Banksia Bulletin Invertebrates in Bayside Enamelled spider spotting Tulip Street Pond refill - Bayside City Council
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Banksia Bulletin
autumn 2020
Invertebrates
in Bayside
Enamelled
spider spotting
Tulip Street
Pond refill
From the Mayor In this issue
Welcome to the Autumn edition of
Banksia Bulletin.
While we have had to postpone the
opening of our Bayside Community
Special features Other articles
I would like to thank our Friends Nursery until further notice, we are
groups, volunteers and environmental working closely with Citywide to PLANTS OF BAYSIDE 4
advocates for their patience and promote wholesale orders so that we
HAVE YOUR SAY 4
10
understanding as we all navigate these can distribute as much stock as possible,
uncertain times. particularly as many people are home
CUCKOO BEES AND
With social distancing measures tending to their homes and gardens. BLUE‑BANDED BEES
enforced around Victoria, we have Volunteering is as much about the AT BLACK ROCK 5
had to make changes to the way we socialisation as it is about the task at
care for our natural environment. hand and I am sure you are all looking TULIP STREET POND
Working bees are currently forward to catching up in the open SPIDER WATCH REFILLED FROM
suspended for groups, however, I thank spaces you care so much about. LOCAL POOL 6
the volunteers who have adapted to As like-mind individuals who
these new conditions and continue to come together under the banner of UPDATE ON A THRIVING
12
maintain our reserves and heathlands Friends groups to care and protect our RESERVE8
in a way that adheres to social natural environment, we will be back
distancing rules. together soon and I look forward to VISIT FROM NSW 11
It is great to hear also that Friends being able to gather in our beautiful INVERTEBRATES AT RAKALI AND THE
groups are staying in touch via social parks and open spaces in the near future.
media and participating in online Cr Clarke Martin
BAY ROAD HEATHLAND YEAR OF THE RAT 11
meetings, which has become the new Stay healthy and look after one Mayor SANCTUARY VOLUNTEER GROUPS 18
norm across Council also. another. Bayside City Council
16 BACK TO THE
START OF TIME
Bayside Community Nursery
RE-OPENING MAY 2020
The Bayside Community Nursery is expected to
re‑open in May.
The April 2020 opening date was postponed due
to COVID-19 restrictions.
Council is finalising arrangements that adhere
to social distancing rules that will keep our staff,
Manufactured with Manufactured using
100% FSC® post process chlorine free Cover image: Native Violet (Viola hederacea) volunteers and visitors safe.
consumer waste. (PCF) pulps. by Pauline Reynolds
The date will be confirmed soon and posted
on Council’s website.
Chequered Cuckoo Bee (Thyreus caeruleopunctatus)
have
your
say
Council has adopted a new masterplan
to guide the historic transformation
Cuckoo Bees and
of Elsternwick Park golf course into a
natural oasis on our City’s doorstep. Blue-banded Bees
at Black Rock
The new Elsternwick Park Nature Reserve will
bring nature back into our urban area, providing
refuge and tranquillity for both wildlife and
people.
Plants of Key proposed elements include a ‘chain of
ponds’, expanded wetlands, grassy woodland By John Eichler
Bayside and visitor facilities such as Indigenous
gathering places and a gateway feature building An attractive powder blue and black
With Aaron Hurrell of coloured Chequered Cuckoo Bee, Thyreus
Citywide Parks and Gardens at the northern end of the reserve adjacent to
caeruleopunctatus, spent at least three nights in
Nepean Highway.
my Black Rock garden during December 2019.
White Correa Bayside Mayor Cr Clarke Martin said the plan
was strongly influenced by feedback.
It would arrive at around 5.30pm, latch onto a fine,
bare twig with its jaws, raise its legs and remain
The White Correa (Correa alba) is a dense spreading there until after the sun reached its resting spot
shrub that grows to between 0.5 and 2m high and The masterplan adopted by Council creates a the next morning.
