Budawang Coast Atlas of Life's Journal

Journal archives for October 2021

06 October, 2021

Moth Night 23 October 2021 - Great Southern Bioblitz (& Eventbrite session 23Oct 5.30pm)

For the Great Southern Bioblitz, 23 October is moth night in the Southern Hemisphere. Moths are totally underrated! Hundreds of different species can be attracted and observed in your backyard. Masters of camouflage, they can look almost exactly like objects in nature such as leaves, bark or even dried sap! Observe what you can and upload your pictures onto iNaturalist! Log sightings: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/moth-night-2021-a-great-southern-bioblitz-project

Eventbrite booking: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/moth-night-2021-a-great-southern-bioblitz-project-tickets-179116059957

A short video to show how easy it is to cast a white light on a sheet and just wait for those amazing moths to land! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1r2ap0YNYg&t=13s

Posted on 06 October, 2021 09:07 by barv barv | 0 comments | Leave a comment

Great Southern Bioblitz Q & A on iNaturalist by Thomas Mesaglio - 19 October 2021 8:30 PM

The purpose of Great Southern Bioblitz (22-25Oct) is to highlight the immense biodiversity spread across the Southern Hemisphere in the springtime, as well as to engage the public in science and nature learning.
This workshop answers your questions on iNaturalist, the platform to be used during the ‘Great Southern BioBlitz’ (GSB) - an international period of intense biological surveying in an attempt to record all the living species within several designated areas across the Southern Hemisphere in Spring. In October, the Southern Hemisphere’s natural world is on full throttle so it makes sense for the Southern Hemisphere to document life at this time of year!
Book tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/q-a-for-inaturalist-tickets-185769841597

Posted on 06 October, 2021 10:53 by barv barv | 0 comments | Leave a comment

10 October, 2021

Join Budawang Great Southern Bioblitz project on iNaturalist

https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/great-southern-bioblitz-2021-shoalhaven-budawang-coast

Great Southern Bioblitz (GSB) 22-25 October
This is the second year of GSB when every person in the Southern Hemisphere can record all species over 4 days in your backyard, in your neighbourhood or in your local bushland. Join Australia and 14 other countries in the largest citizen science biodiversity survey, 96 local areas including Budawang Coast have signed up to participate.

Using iNaturalist, GSB is an annual opportunity to participate in a global biodiversity survey. Until recently these bioblitzes were centered in the Northern Hemisphere in their springtime, so south of the equator we were coming into winter when the greatest amount of biodiversity wasn't on show! GSB was born from the desire to have a springtime survey of biodiversity when our area is abundant with emerging life.

Each time an observation is made, it is identified and used as a data point for that species, existing in that place, at that time. A valuable piece of scientific data which can be accessed for all sorts of important biological research.

We have special focus on Parrots this year because we need every sighting we can get of them. We are running a “Gang-gang nesting” project and we are also looking out for Glossy Black cockatoos. Both of these species are now threatened and we are keen to find out how many are living in our area, especially after the fires. We are keen to know what parrots are feeding on, so if you get a good sighting, add it to the “Hungry Parrots” project. (see previous journal posts or Facebook page for links to projects)

On Saturday 23 October, there is a Moth Hunt asking everyone to put up a white sheet under and outside light and when it gets dark, record all the moths and other insects that will be attracted. (see previous journal post or our Facebook page for details) Attend Eventbrite session on 23October to learn more https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/moth-night-2021-a-great-southern-bioblitz-project-tickets-179116059957

Given the ongoing pandemic we value participant safety as a priority. The beauty of the GSB is that you can participate when restrictions are in place, and long distance travel is not possible. You can do it solo or in a small group. All you need is an iNaturalist account, a device to take photos of wildlife and enthusiasm.

Posted on 10 October, 2021 02:27 by barv barv | 0 comments | Leave a comment

20 October, 2021

Weed alert - be on the lookout for this invasive weed - Aristea ecklonii, Blue Stars

It is now in our area!!! (link to photo below)
Blue Stars, an invasive weed from African continent, is a member of the Iris family. Still sold by nurseries because no government has listed it as a pest, it is a new dangerous class of shade-tolerant invasive species.
Outbreaks are causing concern as it produces masses of seed that spread by overland water flow, wind, machinery or on boots of walkers. It may also be spread by animals either ingesting the fruits or catching seeds on their feathers or fur. It grows in shade and can produce a dense ground cover under native forest or shrubland thus preventing regeneration of the native plants. It produces rhizomes that help the plant survive adverse conditions. These rhizomes produce new shoots when conditions are favourable, and can also produce a dense mat of fine fibrous roots.

Control: Aristea ecklonii is susceptible to glyphosate but indications are that the rhizome is not killed and resprouting from the rhizome occurs. Experiments are underway using different concentrations of glyphosate, with and without metsulfuran methyl, and using different application methods. When digging up plants, make sure to remove all of the rhizome. As an interim control measure, remove flowers and fruits between Spring and Autumn before fruits open.

