February 8th
Ben Lomond
Mike Douglas lead us up a rocky path across an extensive dolerite block field, with impressive hexagonal columns vanishing into the mist. Many alpine plants were in flower. We had lunch on the plateau of the Plains of Heaven, where the massive roche moutonnée rose behind us.
March 14th
Merthyr Park and Mt Direction
Len Gillett lead us on these two walks which are approximately 16 kms apart. The highlight at Merthyr Park was seeing the humungous ghost fungus omphalotus nidiformis, which glows in the dark. At the summit of Mount Direction we saw the interesting remains of a semaphore station from the early 1800s – a signal system which sent information about Tamar River traffic between Low Head and Launceston.
July 11th
Myrtle Park Forest Reserve, Springfield
We measured, photographed and counted over 100 living stumps of Douglas firs cut down over 40 years ago
August 9th
Paradise Plains Reserve
Discovering bryophytes with Dr. Perpetua Turner at Paradise Plains
September 10th
A trip to Eddystone Point
Eddystone Point, also known by its
Aboriginal name Larapuna, is in the Mount William National Park and marks the northernmost tip of the Bay of Fires region. Larapuna is the homeland of the Palawa (indigenous Tasmanian) people, and features the historic Eddystone Point Lighthouse.
October 10th
Winifred Curtis Reserve, Scamander.
The reserve is an 80 hectare ecosystem adjacent to Henderson Lagoon, with dry sclerophyll bushland, heath, marshland, wetland, dunes, and abundant bird life. Unfortunately It was too wet underfoot for the Field Nats to get to dunes or lagoon.
Winifred Curtis, 1905-2005 was Tasmania’s most distinguished professional botanist.
November 14th
A field trip to Upper Scamander.
After walking from the washed-out bridge at Brilliant Creek, and lingering over a wealth of orchids along the road-side, we crossed the Scamander River, and left the road, walking through dry open sclerophyll forest dominated by Eucalypts (including E. amygdalina – black peppermint, and E sieberi – iron bark).
December 12th
Cape Portland
A trip to the Musselroe wind farm to explore the northern coast of Cape Portland, and watch for migratory sea birds.
More about the wind farm here