1-3m wide. blueprint for the nature reserve with four key Thyreus are parasites (or more correctly,
Its grey-green leaves are velvety and paler on the objectives: parasitoids) of Blue-banded Bees, Amegilla sp.
underside and grow to 1.5-4cm by 6-25mm in an • Protect the natural environment and encourage They enter and lay eggs in the nesting burrows,
elliptical shape with white flowers of around 2cm each. mostly constructed in soil, of Blue-banded Bees.
biodiversity
This plant is adaptable to moist, well-drained soils The Blue-banded Bee egg or larva is killed and the
• Community and visitor facilities
but can handle dry periods and lots of moisture once Cuckoo Bee larva consumes the food resource that
established. It prefers full sun to semi-shade and will
• Improving water quality in Elster Creek and had been deposited in the nest by the adult Blue-
grow from seeds and cuttings. Port Phillip Bay banded Bee.
A coastal plant, the White Correa makes a beautiful • Reduce the risk of flood damage While I have not seen Blue-banded Bees in my
hedge as it responds well to pruning. Early settlers garden this season they do visit most years, having
used the leaves to help smoke food and as a tea a preference for blue coloured flowers. During the
Register to have your say
substitute. warmer months of 2015/16 Blue-banded Bees
Visit yoursay.bayside.vic.gov.au/ were frequent visitors, with up to 11 spending
Source Bull, Marilyn (1991) Flora of Melbourne: A guide to the
indigenous plants of the greater Melbourne area Carlton Vic: Hyland
elsternwick-nature-reserve to view the the night clinging to Kangaroo Grass stems in
House Publishing masterplan and have your say. January. I also observed Chequered Cuckoo Bees
Blue-banded Bees (Amegilla sp.)
in the garden on several occasions that season.
4 Banksia Bulletin | Autumn 2020 Banksia Bulletin | Autumn 2020 5
(L-R) Civil Projects Engineer Jalpan Desai worked with Damian Carr
from the Open Space team on the Landcox Park lake project.
Replenishing Landcox Park Lake
Story supplied by Bayside City Council
Council has successfully re-directed stormwater destined for the
drainage system, and ultimately Port Phillip Bay, into the lake at Landcox
Tulip Street Pond
Park in Brighton East.
Around 40,000 litres of water from two underground detention tanks at
Hawthorn Road were discharged by Citywide into the lake instead of
stormwater.
refilled from local pool
This assisted in replenishing the lake, which is home to native long-
necked tortoises.
This is a great example of Council’s committment to sustainable
decision-making, and finding better ways.
On Sunday 22 December, the Commencing at midday, pumping the spotted enjoying the water at the location, Even some Wood Ducks from the
Sandringham Family Leisure Centre pool water into the pond was completed both with ducklings in tow. neighbouring Sandringham Golf Course
pool was drained to allow routine by evening. A pair of Bronzewing pigeons, which have wandered over to the pond with
maintenance, painting and structural By mid-January 2020, wildlife had are uncommon in Bayside, have also around 40 spotted in early January
investigation. returned to the pond. been seen enjoying the tranquillity enjoying the peace as they rested on the
The emptying of the pool would More and more birds have been around the pond, as well as the return southern grassy patch. A White-faced
normally be discharged into the attracted to the pond including two of Pobblebonk and Spotted Marsh frogs Heron was also sighted at the pond
stormwater system, however this year species of native duck – Pacific Black Duck to their home, who have been heard during February.
Council found a more sustainable use – and Wood Duck – that have already been croaking in celebration. It is exciting to see the Tulip
refilling Tulip Street Pond. Street Pond refill has brought
This pond, located in the small reserve wildlife back to the area.
adjacent to the Sandringham Family The proposed new building
Leisure Centre, is normally filled via to accommodate four additional
stormwater. basketball courts to be built
At the time, the pond was completely adjacent to the pond area
dry due to the lack of rain. An ecological has been designed to send
fauna and flora study found that the pool stormwater from the expansive
water would be suitable for the pond roof area into the pond which will
environment if the chlorine levels could replenish the pond on an ongoing
be significantly reduced. The Friends of basis.
