A Darkling Beetle

.....Saragus costatus

Whilst in hot pursuit of a small but agile skink, I was removing a few rocks among which it had crawled. My attention was then shifted to the interesting looking beetle you see photographed below. It is 15mm in length and I believe it to be Saragus costatus, one of the Darkling beetles of the Tenebrionidae family. As was the case with this one, these beetles are often found under rocks or among leaf litter. Most likely, it was laying low, waiting to come out at night to feed. Most of the Tenebrionids feed on rotting plant and fungal material although the larvae of this particular genus are root feeders. Along with several other genera they are listed among the False Wireworms which, coincidentally, I mentioned here just a couple of days ago. Another coincidence is that I last saw this species almost a year ago to the day and only a few feet from where this one was located.

Tenebrionidae is a very large family with over 1500 species in Australia. "The Catalogue of the Insects of Tasmania" lists 82 species here in Tasmania including the well known pest of stored grain, the Mealworm. My first post on this blog showed the full life cycle of the Mealworm Tenebrio molitor. It can be viewed here.

(Click Photos to Enlarge)

Saragus costatus - Dorsal View

Saragus costatus - Frontal view

Saragus costatus - Ventral view

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Gunns Plains Cave

Gunns Plains Cave is located 20km south of Ulverstone. This limestone cave was discovered in 1906 by Bill Woodhouse while on a hunting trip. There seems to be two versions of the story. One that a possum eluded him by going down a hole into the cave and another where his dogs fell into the cave. Of course it's not hard to imagine that both are true if the dogs were chasing the possum. Since that time tourists have come from far and wide to witness the spectacular limestone formations. The area was declared a state reserve in 1918 and access was improved early on by making a new entrance through the side of the hill and building a concrete stair case which is still in use.

The cave has been cut by an underground river which still flows through it today. There are a good variety of cave formations (speleothems) including what is claimed to be the the largest shawl formation in the world.

When I was last there one cave spider was pointed out to me although it was in a crevice so it wasn't easy to see and was impossible to photograph. Easier to see were the threads from Glow Worms, Arachnocampa tasmaniensis, hanging from above. Other wildlife that has been seen within the cave includes the platypus and the Tasmanian Giant Freshwater Crayfish, Astacopsis gouldi (the worlds largest freshwater invertebrate).

(Click on Photos to Enlarge)

Gunns Plains Cave - The Golden Fleece

Gunns Plains Cave

Gunns Plains Cave

Gunns Plains Cave - Shawl Formation - Claimed to be the largest in the world.

Gunns Plains Cave - note the stairway for scale

Arachnocampa tasmaniensis - Glow Worms at Gunns Plains Cave

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Wireworms

.....The Larval Stage of the Click Beetle

These slender, hard coated, ground dwelling insects are the larvae of Click beetles (Elateridae). Many of them feed on roots and thus a few are considered agricultural pests. Some of the Elaterids are even carnivorous although I'm not aware of whether any of the Tasmanian species are in this category. The "Catalogue of the Insects of Tasmania" lists 38 species from 4 subfamilies. They are slow to mature and some species spend many years in the soil before pupating and emerging (usually Jan/Feb).

The Wireworm in the photographs below was found in my backyard yesterday. While I did not measure it, I would estimate it to be around 12mm - 15mm in length.

(Click on Photo to Enlarge)

A Wireworm

True or False?

The larvae of the Tenebrionidae are also rather wiry and are often referred to as False Wireworms. So how can you tell if you have a true or false wireworm? For one thing, False Wireworms are more cylindrical and are fast moving. The ones I've seen have wriggled quite vigorously when disturbed. There are a few features that will help to identify a True Wireworm. The head will be dark brown. They have a single proleg under the last segment. This segment also has a flattened shield, known as the anal plate, with serrated edges.

(Click on Photos to Enlarge)

Detail of anal segment

Ventral View

Detail of head and thorax - ventral view

A typical adult Click beetle

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Some Introduced Snails and Slugs

.....Terrestrial Molluscs

I came a across a Great Yellow Slug, Lehmannia flava, in the veggie garden today (not an unusual occurrence) and I though I'd post it here along with some other introduced molluscs which inhabit my backyard. I think it was Bill Mollison who said something to the effect of, "You don't have a slug excess, you've got a duck deficit!" Well as it happens we do have a large population of chickens and ducks in the yard and by and large they do a good job of keeping the numbers down. However there are always the ones that escape detection. Here are a few of them.

