Diario del proyecto Yellingbo and surrounds

Notes from: a Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater hosted citizen science event.
A gentle breeze, warmth to the air and blue skies with hardly a cloud in the sky - perfect morning for our survey!
Our aim today? Learn how to ID the spring orchids found in a beautiful patch of Macclesfield bushland, and record them, along with any other things of interest. In flower were Spotted Sun-orchids, Common Bird Orchids and Eastern Bronzehood Orchids, whilst the Large Tongue-orchids and a Small Tongue-orchid had flower spikes. We looked really hard for Wax-lip and Elbow Orchids, but none were seen today. There was evidence of the Tall Greenhoods having flowered and been fertilised. In amongst the orchids were all sorts of other fabulous plants, a couple of skinks seen scurrying, including a Pale-flecked Garden Sunskink, and an awesome spider that laid flat along the leanest of grass stems thinking we couldn't see it, all recorded!
Great job everyone!!
Thanks also to Robert for a fabulous hazelnut and berry slice, fresh from the oven. We all went back for a 2nd piece, and took some home - or was that just me?? Thank you Robert 😊💓

Notes from: a Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater hosted citizen science event.
A fabulous team of Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater volunteers from our Youth Reference Group and regular citizen science program hit the tracks on a still, warm, 22 deg C night to survey for frogs, birds and nocturnal species in Yellingbo. We were welcomed by a cloud of 1000s of flying ants and other insects on the wing, a sign of spring warmth.
Up to 4 species of frogs were recorded calling (Southern Brown Tree Frog, Striped Marsh Frog - all confirmed, and TBC Eastern Dwarf Tree Frog and Peron's Frog). The team recorded 5 mammal species (Ringtail Possums x3, Brushtail Possums x4, a Sugar Glider, a Swamp Wallaby and Micro bats x2) and 23 bird species including White-necked Heron, Shining Bronze-Cuckoo, Southern Boobook and Willie Wagtail. Plus, some fabulous invertebrates including 4 different species of Wolf Spider, a large, spectacularly coloured leech, an Emerald Moth, a Social Huntsman Spider, a Ground and Ant-mimic Sac Spider and a Giant Cockroach hitching a ride.
It's pure pleasure sharing this special part of the world with people who find joy and wonder in the natural world. Thank you everyone - a great team effort 🙂

Notes from: a Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater hosted citizen science event.
The weather was almost perfect - still and mild - as we headed out for our Bird & Frog survey. In a section of the Yellingbo Nature Conservation Area that is rarely walked we recorded 46 bird species and 3 frog species (Pobblebonk, Striped Marsh Frog and Common Eastern Froglet). The highlights? A great volunteer team with 3 new participants, an expansive wetland with waterbirds everywhere and a number of birds sitting on nests including a Wedge-tailed Eagle. Taking time out to quietly watch a Little Pied Cormorant fishing in the creek was bliss :)
A great team effort, thank you!!