Native Wildlife Inc. (FoNW Inc.) supported Council and FoNW Inc. will
the initiative, pending acceptable chlorine continue to monitor the pond and
levels in the pool water could be reached its new and returning wildlife.
prior to emptying. A community weeding and
The pool filter was turned off a few planting day is planned for later
days prior to draining the pool to ensure in the year to further restore
chlorine levels dropped to an acceptable surrounding habitat. Keep an eye
level, and water testing on the morning on Council’s website and FoNW
confirmed these levels had been achieved. Facebook page for future details.
6 Banksia Bulletin | Autumn 2020 Banksia Bulletin | Autumn 2020 7
Update on a
thriving reserve Coast Manna Gum
(Eucalyptus viminalis ssp pryoriana)
Common Beard Heath
(Leucopogon virgatus)
Story and photos by Pauline Reynolds It was decided to postpone the burn
Co-convenor George Street Reserve because of the necessity of physical
distancing and the public concern about
George Street Reserve Friends Group the smoke at this time.
was lucky to have had a working bee With luck, the burn can take
on 15 March (the Ides of March, which place in spring. The previous two
would be an omen as it turned out), just wildfires have occurred in November
before all volunteer activities had to cease with very good results. Citywide may
for the foreseeable future due to Victorian have to slash again though because
Government restrictions for COVID-19. everything is growing so lushly.
It was a beautiful autumn day and, as Realistically, it was too damp to burn
far as we knew then, the planned burn of that week anyway! Everyone hopes
4000 square metres would take place on that it won’t have to be delayed for
7 April, so we were weeding in that area. another year. It’s turned out to be a
With all the rain this year, everything big challenge.
has grown madly and some of the weeds I’ve had a few walks around the
are seeding for a second time. reserve recently; comments from some
We are very pleased to have three new of the other walkers have been really
volunteers – two of whom are teenagers interesting and supportive of both the
– Julie, Alaska and Max join the group. decision to burn and the decision to
The dynamic of the working party has delay. It’s good to chat with them and
changed with their enthusiasm and to hear their understanding of what the
eagerness to learn. They are great fun conservation of George Street Reserve Common Flat Pea
and wonderful workers! is about. (Platylobium obtusangulum) Nodding Green Hoods (Pterostylis nutans)
8 Banksia Bulletin | Autumn 2020 9
Visit from
Spider NSW
watch
By Pauline Reynolds
We were pleased to welcome a visit from two
Penrith City Council (western Sydney) staff to our
Bayside Community Nursery where we discussed
how it operates and the role of volunteers.
In a follow-up email, City Presentation –
Story and photo by John Eichler Operations Coordinator Murray Halls said they
enjoyed discussing our wonderful nursery
I first noticed the Enamelled spider (Plebs bradleyi) including the special role that volunteers play.
in an elaborate web in the Correa alba in my front “Everything comes together … to create the highly-valued
garden in Sandringham on 1 February this year, community facility for the residents of Bayside,” he said.
where it sat for around a month. The mysterious spider “Our plan here at Penrith is to redevelop our existing
was around three centimetres long, including its legs. nursery facility so that it provides a range of plant
According to the Atlas of Living Australia and the production services for a variety of existing and future key
iNaturalist websites the nearest records of this spider Council programs and capital projects.
previously were in nearby Bentleigh East and Chelsea. “We are excited about what is possible and seeing first-
So, be on the lookout for visitors around the hand the facility at Bayside gives us a glimpse of that future.”
garden or bushland as you never know what is to be We are always pleased to share our passion and
discovered. knowledge.
Rakali and the Year of the Rat
By Elizabeth Walsh
Photo supplied by the Department of
Environment, Land, Water and Planning
(DELWP)
A warm and calm Friday evening at the
Brighton pier in January was the perfect
way to celebrate and welcome in the
Year of the Rat.
The annual Summer by the Sea
program and FoNW Inc. brought the
Rakali (hydromys chrysogaster)
life and history of local water mammal,
Rakali (Hydromys chrysogaster), to life.