(Click to Enlarge Photos)

Cochlicella barbara - Small Pointed Snail

Oxychilus alliarius - Garlic Snail

Helix aspersa - Common Garden Snail

Lehmannia flava - Great Yellow Slug

Lehmannia nyctelia - Striped Field Slug

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A Jumping Spider

.....named Groucho

All I can say about this one is that it is a Jumping Spider of the family Salticidae, and that it certainly lives up to it's reputation. With a total body length of only around 5mm-6mm it managed an amazing jump of about 40mm - 50mm in an effort to escape my camera. It succeeded too. It landed down a deep crevice in a tree stump where I could no longer see it.

In the absence of a more precise name I've decided to call him Groucho. If you can't see any resemblance then you may need to compare photos #3, #4 and #5 :-)

(Click Photos to Enlarge)

Small Jumping Spider

Small Jumping Spider

Do you see the Groucho resemblance?

For those with no imagination :-)

... and of course the real Groucho Marx

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Here be Dragons

.....Mountain dragons - Rankinia diemensis (J.E. Gray, 1841)


While up the back of the block today I came upon a dragon. No not the fire breathing kind; just the humble Mountain Dragon, Rankinia diemensis. Of Tasmania's 17 lizard species this is the only one which is not a skink. It belongs to the family Agamidae and it has the most southerly distribution of all the lizards in this family..

You can get quite close to a Mountain Dragon if you move slowly. If they run they will only go a short distance and then stop again, pretending you can't see them. It works too as sometimes you can't see them because they blend in so well among leaves and sticks. I did manage to get close enough to one today to actually stroke it and it did not run.

While following it around trying to get a decent shot I suddenly noticed, while looking through the lens, that there was in fact a pair of them. A breeding pair? I don't know, you be the judge. It is said that a female is larger than a male but has a proportionally smaller head.

They are found in the north and east of Tasmania, in dry forest and heathland as these areas are more open to the sun. Their diet consists of ants and other small invertebrates. At my place Mountain Dragons are quite common (there are certainly enough ants for them) although these are the first I've seen this spring.

In late spring and early summer they lay from 2 to 9 small eggs (15mm) within a short burrow.

(Click Photos to Enlarge)

Mountain Dragon - Rankinia diemensis


Mountain Dragon - Rankinia diemensis

Mountain Dragons - Rankinia diemensis

Mountain Dragons - Rankinia diemensis

Mountain Dragons - Rankinia diemensis

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Shield Spider / Badge Huntsman

.....Neosparassus diana (Koch, 1875)

This spider of the Sparassidae family is known as the Shield spider or Badge Hunstman. It hunts at night, usually on tree trunks and among foliage. By day it will be hidden away under some loose bark or even under stones. It has been known to occasionally come into houses. The one photographed below was certainly trying to come into my house as it was found on the back screen door. Fortunately it couldn't figure out how to pull the handle :-)

These spiders are fairly widespread in Tasmania and also occur on the mainland. The colour can range from yellowish brown to orange. The female's body length can be up to 22mm and the male 17mm. It has two straight rows of eyes with the eyes at the back being smaller. Between the two rows of eyes are some yellowish white hairs which to me gives the appearance of eye brows.

Another identifying feature is the 'badge' on the ventral surface of the abdomen. While this badge can vary a bit, it basically consists of a black area with two white spots. As I did not fancy holding the spider on it's back while taking it's photo, I have instead drawn a rough picture of the 'badge' which I have included below.

At this time of year (Sep/Oct) the female will make a nest by joining together some leaves or grass and within this she makes her egg-sac.

(Click on Photos to Enlarge)

Shield Spider - Neosparassus diana

Ventral view of abdomen showing the 'shield' or 'badge'

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Gum-footed Tangle-web Spiders

.....family Theridiidae

The spider family Theridiidae gets it's common name from the structure of the webs. An apparent chaotic tangle, the web is in fact an ingenious trap consisting of vertically stretched threads that are attached to the ground with globs of gum. When the potential prey walks into one of the threads, it retracts and the prey is flung into more threads, thus immobilising it. . This family includes one of the most infamous of Australian spiders, the Redback, Latrodectus hasselti. However the spiders below belong to the closely related genus, Steatoda.

