Diario del proyecto Yellingbo and surrounds

Notes from: a Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater hosted citizen science event.
A gentle 2 km/h breeze and rising to 22.5 deg C at midday - perfect morning for our survey!
A couple of the Large Tongue-orchids were in flower, and just the hint of colour in a Rosy Hyacinth Orchid, whilst most were still in bud. Sadly, it wasn't uncommon to see these two species of orchid, plus Flag Lily and Small Grass Tree flower spikes browsed. One feral deer was seen, whilst deer scats were seen through the site. In amongst this however were all sorts of other fabulous things, including Common Brown and Swordgrass Brown Butterflies on the wing, stunning Satin-green Forester Moths, a couple of skinks scurrying, a solitary Red-anther Wallaby Grass (why just one we wondered??), and a Wandering Ghost Spider just newly emerged from its outgrown exoskeleton. What looked like a sea of sedges and grasses, turned out to have loads of hidden gems! Great job everyone!!
Many thanks to Lisa and Robert for sharing their fabulous home-baked Christmas treats! No-one left hungry 😊💓

Notes from: a Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater hosted citizen science event.
At 8am, it was already 25.2 deg C as we set off on our Bird & Frog survey. At 11am, it was 31 deg C and humid. The expected high winds, rain and thunderstorm missed us - phew! - and in fact we were fortunate to have a clear, still morning.

To the occasional calls of Pobblebonks and Striped Marsh Frogs, the highlights were seeing a number of birds collecting nesting material, a Great Fantail taking insects back to its nestlings, a Striated Thornbill sitting on its nest, Rufous and Golden Whistlers, a White-winged Triller, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrikes and one of the best Australian bush sounds of all (I think!), the male call and female response of the Eastern Whipbird.
Today we wrapped up our citizen science program for 2023. Great company. Shared learning. Friendships formed. Fabulous birds, plants, frogs and other wildlife seen or heard, and today, shared Christmas cheer! If you celebrate Christmas, have a great one, and may 2024 bring all you wish for.