After a wonderful display of antics worms, crabs and yabbies whilst diving
from our Rakali, our 30 participants in either fresh or salt water, but will
enjoyed a beautiful fireworks display to scavenge on land. Although seen on
welcome in the Chinese Year of the Rat; land during daylight hours, they are
a wonderfully orchestrated start to 2020. mostly sighted from dusk to dawn
Our volunteer group has been around lakes, rivers and our local rocky
promoting local wildlife through foreshore areas.
surveys and community engagement For many years there were more
for 24 years. Rakali, like the platypus, are highly sightings at Sandringham pier, but
This is the second time within a few adapted to aquatic life. They are thickly recent reformation work on the
months that FoNW Inc. has held events furred mammals with partially webbed outside of the breakwater and harbour
with consistent sightings of Rakali at hind feet. They seek most of their food dredging appears to have altered life
Brighton pier. under water eating crustaceans, fish, within this area.
10 Banksia Bulletin | Autumn 2020 Banksia Bulletin | Autumn 2020 11
Invertebrates at Bay Road Heathland Sanctuary While the birds and plants of Bay Road Heathland Sanctuary (BRHS) are quite well documented, the same cannot be said about the invertebrate fauna like insects, spiders, scorpions, millipedes, snails and slaters. Story by John Eichler Local naturalist Sue Forster Convener Friends of Bay Road Heathland Sanctuary Photos by John Eichler Common Brown Butterfly, male (Heteronympha merope) 12 Banksia Bulletin | Autumn 2020 Banksia Bulletin | Autumn 2020 13
Dainty Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio anactus)
Bee Fly (Villa sp.)
A search of the Atlas of Living Australia • Cricket nymph flies, butterflies, wasps and some beetles
and iNaturalist websites reveals a total • Weevil are attracted to flowering plants. Less
of only nine invertebrate records from • Common Rough Woodlouse conspicuous are the many types of bugs,
this important reserve. • Mealybug the larval stages of moths, butterflies and
In an effort to address this, we are • Dainty Swallowtail Butterfly. sawflies that can be found on new leaves. Weevils (Pelororhinus sp.)
visiting the reserve periodically and A Cockroach egg sac and the nymph case Other invertebrates are more cryptic.
documenting all invertebrates sighted. of a Tube Spittlebug provided evidence Predators, such as spiders and mantids
This will be done by taking images and of further species. and parasitic invertebrates, including
identifying and recording what is seen Records dating back to 2015 also many wasps and some flies, can be found
on each visit. document sightings of the Blue-banded searching for prey or hiding amongst the
On the first of these visits, 29 January Bee, Thynnid Wasp, Common Brown vegetation.
2020, we recorded 22 species of Butterfly, Geometrid Moth caterpillar, Various beetles bore into dead
invertebrates. Tiger Fly, Jewel Beetle and the nymphs of wood and others can be found in
Indigenous species included: Gum Leafhoppers. decaying wood or under logs. Slaters,
• Bee Fly and Robber Fly Three common introduced species, the scorpions and some spiders also make
• Common Gea and Sooty Orbweaver Cabbage White Butterfly, European Honey their homes under logs. Beetles and
spiders Bee and Centipede (Lithobius peregrinus), larger spiders can be common under
• Pie-dish, Darkling and Leaf beetles are regularly found in the reserve. loose bark.
• Larva of a Cockchafer Beetle Invertebrates can be found year round, It is anticipated that future surveys
• Fragments of Golden Stag Beetles but are most numerous and conspicuous will reveal many more types of the
• Tyde’s Sand Wasp during the warmer months, particularly intriguing invertebrates that visit or
• Wingless Grasshopper when certain plants are in flower. Bees, make BRHS their home.
Robber Fly (Cerdistus-Neoitamus complex) Pie-dish Beetle (Helea sp.)