These tend to be smaller that the Redback but you will notice some similarity in form. Some even exhibit a small red spot. These are extremely common in my backyard and can be found under just about any rock (and believe me, as a vegetable gardener, when I tell you I have a lot of rocks here). I have even found them a good 600mm below the surface in a small cavity under a rock.

It is said a bite can induce headache and nausea but bites are not common due to the small size of the fangs.

(Click on Photos to Enlarge)

Steatoda.sp - This one found at least 600mm underground

Steatoda.sp - female with egg sac under a rock

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More White's Skinks (Lizards)

A few weeks ago I posted about White's Skink. (Click for earlier post) Since then I have found another place in the backyard where they have made a series of burrows. This one was enjoying the sunshine on the path only about a foot away from one of the burrow entrances. Lying flat on the ground I was able to get close enough to use my 100mm macro lens. The first sudden movement I made and it it was back into the burrow in a flash.

The mention of sunshine should make it obvious that these shots were not taken today as I don't think the rain has stopped once. They were in fact taken last Tuesday (16th. Sep)

(Click on Photos to Enlarge)

#1 - White's Skink - Egernia whitii

#2 - White's Skink - Egernia whitii

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Some Birds From the Last Week

Here are a few birds from over the last week which do not warrant individual posts.

The Grey Fantails were at Rocky Cape National Park. They seemed to be all along the South Cave track with at least 6 being seen at once. They were often landing far too close to allow the camera to focus. The hardest part of photographing a fantail is anticpating where it will land next as they never seem to sit still for more than a second or so.

The Black-faced Cuckooshrike was at Table Cape. It's not a very good shot at all but it's the first I've seen this year and the first I've ever managed to photograph. Of course I was just about to get a terrific shot but some walkers came along and it flew off. (Nothing against the walkers - just bad timing)

The Little Pied Cormorant, the Tern, and the Heron were at Sulphur Creek which is where I was watching the Albatrosses yesterday.

(Click on Photos to Enlarge)

Grey Fantail - Rhipidura albiscapa

Grey Fantail - Rhipidura albiscapa

Black-faced Cuckooshrike - Coracina novaehollandiae

White-faced Heron - Egretta novaehollandiae

Little Pied Cormorant - Phalacrocorax melanoleucos

Little Pied Cormorant - Phalacrocorax melanoleucos

Crested (Swift) Tern - Sterna bergii

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A Spot of Sea Watching

With a good north-westerly blowing you can always be sure of a few Albatrosses coming in close to shore. As I've mentioned previously I've even spotted a few from my backyard when looking out to sea with the binoculars. Today was such a day with north-westerly and westerly winds gusting up to 80 kmph. I drove down the road to a little promontory where I could get a better view. There were lots of very heavy downpours with lashing wind and hail but nestled between a large rock and an old Hawthorn I was totally sheltered with an open view across a stormy sea. There were a few breaks in the rain too and even a few moments of sunshine allowing for some quick snaps.

At times there were up to 6 Albatrosses flying low among the waves. I found that it's easier to focus on them when then rise up higher so that they stand out against the sky.

Maybe someone can offer help with the identification. I have an opinion but cannot be sure. I would suggest the first one is a Shy Albatross and at the moment I'm leaning toward Black-browed Albatross for the second shot. Feel free to correct me.

Update: Four people have replied to my post on Birding-Aus and so far all agree with my ID.

(Click Photos to Enlarge)

Shy Albatross - Thalassarche cauta

Black-browed Albatross - Thalassarche melanophrys

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Austrocochlea constricta

.....a species complex

The many morphs of Austrocochlea constricta (family: Trochidae) have been a source of confusion among experts for many years so it's little wonder mere amateurs like myself can find them confusing.

These are common shells in the intertidal zone with vernacular names including Ribbed Top Shell and Zebra Top Shell. They are found on and under rocks where they feed on algae. When the tide is out the operculum is retracted quite deeply within the shell. As a result kids will often take them home thinking they are empty only to end up with a putrid mess.

The variation in these shells ranges from plain off white specimens through to dark heavily banded forms. This led to several morphs being given species status over the last two centuries. In the 1970's researchers concluded that the dark banding was primarily a result of environmental factors, it being proportional to the amount of chlorophyll in the food supply. Based on this and the apparent lack of biological differences, the various forms were considered to belong to just one species. Thus, most books of recent decades refer simply to A. constricta with many and varied forms. Others have maintained the name A. porcata for the heavily banded form.

