New Holland Honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae)
Published April 29, 2012 | A common, locally nomadic species which visits the Conservation Area in search of nectar and insects.
Bird Nest
Published April 15, 2012 | Crafted using Epiphytic Lichen, Water Milfoil and Casuarina leaves, possibly made by Rufous Whistler as it is rather flimsy and found in an upright fork of a shrub.
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Eudocima salaminia Moth Catocalinae Noctuidae
Published April 10, 2012 | “Adult moth has brown forewings with a dark green sheen, and with a sharply defined broad white border along the edges of the wings. The hindwings are orange, with a black border and black comma in the middle. The moth has a wingspan of about 8cm.” A new sighting for the Conservation Area with no common name.
I.D. and text reference courtesy of Don Herbison-Evans and Stella Crossley.
Further reference – http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/cato/salamin.html
Common Crow or Oleander Butterfly (Euploea core) Danainae Nymphalidae
Published April 5, 2012 | “The adults have a wingspan around 7cm. It is famous for its shiny metallic pupa and beautiful caterpillar with eight long black tentacles. It seems to be a species that prefers a tropical climate, but does breed in N.S.W. It has a lifespan of eleven to thirteen weeks.” A new species for the Conservation Area.
I.D. and text reference courtesy of Don Herbison-Evans and Stella Crossley.
Further reference -http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/nymp/core.html
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Significant flora of the Clarence Valley
Published April 2, 2012 | A new educational resource providing details of over 300 significant species that can be found growing in the Clarence Valley is now available at the Clarence Environment Centre (CEC) for $7. each. The DVD provides a PDF fact sheet for each species with a photograph or image and provides scientific and common names, family name, protected status, a brief description, localities and range of occurence and threats faced.
Contact – Clarence Environment Centre. 31 Skinner St. South Grafton. N.S.W. 2460.
email – admin@cec.org.au
Systematics and Biodiversity
Published March 21, 2012 | The peer-reviewed quarterly journal Systematics and Biodiversity recently published the report – Perspectives. Colour and size variation in Junonia villida ( Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae ) : subspecies or phenotypic plasticity ? by R.I. Vane-Wright and W. John Tennant.
The review was based on” examination of c.1500 museum specimens from its entire geographical range from the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean to the Gambiers in mid-Pacific, spanning over 154 degrees of longitude, or 43% of the circumference of the Earth. Mostly found in open grasslands or disturbed areas, including woodlands and disturbed forests from sea-level up to 1500m or more in elevation, it is variable in wing colour pattern on both upper and lower surfaces. The causes of this variability are uncertain, but temperature, photoperiod, rainfall, migration and perhaps underlying geographical differentiation may all play a role.”
The Clarence Valley Meadow Argus butterfly is represented by the image on lower right side taken on the Conservation Area for the cover illustration showing six Australian butterfly with various differences in colour pattern.
Further reference available; http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/tsab20/current
Authorization 
and Publisher: Taylor & Francis U.K.
Lewin: Wild Art
Published March 20, 2012 | Visitors to Sydney are in for a rare treat at the State Library of New South Wales. Lewin: Wild Art is a free exhibition and the story of John William Lewin (1770-1819) – Australia’s first professional artist and natural history illustrator. The exhibition details his life and perceptive eye for the natural world in the young colony through watercolours, oils and illustrated books.
An outstanding exhibition of great depth and aspiration.
Daily at the State Library of New South Wales until 27th May 2012.
Wonga Pigeon (Leucosarcia melanoleuca).
Published November 24, 2009 | 
“A large, plump grey and white pigeon with distinctive markings. Forages on ground, not often seen in flight unless flushed. Sedentary; uncommon, although can be locally abundant in areas of favourable habitat. Lives around the riverine vegetation on Sportsman Creek wildlife refuge.
Reference; Morcombe, M. Field Guide to Australian Birds.
Olongburra Frog (Litoria olongburensis).
Published December 16, 2009 |
Olongburra Frogs are listed as Vulnerable and range from coastal areas near Fraser Island to Yuraygir National Park south-east of Grafton. Also called Wallum Sedge Frogs. Wallum is a banksia -dominated lowland heath ecosystem characterised by acidic waterbodies. An unexpected find at Sportsman Creek wildlife refuge. These frogs are usually found in rushes and sedges. “If you look at the colour in the groin or back of the thigh it is relatively easy as Litoria olongburensis has a bluish colour there while it is orange in both Litoria fallax and Litoria bicolour. The overhanging pointed snout in Litoria olongburensis is usually more pronounced – but then the broad white stripe down the side of the body is NOT a feature of Litoria fallax as this tends to end around the shoulder in that species.”
Reference; N.P.W.S. Threatened Species of the Upper North Coast of N.S.W.
Identification and text – Courtesy of Martyn Robinson. Naturalist,
Australian Museum.
Rufous Bettong (Aepyprymnus rufescens).
Published January 31, 2010 | 
A small population of these fantastic little marsupials reside in the Dry schlerophyll forest ( Spotted Gum, Ironbarks and Bloodwood) on Sportsman Creek wildlife refuge. They are classified as Vulnerable and are patchily distributed from Cooktown to the Northern rivers area. They have largely vanished from inland areas. When alarmed they stamp their hindfeet on the ground and are known to use their tails to carry nesting materials. Image taken today in the Conservation Area of this secretive marsupial.
Reference; DECC. Threatened Species of the Upper North Coast.
Rectangular-striped Noctuid (Grammodes justa).
Published February 3, 2010 | Dark brown with two parallel stripes across forewings and hindwings. Photographed in the Conservation Area.
Boletes Fungi species
Published April 11, 2010 | 
The boletes are closely related to the agarics (fungi with gills). Many boletes display colour changes when the flesh is cut, so that whitish or yellowish tissue becomes spectacularly greenish blue due to enzyme reactions triggered by oxygen in the air. Boletes are very important in the Australian bushland as mycorrhizal partners, but they also provide food for the larval stages of many insects.” Image taken in riparian zone at Sportsman Creek wildlife refuge.
Reference; Young, A.M. Field Guide to the Fungi of Australia.
I.D. courtesy of Don Gover.
Further reference; www.sydneyfungalstudies.org.au
Some North Coast Flora
Published April 13, 2012 | Some North Coast Flora is a CD available with over 130 native plant species of the New South Wales north coast. Grouped into plant Family folders this easy to use reference guide comes complete with good quality colour images for each species compiled by John Hancocks and is provided free for private use.
To obtain a copy contact; Email – bushman@hinet.net.au 
Nymph of Eurybranchid leaf-hopper (Eurybranchidae)
Published March 26, 2012 | These small bugs reside on Eucalyptus and Acacia species and are sap suckers.
I.D. courtesy of Kellie Harris. Interpretive Officer, Australian Museum.
Striped Marsh Frog (Limnodynastes peronii)
Published February 22, 2012 | Named after F. Peron, the French Zooologist and one of the most common frogs found along the eastern seaboard. Growing to 65mm with a loud single call – “tok”.
Reference; Robinson, M. A Field Guide to Frogs of Australia.