14 Banksia Bulletin | Autumn 2020
Toadfish Jaw
Tooth und
erwater
Chambered Nautilus Eucalypt leaf
Back to the
Guest speaker Murray Orr, President Some examples could easily be Hastalis
of the Beaumaris Earth Sciences Society, identified with living relatives today.
used images of fossils discovered in Others, such as the Giant Sperm Whale,
Beaumaris Bay from his own collection have no near comparison, fortunately for
and from Museums Victoria as he other marine mammals surviving now.
start of time
recreated Late Miocene Beaumaris in the The audience was fascinated to hear
imaginations of the audience. of marsupial lions, giant kangaroos and
The fossil deposits in Beaumaris Bay, 500-kilogram wombats once roaming
both in the water and under the cliffs, are the landscape where we now sat in the
of international significance because of the Beaumaris Community Centre.
unique finds from the past few decades. Local vegetation was not entirely
A three-kilogram tooth from a Giant different from now and recent fossil
Sperm Whale (Livyatan) found in finds identified from the Casuarina
A Friends of Native Wildlife Inc. event for 60 2016 created paleontological history family looked familiar. One really scary
‘Wild in Bayside’ members and friends took as only three such teeth had previously specimen took us into the skies and an
been discovered, all on the west coast of artist’s recreation of a flying Pelagornis
guests back in time 5.5 million years to learn South America. had the audience grateful such giant
about Beaumaris Bay’s local fauna and fauna From examples of fossils such as teeth, carnivores, with wing spans many times
on the coast and in the water and air. parts of various bones, crab bodies, larger than a Wedge-tailed Eagle, are
shells, and petrified wood, Murray shared extinct.
examples of life forms and trees that Following the talk people viewed the
once lived those millions of years ago on numerous display cases of fossils Murray
Denis Young our nearby coast and in adjacent waters. brought along to share and were able to
Bayside Friends of Native Wildlife Inc. Besides giant whales, various sharks, further deepen their understanding of
fish, crabs, megafauna, dolphins, sponges, that distant time in Beaumaris over five
corals and sea urchins also existed. million years ago.
16 Banksia Bulletin | Autumn 2020 Banksia Bulletin | Autumn 2020 17
Volunteer Groups
Friends Groups
Friends of Balcombe Park Friends of Ricketts Point
Convenor: Ian O’Loughlin Convenor: Diana Pearce
Mobile: 0412 432 618 Email: ianoloughlin@optusnet.com.au Phone: 0448 573 256 Email: dipearce39@icloud.com
Friends of Bay Road Heathland Sanctuary Friends of Ricketts Point Landside Editorial Policy
Convenor: Sue Forster Convenor: Sue Raverty The purpose of publishing the Banksia
Phone: 0431 688 606 Email: sue.forster@optusnet.com.au Phone: (03) 9589 2103 Email: sraverty@westnet.com.au Bulletin is to circulate information, report on
events, and to profile relevant environmental
Friends of Bayside Roads Friends of Table Rock issues important to our community.
Contact: Derek Jones Convenor: Ken Rendell The Bulletin is also published to support the
Phone: 0417 360 747 Email: derekhjones36@gmail.com Phone: (03) 9589 4452 network of people involved in enjoying and
protecting our local environment.
Bayside Environmental Friends Network Friends of Elster Creek Bayside City Council encourages people from
Convenor: Teneille Mahoney Convenor: Gio Fitzpatrick our local community groups to submit articles
Phone: 9583 8408 Email: friends@bayside.vic.gov.au Phone: 0432 045 303 Email: gio@ecocentre.com of interest, share experiences and news
Meeting point: Elwood Canal, Glen Huntly Road Bridge about any upcoming events. All articles are
Friends of Beaumaris Reserve reviewed prior to publication and Council
Convenor: Chris Sutton reserves the right to omit or edit submissions.
Phone: 0438 327 924 Email: sutc@bigpond.com Environment Groups Acknowledgements
Thank you to all the people who have
Friends of Brighton Dunes Bayside Earth Sciences Society Inc. contributed to this issue of Banksia Bulletin.
Convenor: Jenny Talbot President: Murray Orr Disclaimer
Phone: 0499 592 233 Email: baysidefossils@gmail.com The views expressed in the Banksia Bulletin
Website: www.beaumarisfossils.org are not necessarily those of Bayside City
Friends of Cheltenham Park Council nor its representatives.