However, according to research carried out in Tasmania (Parsons and Ward, 1994), there are not one, not two, but in fact 3 distinct species. These they say can be separated by genetic differences as well as morphological differences in both shell and animal. These differences hold true in populations where more than one form live side by side (sympatric) as well as where populations are isolated (allopatric). Thus while environmental factors may play some part in the variability of pigmentation within one species, it cannot explain the broad differences in morphology between the three species.

From the point of view of an amateur, the shell morphology is of most interest and provides an easy means of identification.

I have not seen A. porcata in my area so the first photo below is of specimens collected in the Sydney area in N.S.W back in the 70's. The next photo shows A. constricta from Sulphur Creek near Burnie. and third is A. brevis from Don Heads near Devonport.


In A. constricta the shell is a unicoloured off-white. It has pronounced spiral ribbing with 2 to 3 ribs on the penultimate (2nd last) whorl and 6 to 8 on the body whorl. Here on the north-west coast this is the dominant species.

(Click Photo to Enlarge)

Austrocochlea constricta

A. porcata has longitudinal stripes from the spire to the body whorl, alternating between off-white and black-to-red. The intensity of the pigmentation is uniforn right across the surface of the shell. The spiral ribbing is weak with 3 or 4 ribs on the penultimate whorl and 8 to 12 on the body whorl.

(Click Photo to Enlarge)

Austrocochlea porcata

In the new species A. brevis the spire is black to rubiginous. The body whorl is said to have flexuous, undulating, alternate bands of off-white and black-to-red, the pigmentation being most intense on the spiral ribs and faint or disrupted in between. It is weakly spirally ribbed (this can vary due to environment) with 2 to 4 ribs on the penultimate whorl and 3 to 11 ribs on the body whorl. Specimens from one location were unicoloured on the dorsal surface of the body whorl.

(Click Photo to Enlarge)

Austrocochlea brevis - (Top of spire worn)

.....Clear as Mud

It all sounds clear enough does it not? Well of course nothing is ever too simple. In their search through museum specimens they have found some intermediate forms which they suggest may be the result of either natural variation or possible hybridisation. Hmmmm.... well I guess that is to be expected but then this.... In 1996 further research was published on animals from the Abrolhos Islands and Albany in Western Australia. These Western Australian animals were genetically very similar to the Tasmanian A. constricta. However,when they looked at the morphological traits which were species-diagnostic in Tasmania, the Abrolhos animals most closely resembled A. porcata, while the Albany animals appeared intermediate to A. porcata and A. constricta.

Hmmm.... maybe I should take up basket weaving :-)


(A special thanks to Snail )

References:

• Parsons, KE and Ward, RD (1994). Electrophoretic and morphological examination of Austrocochlea constricta (Gastropoda: Trochidae): A species complex. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 45, 1065–1085.
• Parsons, KE (1996). Discordant patterns of morphological and genetic divergence in the 'Austrocochlea constricta' (Gastropoda: Trochidae) species complex. Marine and Freshwater Research 47, 981–990. (Synopsis only)

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Australian Jumping Spider

.....Breda jovialis

The Hunter Becomes the Hunted

After seeing JL's recent post here I mentioned that I would share this photo of an Australian Jumping Spider, Breda jovialis, taking a huntsman. It's not a recent photo - it was taken in October 2006.

In the bush these spiders are found under loose bark on trees but these days, the nooks and crannies of house walls and garden fences are equally acceptable to them. Adults are found during spring and summer. The females body length is 9mm while the males body length is only 6mm.

(Click Photo to Enlarge)

Australian Jumping Spider - Breda jovialis - takes a huntsman

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Swamp Harrier

.....Circus approximans

Swamp Harrier's are migrants to Tasmania arriving in early spring. I saw my first for this year on the 19th August. Yesterday I noticed a pair near Table Cape which kept returning to the same spot on the ground. Perhaps they are preparing to nest as unlike many other birds of prey, the Swamp Harrier makes it nest on the ground, often among crops.

They will likely lay 4 to 5 eggs. Survival of the young will depend largely on the availability of food and any accidental run-ins with farm machinery. Their prey includes anything from insects to rabbits as well as carrion.

