Nature Watch. Central Coast. diary

Nature Watch diary Central Coast Central Coast Nature Watch Diary Name of Observer: Address: Acknowledgments This Diary has been a collaborative...
Author: Allan Bradley
31 downloads 2 Views 2MB Size
Nature Watch

diary

Central Coast

Central Coast

Nature Watch Diary Name of Observer: Address:

Acknowledgments This Diary has been a collaborative effort of a group of highly dedicated and committed individuals from differing state and local government agencies and community organisations, namely: Mark Attwooll Susan Davis Trish Donnelly Karen Douglas Christine Freeman Karen Johnson Alan Morris Jane Smith

Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre National Parks and Wildlife Service Gosford City Council Wyong Shire Council Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre Lake Macquarie City Council Community Adviser Central Coast Community Environment Network

We would like to thank Kevin MacDonald of Port Stephens Shire Council and Newcastle City Council for allowing us to use their diaries as templates. Gavin Gatenby from NPWS and Rosemary Wright for the use of their wonderful drawings. Also, Audrey Taggart and Diana Dean from the Australian Plant Society for their input into the flora list, and Kate Consterdine for the weed information. Finally, we also thank Alison Pigott of Wyong Shire Council for her work on the layout of the Diary. This Nature Watch Diary is only a small part in a much larger network of Nature Watchers representing observations from bioregions throughout Australia. This larger network is co-ordinated by Alan Reid, President of the Gould League of Victoria in the Timelines Project Australia whose motivation and inspiration provided us with the beginnings of this project. The achievement of the publishing of this diary demonstrates the immense possibilities available when these agencies/ groups work together.

diary

Nature Watch

Welcome to Central Coast Nature Watch Nature Watch: the study of seasonality in Nature One of the main objectives of this NATURE WATCH diary is to give community members the opportunity to record what is happening in the natural environment around us, day by day, throughout the year. Most people who participate in systematic recording of their daily natural history observations soon become fascinated by the regular and predictable sequence of happenings in nature. On comparing notes made with those of previous years, the outstanding impression is how much nature is on ‘time’. Experienced nature watchers can get to the stage where they can predict to the very week of the year when a certain plant will commence flowering, or when a certain migratory bird is sure to be seen or heard. Yet there is always something new to discover! Once you ‘get hooked’ on keeping a diary of natural events you realise what an enjoyable and rewarding activity it is. You can ‘nature watch’ anywhere, wherever you live, whether in a rural area, suburbia, exploring a National Park, walking along a beach or just watching in the confines of your own backyard. Your Observations may include: • What plants are currently in flower (or in bud, or in fruit) • What birds are seen that day, that week • Examples of animal behaviour, feeding, breeding • Patterns of migration • Weather phenomena • Insect life cycles, behaviour, population explosions • Wetlands phenomena, eg periods of inundation • Seaboard phenomena, eg spring tides • Interconnections, linkages, relationships • Appearance of fungal fruiting bodies and so on……. . The Central Coast Nature Watch Diary will give Nature Watchers within the community an opportunity to rediscover the seasonal changes and co-happenings in nature which the Aboriginal people observed and understood so well in the thousands of years prior to European impact. They will also be keeping tabs on the diversity of plants and animals within the Central Coast region.

Central Coast

diary

Nature Watch

Central Coast Landscapes The Central Coast is that wonderfully diverse landscape extending from the Hawkesbury River in the south to Lake Macquarie in the north. To the east stretch magnificent beaches, lakes and estuaries and to the west rugged mountain wilderness. It’s also a rapidly changing landscape. Sandwiched between ever expanding Sydney and Newcastle it has one of the highest population growth rates in Australia. To sustainably accommodate this growth will require an understanding of the needs of ALL its inhabitants - not just the humans!

The diversity of Central Coast landscapes is due largely to the influence of the many different geological layers that surface here at the north-eastern edge of the Sydney Basin. 

 



The harder Hawkesbury Sandstone of the south-west is exposed in the spectacular cliffs of the Hawkesbury valley and gives rise to the rugged MacDonald Ranges and the undulating Somersby Plateau. Amazingly the infertile soils derived from Hawkesbury sandstone nurture the most fantastic displays of wildflowers. The softer but more fertile Narrabeen sand/mudstones form the steep hills and narrow valleys of the Watagan Mountains through to the less rugged Erina Hills in the south east. The relatively low-lying terrain of the Central Coast Lowlands is occupied by the coastal lakes (Tuggerah, Munmorah and Macquarie). Much of the Narrabeen sediments in this area are overlain by more recent river deposits and sand dunes. The low rolling Awaba Hills are built on the Munmorah conglomerate and Newcastle Coal Measures.

Central Coast

Biodiversity Australia is regarded as one of the 12 ‘Mega’ diverse regions in the world. Basically this means that we are lucky in having a huge number of different animal and plant species. What makes this even more important is that most of our plants and animals are endemic. In fact 90% of our mammals; 70% of our birds; 85% of our flowering plants; 88% of our reptiles and 92% of our frogs are found nowhere else. However Australia has the not so envious reputation of having the greatest losses of biodiversity. Since European colonisation in 1788, half of all the world’s mammal extinctions were Australian! In that time over 125 plants and 42 vertebrates were lost forever. We don’t know how many invertebrates and lower plants have gone because our records are so poor but it has been estimated that for every extinct plant there are likely to be 15 species of dependent invertebrates which have also become extinct without us even noticing. Today in Australia there are nearly 1000 species of plants and animals listed as threatened including many from the Central Coast (Appendices). They include the Red-crowned Toadlet and the Broadheaded Snake, species unique to the Sydney Basin but pushed to the edge by urban expansion. We also have species that reach the limits of their distribution on the Central Coast. Such populations are often genetically different and their loss usually results in a smaller gene pool and increased vulnerability for the species. The Land Mullet and the Southern Angle-headed Dragon, the Southern and Northern Brown Bandicoots and the Regent Bowerbird are in this category.

diary

Nature Watch

We all live in a catchment A catchment is made up of all the land that drains water to a common point such as a creek, river, lake or ocean. Whether it is a small or large valley, a wide floodplain, a coastal estuarine area, rugged mountainous terrain or suburbia we can see that we are in a catchment whenever it rains. All the creeks and gullies connecting to larger rivers within a landscape make up many smaller catchments (some may be many hundreds of kilometres in area). Ultimately, their waterways drain into lakes or wetlands, or the ocean. Catchments are not necessarily reflected in local government boundaries. Indeed, they seldom are, which is a pity, since it would be more sensible if a local government area was given a better sense of ecological entity by using ridgelines as boundaries rather than drawing arbitrary straight lines on a map. Within Gosford, Wyong and Lake Macquarie local government areas the main catchments are Brisbane Water, Tuggerah Lakes and Lake Maquarie respectively. Catchments are not just about watersheds, they also show an integrity regarding their underlying geology and landforms, their soils, their climates (and microclimates), and of course, their communities of plants and animals. These days we refer to the ’flora and fauna’ of a given area as its biodiversity, a term taken to include the genetic heritage of the area and encompassing the overall ecology of the locality, taking into account the myriad of interdependencies amongst all the living things found there. Each catchment, whether large or small, has its own integrity, its own uniqueness. The boundaries of any catchment (usually the ridgelines) not only ‘catch’ water when the rains fall; they also ‘capture’ some of the plants and animals found there, and hold them in various microclimatic conditions. In this sense, the biodiversity of any catchment is unique, in that it is different, if only slightly, to the biodiversity of a neighbouring catchment. Within a very large region, such as the Central Coast, the spectrum of biodiversity is very wide, ranging from coastal to inland habitats, from low-lying areas to huge hillsides, from wetlands to exposed, rocky ridgelines.

Sea Mullet

Central Coast

A Special Relationship Aboriginal people have lived on the Central Coast since the Dreamtime. They were here during the ice age and they were here when rising sea levels created the coastline we know today. During this unfathomable period of time their survival depended on an intimate and profound understanding of the environment. It required knowledge of seasonal changes in the availability of food, the use of fire and the ability to procure medicines and tools. This ‘factual’ knowledge was intertwined with a religious cosmos about morals and behaviour, explanation and ritual, spirits and inner existence. Clegg (1990) says ‘Aboriginal people recognised that nature was made up of different forces expressed symbolically through mythic characters. Every individual person was closely identified with one particular mythic being and contained the same spiritual essence’. Their totems are displayed in many of the rock engravings found on the Central Coast.

The Aboriginal rock engravings illustrated above can be viewed in Brisbane Water and Bouddi National Parks

What plant or animal do you identify with? Use the space below to describe your ‘totem’ – the plant or animal that you take a special interest in knowing.

diary

Nature Watch

NATURE UNFOLDS WITH THE SEASONS Seasonal patterns reflect the annual orbiting of the earth around the sun. Thus flowering plants undergo a regular sequence of bud formation, flowering, formation of fruit, and setting and dispersal of seeds. With animals, there is also a pattern in their appearances or activities during the year, as seen in their reproductive behaviour and in seasonal migrations. Recorded observations can reveal patterns, leading to predictable trends such as ‘wet seasons’, mating times, and major migration times.

Research by Alan Reid suggests that Aborigines have understood the workings of the land and its shifting climates intimately for many thousands of years. Aboriginal tribes have observed nature and followed its calendars or timelines by monitoring significant events, such as the migration and mating patterns of birds, changes in local vegetation, the effects of major weather changes and natural disasters such as fires and floods. They use calendars with from five to seven seasons depending on location, suggesting the European concept of four equal seasons has little relevance in Australia.

Seasonal Trends - Lower Hunter Central Coast region, NSW

Central Coast

RECORDING YOUR OBSERVATIONS Some useful hints on how to use this diary: • Encourage your whole family, class or workmates to get involved, anyone can record interesting and useful observations; • Try to make the observations at different times of day; • Always note the time of day, date, month and year for each observation; • Keep weather records, or include comments such as ‘cold, raining’ or ‘strong westerly wind’; • Remember to note the regular occurrences as well as the unusual; • Keep the diary handy, don’t use scraps of paper or if you do transfer the information to your diary as soon as possible; • Remember to summarise your observations (summary sheets included in Appendices). • Use some of the recommended field guides in the reference list to help with species identification, you will be amazed at how quickly you remember the names; • Take photographs to keep in your diary, as well as relevant newspaper clippings; • Use the notes section for more detailed accounts of your observations, you can also make sketches of anything that is unusual or fascinating; • Keep your observations for comparisons in future years, you will soon start to see regular patterns emerge.

diary

Nature Watch

Places to look….. There are many places you can go to observe nature: your own backyard, the park down the street or a larger reserve retaining plants and animal in their natural habitats. National parks contain natural and or cultural values which are important to conserve. These areas provide opportunities for people to explore and enjoy the natural environment. Nature reserves are special sites dedicated to conserve wildlife and natural environments. They may conserve specific species or rare communities and they provide opportunities for scientific research and education. Because of the importance of these areas for conservation there may be limited access in comparison to national parks. State Recreation Areas provide opportunities for public recreation and enjoyment. They contain areas of natural and cultural significance however some forms of activities, such as mining which are not permitted in national parks or nature reserves may be permitted in State Recreation Areas. State Forests are managed by Forestry NSW, the primary function of these areas is to provide timber however they also contain areas that have been set aside for cultural and conservation purposes and provide for a wide variety of recreational pursuits. Council Reserves - Each of the Councils (Gosford, Lake Macquarie and Wyong) manage numerous parcels of land for various reasons such as wildlife conservation, protecting water quality, heritage, recreation, scenic and educational values. Access varies depending on the purpose however a general rule is to stay on the designated walking tracks.

Note: Please note that dogs are not permitted in national parks, nature reserves or state conservation areas.

For more info check the National Parks and Wildlife Service website www.npws.nsw.gov.au

Central Coast

What to do with your records Central Coast Nature Watch is a project involving a number of partner organisations including Gosford, Wyong and Lake Macquarie Councils, National Parks & Wildlife Service, Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre, Association of Environmental Education (Central Coast Branch) and the Central Coast Community Environment Network (CCCEN). The CCCEN will coordinate the information that comes from the project.

Join the Nature Watch Network: We would like to know about your observations! • Register to become a part of the Nature Watch Network:- Complete the Registration form enclosed and send to the CCCEN. We will be coordinating a number of activities during the year that provide an opportunity for Nature Watchers to get together and learn more about the Central Coast Environment. For example, a guest speaker on birds or reptiles that can help with identification. • Send us your summary sheet:- The diary includes a summary sheet in the Appendices. Update this summary sheet throughout the year and fax it to us at the end of the year. We will compile this information, provide feedback to Nature Watchers, send to relevant groups and organizations and include significant information on regional databases. • On-going observations:- Throughout the year contact us to tell us about significant observations.

