SPORTSMAN CREEK CONSERVATION AREA

White-tipped Anthrax Bee Fly (Anthrax confluensis)

admin — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 23:16:12 +0000

A small Bee Fly with a wingspan around 15mm. It has a distinctive white spot on abdomen and has been suggested it may be parasitic of Antlion.

Nodding Greenhood Orchid (Pterostylis nutans) ORCHIDACEAE

admin — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 09:46:39 +0000

Also called the Parrot’s Beak Orchid. This terrestrial herb species is common in moist areas of dry sclerophyll forest, wet sclerophyll forest and coastal scrub. Flowering June to September from a leafless stem usually 15-20cm and sometimes found in dense colonies. A new species for the Conservation Area.

I.D. and reference courtesy of Denis Wilson.

Nectar-eating March Fly (Scaptia aurflua)

admin — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 05:06:02 +0000

The large but harmless Nectar-feeding March Fly (Scaptia aurflua) observed hovering near the ground probably looking for somewhere to lay it’s eggs.

I.D. courtesy of Martyn Robinson Naturalist Australian Museum.

Spangled Drongo (Dicrurus bracteatus)

admin — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 11:08:02 +0000

Silhouette of the migratory Spangled Drongo feeding on insects in treetops at the Conservation Area. They are unlike other Australian birds with a long outcurved tail and iridescent black plumage.

Broad-palmed Rocket Frog Litoria latopalmata

admin — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 04:34:21 +0000

” These frogs are a variable species and can appear as either light brown or dark brown between night and day. They can be found well away from water, ranging through all types of forest and open country. This frog reaches 40mm.”

I.D. and reference courtesy of Martyn Robinson. Naturalist- Search and Discover.

Giant Yellow Robber Fly Blepharotes coriarius (Asilidae)

admin — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 10:30:00 +0000

Growing to 45mm with the upper side of the abdomen a bright yellow colour in flight.

Yellow Sand Wasp Bembix palmata (Crabronidae)

admin — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 08:51:58 +0000

These wasps build their nests underground before dragging paralysed prey under and laying an egg. A new species for the Conservation Area.

Red-backed Fairy Wren (Malurus melanocephalus)

admin — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 20:30:10 +0000

Small family groups live in the grasses and thickets and along the watercourses of the Conservation Area. Image of a male bird courtesy of visiting Wildlife photographer Rowley Willis.

Pacific Baza (Aviceda subcristata)

admin — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 02:16:42 +0000

Attractive medium-sized hunting hawk with dark bars across a white belly and flanks. Uncommon across the North and North-east of Australia and rare in New South Wales.

Image courtesy of visiting Wildlife photographer Rowley Willis.

Swamp Goodenia (Goodenia paniculata)

admin — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 03:53:12 +0000

A short lived native herb growing to 50cm. Found in protected moist areas and likes Wallum woodland. Named after 18th century bishop and vice-president of the Royal Society Dr. Goodenough. A new species for the Conservation Area.

I.D. courtesy of John Edwards . ClarenceValley Environment Centre.