By around March next year almost all of our Swamp Harriers would have returned to the mainland with only a few choosing to spend the winter here in Tasmania. Robert Green records one bird that he banded at Antill Ponds in the Tasmanian Midlands. It was recovered the following winter at Goodwood Island at Chatsworth in northern New South Wales. According to Google Earth that's over 1,500 km's to the north (as the Harrier flies).

The photos below could be better but I'm happy in that they are the best I've managed for this species to date. Notice the loose feather on the head - perhaps the result of a dogfight with the local lapwings and ravens.

(Click Photos to Enlarge)

Swamp Harrier - Circus approximans

Swamp Harrier - Circus approximans

References:

• Green. R. H. - 1995 - The Fauna of Tasmania - Birds , Potoroo Publishing, Launceston
• Birds in Backyards - website

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Rocky Cape Orchids

This morning I stopped off at Rocky Cape National Park where, among other things, I found quite a few Wax-lip Orchids, Glossodia major. There were also a few Mayfly Orchids, Acianthus caudatus, although most of these had already gone to seed.

The first photo below shows the general area which is coastal heathland with sandy quartzite soil. This shot was taken from the lighthouse looking toward North Cave with Table Cape way in the distance.

Rocky Cape National Park from the Lighthouse

Wax-lip Orchid - Glossodia major

Wax-lip Orchid - Glossodia major

Mayfly Orchid - Acianthus caudatus

Mayfly Orchid - Acianthus caudatus - Seed Capsule

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Leven Canyon

The Leven River has it's source in the Black Bluff Range over a thousand metres above sea level and flows out into Bass Strait at Ulverstone on the north coast - a journey of 102 km's. For part of that course it has cut it's way through the the surrounding rock to form an impressive canyon.

At the end of the Leven Canyon Road there is a picnic area and a walking track to a lookout. From here you can look down to the raging rapids 250m below. To the south-west you can also see Black Bluff (1339m) which as of last Saturday still had some large drifts of snow. I imagine it would have much more snow now given last nights snowfalls down to 600m.

(Click on Photos to Enlarge)
Leven Canyon

Leven Canyon

As you look down to the river you can only imagine what it must be like down there among the boulders, waterfalls, and rapids but of course not everyone is willing to leave it to their imagination. Have a look at this video I found on YouTube.

Video from GoBoatingAus

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Delaney's Falls

...also known as Preston Falls

Delaney's Falls (also known as Preston Falls ) is located along Preston Creek. Access is from Raymond Road near Gunns Plains. There is a parking area at the side of the road and a short track to a lookout. The falls have a drop of 25 metres into a narrow valley dominated by Blackwoods. There is another fall just a little upstream (Upper Preston Falls) but I'm yet to locate that one.

(Click Photo to Enlarge)

Delaney's Falls


Delaney's Falls - Plunge Pool

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Garden Orb Weaver Spider

.....Eriophora pustulosa

This spider was found on my Vegetable garden fence last Wednesday evening. It is, I believe, Eriophora pustulosa, the Garden Orb Weaver. The species is very variable in colour and pattern as it takes on the colour of it's surrounding. It ranges from yellowish right through to black.

The USQ's Find a Spider site says, the "presence of two projections (tubercles) on the front upper surfaces of the abdomen and a row of three near its pointed end are characteristic of this species." These can be seen best in photo #1. Below the three posterior tubercles are another two vertically aligned tubercles so if you were to view it from behind all five projections would form a letter T. (see diagram #5) It also has a dark quadrilateral area on the ventral surface which is surrounded by a white margin as can be seen in photo #4.

Female body length is 7 - 15mm and males 7 - 8 mm.

Note: older texts refer to this species as Acroaspis tuberculifera or Araneus pustulosus

#1. Garden Orb Weaver Spider - Eriophora pustulosa

#2. Garden Orb Weaver Spider - Eriophora pustulosa

#3. Garden Orb Weaver Spider - Eriophora pustulosa

#4. Garden Orb Weaver Spider - Eriophora pustulosa

#5. Dorsal view of abdomen showing general position of the tubercles

References:
Hickman V.V. - 1967 - Some Common Spiders of Tasmania - Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery.
University of Queensland Find a Spider Guide - http://www.usq.edu.au/spider/find/spiders/612.htm

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Fungus and Mites

I found this fungus on a tree at Leven Canyon today. I did not measure it but I'd estimate they are each is about 7 - 8 mm in diameter.I have no idea what it is yet as I'll need to get to the library. However, even more interesting are the little mites. As is often the case, I did not notice these until getting home which is a pity as I would have liked to have tried for a closer shot.