Kookaburra

diary

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

• •

Actinotus

JANUARY

Nature Watch

Central Coast

nature study info Blue tongue lizards make wonderful garden companions. They eat the snails, slugs and caterpillars that attack your favourite plants. But you should keep snail and slug bait out of your garden and cats and dogs away from the lizards.

The bright blue tongue is a threat display, a way to deter predators. There are 7 species of blue-tongue lizard in Australia. They belong to the skink family, Scincidae which means shiny scaled. Australia has more species of skinks than of all other lizards put together.

Green & Golden Bell Frog

Weed Guide Summer Weeds - Fruit of many weeds are maturing. Moth Plant is a perennial climber reaching 6m. up into canopy. Fruit looks like a choko which bursts open to release feathery seeds.

diary

date

JANUARY observations

location

weather

JANUARY

Nature Watch

diary

JANUARY date

observations

Central Coast location

weather

diary diary

date

JANUARY observations

location

weather

JANUARY

Nature Watch

diary

JANUARY date

observations

Central Coast location

weather

diary diary

Nature Watch

FEBRUARY • • • • • • • • • • •

• •

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 Lorikeets The Autumn Greenhood Orchid Pterostylis revoluta flowers in paperbark swamps. Mid February, Channel-billed Cuckoos gather their young, reared by currawongs and depart north Seeds 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 branches Dollarbirds, Koel Cuckoos and Sacred Kingfishers depart for northern Australia and New Guinea. Little Penguins come ashore to moult on Lion Island for 2-3 weeks Migratory shorebirds, Godwits, Golden Plover, Curlew Sandpipers, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper and Red-necked Stints change colour, from dull browns and greys to reds, black and white in preparation for migration In late February Spangled Drongos move south to our coastal heaths & dunes, seeking out nectar & insects, particularly associating with Coast Banksia in the first few months In rocky heathland and woodland understorey Coral Heath Epacris pulchella is in full flower

Crowea saligna

FEBRUARY

Look out for:

Central Coast

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

nature study info Male antechinus or marsupial mouse usually dies after the breeding season. The male antechinus can mate with one female for up to six hours, with males mating many times. It appears the stress hormones produced during this period reduce the effectiveness of the immune system, allowing the males to succumb to parasites and bacterial infections.

Brown Antechinus

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

diary

date

FEBRUARY observations

location

weather

FEBRUARY

Nature Watch

diary

FEBRUARY date

observations

Central Coast location

weather

diary diary

date

FEBRUARY observations

location

weather

FEBRUARY

Nature Watch

diary

FEBRUARY Central Coast date

observations

location

weather

diary diary

Nature Watch

MARCH • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Biting march flies. Long-nosed Bandicoot babies are out of the pouch (which species?) Leaf-curling Spiders are active Crickets call at night The Parsons Band Orchid Eriochilus autumnalis flowers on sandstone ledges and in damp heath The Double-banded Plover come to our coastal reefs & beaches from New Zealand Brush-tailed Possums have their first of two litters of babies for the year Black-faced Monarchs and Leaden Flycatchers depart for North Australia and New Guinea Puff-ball Fungi calvostia spp & Fly Agaric Fungi Amarita muscaria appear on the ground Orb Weaver Spiders are active Late March, Rufous Fantails and White-throated Needletails, move north, the former to northern Australia and the latter to Siberia. Camphor Laurel fruiting attracts Topknot & White-headed Pigeons Sweet Wattle Acacia suaveolens and Geebung Persoonia pinifolia are in flower Spotted 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 flying foxes.

Topknot Pigeon

MARCH

Look out for:

Central Coast

Green Dates1st Sunday

Clean Up Australia Day www.cleanup.com.au

22nd March End of March

World Water Day United Nations www.on.org Autumn Water Bug Survey www.bugsurvey.nsw.gov.au

nature study info In the month of March wader birds gather on Australian shores before flying north to breeding grounds as far away as Siberia. They’ll fly between 10 - 15,000 kilometres and lose half their weight on the way. The trigger for migration is part of that in-built mechanism that tells birds what to do and when to migrate, which direction to migrate and how far to migrate. It’s the changing day length that triggers the fat deposition all over the body of the bird over that two or three weeks before it starts its migration. And that fat is really like an aircraft taking on board fuel. Before a jumbo jet leaves Melbourne for Singapore it will take on sixty tons of fuel it will weigh 330 tons when it lands in Singapore it will only weigh 270 tons. An eastern curlew which is the largest wading bird in the world normally weighs about 750 gms. When it leaves here it can weigh a kilo and a half, almost twice the weight.

Weed Guide

Leptospermum squarrosum Pink Teatree

Berries are ripening on Privet and Camphor trees. Birds spread them through the bush where they flourish as weeds. No permmission required to get rid of these trees from your garden.

diary

date

MARCH observations

location

weather

MARCH

Nature Watch

diary

MARCH date

observations

Central Coast location

weather

diary diary

date

MARCH observations

location

weather

MARCH

Nature Watch

diary

MARCH date

observations

Central Coast location

weather

diary diary

Nature Watch

APRIL Look out for: • Early April, migratory shorebirds depart from our coastal reefs and mudflats and migrate to the Arctic

• • • • • • • •

Grevillea speciosa Red Spider-flower

APRIL

• • • • • •

Circle. 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 woodlands Swamp Mahogany Eucalyptus robusta commences flowering attracting birds and mammals Yellow-faced Honeyeaters and Tasmanian Silvereyes appear on migration from southern Australia Flying 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 in the woodlands Mid 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 building Late April, shearwater chicks leave their burrows on Bird & Lion Islands and head to sea, eventually to the 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 flowers Wattle Acacia ulicifolia in flower Tiger 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.

Central Coast

Green Dates22th April International Day of Biological Diversity

nature study info Wildlife Corridors – Who needs them? All of our animals need habitat, that is a place to live. Many areas of natural habitat have been isolated and fragmented. Animals use corridors (green freeways) to travel from one habitat fragment to another, it may be for breeding, or it may be to feed on plants flowering at certain times of the year. Many threatened species such as the Squirrel Glider, Yellow-bellied Glider and Koala use wildlife corridors to access winter flowering eucalypts in the Swamp Mahogany forests of the Central Coast. Corridors themselves provide habitat, you can help to create corridors in your local neighbourhood by planting local native plants in your garden to provide food and habitat for local native animals.

Squirrel Glider

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

diary

date

APRIL observations

location

weather

APRIL

Nature Watch

diary

APRIL date

observations

Central Coast location

weather

diary diary

date

APRIL observations

location

weather

APRIL

Nature Watch

diary

APRIL date

observations

Central Coast location

weather

diary diary

MAY Look out for: • • • • • • • • • • • •

The mournful, persistent calling of Fantailed Cuckoos in the bushland Grass Trees Xanthorrhoea sp in flower attracting many Honeyeaters, Friarbirds and insects The Southern Cross is high in the evening sky Sunshine Wattle A. terminalis in bloom attracting bugs and butterflies The Trim Greenhood P. concinna commences flowering in dunes close to the sea White lerps form on bushes On Wybung Head Hakea bakerana is in flower Humpback Whales migrate northwards along the coast from late May to August Superb Lyrebird males call loudly from prepared display mounds Eastern Grey Kangaroos can give birth at any time, but May is a favoured month Many Banksia’s in flower attracting birds and Ringtails & Pygmy Possums Forest Red Gum Eucalyptus tereticornis commences flowering attracting lorikeets, honeyeaters and Swift Parrots in some years.

Banksia roba Swamp Banksia

MAY

Nature Watch

Central Coast

nature study info Snakes often take up residence in timber or corrugated iron left lying around the backyard. To deter snakes from residing in your backyard clear away such debris. If you see a snake, leave it alone and wait for it to leave the area. Around the Central Coast there are several large venemous snakes eg Red Bellied Black Snake, Brown Snake, Tiger Snake and Death Adder that get all the hype. However there are several smaller species that are more frequently encountered but that unfortunately get the ‘shovel treatment’ on suspicion. The dark grey-green Swamp Snake is not a baby Tiger Snake. Look closely and you will see they have distinct white stripes, behind the eye and above the lip. If disturbed the little Golden Crowned and Dwarf Crowned Snakes will put on a brave front raising their head but it’s all bluff. The larger Green Tree Snake and Diamond Python are beautiful and harmless. Red-bellied Black Snakes prey on other snakes and may be controlling the numbers of the more dangerous Brown Snake.

Red-bellied black snake

Weed Guide Clusters 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.

diary

MAY

date

observations

location

weather

MAY

Watch

diary

MAY date

observations

Central Coast location

weather

diary diary

MAY

date

observations

location

weather

MAY

Watch

diary

MAY date

observations

Central Coast location

weather

diary diary

Nature Watch

JUNE • Pixie-cap Orchid Acianthus fornicatus and the King Greenhood P. baptistii flowers appear. • Mosquitoes die off, the few survivors forming the breeding stock for next season • At sea Tailor are being caught locally as they travel north to Fraser Island (Qld) • Echidnas mate and female Superb Lyrebirds lay their one egg • Fungi are most abundant at this time of the year • Snakes begin hibernation as the nights are getting colder • Albatross, mostly Black-browed, Yellow-nosed & Wandering are regularly sighted offshore • Winter solstice, 22 June, longest night shortest day • Bream head up the creeks to lay their eggs • June & July are the coldest months • In the woodland on sandstone soils, Acacia myrtifolia flowers appear. Early flowering Sydney boronia B. ledifolia may be seen in heath and woodland. In marshy heathlands Sprengelia incarnata may be seen

Yellow fin Bream

JUNE

Look out for:

Central Coast

Green Dates 5th June

World Environment Day

nature study info

Echidnas breed in winter so, at this time of year, they’re out and about on the lookout for a mate. Lovelorn male echidnas often queue up behind a female, nose to tail, forming long trains, up to ten echidnas long. These trains are the first part of the strange echidna courtship and mark the beginning of the breeding season.

Styphelia tabiflora Red Fi ve-corners

Weed Guide Gardeners spread weeds when they dump plants such as Asparagus fern and kikuyu over their fence and onto the edge of the bush. Asparagus fern has red berries over winter which are spread by birds.

diary

date

JUNE observations

location

weather

JUNE

Watch

diary

JUNE date

observations

Central Coast location

weather

diary diary

date

JUNE observations

location

weather

JUNE

Nature Watch

diary

JUNE date

observations

Central Coast location

weather

diary diary

Nature Watch

JULY Look out for: • • • • • • • • • •

JULY

Fuel reduction of bushland (control burning) is underway to help control summer bushfires Magpies start collecting nesting material, Spotted Pardalotes start digging nest holes in banks Gymea Lily in flower. Ratstail Orchid Dendrobium teretefolium begins flowering in mature Swamp Oaks Boobook owls call persistently at night Female echidnas lay their one soft egg Baby Ringtail Possums leave the pouch and start riding on their mothers back Wattles Acacia longifolia, A. sophorae will flower along with the drooping tubular flowers of Correa reflexa The heathlands are alive with colour, Epacris longiflora, E. microphylla, Golden Glory Peas Gompholobium spp, Pink Buttons Kunzea capitata, Borina lediflolia and ‘bacon and Eggs’ Dillwynia spp • Fan-tailed Cuckoos seek out the nests of Brown Thornbills and White-browed Scrub-wrens in which to lay their eggs. • Adult male Brush Turkeys commence re-construction of the nesting mounds.

Boronia lediflolia Sydney Boronia

Central Coast

Green Dates

23rd July Arbor Day End of July National School Tree Day Planet Ark www.planetark.org End of July National Tree Day Planet Ark www.planetark.org

nature study info Brush Turkeys build mounds of leaf litter to lay their eggs. The temperature of the mound is between 33 degrees and 35 degrees and is regulated by the male Brush Turkey removing and adding layers of the mound as necessary to release or increase the heat.