Convenor: Valerie Tyers Beaumaris Conservation Society Inc
Phone: (03) 9588 0107 Email: valerietyers@hotmail.com
Editor
President: Greg Mier Damien Van Trier
Contact: PO Box 7016, Beaumaris 3193 Email: info@bcs.asn.au Manager Open Space,
Friends of Donald MacDonald Reserve Website: www.bcs.asn.au Recreation and Wellbeing
Convenor: Kim Croker
Phone: (03) 9589 2443 Email: kcroker@bigpond.net.au Content Coordinator
Black Rock and Sandringham Conservation
Amy Weir
Association Inc
Friends of George Street Reserve Biodiversity and Conservation
President: Craig Brunnen
Convenors: Pauline Reynolds & Val Tarrant Planning Officer
Phone: 0488 303 887 Email: brunnenc@gmail.com
Phone: (03) 9598 6368 Email: pauline.reynolds.au@gmail.com Please send articles and photos to
Secretary: John Neve banksia@bayside.vic.gov.au
Phone: 0479 196 260 Email: jneve@ozemail.com.au
Friends of Gramatan Avenue Heathland Copy deadlines
Convenor: Ken Rendell Elsternwick Park Association Winter 2020
Phone: (03) 9589 4452 Monday, 1 June, 2020
Email: ElsternwickParkAssociation@gmail.com
Banksia Bulletin is published quarterly by
Friends of Long Hollow Heathland Marine Care Ricketts Point Inc Bayside City Council to service people
Convenor: Rob Saunders President: Elizabeth Jensen interested in enjoying and protecting the
Phone: (03) 9515 3383 Email: srednuas@hotmail.com Phone: 0419 354 998 Email: elizabethjjensen@outlook.com
Website: www.marinecare.org.au
Due to the evolving COVID-19 local environment.
If you would like to be added to the
Friends of Merindah Park & Urban Forest
Convenor: John de Cruz Douglas
Phone: 0417 386 408 Email: mainbrace36@gmail.com
Sandringham Foreshore Association situation, all working bees and Banksia Bulletin mailing list, please contact
Bayside City Council on 9599 4444 or
email: banksia@bayside.vic.gov.au
events have been temporarily
President: Dr Vicki Karalis
Email: sandyforeshore@optusnet.com.au Please indicate whether you would
Friends of Mother Stock Areas Website: sandringhamforeshore.tumblr.com prefer to receive your Banksia Bulletin
Convenors: Pauline Reynolds and Rob Saunders
Phone: (03) 9598 6368 Email: pauline.reynolds.au@gmail.com
suspended or postponed until by email or via post.
Corporate Centre
Phone: (03) 9515 3383 Email: srednuas@hotmail.com School Groups further notice. PO Box 27 Royal Avenue
Sandringham VIC 3191
Friends of Native Wildlife Telephone: 9599 4444
Firbank Girls Grammar
Convenors: Anne Jessel & Elizabeth Walsh
Phone: 0412 545 441 Email: info@bayfonw.org.au
Contact: Mary-Ellen Johnson
Phone: (03) 9591 5188 Email: mjohnson@firbank.vic.edu.au
Please visit bayside.vic.gov.au www.bayside.vic.gov.au
banksia@bayside.vic.gov.au
or your Friends group Facebook
Website: www.bayfonw.org.au Hours of business
St Leonard’s College Conservation Group 8.30am–5pm
Friend of Picnic Point Sandringham Monday–Friday
Convenor: Terry Reynolds
Phone: (03) 9598 2978 Email: reynolds_family@hotmail.com
Contact: Simon Daniels
Phone: (03) 9909 9300 Email: simon.daniels@stleonards.vic.edu.au page for updates. (except public holidays)
18 Banksia Bulletin | Autumn 2020 Banksia Bulletin | Autumn 2020 19Do you want to know more
about Bayside and the
Banksia Bulletin?
Please refer to our website
www.bayside.vic.gov.au
Gum Leafhopper (Eurymeloides sp. nymphs)
Photo by John EichlerYou can also read
