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Inaugural Great Southern BioBlitz a huge success

Inaugural Great Southern BioBlitz a huge success

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Biodiversity Month was different this year for the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee (GORCC), with COVID-19 restrictions limiting the opportunity to run several activities. Instead, the Great Southern BioBlitz was formed, bringing together citizen scientists from across the Southern Hemisphere to observe the local flora and fauna in their own backyards.

Biodiversity Month runs throughout September and citizen scientists are encouraged to upload their observations of biodiversity to the online database, iNaturalist. More than 3,000 people took part this year, making over 90,000 observations of more than 12,000 species!

Southern Caracal – Image Credit Gigi Laidler

GORCC Environmental Education Program Coordinator Pete Crowcroft said participation in the BioBlitz was greater than anything the organisers could have anticipated.

“The incredible response from South America took us all by surprise, with hundreds of new users to iNaturalist documenting their observations to the website. Lima in Peru had 229 participants with 6,485 observations, the Huila region in Columbia with 114 participants taking 3,506 observations, Quito & Pichincha in Ecuador had 144 participants with over 2,000 observations, and Brazil had nearly 2,000 observations including 168 species of birds.”

Swallow-tailed Hummingbird in Brazil – Image Credit Diogo Luiz

“At home on the Surf Coast, we have been participating in the BioBlitz for a few years, with modest but steady increases in participation and observations each year. We totalled over 400 species for this BioBlitz which is our best result yet. This year some new observers joined in, including the legendary local Marg Macdonald who wrote the book on local plants and orchids, and contributed 40 observations.”

Biscuit Seastar, Tosia australis

“Everyone should be proud of this incredible effort. We’ve managed to come together, digitally, during one of the most drastic and challenging years of our lives.”

One of the main driving forces behind the spring timing of the project was so participants could observe the flowering plants. Along with Grampians National Park, the Surf Coast is one of the best places in Victoria to see wildflowers. A total of 240 plant species were seen including 31 orchid species.

To see the observations found throughout the Surf Coast and Southern Hemisphere check out iNaturalist’s website: www.inaturalist.org/projects/great-southern-bioblitz-umbrella

Garden Escapees

Garden Escapees

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We’re all spending lots of time at home this year, with many people making the most of the restrictions by getting out into the garden.

Our Conservation team have helped us choose some of the most common plants in backyards -all of which are classed as environmental weeds in Victoria, meaning they are invasive and threatening to our native environment.

Conservation Leading Hand Rachael Beecham said it’s important to remove weeds growing in your garden because they can spread kilometres away from your home.

“Birds, wind and water all spread the seed from weeds for kilometres, which is why it’s so important to remove them from your garden.”

Weed of the Month:

Shade or Fairy Crassula – Crassula multicava subsp multicava

Where it’s from: Native to Southern Africa

Crassula is a spreading to suberect succulent with cream to pink four petalled flowers. It flowers mostly in spring and is drought and shade tolerant. Like most succulents, this plant easily roots and spreads from leaves that fall or break off from the mother plant. They also propagate themselves by producing plantlets on the flowerhead that drop off and develop into independent plants.

This makes it a serious threat to our native environments. Populations are spreading into dry eucalypt forests and other woodlands, dry coastal vegetation and rocky outcrop vegetation.

Shade or Fairy Crassula is another popular garden plant because of its pretty flowers and extremely low maintenance requirements. Shade crassula is regarded as an environmental weed in Victoria.

“Environmental weeds displace and smother the indigenous species of the area which can in turn impact on native fauna’s habitat and populations.”

“Once established in our native environments, these weeds become a time-consuming and costly project to remove. Once they invade areas like cliffs they become almost impossible to remove.”

“The Environmental Weeds of the Surf Coast Shire booklet has great information on correct disposal methods for each weed. You can download it via this link: https://www.surfcoast.vic.gov.au/Environment/Natural-environment/Local-plants/Weeds-of-the-Surf-Coast.”

Coast Guardians twitch for Aussie Backyard Bird Count

Coast Guardians twitch for Aussie Backyard Bird Count

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Last month, the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee’s Coast Guardians from Geelong Lutheran College took part in the “Aussie Backyard Bird Count”, an annual citizen science project now in its sixth year run by BirdLife Australia.

Students learned to identify a few common species before the tally and used bird ID books, binoculars and the app field guide to identify as many birds as they could in a 20-minute period. With iPads in hand, ears and eyes ready to get twitching, students worked in groups to log their bird sightings into the app.

Year 9 students from Geelong Lutheran College logging their bird sightings into the Aussie Backyard Bird Count app.

The Coast Guardians submitted a total of 11 checklists, identifying 25 different species between the Gap and the wetlands in Torquay. Geelong Lutheran College has helped to make this location a great area of biodiversity with the revegetation of the Whites Gap car park area over a seven-year period participating in the Coast Guardians program.