Brush Turkey

Weed Guide Join a voluntary Bushcare group! Now is the ideal time of year to be outside working. Roll up your sleeves and rollup a mat of Wandering Jew...cover it in plastic 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 be able to shoot and grow. Spread by garden refuse dumping and watercourses.

diary

date

JULY observations

location

weather

JULY

Nature Watch

diary

JULY date

observations

Central Coast location

weather

diary diary

date

JULY observations

location

weather

JULY

Nature Watch

diary

JULY date

observations

Central Coast location

weather

diary diary

Nature Watch

AUGUST Look out for:

Long-nosed Bandicoot

AUGUST

• Both Northern Brown & Long-nosed Bandicoots commence breeding • Magpielarks & White-winged Choughs start building their mud nests • Male Brown Antichinus (a locally common marsupial mouse) die, leaving the females to raise the next generation • Pallid Cuckoos arrive and commence their semi-toned ascending calls • Mid August, Wedge-tailed Shearwaters return to NSW waters from the seas around The Phillipines • Koala cubs leave their mothers pouches and climb onto their mothers’ backs • Golden Donkey Orchids Diuris aurea & Pink-finger Orchids Caladenia carnea flower. • Mid August the first migratory shorebirds return particularly Sharp-tailed Sandpipers • Double-banded Plovers assume breeding plumage and then return to New Zealand • Late August, young Magpies hatch in the nests, and male Magpies start swooping on us! • Little Penguin eggs hatch on Lion Island • Gosford Wattle Acacia prominens commences flower attracting bees and butterflies. • Bush Flies overwinter as larvae and pupae in crevices • White Donkey Orchid Diuris alba, White Finger Orchid Caladenia catenata & the Spotted Sun Orchid Thelymitra ixiodes all commence flowering in low coastal heath • Sawfly grubs cluster on Eucalypt leaves • Fringed Wattle A. fimbriata will flower during August • Grevillea shiressii is now rare on the Central Coast but may be found flowering in some gullies

Central Coast

Green Dates 2nd

Week of August

Landcare Week Landcare Australia www.landcareaustralia.com.au

nature study info

Conical scrapes in the lawn or garden are evidence that Bandicoots have been visiting. These shy, rabbit sized marsupials forage at night for invertebrates and plant tubers. The major threats to Bandicoots are land clearing, foxes and wildfire. Of the three species found on the Central Coast the most common is the Long Nosed Bandicoot. The Hawkesbury River is generally thought of as the divide between the Northern and Southern Brown Bandicoots however there is some overlap and there are records of the endangered Southern Brown north of the River. Any sightings of Brown Bandicoots should be reported to the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Acacia sophorae Coast Wattle

Sharing and Caring Bitou Bush was introduced to Australia and used to stabilise the coastal dunes after sand mining. Bitou took over and smothered our native coastal scrub. It is now listed as a “key threatening process” by National Parks and Wildlife. Foxes eat the berries and spread the seeds. Biological controls are not as successful as we would like.

diary

date

AUGUST observations

location

weather

AUGUST

Nature Watch

diary

AUGUST Central Coast date

observations

location

weather

diary diary

date

AUGUST observations

location

weather

AUGUST

Nature Watch

diary

AUGUST Central Coast date

observations

location

weather

diary diary

SEPTEMBER Look out for: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Reptiles can be seen basking in the sun Hump-back Whales can be seen offshore heading south Micro-bats can be heard at night Christmas Beetles start banging against the windows at night Mid 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 Beared Orchids Calochilus Spp also appear. Baby Magpies can be heard and seen, demanding food Carpet Pythons lay their eggs Late September Dollarbirds, Rainbow Bee-eaters, Sacred Kingfishers and Koel Cuckoos all return Spangled Drongos depart to northern NSW to breed After flowering Drumsticks (Isopogon spp) develop spherical woody cones In heath shrublands and woodland forests on sandy soils Dampiera stricta and Patersonia spp produce beautiful purple flowers The spectacular yellow flowers of Graceful Bush-pea Pultenaea flexilis appear Bush Stone-curlews in the Brisbane Water area commence egg laying, earliest date 9 September Waratahs Telopea grandis begin flowering

Grey Fantail

SEPTEMBER

Nature Watch

Central Coast

Green Dates

Biodiversity Month 1st September Wattle Day www.wattleday.asn.au 7th September Threatened Species Day Threatened Species Network www.nccnsw.org.au/member/tsn

nature study info With its beautiful carolling and relative lack of shyness, the ‘magie’ is a regular companion. But this normally friendly neighbour can become a bit pesky during breeding time. During the short nesting season (August to October) the urge for the dominant male to defend their territory becomes very strong. The natural reaction is for the birds to protect their young and eggs from any possible ‘attackers’ including humans. Most magpies will know most of the people that live within their relatively small territories and the small proportion that swoop (less than 10% of pairs will have a male that is a bit aggro) almost always select the same individuals each time. The mainexceptions to this rule are those that swoop cyclists or posties or live neart schools - probably because there are simply too many people to recognise.Usually the divebombing attacks are only intimidation but there have been rare strikes inflicting painful scalp wounds on people.

Boronia pinnata What Can You Do? • Magpies are fully protected throughout NSW it is an offence to kill the birds or interfere with the eggs or young. In only rare circumstances when a bird is particularly aggressive should you contact the local National Parks and Wildlife Service. Some ways to avoid actual attack include not walking through the magpies territory particularly during breeding time, wearing a hat or carrying an umbrella or stick (do not swing it as this may provoke the bird).

Weed Guide Blackberry 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.

diary

date

observations

location

weather

diary

SEPTEMBER

SEPTEMBER

SEPTEMBER date

observations

Central Coast location

weather

diary diary

date

SEPTEMBER observations

location

weather

diary

SEPTEMBER

Watch

SEPTEMBER Central Coast date

observations

location

weather

diary diary

Nature Watch

OCTOBER • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Mistletoe berries are abundant and the tiny Mistletoebirds are readily seen and heard Laughing Kookaburras tunnel into termite nests in trees for nesting hollows Rufous Fantails, Leaden Flycatchers & Black-faced Monarchs return to coastal forests Pied Currawongs and Willie Wagtails are nesting Flannel Flowers dominate the coastal sandy heaths Exhausted Short-tailed Shearwaters are washed up on our beaches enroute to their southern breeding islands. Snakes and Skinks are active Cicadas emerge from under the ground and leave their pupal cases on tree trunks Peak time for viewing terrestrial orchids continues with the Slender Onion Orchid Microtis parviflora coming into flower on the heaths and open woodland. Jacarandas and Illawarra Flame Trees commence flowering Christmas Bush puts on creamy coloured flowers and Waratahs commence flowering A large breeding colony of Grey-headed Flying Foxes forms at Matcham for the birth of the young, the adults using this as a base for forays into forests and gardens. Bushfire Season in earnest if there has been a dry spring Late October, Cicadas emerge from the ground and commence calling Slender Onion, Turpentine Trees Syncarpia glomulifera begin to flower, attracting insects, lorikeets and Noisy Miners.

Kunzea capitata

OCTOBER

Look out for:

Central Coast

Green Dates Late October Water Week Department Land and Water Conservation www.dlwc.nsw.gov.au

nature study info Look for scratches on trees caused by arboreal marsupials such as gliders, possums and koalas. There are many mammals that leave signs of their presence. This includes scats (i.e. droppings) tracks, scratches on trees, diggings, shelters and bones. Look for tracks or footprints in areas of soft soil or mud. Good places to look are around dams, puddles or along the sides of dirt roads or vehicle tracks. Tracks are easier to see in early morning or late afternoon when the sun is low casting a greater shadow.

Weed Guide

Tiger Quoll

Annual and perennial weeds start flowering along with many introduced exotic grasses such as Rye grass. The pollen is so small and light that when it drifts through the towns and cities susceptible people develop hay fever. Sometimes they blame Wattle because it is flowering now and is so spectacular! Wattle is not to blame because its pollen is so heavy it doesn’t drift far in the wind.

diary

date

OCTOBER observations

location

weather

OCTOBER

Nature Watch

diary

OCTOBER Central Coast date

observations

location

weather

diary diary

date

OCTOBER observations

location

weather

OCTOBER

Nature Watch

diary

OCTOBER date

observations

Central Coast location

weather

diary diary

Nature Watch

NOVEMBER Look out for: Prawns wait for rain to go to sea Trigger Plants are now common Flying Ants swarm on humid evenings Fox Cubs are born Coast Wattle Acacia longifolia in bloom, attracting many bugs and butterflies Noisy Miner, Noisy Friarbird, Red Wattlebird & Little Wattlebird chicks are calling to be fed Shearwaters lay their eggs on Lion Island & Bird Island Peak time for meteor showers in Australia, the Leonids, 15-17 November Cabbage 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 appear Grasshopper plagues

NOVEMBER

• • • • • • • • • • • •

Angophora hispida Dwarf Apple

Central Coast

Green Dates1st to 9th November

2nd November

Frog Week Frog and Tadpole Study Group of NSW [email protected] World Habitat Day United Nations 02 92625111 www.un.org

nature study info Lyrebirds These shy birds escape by running and dodging rapidly through the undergrowth when threatened. Feeding mainly on ground-dwelling insects, spiders, frogs, and other small invertebrates that they find by scratching among the leaf litter. Lyrebirds are capable of imitating almost any sound, usually mimicking loud clear sounds made by other birds and mammals, mixed with their own song, calls and clicks. Lyrebirds have been known to mimic the sounds of chainsaws, horns, alarms and even trains. They sing throughout the year and it is thought the mimicry helps them to vocally define and defend their territory from other lyrebirds.

Lyrebird

Weed Guide Now’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 poison won’t circulate. Cut off and ‘bag’ the flowers and seed heads of the annual and perennial weeds.

diary

date

NOVEMBER observations

location

weather

NOVEMBER

Nature Watch

diary

NOVEMBER date

observations

Central Coast location

weather

diary diary

date

NOVEMBER observations

location

weather

NOVEMBER

Nature Watch

diary

NOVEMBER date

observations

Central Coast location

weather

diary diary

Nature Watch

DECEMBER Look out for:

• • • •

Oyster Spat is collected Mud Dauber Wasps make their nests on the sides of buildings Christmas Bells in flower, Christmas Bush goes red Christmas Hyacinth Orchids Dipodium punctatum appear and flower in forest and woodland December 22: Summer Solstice, longest day of the year Bushfire Season continues if dry, if wet, frog calls at night deafening Spotted Marsh Frogs & Bleating Tree Frogs mating Sydney Red Gum Angophora costata flowers and attracts insects like Bogong Moths In coastal districts and on sandstone Old Man Banskia B serrata will flower from now until March The golden yellow flowers of Geebung persoonia levis appear Brush 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.

Blandfordia

DECEMBER

• • • • • • • • •

Central Coast

Green Dates1st-7th

December

Coastcare Week Landcare Australia www.landcareaustralia.com.au

nature study info The Indian Myna (a member of the Starling family) was brought to Australia to control grasshoppers and cane beetles and just like the cane toad it hasn’t but has become one of our worst invasive species. When gangs of these aggressive birds move into town they take over the food supplies and nest hollows of native animals. They feed on insects but are adept at scavenging so don’t leave the pet food unattended. Their roosts are noisy congregations sometimes numbering in the hundreds, usually concealed in thick foliage. Surveys are being conducted to find out about their distribution and abundance. Go to sres.anu.edu.au/associated/myna/ to get involved. The native Noisy and Bell Miners (Bellbirds) are honeyeaters, unrelated to the introduced Indian Myna but sometimes confused with them because apart from the same sounding name and similar appearance they’re also noisy, bossy birds that live in big social groups that aggressively displace other birds. The Noisy Miner thrives on the year round supply of nectar in suburban gardens and defends it by driving out any small honeyeaters and wrens. The Bell Miner feeds on the sweet secretions of tiny gumleaf eating psyllids and protects them from insectivorous birds. As a consequence the trees become infested and suffer dieback.

