

Page 67: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

Nature Watch

DECEMBERLook out for:

Oyster Spat is collectedMud Dauber Wasps make their nests on the sides of buildingsChristmas Bells in flower, Christmas Bush goes redChristmas Hyacinth Orchids Dipodium punctatum appear and flower in forest and woodlandDecember 22: Summer Solstice, longest day of the yearBushfire Season continues if dry, if wet, frog calls at night deafeningSpotted Marsh Frogs & Bleating Tree Frogs matingSydney Red Gum Angophora costata flowers and attracts insects like Bogong MothsIn coastal districts and on sandstone Old Man Banskia B serrata will flower from now untilMarchThe golden yellow flowers of Geebung persoonia levis appearBrush Turkey chicks hatch from the nest mounds, after an incubation period of c.50 days.Cicada calls deafening in some summers.Little Tern nesting activity reaches its peak at Karagi Point sandspit, The Entrance.

DECE

MBER

Blandfordia

••

Page 68: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

diary

Central Coast

Green Dates1st-7th December Coastcare WeekLandcare Australiawww.landcareaustralia.com.au

Weed GuideWater Hyacinth flowers over Summer. It is a prohibited plant in all States. The dense mats ofvegetation reduce Oxygen, temperature and light levels in our creeks and rivers. The habitat ofinvertebrates and native fish is destroyed. Never discard pond weeds into waterbodies

nature study infoThe Indian Myna (a member of the Starlingfamily) was brought to Australia to controlgrasshoppers and cane beetles and justlike the cane toad it hasn’t but has becomeone of our worst invasive species. Whengangs of these aggressive birds move intotown they take over the food supplies andnest hollows of native animals. They feedon insects but are adept at scavenging sodon’t leave the pet food unattended. Theirroosts are noisy congregations sometimesnumbering in the hundreds, usuallyconcealed in thick foliage. Surveys arebeing conducted to find out about theirdistribution and abundance. Go tosres.anu.edu.au/associated/myna/ to getinvolved.

The native Noisy and Bell Miners(Bellbirds) are honeyeaters, unrelated tothe introduced Indian Myna but sometimesconfused with them because apart fromthe same sounding name and similarappearance they’re also noisy, bossy birdsthat live in big social groups thataggressively displace other birds. TheNoisy Miner thrives on the year roundsupply of nectar in suburban gardens anddefends it by driving out any smallhoneyeaters and wrens. The Bell Minerfeeds on the sweet secretions of tiny gum-leaf eating psyllids and protects them frominsectivorous birds. As a consequence thetrees become infested and suffer dieback.

For Central Coast Indian Myna ActionGroup contact Peter Blyth on 4324 9290or [email protected] .

Little Pied Cormorant

Page 69: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

Nature Watch

diary

DECEMBER

date observations location weather

DECE

MBER

Page 70: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

diary

Central CoastDECEMBER

date observations location weather

diary

Page 71: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

Nature Watch

diary

DECEMBER

date observations location weather

DECE

MBER

Page 72: JANUARY - rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.gov.au...diary Central Coast Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy.

diary

Central CoastDECEMBER

date observations location weather

diary