The most common sighted bird at this location was the Welcome Swallow as there were a lot of insects buzzing around for them to snack on. The Red Wattlebird and New Holland Honeyeater were also in abundance. One special bird we were pleased to see was the Yellow-rumped Thornbill feeding on the ground beneath the bushes.

The Yellow-rumped Thornbill is the largest and probably the best-known
thornbill, with a striking yellow rump. Photo: BirdLife Australia.

We discussed where the data went to and its value in assisting scientists to spot indicator birds for change, which were most common, and which are declining in numbers. The students were amazed at how many birds they could spot, once they had practice in getting their eye in. This was a great lesson in patience and well-being in nature. The students found it relaxing and were keen to do more surveys.

As of publication, the count for Australia was over 106,000 lists submitted and over 3.6 million birds sighted across 680 species. What a brilliant opportunity for Coast Guardians to participate in a community activity and contribute to science and understanding of nature! Thanks to the app, anybody can contribute as a citizen scientists at www.aussiebirdcount.org.au/submit-a-count/.

Learn more about the Coast Guardians program and how your local school can become involved in this immersive environmental education program for year 9 students at www.gorcc.com.au/education/.

About us
The Great Ocean Road Coast Committee is a State Government body responsible for protecting, enhancing, and developing coastal Crown land from Point Impossible to Cumberland River. All funds raised through the organisation’s commercial endeavours are reinvested back into the coast. Visit us at www.gorcc.com.au.

September Biodiversity Month blitzes past last year

September Biodiversity Month blitzes past last year

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Each September, the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee (GORCC) celebrates the arrival of spring and the explosion of life that comes with it. We are the caretakers of a ‘biodiversity hot spot’, which means there is an unusual diversity of life concentrated within our land management area.

Biodiversity Month runs for the 30 days of September and citizen scientists are encouraged to upload their observations of biodiversity to the online database, iNaturalist.

To facilitate this process, GORCC runs a number of education activities during the month in different habitats and areas of the GORCC management zone, and this year we partnered with Parks Victoria to run sessions in some areas of the Great Otway National Park.

The first community session was held on 1 September, with the day landing on both Father’s Day and Wattle Day. To start the day, Possum Pete led a group in exploring the Anglesea coastal track to see how many species of Wattle (Acacia sp.) and other plants and animals they could find.

A tiny Brown Thornbill (Acanthiza pusilla) pokes its head out from a blooming Silver Wattle (Acacia dealbata) during our celebration of Wattle Day.
Blooming wattle along the Anglesea coastal track.

Later that day, the group explored the Point Roadknight rock pools with 25 keen young biologists and their parents, and they found a great selection of crabs, snails and anemones.

On 7 September GORCC ran a public Rock Pool Ramble at Rocky Point in Torquay. Despite the wintry conditions, 20 members of the public came out to explore wildlife living in the rock pools with us.

  • Kieran investigates a shore crab.
  • Boys carefully record their observation of a decorator crab.

On Friday 13 September, GORCC partnered with Parks Victoria and the Friends of Eastern Otways to run a special biodiversity activity. Dubbed ‘Spooky Biodiversity’ because of the date, the group of 30 searched for the nocturnal creatures that might be considered scary at Moggs Creek picnic ground.

Kids surround Possum Pete at the activity trailer to see creepy crawlies up close on the digital microscope at Moggs Creek picnic ground.

There were quite a few insects about including some moths and the group heard the calls of Yellow Bellied Gliders and Boobook Owls when they went for a walk. Local biologist Craig Graham, under the permission and supervision of Parks Victoria, set up nets to capture this Little Forest Bat (Vespadelus vultunus). One of the smallest mammals in Australia, Little Forest Bats can weigh less than 4g.

A Little Forest Bat (Vespadelus vultunus) caught and handled by biologist Craig Graham at the ‘Friday 13th Spooky Biodiversity’ community event.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed their observations to this year’s September Biodiversity Month. What a great snapshot this project provides of the rich diversity of life in this region.

This year, we observed 100 species more than last year, with over 350 species identified. A big congratulations to Neil Tucker for recording the most observations and the greatest number of species throughout the BioBlitz in September, logging an amazing 221 observations and 198 different species. Neil is an active volunteer with coastal conservation groups ANGAIR and Torquay Coast Action and is renowned as an expert on local biodiversity, especially plants and fungi.

To check out all of the observations found throughout the Surf Coast this September BioBlitz, see iNaturalist’s website: www.inaturalist.org/projects/surfcoast-september-bioblitz-2019.

The Great Ocean Road Coast Committee
The Great Ocean Road Coast Committee is a State Government body responsible for protecting, enhancing, and developing coastal Crown land from Point Impossible to Cumberland River. All funds raised through the organisation’s commercial endeavours are reinvested back into the coast. Visit us at www.gorcc.com.au.