Little Pied Cormorant

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

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

diary

date

DECEMBER observations

location

weather

DECEMBER

Nature Watch

diary

DECEMBER date

observations

Central Coast location

weather

diary diary

date

DECEMBER observations

location

weather

DECEMBER

Nature Watch

diary

DECEMBER date

observations

Central Coast location

weather

diary diary

APPENDICES

Nature Watch

APPENDICES

1

Central Coast

2 diary

Nature Watch

CENTRAL COAST FLORA FLORA OF SANDSTONE HEATH AND WOODLANDS

Acacia longifolia Acacia decurrens Acacia suaveolens Boronia ledifolia Boronia pinnata Dillwynia floribunda Dillwynia retorta Pultenaea rosmarinifolia Gompholobium grandiflorum Hovea linearis Hibbertia bracteata Doryanthes excelsa Epacris microphylla Epacris longilflora Styphelia tubiflora Woollsia pungens

Sydney Wattle Green Wattle Sweet Wattle Sydney Boronia Pinnate Boronia Yellow Pea “Bacon & Eggs” Yellow Pea Golden Glory Pea Purple Pea Yellow Guinea Flower Gymea Lily Coral Heath Fuchsia Heath Red Five-Corners Snow Wreath

At any other times of the year, bush tracks can still reveal a wealth of interesting plants. Look for the following plants - (* indicates particularly interesting or Rare and threatened species). Trees Angophora costata Angophora hispida Allocasuarina distyla Ceratopetalum gummiferum Corymbia eximia Corymbia gummifera Eucalyptus haemastoma Eucalyptus pilularis Eucalyptus piperita Eucalyptus punctata Exocarpus cupressiformis Syncarpia glomulifera

Sydney Red Gum Dwarf Apple A Scrub She-Oak Christmas Bush Yellow Bloodwood Red Bloodwood Scribbly Gum Blackbutt Sydney Peppermint Grey Gum Native Cherry Turpentine

Other Shrubs of Sandstone Woodlands & Heaths Acacia linifolia Acacia oxycedrus Acacia terminalis Acacia ulicifolia Actinotus helianthi Actinotus minor

Flax Wattle Spike Wattle Sunshine Wattle Prickly Moses Flannel Flower

3

FLORA

During late Winter, Bush tracks in the Sandstone country start to blaze with colour as heath plants start their early flowering, which continues through Spring. In Brisbane Waters NP, Girrakool, Warrah Reserve and Bouddi NP, along the coastal walks and on the Somersby Plateau, many of these can be seen flowering from early July:

Central Coast

Amperea xiphoclada Astrotricha floccosa Baeckea brevifolia Banksia ericifolia Banksia oblongifolia Banksia serrata Banksia spinulosa Boronia anemonifolia Boronia serrulata Bossiaea heterophylla Bossiaea scolopendria Callistemon citrinus Callistemon linearis Comesperma ericinum Conospermum longifolium Dampiera stricta Darwinia fascicularis Darwinia glaucophylla * Dianella longifolia Dodonaea camfieldii * Dodonaea triquetra Drosera peltata Epacris pulchella Eriostemon australasius Kunzea capitata Lambertia formosa Eriostemon buxifolius Goodenia bellidifolia Goodenia ovata Grevillea buxifolia Grevillea sericea Grevillea speciosa Hybanthus monopetalus Isopogon anemonifolius Kunzea ambigua Leptospermum juniperinum Leptospermum trinervium Leucopogon ericoides Leucopogon microphyllus Lomatia silaifolia Macrozamia communis Mirbelia rubiifolia Olax stricta Patersonia sericea Persoonia lanceolata Persoonia levis Petrophile pulchella Pimelea linifolia Platysace linearifolia Prostanthera junonis * Prostanthera linearis Scaevola ramosissima Stylidium graminifolium

Broom Spurge Flannel Leaf Heath Myrtle Heath-leaf Banksia Fern-leaf Banksia Old Man Banksia Hairpin Banksia Sticky Boronia Native Rose Variable Bossiaea Leafless Bossiaea Crimson Bottlebrush Narrow-leaf Bottlebrush Heath Milkwort Smoke Bush

(Prostrate) Flax Lily Camfield’s Hop Bush Hop Bush Sundew N.S.W. Coral Heath Pink Wax Flower Pink Buttons Mountain Devils Wax Flower Daisy-leaf Goodenia Hop Goodenia Grey Spider Flower Pink Spider Flower Red Spider Flower Ladies Slipper Drum Sticks Tick Bush Prickly Tea-Tree Paperbark Tea-Tree Bearded Heath Bearded Heath Wild Parsley Burrawang Red Mirbelia Olax Silky Purple Flag Lance-leaf Gee-Bung Broad-leaf Gee-Bung Cone Sticks Rice Flower Carrot Tops Somersby Mint Bush Narrow-leaf Mint Bush Fan Flower Trigger Plant

4 diary

Nature Watch

Telopea speciosissima Tetratheca species Xanthorrhoea arborea Xylomelum pyriforme Zieria laevigata

Waratah Black Eyed Susan Grass Tree Woody Pear

Climbers and Twiners Dumplings, Apple Berry Old Man’s Beard Wombat Berry Love Creeper False Sarsaparilla, Purple Twining Pea Dusky Coral Pea

Kennedia rubicunda

Sedges and Rushes Caustis flexuosa Lomandra longifolia Lomandra obliqua

Curly Sedge, Old Man’s Beard Mat Rush Fish Bones

Ferns of Sandstone Heaths & Woodlands Cheilanthes sieberi Lindsaea linearis Pteridium esculentum

Mulga Fern Screw Fern Bracken Fern

Orchids Caladenia caerulea Caladenia catenata Calochilus campestris Cryptostylis subulata Orchid Cymbidium suave Dendrobium speciosum Dipodium punctatum Glossodia minor Lyperanthus suaveolens Pterostylis nutans Thelymitra ixioides

Blue Caladenia White Fingers Copper Beard Large Tongue Sweet Cymbidium Rock Orchid Hyacinth Orchid Small Wax Lip Brown Beaks Nodding Greenhood Spotted Sun Orchid

COASTAL WOODLANDS & HEATHS Some different species can be found along the coastal cliffs and exposed heathlands, and in the deep sandy soils behind, such as on the walks to Bombi Point in Bouddi NP, and Wybung Head in Munmorah SRA. Acacia sophorae Acacia quadrilateralis * Allocasuarina littoralis Allocasuarina torulosa Baeckea imbricata Baeckea ramosissima

Coast Wattle Black She-Oak Forest Oak Rosy Heath Myrtle

5

FLORA

Billardiera scandens Clematis aristata Eustrephus latifolius Glycine clandestina Hardenbergia violacea

Central Coast

Banksia aemula Banksia integrifolia Boronia polygalifolia * Callitris rhomboidea Casuarina glauca Cassytha pubescens Correa reflexa Crowea saligna Dianella caerulea Hakea bakerana Hakea teretifolia Hibbertia dentata Hovea linearis Indigofera australis Isopogon anemonifolius Jacksonia scoparia Leptospermum laevigatum Oxylobium ilicifolium Pratia purpurascens Styphelia viridis Phebalium squamulosum Prostanthera ovalifolia Viminaria juncea Westringia fruticosa Wahlenbergia communis Zieria smithii

Wallum Banksia Coastal Banksia Milkwort Boronia Port Jackson Cypress Swamp Oak Devil’s Twine

Dagger Hakea Twining Guinea Flower

Drumsticks Coastal Tea-Tree Holly-leaf Pea White Root Green Five Corners Mint Bush Native Broom Coast Rosemary Bluebell

CENTRAL COAST RAINFOREST Flora of Rainforest and Gullies: plants seen in Rumbalara Reserve, Katandra Reserve (walks around Seymour’s Pond), Ourimbah State Forest, Strickland SF, Great North Walk along Moonee Moonee Creek. and in pockets in Wyrrabalong NP, etc. Acacia maidenii Acacia prominens Acmena smithii Archontophoenix cunninghamiana Backhousia myrtifolia Breynia oblongifolia Cissus antarctica Cissus hypoglauca Citriobatus pauciflorus Cyathea leichhardtiana Doryphora sassafras Duboisia myoporoides Endiandra sieberi Eupomatia laurina Ficus obliqua Glochidion ferdinandi Livistona australis Myoporum acuminatum Notelaea longifolia

Maiden’s Wattle Gosford Wattle Lilly Pilly Bangalow Palm Grey Myrtle Dwarf’s Apples Kangaroo Vine Water Vine Orange Thorn Prickly Treefern Sassafras Corkwood Corkwood Bolwarra Strangler Fig Cheese Tree Cabbage Tree Palm Northern Boobialla Mock Olive

6

diary

Nature Watch

Omalanthus populifolius Pittosporum revolutum Platycerium bifurcatum Rubus hillii Sloanea australis Smilax australis Smilax glyciphylla Solanum aviculare Synoum glandulosum Syzygium australe Syzygium paniculatum * Tasmannia insipida Toona ciliata *

Bleeding Heart Rough-Fruit Pittosporum Elkhorn Broad-leaf Bramble Maiden’s Blush Austral Sarsaparilla Sweet Sarsaparilla Kangaroo Apple scentless Rosewood Lillypilly Magenta Cherry Pepper Bush Red Cedar

Angophora floribunda Eucalyptus deanei Eucalyptus saligna

Rough barked Apple Mountain Blue Gum Sydney Blue Gum

ROCKY CREEKS Flora found around creeks, waterfalls and ponds in the Sandstone areas such as Girrakool, Moonee Moonee Creek, Strickland SF and Somersby Falls. Trees Acacia elata Callicoma serratifolia Ceratopetalum apetalum Tristania neriifolia Tristaniopsis laurina Lomatia myricoides

Cedar Wattle Black “Wattle” Coachwood Water Gum Water Gum River Lomatia

Others Austromyrtus tenuifolia Baeckea linifolia Bauera rubioides Bursaria spinosa Dracophyllum secundum Grevillea shiressii * Hibbertia dentata Phebalium dentatum Restio tetraphyllus ssp meiostachyus Adiantum aethiopicum Asplenium australasicum Blechnum species Calochlaena dubia Doodia aspera Sticherus flabellatus Todea barbara

Narrow-leaf Myrtle Swamp Baeckea River Rose Blackthorn, Sweet Bursaria

Twining Guinea Flower Tassel Cord Rush Maidenhair Fern Bird’s Nest Fern Water Ferns False Bracken Common Rasp Fern Shiny Fan Fern King Fern

7

FLORA

Other Trees found nearby, in damp gullies and hillsides, include;

Central Coast

SWAMPS Flora of damp and swampy places in Sandstone heaths, such as hanging swamps, in Brisbane Water N.P. and Somersby, along the Great North Walk. Banksia robur Leptospermum squarrosum Melaleuca styphelioides Melaleuca thymifolia Hakea teretifolia Blandfordia grandiflora Sprengelia incarnata Epacris obtusifolia Xyris species Caustis pentandra Cyperus species Gahnia species Juncus species Gleichenia dicarpa

Swamp Banksia Pink Tea-tree Prickly-leaf Paperbark Thyme Honeymyrtle Dagger Hakea Christmas Bells Swamp Heath Yellow Eye Tall Sedge Sedges Saw-Sedges Rushes Coral Fern

COASTAL FORESTS such as The Red Gum Forest, Wyrrabalong NP; Angophora costata Banksia integrifolia Ficus coronata Ficus fraseri * Casuarina glauca Leptospermum laevigatum Macrozamia communis Styphelia viridis Pultenaea flexilis Actinotus helianthi Correa reflexa Dillwynia retorta Aotus ericoides Ricinocarpos pinifolius Brachyloma daphnoides Dodonaea triquetra Acianthus fornicatus

Sydney Red Gum Coast Banksia Sandpaper Fig Sandpaper Fig Swamp Oak Coastal Tea-Tree Burrawang Green Five-Corners Graceful Bush-Pea Flannel Flower Native Fuchsia “Bacon & Eggs” Common Aotus Wedding Bush Daphne Heath Hop Bush Pixie Orchid

WATERFRONTS Close to the edges of Freshwater Lakes, like Tuggerah Lakes, and Colongra Wetlands, on Lake Munmorah, as well as overlooking saltier areas, one finds trees such as: Eucalyptus robusta Eucalyptus botryoides Melaleuca quinquenervia Melaleuca styphelioides Melaleuca biconvexa *

Swamp Mahogany Bangalay Broad-leaf Paperbark Prickly-leaf Paperbark

8 diary

Nature Watch

Avicennia marina Aegiceras corniculatum Melaleuca ericifolia Melaleuca nodosa Casuarina glauca Ficus rubiginosa Scaevola calendulacea Cakile edentula Carpobrotus glaucescens Enchylaena tomentosa Tetragonia tetragonioides Isolepis nodosa Suaeda australis Cyperus species Juncus species

Grey Mangrove River Mangrove Swamp Paperbark Prickly-leaf Paperbark Swamp Oak Port Jackson Fig Dune Fan Flower Sea Rocket Pig Face Ruby Saltbush Warrigal Cabbage Knobby Club-Rush Seablite Sedges Rushes

9

FLORA

Around the FORESHORES of Brisbane Water, such as Cockle Bay, Davistown waterfront, etc.

Central Coast

Ringtail Possums

10 diary

Nature Watch

FAUNA LIST Source: This fauna list was derived from the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Atlas of NSW Wildlife. The status definitions are from the National Parks and Wildlife Act, and the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995. These data are only indicative and cannot be considered a comprehensive inventory, and may contain errors and omissions.

E1

Endangered

Listed as endangered under the Threatened Species Conservation Act, 1995. Is likely to become extinct in nature in NSW unless the circumstances and factors threatening its survival cease to operate or its numbers have been reduced to such a critical level or its habitats have been drastically reduced that it is in immediate danger of extinction.

V

Vulnerable

U

Unprotected

P

Protected

The species is likely to become endangered unless the circumstances and factors threatening its survival or evolutionary development cease to operate. Fauna listed in Schedule 11 of the National Parks and Wildlife Act (introduced species). Native fauna not listed in Schedule 11 of the National Parks and Wildlife Act.

