SPORTSMAN CREEK CONSERVATION AREA

New Holland Honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae)

admin — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 09:30:10 +0000

A common, locally nomadic species which visits the Conservation Area in search of nectar and insects.

Bird Nest

admin — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 01:03:42 +0000

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..

Some North Coast Flora

admin — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 04:39:06 +0000

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

Eudocima salaminia Moth Catocalinae Noctuidae

admin — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 09:31:36 +0000

“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

admin — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 11:20:04 +0000

“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

Significant flora of the Clarence Valley

admin — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 01:43:29 +0000

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

Nymph of Eurybranchid leaf-hopper (Eurybranchidae)

admin — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 03:19:06 +0000

These small bugs reside on Eucalyptus and Acacia species and are sap suckers.

I.D. courtesy of Kellie Harris. Interpretive Officer, Australian Museum.

Systematics and Biodiversity

admin — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 22:45:59 +0000

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

admin — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 05:25:11 +0000

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.

Striped Marsh Frog (Limnodynastes peronii)

admin — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:53:33 +0000

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.