Category Archives: Nature Observations

A Spectacular Orchid

Posted on 2 November, 2012 by fobif

Three FOBIF members recently went to Old Coach Road in the Fryers Ranges to have a look at the Giant Sun Orchid Thelymitra aristata. In contrast to our normal small orchids this one was 81 cm (32 in)  and can apparently reach … Continue reading →

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Honeyeaters raise the alarm

Posted on 25 October, 2012 by fobif

Sitting quietly in my garden I get to watch Silvereyes as they go about their foraging. These beautiful little birds are quite common in local gardens. If you remain still you can often be rewarded with very close views. Silvereyes … Continue reading →

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Woolley Bear munches on a Greenhood

Posted on 15 October, 2012 by fobif

Doug Ralph has taken another terrific photo of a Woolly Bear, this time upon a Greenhood. The two holes you can see suggest feeding has begun. The caterpillars of the Arctiidae are mostly covered in dark hairs, which gives them the name … Continue reading →

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Garden birds around Castlemaine

Posted on 20 September, 2012 by fobif

Damian Kelly was the guest speaker at the FOBIF AGM in August. His presentation was about observing local birds in our gardens and he included many excellent photos, including the three below, of birds from his Lyttleton Street garden. Damian … Continue reading →

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Little Monster?

Posted on 16 August, 2012 by fobif

The beautiful creature pictured below is an early instar caterpillar, from the genus Doratifera, probably Doratifera oxleyi. These moths are commonly called cup moths. It was found in suspended by a thread in an area of severely damaged bushland in … Continue reading →

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Forests under attack from leaf miner

Posted on 6 August, 2012 by fobif

Visitors passing along the Porcupine Ridge Road in recent weeks have noticed that trees on both sides of the road, both in the National Heritage Park and the Upper Loddon State Forest, are looking extremely stressed, presenting a desolate sight.  … Continue reading →

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CFNC Meeting: Native Grasses and the Moolort Plains

Posted on 4 July, 2012 by fobif

On the evening of 13 July there will be a special Castlemaine Field Naturalist Club meeting where Ern Perkins Central Victoria Grasses Identification Guide CD will be launched and Geoff Park will give a presentation on the Moolort Plains. To find out … Continue reading →

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Maniac?

Posted on 17 February, 2012 by fobif

The endearing creature below is a Peron’s Tree Frog, sometimes uncharitably called the Maniacal Cackle Frog, owing to its distinctive ‘machine gun’ cackle. It’s not uncommon for frogs to be seen in household gardens in our district, and for that … Continue reading →

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Sharing the same nesting area

Posted on 9 December, 2011 by fobif

Eroded creek banks, although a blot on the landscape in some ways, also have their upside. At this time of year two quite different species utilise the eroded walls to build their nests at the end of tunnels in the … Continue reading →

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Poolside

Posted on 23 November, 2011 by fobif

Last summer saw an amazing explosion in numbers of dragonflies and damselflies around our creeks and dams. This year there are already significant numbers of these interesting and important creatures. The Forest Creek pools near the walking track are playing … Continue reading →

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