Reptiles Scientific Name Status

Common Name

Legal

Hoplocephalus bungaroides Chelonia mydas Demansia torquata Hoplocephalus bitorquatus Hoplocephalus stephensii Varanus rosenbergi Acanthophis antarcticus Amphibolurus muricatus Amphibolurus nobbi Anomalopus swansoni Bassiana platynota Boiga irregularis Cacophis krefftii Cacophis squamulosus Calyptotis ruficauda Carlia tetradactyla Chelodina longicollis Cryptoblepharus virgatus Ctenotus robustus Ctenotus taeniolatus Cyclodomorphus michaeli Delma plebeia

Broad-headed Snake Green Turtle Collared Whip Snake Pale-headed Snake Stephen’s Banded Snake Heath Monitor Common Death Adder Jacky Lizard Nobbi

E1 V V V V V P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P

Red-throated Skink Brown Tree Snake Krefft’s Dwarf Snake Golden Crowned Snake Southern Rainbow Skink Eastern Long-necked Tortoise Wall Lizard Striped Skink Copper-tailed Skink

11

FAUNA

Legal Status

Central Coast

Demansia psammophis Dendrelaphis punctulata Diplodactylus vittatus Drysdalia coronoides Egernia cunninghami Egernia major Egernia modesta Egernia saxatilis Egernia striolata Egernia whitii Eretmochelys imbricata Eulamprus heatwolei Eulamprus quoyii Eulamprus tenuis Eulamprus tympanum Furina diadema Hemiaspis signata Hemiergis decresiensis Hemisphaeriodon gerrardii Hypsilurus spinipes Lampropholis delicata Lampropholis guichenoti Lampropholis sp. Lerista bougainvillii Lialis burtonis Lygisaurus foliorum Morelia spilota Morelia spilota spilota Morethia boulengeri Notechis scutatus Oedura lesueurii Oedura robusta Pelamis platurus Phyllurus platurus Physignathus lesueurii Pogona barbata Pseudechis guttatus Pseudechis porphyriacus Pseudonaja textilis Pygopus lepidopodus Ramphotyphlops bituberculatus Ramphotyphlops nigrescens Ramphotyphlops proximus Ramphotyphlops sp. Ramphotyphlops wiedii Rhinoplocephalus nigrescens Saiphos equalis Saproscincus challengeri Saproscincus mustelinus Saproscincus rosei Suta spectabilis dwyeri Tiliqua scincoides Tympanocryptis diemensis Underwoodisaurus milii

Yellow-faced Whip Snake Green Tree Snake Stone Gecko White-lipped Snake Cunningham’s Skink Land Mullet Black Rock Skink Tree Skink White’s Skink Hawksbill Turtle Eastern Water Skink Barred-side Skink Highland Water Skink Red-naped Snake Black-bellied Swamp Snake Pink-tongued Lizard Southern Angle-headed Dragon Grass Skink Garden Skink unidentified grass skink Bougainville’s Skink Burton’s Legless Lizard Carpet or Diamond Python Diamond Python Boulenger’s Skink Eastern Tiger Snake Lesueur’s Velvet Gecko Robust Velvet Gecko Yellow-bellied Sea Snake Southern Leaf-tailed Gecko Eastern Water Dragon Bearded Dragon Spotted Black Snake Red-bellied Black Snake Eastern Brown Snake Common Scaly-foot

blind snake Eastern Small-eyed Snake Three-toed Skink Weasel Skink

Eastern Blue-tongued Lizard Mountain Dragon Thick-tailed Gecko

P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P

12 diary

Nature Watch

Gould’s Goanna Lace Monitor Bandy Bandy

Passerine Birds Scientific Name

Common Name

Status

Xanthomyza phrygia Grantiella picta Pachycephala olivacea Acanthagenys rufogularis Acanthiza chrysorrhoa Acanthiza lineata Acanthiza nana Acanthiza pusilla Acanthiza reguloides Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris Acrocephalus stentoreus Ailuroedus crassirostris Anthochaera carunculata Anthochaera chrysoptera Anthus novaeseelandiae Aphelocephala leucopsis Artamus cyanopterus Artamus leucorhynchus Artamus personatus Artamus superciliosus Cheramoeca leucosternus Chlamydera maculata Chthonicola sagittata Cinclorhamphus cruralis Cinclorhamphus mathewsi Cinclosoma punctatum Cisticola exilis Climacteris erythrops Climacteris picumnus Colluricincla harmonica Coracina maxima Coracina novaehollandiae Coracina papuensis Coracina tenuirostris Corcorax melanorhamphos Cormobates leucophaeus Corvus coronoides Corvus mellori Cracticus nigrogularis Cracticus torquatus Daphoenositta chrysoptera Dicaeum hirundinaceum Dicrurus bracteatus Entomyzon cyanotis Eopsaltria australis Epthianura albifrons Epthianura tricolor

Regent Honeyeater Painted Honeyeater Olive Whistler Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater Yellow-rumped Thornbill Striated Thornbill Yellow Thornbill Brown Thornbill Buff-rumped Thornbill Eastern Spinebill Clamorous Reed-Warbler Green Catbird Red Wattlebird Little Wattlebird Richard’s Pipit Southern Whiteface Dusky Woodswallow White-breasted Woodswallow Masked Woodswallow White-browed Woodswallow White-backed Swallow Spotted Bowerbird Speckled Warbler Brown Songlark Rufous Songlark Spotted Quail-thrush Golden-headed Cisticola Red-browed Treecreeper Brown Treecreeper Grey Shrike-thrush Ground Cuckoo-shrike Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike Cicadabird White-winged Chough White-throated Treecreeper Australian Raven Little Raven Pied Butcherbird Grey Butcherbird Varied Sittella Mistletoebird Spangled Drongo Blue-faced Honeyeater Eastern Yellow Robin White-fronted Chat Crimson Chat

E1 V V P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P

13

P P P

FAUNA

Varanus gouldii Varanus varius Vermicella annulata

Central Coast

Falcunculus frontatus Gerygone fusca Gerygone levigaster Gerygone mouki Gerygone olivacea Grallina cyanoleuca Gymnorhina tibicen Hirundo ariel Hirundo neoxena Hirundo nigricans Hylacola pyrrhopygia Lalage leucomela Lalage sueurii Lichenostomus chrysops Lichenostomus fuscus Lichenostomus leucotis Lichenostomus melanops Lichenostomus penicillatus Lichenostomus virescens Lichmera indistincta Lonchura castaneothorax Malurus cyaneus Malurus lamberti Malurus sp. Manorina melanocephala Manorina melanophrys Megalurus gramineus Megalurus timoriensis Melanodryas cucullata Meliphaga lewinii Melithreptus brevirostris Melithreptus gularis Melithreptus lunatus Menura novaehollandiae Microeca fascinans Monarcha melanopsis Monarcha trivirgatus Myiagra cyanoleuca Myiagra inquieta Myiagra rubecula Myzomela sanguinolenta Neochmia modesta Neochmia temporalis Oreoica gutturalis Origma solitaria Oriolus sagittatus Orthonyx temminckii Pachycephala pectoralis Pachycephala rufiventris Pardalotus punctatus Pardalotus punctatus xanthopygus Pardalotus striatus Petroica goodenovii Petroica multicolor Petroica phoenicea Petroica rosea

Crested Shrike-tit Western Gerygone Mangrove Gerygone Brown Gerygone White-throated Gerygone Magpie-lark Australian Magpie Fairy Martin Welcome Swallow Tree Martin Chestnut-rumped Heathwren Varied Triller White-winged Triller Yellow-faced Honeyeater Fuscous Honeyeater White-eared Honeyeater Yellow-tufted Honeyeater White-plumed Honeyeater Singing Honeyeater Brown Honeyeater Chestnut-breasted Mannikin Superb Fairy-wren Variegated Fairy-wren Unidentified Fairy-wren Noisy Miner Bell Miner Little Grassbird Tawny Grassbird Hooded Robin Lewin’s Honeyeater Brown-headed Honeyeater Black-chinned Honeyeater White-naped Honeyeater Superb Lyrebird Jacky Winter Black-faced Monarch Spectacled Monarch Satin Flycatcher Restless Flycatcher Leaden Flycatcher Scarlet Honeyeater Plum-headed Finch Red-browed Finch Crested Bellbird Rockwarbler Olive-backed Oriole Logrunner Golden Whistler Rufous Whistler Spotted Pardalote Yellow-rumped Pardalote Striated Pardalote Red-capped Robin Scarlet Robin Flame Robin Rose Robin

P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P

P

14 diary

Philemon citreogularis Philemon corniculatus Phylidonyris melanops Phylidonyris nigra Phylidonyris novaehollandiae Phylidonyris pyrrhoptera Pitta versicolor Plectorhyncha lanceolata Pomatostomus superciliosus Pomatostomus temporalis Psophodes olivaceus Ptilonorhynchus violaceus Ptiloris paradiseus Pycnoptilus floccosus Rhipidura fuliginosa Rhipidura leucophrys Rhipidura rufifrons Sericornis citreogularis Sericornis frontalis Sericornis magnirostris Sericulus chrysocephalus Smicrornis brevirostris Sphecotheres viridis Stagonopleura bella Stagonopleura guttata Stipiturus malachurus Strepera graculina Strepera versicolor Taeniopygia bichenovii Taeniopygia guttata Zoothera dauma Zoothera heinei Zoothera lunulata Zoothera sp. Zosterops lateralis

Little Friarbird Noisy Friarbird Tawny-crowned Honeyeater White-cheeked Honeyeater New Holland Honeyeater Crescent Honeyeater Noisy Pitta Striped Honeyeater White-browed Babbler Grey-crowned Babbler Eastern Whipbird Satin Bowerbird Paradise Riflebird Pilotbird Grey Fantail Willie Wagtail Rufous Fantail Yellow-throated Scrubwren White-browed Scrubwren Large-billed Scrubwren Regent Bowerbird Weebill Figbird Beautiful Firetail Diamond Firetail Southern Emu-wren Pied Currawong Grey Currawong Double-barred Finch Zebra Finch Unindentified Ground Thrush Russet-tailed Thrush Bassian Thrush unidentified ground thrush Silvereye

P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P

Non Passerine Birds Scientific Name

Common Name

Status

Halobaena caerulea Macronectes giganteus Pachyptila turtur Pterodroma externa Pterodroma leucoptera Pterodroma neglecta Pterodroma nigripennis Pterodroma solandri Fregata ariel Puffinus bulleri Puffinus gavia Puffinus griseus Puffinus pacificus Puffinus tenuirostris

Blue Petrel Southern Giant-Petrel Fairy Prion Juan Fernandez Petrel Gould’s Petrel Kermadec Petrel Black-winged Petrel Providence Petrel Lesser Frigatebird Buller’s Shearwater Fluttering Shearwater Sooty Shearwater Wedge-tailed Shearwater Short-tailed Shearwater

P P P P E1 V V V P P P P P P

15

FAUNA

Nature Watch

Central Coast

Anhinga melanogaster Pelecanus conspicillatus Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus Phalacrocorax carbo Phalacrocorax melanoleucos Phalacrocorax sulcirostris

Darter Australian Pelican Black-necked Stork Great Cormorant Little Pied Cormorant Little Black Cormorant

P P E1 P P P

Ardea alba Ardea ibis Ardea intermedia Egretta garzetta Egretta sacra Ardea pacifica Butorides striatus Egretta novaehollandiae Nycticorax caledonicus Botaurus poiciloptilus Ixobrychus flavicollis Ixobrychus minutus Plegadis falcinellus Threskiornis molucca Threskiornis spinicollis

Great Egret Cattle Egret Intermediate Egret Little Egret Eastern Reef Egret White-necked Heron Striated Heron White-faced Heron Nankeen Night Heron Australasian Bittern Black Bittern Little Bittern Glossy Ibis Australian White Ibis Straw-necked Ibis

P P P P P P P P P V V P P P P

Anas castanea Anas gracilis Anas rhynchotis Anas superciliosa Aythya australis Biziura lobata Chenonetta jubata Dendrocygna arcuata Dendrocygna eytoni Malacorhynchus membranaceus Stictonetta naevosa Tadorna tadornoides Cygnus atratus

Chestnut Teal Grey Teal Australasian Shoveler Pacific Black Duck Hardhead Musk Duck Australian Wood Duck Wandering Whistling-Duck Plumed Whistling-Duck Pink-eared Duck Freckled Duck Australian Shelduck Black Swan

