Program of General Excursions
Tarra Bulga NP
Geoff Lay will be leading an excursion to Tarra Bulga National Park to look at fungi. TBC
Jumbuk
Excursion to Jumbuk bushland which is temperate rainforest with a variety of flora, fauna and birdlife. Directions TBC closer to the date.
Tanjil Bren Tramway Walk
This month’s excursion will be among the tall Mountain Ash forest of Tanjil Bren. Meeting place is at the picnic ground off the Mt Baw Baw Tourist Road.
SEANA Autumn Camp
The Field Naturalists Club of Victoria (FNCV) invites you to attend the SEANA autumn 2024 get-together, to be based on Phillip Island. The main venue will be in Cowes. Phillip Island offers so much we look forward to giving you a further appreciation of its natural features. This will include: The Nobbies, Swan Lake, Rhyll Inlet, Conservation Hill, Churchill Island, and Cape Woolamai, beach walks, Kitty Miller Bay, Seal Rocks and the Bass Coast. We will focus on geology, botany, birdlife and invertebrates. Email info@lvfieldnats.org for more information.
Shining a light on insects
We will be light-trapping for insects, mainly moths but hopefully some lacewings on a private property adjacent to Morwell National Park. Please contact the club for more information and directions.
Note: This excursion is starting at 7PM.
Image: Helena Gum Moth Opodiphthera helena by Ken Harris
Mt St Gwinear
Alpine excursion meet at 9:30AM at Rawson Shopping Center car park to car pool, or 10:AM at the Mt St Gwinear car park. Getting there: From Rawson, travel approximately 18 km up the Thomson Valley Rd to the Mt St Gwinear Road (on your left) and another 5 km to reach the car park.
This walk is in an alpine environment and the weather can change very quickly so the appropriate equipment must be carried at all times including lunch and water.
Wonthaggi Heathland (TBC)
Excursion to the Wonthaggi Heathland and Coastal Reserve, meeting point is the car park at the end of Chisholm Rd. We plan to walk in the Wonthaggi Heathlands NCR to Cutler's Beach - approx. 3.4km out and back, easy walking with steepish access to the beach. Carry lunch to have at the beach or as preferred. Varied experiences possible across plants (although likely few in flower), birds and shore platforms at the beach. Carry water and use sun protection and insect repellant; be aware of possibility of wet sections of track.
Directions: Coming into Wonthaggi along the Bass Hwy from Inverloch, proceed straight ahead through the roundabout at the start of the CBD down Graham St. Turn Left into Cameron St, then Turn Right into Campbell St. At its end, Turn Left into Chisholm Rd and continue to the car park at its end.
Annual end of year picnic
Thanks to Wendy and Ken who have kindly offered to host this year’s annual picnic. Please BYO everything.
Seninis Track, Moondarra
The Club will be undertaking a wildflower excursion along Seninis Track located in Moondarra State Park where sixteen species of native orchid have been recorded. Bring lunch, water and a chair and your camera. Meet at the beginning of the track along the Moe-Rawson Rd.
Unfortunately due to COVID, this event has been CANCELLED.
Unfortunately due to COVID, this event has been CANCELLED.
SEANA Spring Camp
This years South East Australian Naturalists Association Spring Camp at Yarram will be hosted by Latrobe Valley FNC and Sale FNC.
There will be boat trips from Port Albert to the off shore islands in the Corner Inlet Ramsar site. We are expecting to see migratory shorebirds and resident beach nesting birds. There are two trips each day.
Cost is $85 per trip plus small booking fee. Bookings open Friday 1st September. Booking online is essential and will close when a trip is at capacity or on October 7th, whichever comes first. Details on the flyer. Boat Trips
Edward Hunter Heritage Bush Reserve
Excursion to one of the Latrobe Valley’s largest remaining patches of remnant vegetation, this Reserve on the urban fringe of Moe is rich in birdlife and wildflowers, especially native orchids.
Cowwarr Weir & Dawson Flora Reserve
Stephanie Suter, Environmental Water Officer at the WGCMA will show us the Cowwarr Weir Fishway and explain how it works. Steph is passionate about freshwater ecology and the interconnectedness of all things. We will then move on to the Dawson Flora Reserve to look at the native flora and birdlife. Photo: Dawson Flora Reserve
Eaglehawk Creek Valley Geology
On this excursion we will visit one of the Geological heritage sites of geomorphological interest to the Geological Society of Australia. The outcrops of the Tyers Group sediments are very important in the study of the stratigraphy and palaeontology of the Mesozoic in Victoria. The clear exposures of the Palaeozoic and Cainozoic materials together with the variations in valley morphology make this an important teaching and research locality. Meet at Main Street Glengarry.
Traralgon South Flora and Fauna Reserve
Excursion to the Traralgon South Flora and Fauna Reserve to look at Lichens and flora. Meet at Traralgon South Hall. Leader: Dr Simone Louwhoff
Meet at Traralgon South Hall, 3-5 Keith Morgan Drive, Traralgon South then travel on to the reserve. Bring cut lunch, refreshments and a folding chair.
