This morning I stopped off at Rocky Cape National Park where, among other things, I found quite a few Wax-lip Orchids, Glossodia major. There were also a few Mayfly Orchids, Acianthus caudatus, although most of these had already gone to seed.
The first photo below shows the general area which is coastal heathland with sandy quartzite soil. This shot was taken from the lighthouse looking toward North Cave with Table Cape way in the distance.
Fern Glade and the Emu River are located on the eastern end of the city of Burnie. The steep slopes of the Emu River valley have protected the area from being cleared. It's easy access makes it a great spot to explore. Among other things, the Fern Glade Management Plan lists 30 orchids, 12 millipedes, 9 snails and slugs, 10 mammals with a further 13 mammals listed as likely to occur. Surprisingly it only lists 15 birds, the list itself being lifted from another report which is a bit lazy as you could easily list 15 species in under an hour.
I took a short walk there this morning. I was hoping to have another go at photographing a platypus but they were not cooperating today. The only mammals I saw were a Pademelon and a Staffordshire terrier (along with it's owner). A pair of Wedge-tailed Eagles were flying high overhead. Also a pair of Sulphur-crested Cockatoos which you can hear in the background in the video below. My companions spotted a Pink Robin. I was content to see a Dusky Robin (see photo). There were also, Yellow-cheeked Honeyeater, Grey Fantails, Tasmanian Thornbills, Green Rosellas and more. The Sundew, Drosera peltata was widespread along the sides of the track and we also found three, possibly four, species of orchids. The video runs for around two minutes and will give you an idea of the surroundings.
The Henry Somerset Orchid Reserve is located on the Railton Road south of Latrobe. It was opened on 27th November 1981 specifically to protect it's many orchids. There have been 43 species recorded in the reserve. After several visits over the last year or so I have managed to track down 6, so just 37 to go. This should give you an idea of my great skill at finding orchids :-)
Yesterday I walked through the reserve and photographed the following four species. I'm a little uncertain on the 'Trim Greenhood' ID so perhaps someone may be able to confirm or correct that one.
(Click Photos to Enlarge)
Small Gnat Orchid - Cyrtostylis reniformis
Small Gnat Orchid - Cyrtostylis reniformis
Mayfly Orchid - Acianthus caudatus
Mayfly Orchid - Acianthus caudatus
Mayfly Orchid - Acianthus caudatus
Nodding Greenhood - Pterostylis nutans
Trim Greenhood - Pterostylis concinna ?
More information on the reserve can be found here.
Rocky Cape National Park from the Lighthouse
Wax-lip Orchid - Glossodia major
Wax-lip Orchid - Glossodia major
Mayfly Orchid - Acianthus caudatus
Mayfly Orchid - Acianthus caudatus - Seed Capsule