P P P P P P P P P P V P P

Podiceps cristatus Poliocephalus poliocephalus Tachybaptus novaehollandiae

Great Crested Grebe Hoary-headed Grebe Australasian Grebe

P P P

Accipiter cirrhocephalus Accipiter fasciatus Accipiter novaehollandiae Erythrotriorchis radiatus Circus approximans Circus assimilis Elanus axillaris Haliastur indus Haliastur sphenurus Hamirostra melanosternon Milvus migrans Pandion haliaetus Falco peregrinus

Collared Sparrowhawk Brown Goshawk Grey Goshawk Red Goshawk Swamp Harrier Spotted Harrier Black-shouldered Kite Brahminy Kite Whistling Kite Black-breasted Buzzard Black Kite Osprey Peregrine Falcon

P P P E1 P P P P P V P V P

16

diary

Falco subniger Falco berigora

Black Falcon Brown Falcon

P P

Alectura lathami Burhinus grallarius Coturnix chinensis Coturnix pectoralis Coturnix ypsilophora Turnix maculosa Turnix varia Turnix velox

Australian Brush-turkey Bush Stone-curlew King Quail Stubble Quail Brown Quail Red-backed Button-quail Painted Button-quail Little Button-quail

P E1 P P P P P P

Gallinula tenebrosa Gallirallus philippensis Irediparra gallinacea Porphyrio porphyrio Fulica atra

Dusky Moorhen Buff-banded Rail Comb-crested Jacana Purple Swamphen Eurasian Coot

P P V P P

Charadrius bicinctus Charadrius ruficapillus Charadrius veredus Charadrius leschenaultii Charadrius mongolus Pluvialis dominica Pluvialis fulva Pluvialis squatarola Vanellus miles Vanellus tricolor Elseyornis melanops Erythogonys cinctus Calidris ruficollis Xenus cinereus Actitis hypoleucos Limicola falcinellus Tringa stagnatilis Calidris acuminata Calidris ferruginea Calidris alba Calidris tenuirostris Heteroscelus brevipes Gallinago hardwickii Limosa limosa Limosa lapponica Numenius madagascariensis Numenius phaeopus Tringa nebularia Cladorhynchus leucocephalus Himantopus himantopus Haematopus fuliginosus Haematopus longirostris Recurvirostra novaehollandiae Stercorarius parasiticus Larus dominicanus Larus novaehollandiae

Double-banded Plover Red-capped Plover Oriental Plover Greater Sand Plover Lesser Sand Plover Lesser Golden Plover Pacific Golden Plover Grey Plover Masked Lapwing Banded Lapwing Black-fronted Dotterel Red-kneed Dotterel Red-necked Stint Terek Sandpiper Common Sandpiper Broad-billed Sandpiper Marsh Sandpiper Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Curlew Sandpiper Sanderling Great Knot Grey-tailed Tattler Latham’s Snipe Black-tailed Godwit Bar-tailed Godwit Eastern Curlew Whimbrel Common Greenshank Banded Stilt Black-winged Stilt Sooty Oystercatcher Pied Oystercatcher Red-necked Avocet Arctic Jaeger Kelp Gull Silver Gull

P P P V V P P P P P P P P V P V P P P V V P P V P P P P P P V V P P P P

17

FAUNA

Nature Watch

Central Coast

Chlidonias hybridus Chlidonias leucopterus Sterna bergii Sterna caspia Sterna hirundo Sterna nilotica Sterna paradisaea Sterna striata Sterna albifrons Gygis alba Platalea flavipes Platalea regia

Whiskered Tern White-winged Black Tern Crested Tern Caspian Tern Common Tern Gull-billed Tern Arctic Tern White-fronted Tern Little Tern White Tern Yellow-billed Spoonbill Royal Spoonbill

P P P P P P P P E1 V P P

Cacatua galerita Callocephalon fimbriatum Calyptorhynchus funereus Calyptorhynchus lathami Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus Trichoglossus haematodus Glossopsitta concinna Glossopsitta pusilla Lathamus discolor Alisterus scapularis Neophema pulchella Psephotus haematonotus Aprosmictus erythropterus Platycercus elegans Platycercus eximius Cacatua roseicapilla Cacatua sanguinea Cacatua tenuirostris Nymphicus hollandicus Barnardius zonarius

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Gang-gang Cockatoo Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo Glossy Black-Cockatoo Scaly-breasted Lorikeet Rainbow Lorikeet Musk Lorikeet Little Lorikeet Swift Parrot Australian King-Parrot Turquoise Parrot Red-rumped Parrot Red-winged Parrot Crimson Rosella Eastern Rosella Galah Little Corella Long-billed Corella Cockatiel Australian Ringneck

P P P V P P P P E1 P V P P P P P P P P P

Cacomantis flabelliformis Cacomantis variolosus Chrysococcyx basalis Chrysococcyx lucidus Chrysococcyx osculans Cuculus pallidus Cuculus saturatus Scythrops novaehollandiae Eudynamys scolopacea Dacelo novaeguineae Macropygia amboinensis Aviceda subcristata

Fan-tailed Cuckoo Brush Cuckoo Horsfield’s Bronze-Cuckoo Shining Bronze-Cuckoo Black-eared Cuckoo Pallid Cuckoo Oriental Cuckoo Channel-billed Cuckoo Common Koel Laughing Kookaburra Brown Cuckoo-Dove Pacific Baza

P P P P P P P P P P P P

Todiramphus sanctus Merops ornatus Eurystomus orientalis Alcedo azurea Centropus phasianinus

Sacred Kingfisher Rainbow Bee-eater Dollarbird Azure Kingfisher Pheasant Coucal

P P P P P

Ninox connivens

Barking Owl

V

18 diary

Ninox strenua Tyto capensis Tyto novaehollandiae Tyto tenebricosa Aegotheles cristatus Tyto alba Eurostopodus mystacalis Podargus strigoides

Powerful Owl Grass Owl Masked Owl Sooty Owl Australian Owlet-nightjar Barn Owl White-throated Nightjar Tawny Frogmouth

V V V V P P P P

Hirundapus caudacutus Apus pacificus

White-throated Needletail Fork-tailed Swift

P P

Aquila audax Haliaeetus leucogaster Hieraaetus morphnoides Falco cenchroides Falco longipennis

Wedge-tailed Eagle White-bellied Sea-Eagle Little Eagle Nankeen Kestrel Australian Hobby

P P P P P

Porzana fluminea Porzana pusilla Porzana tabuensis Rallus pectoralis

Australian Spotted Crake Baillon’s Crake Spotless Crake Lewin’s Rail

P P P P

Dromaius novaehollandiae

Emu

P

Introduced Birds Scientific Name Status

Common Name

Acridotheres tristis Alauda arvensis Anas platyrhynchos Carduelis carduelis Columba livia Lonchura punctulata Passer domesticus Pycnonotus jocosus Streptopelia chinensis Sturnus vulgaris Turdus merula

Common Myna Skylark Mallard European Goldfinch Rock Dove Nutmeg Mannikin House Sparrow Red-whiskered Bulbul Spotted Turtle-Dove Common Starling Common Blackbird

Frogs Scientific Name Status

Common Name

Adelotus brevis Crinia signifera Crinia tinnula Heleioporus australiacus Lechriodus fletcheri Limnodynastes dumerilii Limnodynastes ornatus Limnodynastes peronii

Tusked Frog Common Eastern Froglet Wallum Froglet Giant Burrowing Frog Fletcher’s Frog Eastern Banjo Frog Ornate Burrowing Frog Brown-striped Frog

19

U U U U U U U U U U U

P P V V P P P P

FAUNA

Nature Watch

Central Coast

Limnodynastes tasmaniensis Litoria aurea Litoria booroolongensis Litoria brevipalmata Litoria caerulea Litoria chloris Litoria citropa Litoria dentata Litoria fallax Litoria freycineti Litoria jervisiensis Litoria latopalmata Litoria lesueuri Litoria littlejohni Litoria pearsoniana Litoria pearsoniana/phyllochroa Litoria peronii Litoria phyllochroa Litoria revelata Litoria subglandulosa Litoria tyleri Litoria verreauxii Mixophyes balbus Mixophyes fasciolatus Mixophyes iteratus Paracrinia haswelli Philoria sphagnicolus Pseudophryne australis Pseudophryne bibronii Pseudophryne coriacea Pseudophryne sp. Uperoleia fusca Uperoleia laevigata Uperoleia marmorata Uperoleia rugosa Uperoleia sp. Uperoleia tyleri

Spotted Grass Frog Green and Golden Bell Frog Booroolong Frog Green Thighed Frog Green Tree Frog Red-eyed Tree Frog Blue Mountains Tree Frog Bleating Tree Frog Eastern Dwarf Tree Frog Freycinet’s Frog Jervis Bay Tree Frog

Tyler’s Toadlet

P E1 E1 V P P P P P P P P P V P P P P P V P P V P E1 P V V P P P P P P P P P

Mammals Scientific Name

Common Name

Status

Antechinus flavipes Antechinus stuartii Antechinus swainsonii

Yellow-footed Antechinus Brown Antechinus Dusky Antechinus

P P P

Chalinolobus dwyeri Chalinolobus gouldii Chalinolobus morio Kerivoula papuensis Falsistrellus tasmaniensis Miniopterus schreibersii Mormopterus loriae Mormopterus norfolkensis Mormopterus planiceps Myotis adversus

Large-eared Pied Bat Gould’s Wattled Bat Chocolate Wattled Bat Golden-tipped Bat Eastern False Pipistrelle Common Bent-wing Bat Little Freetail Bat East Coast Freetail Bat Little Mastiff-bat Large-footed Myotis

V P P V V V P V P V

Lesueur’s Frog Heath Frog Leaf Green Tree Frog species complex Peron’s Tree Frog Leaf Green Tree Frog

Great Barred Frog Giant Barred Frog Haswell’s Frog Sphagnum Frog Red-crowned Toadlet Brown Toadlet Red-backed Toadlet

Smooth Toadlet

20 diary

Miniopterus australis Nyctinomus australis Nyctophilus geoffroyi Nyctophilus gouldi Nyctophilus timoriensis Vespadelus darlingtoni Vespadelus pumilus Vespadelus regulus Vespadelus troughtoni Vespadelus vulturnus Rhinolophus megaphyllus Saccolaimus flaviventris Scoteanax rueppellii Scotorepens greyii Scotorepens orion

Little Bent-wing Bat White-striped Mastiff-bat Lesser Long-eared Bat Gould’s Long-eared Bat Greater Long-eared Bat Large Forest Bat Eastern Forest Bat Southern Forest Bat Eastern Cave Bat Little Forest Bat Eastern Horseshoe-bat Yellow-bellied Sheathtail Bat Greater Broad-nosed Bat Little Broad-nosed Bat Eastern Broad-nosed Bat

V P P P V P P P V P P V V P P

Dasyurus maculatus Dasyurus viverrinus Isoodon macrourus Isoodon obesulus Perameles nasuta Aepyprymnus rufescens Potorous tridactylus

Spotted-tailed Quoll Eastern Quoll Northern Brown Bandicoot Southern Brown Bandicoot Long-nosed Bandicoot Rufous Bettong Long-nosed Potoroo

V E1 P E1 P V V

Macropus giganteus Macropus parma Macropus robustus Macropus rufogriseus Petrogale penicillata Wallabia bicolor

Eastern Grey Kangaroo Parma Wallaby Common Wallaroo Red-necked Wallaby Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby Swamp Wallaby

P V P P V P

Ornithorhynchus anatinus Tachyglossus aculeatus

Platypus Short-beaked Echidna

P P

Petauroides volans Petaurus australis Acrobates pygmaeus Petaurus breviceps Petaurus norfolcensis Phascogale tapoatafa Pseudocheirus peregrinus Trichosurus caninus Trichosurus vulpecula Cercartetus nanus

Greater Glider Yellow-bellied Glider Feathertail Glider Sugar Glider Squirrel Glider Brush-tailed Phascogale Common Ringtail Possum Mountain Brushtail Possum Common Brushtail Possum Eastern Pygmy-possum

P V P P V V P P P P

Phascolarctos cinereus Vombatus ursinus Pteropus poliocephalus Pteropus scapulatus

Koala Common Wombat Grey-headed Flying-fox Little Red Flying-fox

V P P P

Rattus fuscipes Rattus lutreolus Hydromys chrysogaster Pseudomys gracilicaudatus

Bush Rat Swamp Rat Water-rat Eastern Chestnut Mouse

P P P V

21

FAUNA

Nature Watch

Central Coast

Pseudomys novaehollandiae Pseudomys oralis Sminthopsis murina Melomys cervinipes Planigale maculata

New Holland Mouse Hastings River Mouse Common Dunnart Fawn-footed Melomys Common Planigale

