North Eastern Tasmanian Field Naturalists Activity Sat Oct 14 2023

Our activity for October was a walk through the Humbug Point Nature Recreation Area, not far from Binalong Bay. The last two excursions were held in very windy conditions and this one was no exception. Fourteen of us gathered under the leadership of Ian Matthews to walk from Moulting Bay Campsite over the hill and eastwards to Dora Point and back via Humbug Point, a walk of some eight kilometres, through mostly open peppermint forest. Many plants were in flower, especially in the pea family, of which we saw at least four species including Pultenaea daphnoides, the tallest and showiest of the peas.  Orchid spotters were alert and found the tiger orchid Diuris sulphurea standing tall and yellow and the dainty little Caladenia carnea or pink finger. We also saw the twining fringe lily (Thysanotus patersonii) with its bright purple flowers.

Click for a better view

The track back along Humbug Point offered different vegetation, and here we were greeted by healthy Xanthorrhoea (grass trees), some of them with tall trunks and obviously having survived many fires in their lifetime. We were pleasantly surprised to see a resurrection fern Cheilanthes austrotenuifolia, remarkable for its ability to resurrect itself from dried and apparently dead fronds to living green fronds when suitable conditions are restored. Boronia was thriving here too, mostly pink but we did see a couple of the white variety. The peppermints continued and many were covered with blossom. Blue gums started to appear and even the odd blackwood tree.

Twice the walkers in front saw snakes on the track but they beat a hasty retreat. A blue tongue lizard was basking in the sun, allowing us to see its beautifully patterned skin. Out of the bush and onto the first of two beaches we were fully hit by the gale from which we had been somewhat sheltered in the forest. It was hard going and we were disappointed to see the number of large plastic buoys and oyster frames that had been washed ashore from the oyster farm directly across the bay. Seagrass lay in heaps along the beach and suddenly we saw a large echidna which had been delving in the piles of weed waddling away from us. It was the first time any of us had seen an echidna on the shore.  On the second beach the resident pair of Pied Oystercatchers were nesting as they do every year there. Black Swans were numerous, as the name of the bay suggests, and we spotted a White-bellied Sea-Eagle. Back at the cars we agreed it had been an interesting and pleasant walk.

Pam Bretz