By Greg Warburton
The “Members Night” format of the May meeting did not disappoint as we enjoyed surprising and interesting presentations.
The President recounted two natural history stories, the first being the building and installation of a Black Cockatoo nest box on his property 12 years ago. The box, being 20 metres up in a Wandoo tree, has been a prime location for cockatoos and other wildlife over the years.
Next, we heard about a hike to a spectacular local granite outcrop where the rocks date back over 4 billion years.Up until the 1940s the caves and overhangs here were the haunt of a colony of black-flanked rock wallabies. Sadly, these are now extinct in our Shire. We saw photos of club members assisting CALM (DBCA) officers relocate and release these endangered wallabies into the Avon Valley National Park in May of 2001.
Club member Sharon Richardson showed a series of excellent macro photographs of insects and spiders found on her property, including one of a scorpion bigger than any seen locally before.
Special guest Michael Cook from Morangup gave us an insight into the research work he has done for many years. He specialises in physically tracking wildlife with his work taking him all over the country and to Africa. Many significant wildlife sightings were reported, especially bird species not often seen in our part of the world. These included Western Yellow Robin Eopsaltria griseogularis, Baudin’s (Long-Billed) Black Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus baudinii, White-fronted Chat Epthianura albifrons and Straw-necked Ibis Threskiornis spinicollis.
Members are encouraged to log their sightings on the new website and there is no excuse not doing it as it is very user friendly. Many thanks to Mel and Wayne who have put a huge amount of work creating the new website. A quick search will show how eye-catching it is with beautiful images and lots of useful information that will promote the Club and our local natural environment: toodyaynats.org.wa.
During the meeting there was a frank discussion about conservation issues including the appointment of the new Federal Environment Minister the Hon. Murray Watts and the agenda for his priority trip to the west. Members are keen to visit a local reserve for the June meeting and we have many to choose from.
Once the location and details are finalised members will be informed and information will be posted on the new website; or contact Greg on 0429009425.
The Toodyay Naturalists’ Club welcomes sightings and observations of flora, fauna and all areas of natural history. To add your sightings, email secretary@toodyaynats.org.au or submit a sighting via our online form.