P E1 P P V

Thylogale stigmatica Thylogale thetis

Red-legged Pademelon Red-necked Pademelon

V P

Marine Mammals Scientific Name Status

Common Name

Eubalaena australis Megaptera novaeangliae Physeter macrocephalus Balaenoptera acutorostrata Globicephala macrorhynchus Kogia breviceps Lissodelphis peronii Delphinus delphis Grampus griseus Stenella attenuata Stenella coeruleoalba Tursiops truncatus Arctocephalus forsteri Arctocephalus pusillus Arctocephalus tropicalis Hydrurga leptonyx Neophoca cinerea Dugong dugon

Southern Right Whale Humpback Whale Sperm Whale Minke Whale Short-finned Pilot Whale Pygmy Sperm Whale Southern Right Whale Dolphin Common Dolphin Risso’s Dolphin Spotted Dolphin Striped Dolphin Bottlenose Dolphin New Zealand Fur-seal Australian Fur-seal Subantarctic Fur-seal Leopard Seal Australian Sea-lion Dugong

Introduced Mammals Scientific Name Status

Common Name

Bos taurus Canis familiaris Capra hircus Equus caballus Felis catus Lepus capensis Mus musculus Oryctolagus cuniculus Rattus norvegicus Rattus rattus Sus scrofa Vulpes vulpes

Cattle (feral) Dingo and Dog (feral) Goat (feral) Horse (feral) Cat (feral) Brown Hare House Mouse Rabbit Brown Rat Black Rat Pig (feral) Fox

V V V P P P P P P P P P P P P P P P

U U U U U U U U U U U U

22 diary

Nature Watch

CONTACTS Organisation

Phone/Contact

Web Site

Australian Conservation Foundation (Central Coast)

4324 6458

www.acfonline.org.au

Australian Plant Society

4323 3986

www.austplants-nsw.org.au/

Australian Museum

Department of Land and Water Conservation

4349 4756

www.cccen.terrigal.net.au

4324 3844

www.dlwc.nsw.gov.au

Infoline 1800353104

Environment Australia

www. environment. gov. au

Community Biodiversity Network

http://nccnsw.org.au/member/cbn

Environment Protection Authority 4323 9875 Pollution Line 131 555

www. epa. nsw. gov. au

Gosford City Council

4325 8222

www.gosford.nsw.gov.au

Lower Hunter Central Coast Regional Environmental Management Strategy

4962 0966

www.lhccrems.nsw.gov.au

National Parks and Wildlife Service

4320 4200

www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au

Lake Macquarie City Council

4921 0333

www.lakemac.com.au

Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre

4324 7200

www.rumbalara-e.schools.nsw.edu.au

Waterwatch

43 494757

www.streamwatch.org.au

Woy Woy Environment Centre 267 Blackwall Rd Woy Woy

Open daily 1-4pm

Wyong Shire Council

4350 5555

23

www. wyong.nsw.gov. au

CONTACTS

Central Coast Community Environment Network

www. cctcm. nsw. gov. au

Central Coast

The Troubleshooter Guide Caring for Animals Injured Wildlife

Wildlife Information and Rescue Service (Wires) Phone 4323 2326 Wildlife A.R.C. (Animal Rescue & Care Soc. Inc) Phone 0500 551 121 RSPCA Phone 4372 2044 Your Local Council (see below) NPWS Phone 4320 4200 ORRCA Phone 9415 3333 EPA Phone 4323 9875 Fisheries Phone 4332 2147 or Fishers Watch Phone 1800 043 536 NPWS Phone 4320 4200

Roaming Dogs Injured Marine Animals Fish Kills

Licencing for Captive Wildlife

Protecting Our Plants Illegal Land Clearing/Tree Removal Weeds invading Bushland Bush Fire Corridors/Land for Wildlife Protections

Your Local Council (see below) Your Local Council (see below) Local Fire Brigade Phone

000

Your Local Council

People Problems Local Vandalism Rubbish Dumping Abandoned Vehicles Illegal Burning Off

Your Local Council Your Local Council Your Local Council Your Local Council

Maintaining Our Waterways Erosion/Sediment Control Pollution Incidents

Your Local Council EPA Pollution Line Phone or Your Local Council Damage to mangroves or wetlands Dept of Land and Water Conservation (DLWC) Phone Illegal Shellfish Havesting Fisheries Phone Illegal Fishing Fishers Watch Phone

131 555

4324 3844 4332 2147 1800 043 536

Your Local Councils Gosford City Council - Phone 4325 8222 Wyong Shire Council - Phone 4350 5555 Lake Macquarie City Council - Phone 4921 0333

NEED HELP WITH IDENTIFYING YOUR FLORA AND FAUNA? The Australian Museum would love to advise you. Phone 9329 6000 or www.austmus.gov.au Or else see the helpful field guides recommended in the Reference section of the Diary

24 diary

WEATHER Average Daily Minimum and Maximum Temperatures for Wyong, Gosford and Lake Macquarie

Source: Bureau of Meteorology 2002

Note: Lake Macquarie weather data is sourced via Newcastle LGA weather stations

Average Monthly Rainfall for Wyong, Gosford and Lake Macquarie LGAs

Source: Bureau of Meteorology 2002

Note: Lake Macquarie weather data is sourced via Newcastle LGA weather stations

25

WEATHER

Nature Watch

Central Coast

Documenting Roadkills It is always sad to see native animals killed or injured by cars and trucks on our roads. However, we can at least gain some useful information from road kills. In keeping your diary of seasonal observations, make sure you note the date and place of road kills in your area. Such information built up over the years may begin to reveal informative data and certain trends, for example: • • •

Times of day when animals are more often killed (eg. dawn and dusk are well known as danger times for motorists regarding wallabies and kangaroos) Times of year when animals are more often killed (eg. revealing information on mating and migration times) Territories and territorial routes of various animals (ie. certain sections of a given road may reveal significantly higher rates of kills, possibly revealing corridors of animal movements).

Road kills can also be reported to the National Parks and Wildlife Service for inclusion in their databases. If you encounter injured animals contact your local WIRES branch

26 diary

Nature Watch

Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Physical evidence of Aboriginal occupation including artifacts, scar trees, carvings, burial and ceremonial places; and non-physical aspects such as environmental knowledge, language, stories, songs, art, spiritual associations, beliefs and practices. Acid Sulfate Soils Soils containing highly acidic soil horizons or layers resulting from oxidation of soil materials that are rich in sulfides, primarily pyrite. This oxidation produces acidity in excess of the sediments capacity to neutralize the acidity resulting in soils of pH 4 or less. Adaptive Management A management approach that involves monitoring the outcomes of a project or issue and, on the basis of the monitoring, improving the way the project is managed. Agro-forestry Land management practice in which farmers cultivate trees in addition to their other agricultural activities. Aquaculture Farming of aquatic organisms including fish, mollusks, crustaceans and aquatic plants. Aquatic ecosystems All living and non-living elements of a water-based environment and the relationship between them. Biodiversity The variety of life forms, the different plants, animals and micro-organisms, the genes they contain and the ecosystems they form. Biophysical A word that jointly refers to the biological and physical elements of an environment. Catchment The area of land drained by a river and its tributaries. Climate change A consequence of warming of the Earth’s atmosphere caused by increases in the atmosphere of certain gases. These gases absorb heat radiation emitted by the Earth, thereby retarding the loss of energy from the system. Development Control Plan Plans prepared to provide detail on particular policies for certain types of development or parts of an area. These must conform to the provisions of the relevant LEP or REP. Dieback A general term for a significant decline in tree health and numbers, especially native trees, caused by a variety of agents including insect attack, disease and pollution. Discharge area An area where groundwater seeps to the surface or waterway. Drainage paths Naturally defined pathways through which run-off flows. Generally used to describe drainage depressions, gullies, drainage lines, creeks and rivers. Ecological footprint A measure of direct and indirect consumption. Ecological integrity The general health and resilience of natural life support systems, including their ability to assimilate wastes and withstand stresses such as climate change and ozone depletion. Ecologically Sustainable Using, conserving and enhancing the community’s natural Development resources so that ecological processes on which life depends are maintained and the total quality of life, now and in the future, can be increased. The four principles of ESD are: 1. The Precautionary principle 2. Intergenerational equity 3. Conservation of biological diversity and ecological integrity 4. Improved valuation, pricing and incentive mechanisms.

27

GLOSSARY

GLOSSARY

Central Coast

Endemic

Usually referring to plants or people peculiar to a particular area or ‘locality’. Ecosystem Communities of organisms and their physical environment interacting as a unit. Effluent Liquid discharged from a sewage treatment plant after treatment. Electrical conductivity A widely used and convenient method of measuring the salinity of water. Endangered Species Those species that are likely to become extinct unless action is taken to remove the factors that threaten their survival. Faecal Coliforms Bacteria which inhabits the intestines of humans and other mammals, and are present in faeces. Their presence in water quality testing indicates faecal contamination of water and that other more serious pathogens may also be present. Fragmentation The division of natural areas by vegetation clearance for human land (habitat/ ecosystem) use, isolating the remnants and the species within them and limiting genetic flow. Groundwater Water beneath the surface held in or moving through saturated layers of soil, sediment or rock. Gully erosion The removal of soil by running water, resulting in the formation of channels sufficiently large enough that they disrupt normal farming operations. Habitat A place where a particular organism lives. Hazard Reduction Burning The deliberate burning of understorey by controlled fire kept at cooler temperatures to reduce ground fuel; part of forest management to reduce incidence of summer wild fires, therby preventing damage to property, wildlife etc. Indigenous Communities Includes Aboriginal people of different tribal groups and languages, local Aboriginal Land Councils, traditional owner family groups, Aboriginal Corporations and individual community members. Intergenerational Equity The principle that the present generation should pass on to future generations an environment which is not impoverished and degraded, which will not reduce the quality of life for future generations. Land Managers Those who manage land, including farmers, graziers, irrigators, cultural and environmental landholders, councils and government agencies. Landcare Groups of people from the same area who join together to do things to benefit the environment. They are involved in activities as wide as erosion-control, planning, planting native vegetation and awareness raising. There are approximately 1000 Landcare groups in NSW. Land degradation The decline in condition or quality of the land as a consequence of misuse or overuse, involving changes to soil, flora, fauna, water quality and quantity, visual quality and production levels by humans. Landscape An area of land and all its physical features including all its physical features including geology, soils, vegetation, water, biology and land use. Land system An area or groups of areas with common patterns of soils, vegetation and topography.

28 diary

Local Environmental Plan

Macro invertebrates

Native vegetation Natural resources No net loss pH

Potential Acid Sulfate Soil

Precautionary Principle

Recharge Regional Environmental Plan

Remnant vegetation Rill erosion Riparian vegetation Run-off Salt concentration Sedimentation Seepage Sheet erosion Species

Local environmental plans guide planning decisions for a local government area. They allocate land for particular purposes, generally through the use of zoning and development control, contain provisions to conserve local heritage and protect environmentally sensitive land, and reserve land to be acquired for public purposes. The plans can either cover the entire local government area or part of it. Animals without vertebrae (backbones) that can be seen without a microscope, and include muscles, limpets, water snails, worms, leeches, water spiders, water mites, crayfish, shrimps, beetles, bugs, insect larvae and nymphs. Locally endemic plant species. The assets of land, water, plants and animals. Retention of at least the current overall amount and quality of a particular resource in a specific area. A measure of the degree of acidity or alkalinity; expressed on a logarithmic scale of 1 to 14: 1 is most acidic, 7 neutral and 14 most alkaline. Soils which contain iron sulfides or sulfidic material which have not been exposed to air and oxidized. The field pH of these soils in their unoxidised state is pH greater than four and maybe neutral or slightly alkaline. Where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, scientific uncertainty shall not be used to postpone cost effective measures to prevent environmental degradation (from the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development). The portion of rainfall or river flow that percolates down through the soil and rock formations to reach the groundwater system. Regional environmental plans deal with issues that may transcend local government boundaries. Regional plans generally have wide scope and form. They can address issues such as land use distribution, transport corridors and protection of river catchments, and provide a framework for detailed local planning. A small fragmented portion of the former dominant vegetation which once covered the area before being cleared for human land use. Erosion in numerous small channels. A depth of 300mm may be used as a criterion to distinguish rills from gullies. Vegetation situated on or belonging to a river or a streambank. The portion of precipitation (rain, hail, snow) which flows across the ground surface as water; major agent of water erosion. Level of salts on the land surface or in soil, rocks or water. Material of varying size, both mineral and organic, deposited away from its site of origin by the action of water, wind, gravity or ice. The process by which water percolates downwards and / or laterally through the soil, often emerging at ground level lower down the slope. The removal of a fairly uniform layer of soil from the land surface by raindrop splash and / or runoff. A group of organisms which are biologically capable of breeding and producing fertile offspring; the lowest taxonomic classification in use.

