About a year ago the discovery of a new species of Hibbertia in was announced. The species, with the scientific name Hibbertia sp Turramurra and common name of Julian’s Hibbertia, was officially listed as critically endangered under the Threatened Species Act in September.
There are eleven known plants in South Turramurra, six in Cheltenham and one in Ryde. A management plan is in place to prevent disturbance and competition from weeds.
Sadly another STEP stalwart has died. Glenn Johnson was a member of the committee for nine years from 1984 to 1992. His fellow committee members describe Glenn as a sensitive person who loved the natural environment and who was passionate about his family, garden and work with the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. He was a born teacher and explainer.
Glenn’s career commenced as a mathematics teacher then he transferred to the Macquarie University Department of Mathematics on its foundation in 1967 where he studied for a PhD. He ultimately became a professor and head of the School of Computing. His studies included computer modelling for environmental events such as wind flow during bushfires and severe storms.
The Science Teachers’ Association of NSW conducts a program to assist students and their teachers to carry out scientific investigations. Since 1992 an annual award program has provided prizes for the outstanding projects. STEP sponsors an award for a project relating to an environmental issue.
The Young Scientist Award ceremony held on 4 November saw a celebration of STEM education at the University of Wollongong as 79 students from 40 schools were recognised for their achievements.
STEP gave its annual award to Jade Moxey, a year 10 student at Sapphire Coast Anglican College, for her patient and professional study of the spread of weeds through cattle grazing on her family's cattle farm near Bega.
But that wasn't the whole story: Jade also won first prize in her year group in the Earth and Biological Sciences category. Then to cap it all she was nominated as Young Scientist of the Year with a $1000 prize and a trip to Phoenix to representAustralia at the International Science and Engineering Fair next May
John Martyn who judged the award made these comments on Jade’s project:
This project shows excellent observation of, and interest in, the student's own home farm environment, patience in data gathering and attendance to details such as ethical issues and guarding against potential sample contamination.
Pasture weeds and their spread is a major problem in the grazing industry, but also many of the plants, like African Lovegrass and Fireweed, are bushland weeds in the Sydney area too. Her explanation for the non-appearance of Lovegrass in the timeframe of her study was also well researched and thought out.
Wander through the bushland of Wahroonga Estate and you will see the delicate heads of native orchids peeping out from between Sarsparilla (Smilax glyciphylla) and Old Man’s Beard (Clematis aristata). The first indications that orchid flowers are about to emerge are the tiny leaves – heart-shaped, ovular, arrow-headed – solitary leaves of a variety of shapes that carpet the ground.
Early to mid-spring is the time for Blunt Greenhoods (Pterostylis curta), Rock Tongue (Dockrillia linguiformis), White (Caladenia catenata) and Pink Five Fingers (Caladenia carnea) and Dainty Bird (Chiloglottis trapeziformis) orchids. If you’re lucky, you may catch some late Tall Greenhoods (Pterostylis longifolia), Red Beard (Calochilus paludosus), Early Bonnet (Cryptostylis erecta) or Hyacinth (Dipodium roseum and D. variegatum) orchids.
At other times, the estate is overrun by Greenhoods: Snake (Pterostylis ophioglossa), Cobra (Pterostylis grandiflora) and Nodding (Pterostylis nutans). Translucent Pixie Orchids (Acianthus fornicatus) pepper the undergrowth alongside tiny Spurred Helmet Orchids (Corybas aconitiflorus).
Small patches of Large Tongue Orchids (Cryptostylis subulata) appear. Occasionally, an elusive Mayfly Orchid (Acianthus caudatus) may be seen. And every few years, a Plain Sun Orchid (Thelymitra nuda) or Spotted Sun Orchid (Thelymitra ixiodes) is found.
New varieties are being found continuously, so native plant enthusiasts are strongly encouraged to come and take a close look at our little orchids. Remember to tread lightly and take nothing with you but photos and litter!
Ross Rapmund gave a fascinating talk on the changing birds in northern Sydney. He started with a slide which compared the ten most common birds before 1900 with recent data. A hundred years ago the most common species were small birds with an average weight of 18 g (e.g. Superb Fairy Wren, New Holland Honeyeater, Golden Whistler and Willie Wagtail). Now the most common birds are much bigger with an average weight of 180 g (e.g. Common Myna, Noisy Miner, Magpie, Currawong and Rainbow Lorikeet).
The type of birds has also changed from predominately insectivores to honeyeaters and exotics that are mostly omnivores or nectivores. These changes have been brought about by factors such as:
Small birds play an important role in controlling insect pests that affect the health of trees. Bushland with a strong tree canopy in turn supports small birds. The continuing decline in bushland from development, exacerbated by climate change, creates a viscous circle of decline.
Ross provided many insights into bird characteristics and behaviour from his wealth of information of birdlife.
First launched in 2003, Eremaea Birds rapidly became the site of choice for recording bird sightings in Australia. In 2014, Eremaea Birds merged with eBird, allowing members to be part of a larger global birding community. Contribute to science and conservation by recording your own data and observations on http://ebird.org/content/australia.