If anyone knows more about either species I be glad to here from you.

(Click Photos to Enlarge)

Fungus with mites

Fungus with mites

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Some Recent Birds

......or Mosura Blogs Blurry Brush Bronzewings Besides Better Bush Birds

The first two birds shown below are Olive Whistler and Dusky Robin both of which were photographed while at Fern Glade the other day.

Third is a pair of Superb Fairywrens in the backyard today.. These were following each other around and engaging in some mutual preening.

The last two photos are both strong contenders for the worst photos I've yet posted on this blog. However, I'm very happy with them! It's the first time I've 'seen' a Brush Bronzewing at my place. I've often 'heard' them calling before but as they are usually deep in the undergrowth I've not actually seen one on my block until now.

(Click on Photos to Enlarge)

Olive Whistler - Pachycephala olivacea - Fern Glade - 9th-Sep-08

Dusky Robin - Melanodryas vittata - Fern Glade - 9th-Sep-2008


Superb Fairywrens - Malurus cyaneus - Backyard - 12th Sep-2008

Brush Bronzewing - Phaps elegans - Backyard - 10th-Sep-2008

Brush Bronzewing - Phaps elegans - Backyard - 10th-Sep-2008

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Blue Metallic Flea Beetle

.....Altica pagana

These small Leaf Beetles (family: Chrysomellidae) are brilliant in colour, like little iridescent jewels. They are only around 5mm in length. There common name, flea beetle, alludes to their ability to jump. This morning I saw at least 150 of them all within a half metre of each other. They were mostly in 3 large groups as can be seen in the photos but with a few individuals scattered here and there. They were on a piece of treated pine which forms the edge of a pathway.

The larvae of these leaf beetles will feed on plants of the Rosacea family. The adults are on the wing from spring through to autumn.

(Click Photos to Enlarge)

Blue Metallic Flea Beetle - Altica pagana

Blue Metallic Flea Beetle - Altica pagana

Blue Metallic Flea Beetle - Altica pagana

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Tasmanian Tree Skink

.....Niveoscincus pretiosus


This lizard of the family Scincidae was first decribed by English poet and naturalist, Arthur William Edgar O'Shaughnessy in 1874. (see below for a sample of his poetry) The latin name pretiosus can mean costly/precious or extravagant. When I see names like this I always wonder what was in the mind of the namer. Perhaps it was costly because, as I have done in the past, he dropped his camera or other expensive equipment while studying the species ;-) More likely it was seen to be extravagant because they will often have a orange/pink/red colouration around the vent and the underside of the tail.

The Tasmanian Tree Skink is endemic to Tasmania and some of it's off shore islands. As the common name suggests they can be found on among the crevices and furrows of trees, particularly dead trees or dead limbs.. They have been found as high as 15m. They will also inhabit old logs or even rocks.

The lizards in my photos below were found at Guide Falls. Along the side of the track is an old retaining wall built from wooden sleepers. The sleepers are very old and rotten and full of cracks and crevices. To the skinks of course these are just like any other fallen log on the forest floor. They are often found in large groups and this is certainly the case at Guide Falls where I have often seen dozens of them basking in the sun. As you approach they will quickly disappear into some nook or cranny but if you sit still they will slowly make there way back out.

The first three photos were taken last week. The last one was taken in October 2007.

(Click on Photos to Enlarge)

Tasmanian Tree Skink - Niveoscincus pretiosus

Tasmanian Tree Skink - Niveoscincus pretiosus

Tasmanian Tree Skink - Niveoscincus pretiosus

Tasmanian Tree Skinks - Niveoscincus pretiosus

Some poetic lines from O'Shaughnessy's book Music and Moonlight (1874):

We are the music makers,

And we are the dreamers of dreams,

Wandering by lone sea-breakers,

And sitting by desolate streams;—

World-losers and world-forsakers,

On whom the pale moon gleams:

Yet we are the movers and shakers

Of the world for ever, it seems.

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I Caught a Platypus

.....on video that is.

Today I managed to get a little bit of video of a Platypus at Fern Glade.

Hope you enjoy it.

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Fern Glade and the Emu River (Photos and Video)

...a short walk along the river.