29

GLOSSARY

Nature Watch

Central Coast

Sustainability

Terrestrial ecosystem Threatened species

Turbidity Urban Water Sensitive Urban Design Water table Wetlands

Managing our natural resources in a way that maintains their environmental, economic and cultural values, so that they continue to be available for future generations. All living and non-living elements of a land-based environment and the relationship between them. Species facing threatening processes such as extensive destruction of habitat; the process may threaten the survival, abundance or evolutionary development of the species. A measure of the amount of suspended solids (usually fine clay or silt particles) in water light in the water. A design approach that endeavours to highlight stormwater treatment and use as a primary urban design feature. Includes residential, commercial and industrial areas and activities. The level below which the ground is saturated with water. Land areas along fresh and salt watercourses that are flooded all or part of the time, leading to the development of a characteristic suite of plant and animal communities and determining the type and productivity of soils.

30 diary

Nature Watch

AEE

Association of Environmental Education

ASS

Acid Sulfate Soil

CCCEN

Central Coast Community Environment Network

CCCMB

Central Coast Catchment Management Board

CCRVC

Central Coast Regional Vegetation Committee

CCURMC

Central Coast Unregulated Rivers Management Committee

COSS

Coastal Open Space System

CSIRO

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation

DCP

Development Control Plans

DLG

Department of Local Government

DLWC

Department of Land & Water Conservation

DMR

Department of Mineral Resources

EPA

Environmental Protection Authority NSW

ESD

Ecologically Sustainable Development

GCC

Gosford City Council

GWJWA

Gosford Wyong Joint Water Authority

KMMGMC

Kulnura Mangrove Mountain Groundwater Management Committee

LALC

Local Aboriginal Land Council

LEP

Local Environment Plan

LHCCREMS

Lower Hunter Central Coast Regional Environmental Management Strategy

LMCC

Lake Macquarie City Council

NPWS

National Parks & Wildlife Service

NREM

Natural Resource and Environmental Management

NSWAg

Nsw Agriculture

REEC

Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre

RTA

Roads & Traffic Authority

SF

State Forests of NSW

SOE

State of the Environment Report

WA

Waterways Authority

WSC

Wyong Shire Council

WSUD

Water Sensitive Urban Design

31

Abbreviations

Abbreviations

Central Coast

32 diary

Nature Watch

Useful references: Seasonal approach… Blay, J. 1994. The Australian Native Plant Gardener’s Almanac, Southwood Press, Marrickville Edmanson, Jane. 1992 Working Manual for Gardeners, Lothan Books, Port Melbourne Note: A month-by-month guide to practical tasks to do in the garden

Lieth, Helmut (ed). Phenology and Seasonality Modelling, Chapman & Hall Ltd, London Reid, Alan 1995 Banksias and Bilbies: Seasons of Australia, Gould League of Victoria Seale, Allan. 1991 Gardener’s Calendar, Treasure Press Australia Smith, M. 1994 Bush Mates: A guide to the wildlife of Nelson Bay Self-published. White, G. 1994 The Natural History and Antiquities of Selbourne Folio Society, London

Birds Kingsford, R. 1991 Australian Waterbirds: A Field Guide, Kangaroo Press Pty Ltd, Kenthurst Notes: Waterbirds: useful and light-weight guide for work in creeks and swamps, easy to use, with description, distribution, habitat, colour photographs. Morcombe, M. 2000 A Field Guide to Australian Birds. Steve Parish Publications, Archerfield, Qld Schodde R. & Tideman S. 1990 Reader’s Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds Reader’s Digest, Sydney

Simpson, K. and Day, N. 1996 Field Guide to the Birds of Australia, A book of Identification 5th edition, Penguin Books, Ringwood Notes: Use for identification and the attached handbook is useful for beginners. Slater, P., Slater, P. and Slater, R. 1996 The Slater Field Guide to Australian Birds, Weldon, Sydney

Invertebrates Fisher, R. 1995 A Field Guide to Australian Butterflies, Surrey Beatty & Sons, Chipping Norton, NSW Harvey, M.S. and Yen, A.L. 1989 Worms to Wasps, Oxford University Press, Melbourne

REFERENCES

The G Pizzey & Knight Field Guide to the Birds of Australia, Harper Collins Publishing.

Hawking, J.H. & Smith, F.J.1997 Colour Guide to Invertebrates of Australian Inland Waters , CRC for freshwater Ecology, Murray- Darling Freshwater Research Centre

33

Central Coast

Simon-Brunet, B. 1996 Spiderwatch: A Guide to Australian Spiders, Reed Books, Port Melbourne Moulds, M. S. 1990 Australian Cicadas, UNSW Press, Kensington New, T.R. 1996 Name that Insect: A guide to the insects of South-Eastern Australia, Oxford University Press, Melbourne. Zborowski, P and Storey, R. A Field Guide to Insects in Australia, Reed Books, Port Melbourne

Mammals Churchhill, S 1998 Australian Bats Reed, New Holland Pty Ltd Menkhorst, P and Knight, F. 2001 A Field Guide to the Mammals of Australia, Oxford University Press, Melbourne. Strahan, R. 1995 The Mammals of Australia, Australian Museum/Reed Books, Chatswood Smith, A. and Winter, J. 1997 A Key and Field Guide to Australian Possums, Gliders and Koalas, Surrey, Beatty & Sons Triggs, B. 1996 Tracks, Scats and Other Traces: a field guide to Australian Mammals, Oxford University Press, Melbourne

Plants Benson, D H and Howell, J, 1990 Taken for Granted: the bushland of Sydney and its suburbs, Kangaroo Press, Kenthurst, NSW Bishop, A. 1996 Field Guide to the Orchids of New South Wales and Victoria, UNSW Press, Sydney Bradley J. 2000 Bringing Back the Bush Lansdowne. The Rocks

Carolin, R. 1991 Beach Plants of South East Australia, Sainty & Associates, Potts Point Notes: Coastal plants: useful for common plants on dunes. Costermans, L. 1983 Native Trees and Shrubs of South-eastern Australia, 2nd edition, Rigby, Adelaide Notes: A simple guide to most of the larger native plants with colour photographs and a brief introduction to their ecology. Cronin, L. 1989 Key Guide to Australian Ferns, Palms and Allies, Reed Books, Sydney Debenham C. The Language of Botany The Society for Growing Australian Plants Edgar, G.J. 2000 Australian Marine Life – Revised Edition - The Plants and Animals of Temperate Waters Reed New Holland

34 diary

Nature Watch

Enwhistle, T.J., Sonneman, A. & Lewis, S.H. 1997 Freshwater Algae in Australia Sainty & Associates, Darlinghurst, NSW Fairley A. & Moore P. 1995 Native Plants of the Sydney District Kangaroo Press. Kenthurst

Floyd, A.G. 1989 Rainforest Trees of Mainland South-eastern Australia, Inkata Press, Sydney Notes: Rainforest trees: with 385 species this text is comprehensive for rainforest trees. Low T. 1989 Bush Tucker -Australia’s Wild Food Harvest Angus and Robertson. Sydney

Mitchell, M. 1996 Native Grasses: Identification Handbook for Temperate Australia, Agmedia, East Melbourne. Muyt A. 2001 Bush Invaders of South East Australia R.G. and F.J. Richardson. Victoria Nicholson Nan & Hugh 1996 Australian Rainforest Plants I,II, III, IV. Terania Rainforest Publishing. The Channon, NSW

Parsons, W.T. & Cuthbertson, E.G. Noxious Weeds of Australia 2nd Edition CSIRO Publishing Robinson, L. 1994 Field Guide to the Native Plants of Sydney, Kangaroo Press, Kenthurst Sainty, G.R. & Jacobs, S.W.L. 1981 Water Plants of New South Wales Sainty & Associates, Darlinghurst, NSW Tame, T. 1992 Acacias of South-eastern Australia Kangaroo Press Young, A.M. 1982 Common Australian Fungi New South Wales University Press Wheeler, D.J.B, Jacobs, S.W.L and Norton, B.E. 1990 Grasses of New South Wales; 2nd Edition, University of New England, Armidale Williams J.B., Harden G.J. & McDonald W. J.F. 1984 Trees and Srubs in Rainforests of NSW and Queensland. University of New England Printery, Armidale. C.D. ROM Fungimap 1.1 Sep 2001 Royal Botanic Gardens. Melbourne.

Barker, J.T., Grigg, G. and Tyler, M. 1995 A Field Guide to Australian Frogs, Surrey Beatty & Sons Pty Ltd. Notes: Illustrates and describes the frogs of Australia, covers all of the 200 or so frog species found in Australia. Descriptions, photographs, distributions. Line drawings of anatomical details. Cogger, H.G. 1996 Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia, Reed Books, 22 Salmon St, Port Melbourne 3207 Griffiths, K. 1997 Frogs and Reptiles of the Sydney Region, University of NSW Press, PO Box 1, Kensington, 2033 Notes: For identification for the Sydney region, especially for beginners.

35

REFERENCES

Reptiles and Frogs

Central Coast

Hoser R.T.T 1989 Australian Reptiles and Frogs. Pierson & Co. Mosman Swan, G. 1990 A Field Guide to the Snakes and Lizards of New South Wales, A Three Sisters Publication, PO Box 104, Winmalee, NSW, 2777 Notes: A pocket sized guide containing descriptions and studio photographs of all the species. A list of references but no key.

Frog calls CD Frogs of SE Australia Grigg, G.C. and Barker, J. 1973 Frog Calls of south-Eastern Australia, University of Queensland Nature Sound CDs www.naturesound.com.au Note: Has a great range

Fish and other Marine Life Allen, S.R., Midgley, S.H. & Allen, M. Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia Western Australian Museum CSIRO Publishing Davey, K. A Photographic Guide to Seashore Life of Australia New Holland Publishers Hutchins, B. & Swainston, R. 1986 Sea Fishes of Southern Australia Swainston Publishing Perth Kuiter, R. 2000 Coastal Fishes of S.E. Australia Publisher Gary Allen Smithfield

Specialised reports on flora and fauna Morris, A. K. Editor 2002 Central Coast Bird Report for 1999, Central Coast Group, Birding NSW Payne, R. 1993 A Proposal for the Protection of Rainforest Remnants in the Gosford & Wyong Areas, NSW National Parks Association, Sydney

Bushwalking Guides Blomfield, J. Hawkesbury to Hunter – Coastal Walking Publisher Killcare Wagstaffe Trust Collier, B. 2000 Discovering the Central Coast Envirobook Annandale Daly, J. & L. Take a Walk in a National Park – Sydney to Port Macquarie RRP $25 Elder, B. 1993 Day Trips Around Sydney, A daytrippers Guide to 200 km Around Sydney Lothian Publication Company, Victoria Fairley, A. 1974 Along the Track – A Guide to Bushland around Sydney Levis, C. & Savage, C. 2001 4WD Tracks Close to Sydney Boiling Billy Publications Marrickville

36 diary

A summary of PLANT observations for the year 2002

SUMMARY

Nature Watch

35

A summary of PLANT observations for the year

Central Coast

36

diary

A summary of PLANT observations for the year

SUMMARY

Nature Watch

A summary of REPTILES AND FROGS obserations for the year

Central Coast

diary

SUMMARY

A summary of REPTILES AND FROGS observations for the year

Nature Watch

A summary of FISH AND MARINE LIFE observations for the year

Central Coast

diary

SUMMARY

A summary of FISH AND MARINE LIFE observations for the year

Nature Watch

A summary of BIRD observations for the year

Central Coast

diary

A summary of BIRD observations for the year

SUMMARY

Nature Watch

A summary of MAMMAL observations for the year

Central Coast

diary

A summary of MAMMAL observations for the year

SUMMARY

Nature Watch

A summary of INVERTEBRATE observations for the year

Central Coast

diary

A summary of INVERTEBRATE observations for the year

SUMMARY

Nature Watch

Central Coast

Atlas of NSW Wildlife The Atlas of NSW Wildlife is a computer database containing locality records of fauna and flora species occurring within New South Wales. The system is administered by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), however, anyone can submit information to the database using the Field Data sheets available from NPWS. The system is used as a tool for both land and species management, at either a localised or state-wide level. Information gathered assists land managers in making informed decisions and provides essential information for the ongoing management and conservation of our unique flora and fauna. The value of the Atlas of NSW Wildlife depends upon the quality and extent of the data. A wide spread of records for a species, both geographically and temporally, is needed if we are to understand the species’ needs and hence conserve it. We encourage all interested people to use the system and to submit their observations and records for inclusion. For copies of the Field Data Book or lodging records contact: NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Atlas of NSW Wildlife PO Box 1967 HURSTVILLE NSW 2220

diary