The Gurdies and Corinella
Combined excursion for LVFNC and BirdLife Bayside members to The Gurdies and Corinella — Leader: Jenny Rejske, and we will be joined by local orchid enthusiast Dick Wettenhall.
Meet by 9.30 am at the Dunbabbin Road Picnic area from the Bass Highway go into Grantville, there are toilets also a bakery, etc
To get to the meeting place go up Grantville-Glen Alvie Rd (at the southern end of Grantville) to Shuntoff Rd (stopping at lookout on left). At the end of The Shuntoff, turn left into Stewart Road and then turn left down Dunbabbin Rd to the picnic area in The Gurdies Nature Conservation Reserve. After lunch (bring what you need) we will go to Settlement Point; meeting at the Corinella caravan park at the end of Smythe Street. Public toilets are available at the caravan park.
SEANA Autumn Camp
At Port Campbell, hosted by Timboon Field Naturalist’s Club.
It is now close to twenty years since we last explored this part of the southern coast. We invite you to join us for a variety of activities along our wild coastline including – beachcombing with guide, the wetland plants of the clifftop ponds, coastal and estuary birds, drawing workshop, clifftop walks.
Based in Port Campbell at the centre of the National Park. Accommodation - Please arrange your own. There is camping and caravan parks, motels, self-catering and B&B’s. Further options 11kms at Peterborough. Plans are still evolving as things dry out after a very wet winter.
Helmeted Honeyeaters
Following Friday evening’s presentation, we will be going on an excursion to Yellingbo (Liwik Barring) to see the recovery work done by the Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater for this critically endangered bird. Meet at the visitor centre at the end of Shield Road 10.30am for morning tea, (BYO Morning tea and lunch). The YNCA is gated and there will be a sign and gate open for our arrival, but will need to close it once everyone arrives. Image: Yellingbo NCR, FOHH
Reptiles
We will meet Matt Campbell at his property near Morwell National Park, then go into the Park, especially the western boundary to look for local reptiles including Lace Monitors, Skinks and Snakes.
Glen Nayook
Following on from Dr Mary Cole’s Friday night talk about soil fungi which will include Phytophthora cinnamomi and a soil borne rust that affects beech, we will go on an excursion to Glen Nayook to look at beech and changes in soil type across the reserve. Meet 10 am at the reserve car park, Paynter Road, Neerim Junction. Take lunch and a folding chair. The weather will be hot so carry plenty of water and wear a hat.
Summer Camp Mt Baw Baw
Our annual Summer Camp this year will explore nature around Mt Baw Baw Village. A program of excursions will be provided closer to the date.
Mt Erica
Excursion to the top of Mt Erica. Meet at the Erica Recreation Reserve opposite the pub to car pool.
Christmas Party
Annual Christmas Party at Jay and Joelle’s place in Yinnar South. Starts 12 Noon, BYO everything – chair, table, food. Hot water will be provided.
Westgate Pollinator Project
We will visit the pollinator project in Westgate Park. Meet at the last bus stop for route 235, Fishermans Bend/Wharf Road or travel with the group from the Valley by public transport.
Vline train: Traralgon 9:22, Morwell 9.30, Moe 9.40 and Warragul 9.59.
Bus 235 leaving 12.18 from Collins Square, Collins Street/Southern Cross Station.
Morwell National Park
Field trip to Morwell National Park. The park preserves a remnant of previously widespread wet sclerophyll forests and some rainforest remnants restricted to deep creek gullies. This will be an EVENING excursion. 7pm start. Meet at Kerry Road picnic area. BYO chair, food, torch and spotlight. NOTE: BBQs are not working.
Spring Camp at Brisbane Ranges
Spring Camp based in Bacchus Marsh with excursions to:
Anakie Gorge, Brisbane Ranges
Eynesbury Grey Box Forest
Long Forest Nature Reserve
Werribee Gorge State Park
Optional extra excursion to Lerderderg Gorge on Tuesday morning
SEANA Spring Camp
SEANA Spring get together at Merricks, hosted By Peninsula Field Naturalists Club.
For further details, check the website: https://seana.org.au
Mt Worth State Park
Mount Worth State Park protects some 1000 hectares of natural forest in the Western Strzelecki Ranges. It features giant Mountain Ash forest and flourishing fern gullies.
Meet at the Moonlight Creek Picnic Area carpark.
iNaturalist Workshop
Ken Harris will lead a workshop on how to use iNaturalist for our observations. Bring your laptop and/or phone to get started with your own devices.
Uralla Nature Reserve
Excursion to Uralla Nature Reserve, an area of bushland on the northern slopes of the Strzelecki Ranges.
Meet at the carpark at the entrance to Uralla Nature Reserve, off Giles Road Trafalgar.
Wirilda Environment Park
Field Trip to Wirilda Environment Park, Yallourn. Formerly 100ha of farmland, the site forms the entrance to the large areas of the Tyers Region and Moondarra State Parks.
Meet in the picnic area.