Link to photos and removal techniques https://springbrookrescue.org.au/AristeaEcklonii.html
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/66585783

Posted on 20 October, 2021 04:53 by barv barv | 1 comment | Leave a comment

Six tips on taking photos of insects and other small creatures with your phone

Posted on 20 October, 2021 20:32 by barv barv | 0 comments | Leave a comment

Moth night Saturday 23 Oct

This year as part of the Great Southern Bioblitz Saturday night is Moth Night, set up your fancy gear or just leave the backl ight on and observe and upload to iNaturalist.org all the moths you find and help the #GSB2021 reveal the amazing #biodiversity of the southern hemisphere. learn more 👇👇👇👇
http://ow.ly/l31p50Gf4Yx
join the project here
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/moth-night-2021-a-great-southern-bioblitz-project

Posted on 20 October, 2021 22:55 by annielane annielane | 1 comment | Leave a comment

21 October, 2021

Great Southern Bioblitz starts tomorrow!

4 days of taking photos of everything you see, including Moth night and Sea Slug census (links below). 271 areas registered from 19 countries and 3 continents, thousands of people all over the Southern Hemisphere celebrating our unique biodiversity!

A checklist for a great, fun and safe Bioblitz!

  1. Charge your camera or phone
  2. Be ready with your camera in your hands, as some animals are quick (like birds)
  3. Explore your backyard and try to make at least five observations on the first day of bioblitz. It's our #5onFriday
  4. Take photos from different angles. See other post with tips for photographing insects
  5. Walk carefully, stick on the trails, minimize your impact on the environment
  6. Take photos of everything during your walk, even if it's common or rare
  7. Submit your photos up to two weeks after the GSB for them to be counted
  8. Make sure you're safe, stay away from venomous animals and plants and respect wildlife
  9. Follow recommendations related to COVID in your local area
  10. Join our Moth Night project as a member and make observations of moths on 23 October
  11. Join our Sea Slug Sunday project as a member and contribute to the Sea Slug Census on 24 October

Great Southern Bioblitz 22-25 October
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/great-southern-bioblitz-2021-umbrella
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/great-southern-bioblitz-2021-shoalhaven-budawang-coast
Moth Night 23 October
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/moth-night-2021-a-great-southern-bioblitz-project
https://greatsouthernbiobl.wixsite.com/website/post/tips-on-moth-hunting
Great Sea Slug Sunday 24 October
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/the-great-sea-slug-sunday-a-great-southern-bioblitz-sea-slug-census-collaboration
https://greatsouthernbiobl.wixsite.com/website/post/sea-slug-sunday

Posted on 21 October, 2021 02:53 by barv barv | 0 comments | Leave a comment

24 October, 2021

SLA's AGM 4 Nov & presentation on Small Ground Dwelling Mammals and Reptiles of Shoalhaven

Shoalhaven Landcare Association’s AGM
Thursday 4 November 2021 4-8pm
Jervis Bay Maritime Museum in Huskisson

Prior to formal AGM is a presentation by Beth Mott, Threatened Species Officer at DPIE, “Small Ground Dwelling Mammals and Reptiles of the Shoalhaven and tips for fauna boosting strategies for our properties”. Then a short AGM followed by refreshments and nibbles to celebrate a year of progress by SLA.

RSVP to Sonya at coordinator@shoalhavenlandcare.org.au or 0410961449
Please indicate on your RSVP if you are double vaccinated, proof of vaccination is a condition of entry as required by the latest COVID rules.

Posted on 24 October, 2021 01:08 by barv barv | 0 comments | Leave a comment

28 October, 2021

29 October, 2021

152, 000+ Observations Species lists for GSB2021 - many in need of identification

Check out some of the species found during GSB2021

Birds https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=any&project_id=great-southern-bioblitz-2021-umbrella&view=species&iconic_taxa=Aves
Amphibians https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?iconic_taxa=Amphibia&place_id=any&project_id=great-southern-bioblitz-2021-umbrella&view=species
Reptiles https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?iconic_taxa=Reptilia&place_id=any&project_id=great-southern-bioblitz-2021-umbrella&view=species
Mammals https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?iconic_taxa=Mammalia&place_id=any&project_id=great-southern-bioblitz-2021-umbrella&view=species
Ray-Finned Fishes https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?iconic_taxa=Actinopterygii&place_id=any&project_id=great-southern-bioblitz-2021-umbrella&view=species
Molluscs https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?iconic_taxa=Mollusca&place_id=any&project_id=great-southern-bioblitz-2021-umbrella&view=species
Arachnids https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?iconic_taxa=Arachnida&place_id=any&project_id=great-southern-bioblitz-2021-umbrella&view=species
Insects https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?iconic_taxa=Insecta&place_id=any&project_id=great-southern-bioblitz-2021-umbrella&view=species
Plants https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?iconic_taxa=Plantae&place_id=any&project_id=great-southern-bioblitz-2021-umbrella&view=species
Fungi https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?iconic_taxa=Fungi&place_id=any&project_id=great-southern-bioblitz-2021-umbrella&view=species
Protozoans https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?iconic_taxa=Protozoa&place_id=any&project_id=great-southern-bioblitz-2021-umbrella&view=species

Observations in Need of Identification
All taxa https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=any&project_id=great-southern-bioblitz-2021-umbrella&quality_grade=needs_id
Aves
Amphibians
Reptiles
Mammals
Ray-Finned Fishes
Molluscs
Sea-Slugs
Arachnids
Insects
Orthoptera
Plants
Fungi
Protozoans
Unknowns

Posted on 29 October, 2021 00:00 by barv barv | 0 comments | Leave a comment