Midge Orchids are out and about

Following the rain I was out inspecting the impact of Mother Nature and wow isn’t she a powerful being. Masses of leaves, twigs and branches all just brushed out of the way exposing a magnificent layer of moss, lichen and rich soil under the denser (well once denser) leaf patches. Getting to the point, I was looking at the ground very closely (not a good bird observer I know) and noticed this small stem – somewhat like that of a chocolate or fringe lily, poking up above the earth in a newly exposed patch. On further inspection I realised this may in fact be a Midge Orchid Corunastylis sp. I will endeavour to find out which species it is. They flower early in the year (no leaf present) and put up a leaf later in the year (no flower present). So if you are out and about keep an eye out for these cute little flowers.

Midge Orchid - unopened flowers

Midge Orchid with opening flowers

Golden Sun Moth

Finally figured out how to become an author on this thing. I guess the first thing that I will put up here as a plant person by trade are some observations of animals.  As a great consultant once said “if you want to find a rare animal take a botanist”. The reverse goes for plants but is never said out loud.

Anyway I was out at the Muckleford cemetery a couple of weeks ago looking around and saw what turned out to be a Golden Sun Moth Synemon plana. They are a rather large moth and fly very poorly. Since then the site has been mown but this shouldn’t deter them as they also occur in heavily grazed paddocks. They generally emerge after a few (3) warm days and then spend 3 days flying around before finishing their life cycle. My gut feeling on them is that they require persistent perennial grasses to survive, be it introduced species such as Phalaris and Serrated Tussock or natives such as Kangaroo Grass, wallaby grass or spear grasses. Anyhow with the fine weather set to continue for a couple more days I would suggest getting to some of the less disturbed sites such as Muckleford and Taradale cemeteries and  the Kangaroo Grass patch just near the Elphinstone turn off or any other patches of grass that appear to have never been ploughed. Happy hunting and remember to look for the clubbed antenna…. and like the song goes “between 11 and 3 sit under a tree look for a sun moth.”

Golden Sun-moth, Muckleford Cemetery.

Once all that was done I found the tail of a Tuan (no I didn’t try and pull it out of its nest) on our place at Welshmans Reef,  just sitting near a nice old yellow gum. Not sure if it would have been taken by a cat or something else? I have been hearing a lot of “owls” around (definitely Frogmouths) and I think Boobooks. Also the frogs (think we are up to five different species) are calling. I am trying to get pictures and identify them and will post in due course.

Maybe next time I will mention some plants.