Fern Glade and the Emu River are located on the eastern end of the city of Burnie. The steep slopes of the Emu River valley have protected the area from being cleared. It's easy access makes it a great spot to explore. Among other things, the Fern Glade Management Plan lists 30 orchids, 12 millipedes, 9 snails and slugs, 10 mammals with a further 13 mammals listed as likely to occur. Surprisingly it only lists 15 birds, the list itself being lifted from another report which is a bit lazy as you could easily list 15 species in under an hour.

I took a short walk there this morning. I was hoping to have another go at photographing a platypus but they were not cooperating today. The only mammals I saw were a Pademelon and a Staffordshire terrier (along with it's owner). A pair of Wedge-tailed Eagles were flying high overhead. Also a pair of Sulphur-crested Cockatoos which you can hear in the background in the video below. My companions spotted a Pink Robin. I was content to see a Dusky Robin (see photo). There were also, Yellow-cheeked Honeyeater, Grey Fantails, Tasmanian Thornbills, Green Rosellas and more. The Sundew, Drosera peltata was widespread along the sides of the track and we also found three, possibly four, species of orchids. The video runs for around two minutes and will give you an idea of the surroundings.

(Click to Enlarge Photos)

Emu River from a lookout along the track.

Sundew - Drosera peltata

Dusky Robin - Melanodryas vittata

Greenhood - Pterostylis sp.A

Greenhood - Pterostylis sp.A


Greenhood - Pterostylis sp. B

Mayfly Orchid - Acianthus caudatus

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A Weevil

An interesting Weevil (family: Curculionidae) found while walking along the Emu River at Fern Glade last Friday. Notice the small processes/projections on the elytra. Total length 13.5mm

(Click on Photos to Enlarge)

Weevil - Unidentified

Weevil - Unidentified

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Guide Falls (Video and Photos)

...Guide Falls

Yesterday I took some video at Guide Falls, near Ridgley. This is my first attempt at putting my own videos on the Net so I hope it all works well. I originally uploaded to YouTube but I was not at all happy with the quality.

Note the Silver wattles, Acacia dealbata, are in full bloom. Near the beginning of the video you may hear a Superb Fairywren calling. Also, you will see the river cuts though columnar basalt. Huge boulders of collapsed basalt lie in the river bed.

I've also added a couple of older photos for anyone who does not have broadband to at least be able to see the falls.

Guide Falls

Guide Falls

Hope you enjoy the video

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Platypus

...Ornithorhynchus anatinus

While at Fern Glade in Burnie, we had good views of a platypus in one of the quieter pools along the Emu River. I have never taken a shot of a platypus that I'm happy with, The air trapped within the wet fur makes them very reflective, In any case the first two shots are reasonable. The third is pretty poor but I include it to show the way it was holding it's rear legs up, with the tail down. I'm not sure why it was doing this - steering perhaps? Also, is that a spur I see under the leg or a bit of wet fur?

The first Ornithorhynchus
Confused early thinkers.
They said, 'Oh good lord,
It's an obvious fraud!
Someone has stuck
The front end of a duck
With the skill of a weaver
To part of a beaver.

(part of a poem by R. Strahan)

( Click Photos to Enlarge )


Platypus - Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Platypus - Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Platypus - Ornithorhynchus anatinus

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Banded lapwing

...Vanellus tricolor


Vanellus tricolor was first described by French ornithologist, Louis Jean Pierre Vieillot, in 1818. This species is an Australian endemic found in the southern half of the country. In Tasmania it is found in the North and east of the state. Although once the most numerous Lapwings in Tasmania, they are now much less common.

Yesterday, in the fields opposite Devonport airport there were several Banded Lapwings present, at least one of which was in the company of two small chicks. As I got out of the car to take a photo one of them alighted and circled around giving a few warning calls as can be seen in the second photo.

They tend to be found in drier and more heavily grazed sites than the Masked Lapwing. Michael Sharland, in 'Tasmanian Birds' observed that the eggs are often laid among horse dropping as a means of camoflauge.

