Bellvine - Ipomoea plebeia - 1 Oct 2018 lr

Young Bellvine Ipomoea plebeia

By: Michael Fox

I love the sound of rain so I was very happy to sit with my coffee yesterday watching the rain. I also appreciate not having to water the National Tree Day plants this morning.

Good site preparation and good planting means the most of the plants have been going well even with the dry weather. So it was particularly special to visit the site this morning and find the first signs of natural regeneration: a young Bellvine Ipomoea plebeia with it distinctive first two leaves.

Dusky Coral Pea - Kennedia rubicunda - 1 Oct 2018 lr

Dusky Coral Pea Kennedia rubicunda

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The Dusky Coral Pea Kennedia rubicunda is already spreading ready to climb the Habitat Tripod to create habitat for small birds. Note the new dusky ping leave to the right.

 

Costal Banksia - Banksia integrifolia - 1 Oct 2018

Coastal Banksia Banksia integrifolia

 

 

 

A number of Coastal Banksias Banksia integrifolia have been lost to the dry weather. However, most have not only survived but are already putting out new shoots.

 

 

Flat-stemmed Wattle - Acacia complanata - 1 Oct 2018 lr

Flat-stemmed Wattle Acacia complanata

 

 

 

The Flat-stemmed Wattle Acacia complanata also have new shoots.

 

 

 

 

Small Acacia Longicorn Beetle - Ancita varicornis - 1 Oct 2018

Small Acacia Longicorn Beetle

 

Even more exciting when I was inspecting a Flat-stemmed Wattle I found a Small Acacia Longicorn Beetle Ancita varicornisa new species addition to our Flora & Fauna of Mt Gravatt Conservation Reserve. This is part of the planning for the small bird habitat: attracting insects to feed insect eating birds. Providing food for insects is a key to attracting birds and butterflies to your garden: Plant Local to Feed Locals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By: Michael Fox

 

Tuesday Bushcare today was weeding the 2015/16 National Tree Day planting and preparing for this year’s planting site.

The planting was planned to create habitat for small forest birds. A combination of Habitat Tripods to create the scrubby tangled space that is safe for birds like Fairy Wrens to nest and attracting insects as food for Fairy Wrens. #WaterFoodShelter

Large Grass Yellow - Eurema hecabe - 24 Apr 2018 lr

Large Grass Yellow Eurema hecabe

Today’s Bushcare was very special as I three species to our database: Flora and Fauna of Mt Gravatt Conservation Reserve.

A dragonfly, Black-headed Skimmer Crocothemis nigrifrons, two Large Grass Yellow Eurema hecabe butterflies doing some speed dating and a Brown Bush Fly Musca terraereginae are all new species add to the database.

 

Brown Bush Fly - Musca terraereginae - 24 Apr 2018 cropped

Brown Bush Fly Musca terraereginae 

We also spotted Wide-brand Grass-dart  Suniana Sunias and Small Dusky Blue – Candalides erinus butterflies and a Magpie Moth Nyctemera secundiana

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finding all these species in the small bird habitat is evidence of success and an excellent example of how Pollinator Link Plant Local to Feed Locals can bring Birds, Butterflies and Bees to your garden. #WaterFoodShelter