(Click on Photos to Enlarge)

Banded lapwing - Vanellus tricolor

Banded lapwing - Vanellus tricolor - Determined to see me off

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Orchids

... Henry Somerset Orchid Conservation Area

The Henry Somerset Orchid Reserve is located on the Railton Road south of Latrobe. It was opened on 27th November 1981 specifically to protect it's many orchids. There have been 43 species recorded in the reserve. After several visits over the last year or so I have managed to track down 6, so just 37 to go. This should give you an idea of my great skill at finding orchids :-)

Yesterday I walked through the reserve and photographed the following four species. I'm a little uncertain on the 'Trim Greenhood' ID so perhaps someone may be able to confirm or correct that one.

(Click Photos to Enlarge)

Small Gnat Orchid - Cyrtostylis reniformis


Small Gnat Orchid - Cyrtostylis reniformis

Mayfly Orchid - Acianthus caudatus

Mayfly Orchid - Acianthus caudatus

Mayfly Orchid - Acianthus caudatus

Nodding Greenhood - Pterostylis nutans

Trim Greenhood - Pterostylis concinna ?

More information on the reserve can be found here.

Location Map:

View Larger Map

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Moorland Point Birds

Today I popped in at Moorland Point along the coast near Devonport which is said to be good for shore birds. There was not a great variety to be seen, however, I did get good views of a flock of Ruddy Turnstones (at least 19) and some Fairy Terns (3). In the field opposite there was a pair of White-fronted Chats. A Swamp Harrier flew by being mobbed by the local lapwings and a skylark sang incesantly overhead.

The photographs could have been better but the sun was at a bad angle; at least that's my excuse.

(Click Photos to Enlarge)

Ruddy Turnstone - Arenaria interpres

Ruddy Turnstones - Arenaria interpres

Fairy Tern - Sterna nereis - Breeding plumage

White-fronted Chat - Epthianura albifrons - female

White-fronted Chat - Epthianura albifrons - male

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White's Skink

...Egernia whitii

White's Skink, Egernia whitii, was formally named by Lacépède in 1804. Both the scientific name and common name commemorate John White. He was the chief surgeon on the first fleet. White was also an amateur naturalist and just as well for there was no official naturalist assigned to the first fleet voyage.

The species is found from southern Queensland through to South Australia. In Tasmania it is found in the north and east as well as the Bass Straight islands. The Tasmanian lizards are a little smaller than their mainland counterparts, the longest recorded being 220mm including the tail. The body length (head to vent) is usually around 90mm. They are slow to mature (4 years) and have been recorded as living up to 8 years.

They are ambush predators feeding primarily on a range of small invertebrates but primarily ants. They will also take some plant material.

The back of my block is a north facing hill with plenty of rocks and logs. This is ideal habitat for White's Skink. They live in colonies and form a network of burrows between the aforementioned rocks and logs. Over the last two years I've spotted several locations where they reside. If I walk up the path I often see them basking on a rock. Oh, and how do I know if they are basking or waiting in ambush? Well if I look through the binoculars I can see their eyes are closed but they are not in a deep sleep as when I get a little nearer they quickly dart back within their burrow.

The first two photos were taken today. In photo #1the skink is facing straight toward me and I wanted a shot of the side of it's head so I flicked a small stone just in front of it and it immediately turned towards it allowing me to take photo #2. Photo #3 was taken last week and the remaining two are from last year. You'll notice there is some variation in their appearance but they always have a whitish line above their top lip.

(Click Photos to Enlarge)

#1 - White's Skink - Egernia whitii


#2 - White's Skink - Egernia whitii

#3 - White's Skink - Egernia whitii

#4 - White's Skink - Egernia whitii

#5 - White's Skink - Egernia whitii

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Marine Isopod

...Zuzara venosa

It's been tossing down rain most of the day and I don't fancy getting wet so I thought I'd share something from my archive of photos. It's a type of crustacean known as an Isopod.

There are nine suborders of Isopods. The Oniscidea are the ones most people are familiar with. They are the slaters and woodlice in your back garden. There are also freshwater Isopods but most are actually found in the marine environment. The marine Isopods include the suborder Flabellifera to which the one in my photos belongs. It is Zuzara venosa, a species found from Victoria to South Australia as well as around the coast of Tasmania. They are usually found under rocks in the intertidal zone where they feed on algae.

This species grows up to 20mm in length. Note the large flipper like appendages on the side of the tail fan. These are known as uropods. Also the large central process (sticky out bit) on the last thoracic segment indicates that this is a male.

(Click to Enlarge)

Zuzara venosa - Dorsal View

Zuzara venosa - Ventral View


Zuzara venosa - Defensive position

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