Surf Coast BioBlitz

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Did you know that September is National Biodiversity Month?

September is a great time to explore the biodiversity of our incredible Surf Coast and to celebrate, the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee is organising a BioBlitz!

Can you help us find all the different plants and animals along the Surf Coast? This is a chance to learn about the things that live where you live: plants, birds, fish, fungi, insects, arachnids – everything!

Join us in getting out and documenting this treasure-trove of life’s variety, all found in our backyard. Get your camera and upload your observations to iNaturalist, and if you are within the boundaries of the Surf Coast it will be included in the Surf Coast September 2019 BioBlitz.

Last year we had over 560 observations of approximately 250 species, including 123 species of plants, 47 species of birds, 5 mammals, 10 fungi, and many others.

Let’s see if we can beat last year’s efforts:

  • Coast beard heath
  • Lamprey
  • Waratah anemone
  • Seastar
  • Spitfire caterpillars
  • Cockatoo
  • Karkalla
  • Skink
  • Jumping spider

Throughout September, environmental educator Possum Pete will be out in the community running several BioBlitz sessions. Join an event near you or see what you can find with your friends.

Sunday 1 September – Pt Roadknight, Anglesea

  • 10.30am – 12pm – Biodiversity walk
    We’ll embark from Pt Roadknight boat ramp for a biodiversity exploration walk. To commemorate Wattle Day, we’ll admire the beautiful wattles that are currently on show and see what other amazing biodiversity we can find.
  • 4pm – Interactive activity trailer
    Our digital microscope will be set up for a look ‘Up Close’ at some of the smallest coastal creatures.
  • 5 – 7pm – Rock pool evening exploration
    Let’s see what creatures call the rock pools home – we may even spy an octopus! Bring your torch and a pair of sturdy shoes.

Saturday 7 September – Rocky Point, Torquay

  • 10.30am – Rock pool explore at Rocky Point
    Let’s see what creatures call the rock pools home – we may even spy an octopus! Meet at the rotunda at the end of Surf Beach Drive, next to Spring Creek. Bring a water a bottle and a pair of sturdy shoes.

Friday 13 September – Moggs Creek picnic ground

  • 5pm – late – Full moon creepy crawlies
    Let’s find all the amazing creatures people think are scary. We’ll be searching for arachnids, bats, and phobia-inducing fluffy moths. If we’re lucky, we might hear the cackle of the Yellow-bellied Glider to the full moon. Bring good shoes, appropriate clothing and your water bottle. This is a Friends of Eastern Otways activity in partnership with Parks Victoria.

If you are interested in attending an event please RSVP with Possum Pete on 0412 044 127. To register with iNaturalist and track your BioBlitz observations head to www.inaturalist.org.

The Great Ocean Road Coast Committee is a State Government body responsible for protecting, enhancing, and developing coastal Crown land from Point Impossible to Cumberland River. All funds raised through the organisation’s commercial endeavours are reinvested back into the coast. Visit us at www.gorcc.com.au.

Out and about with Possum Pete

Out and about with Possum Pete

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Exploring the coast with Possum Pete

This time of the year is characterised by dynamic weather with the definite progression from warmer to colder months. We have experienced the crisp, blue sky and still autumn conditions, and then there’s the driving rain and blizzard-like gales as powerful Antarctic storms herald that winter has arrived on the Surf Coast. We had it all this term, and students had to be at their bravest to be out there in some of the more challenging conditions we’re likely to have all year.

There were many highlights this term, including the conservation activities with year 7s from Grovedale College, and ecosystem walks with Surf Coast Secondary. By far the largest and most impactful project was a partnership with Mackillop College, the Friends of Eastern Otways, Parks Victoria and the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee. We have been able to remove a ferocious invasion of coastal tea-tree from significant heathland at Moggs Creek in sessions that represent hundreds of hours of volunteer work! Read more →

Fence a win for environmental and cultural heritage conservation

Fence a win for environmental and cultural heritage conservation

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Under the guidance of Wadawurrung (Wathaurung Aboriginal Corporation), a rabbit proof fence has recently been installed by the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee (GORCC).

A win for both environmental and cultural heritage conservation, the fence is designed to disrupt destructive rabbit activity in and around Whites Beach, Torquay.

The fence is positioned between an area known as ‘the gap’ along the gravel section of the Esplanade down to the Point Impossible Nude Beach.

The fence forms part of an integrated rabbit control program developed to support and restore ecological processes and preserve the integrity of culturally sensitive sites. Read more →

Monitoring coastal erosion in Anglesea

Monitoring coastal erosion in Anglesea

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The Great Ocean Road coast is constantly changing.

While Victoria has a long history of weather variability such as storms, droughts and floods, climate change is projected to increase risks to coastal environments through drivers such as sea-level rise, change in wave-direction and increases in swell energy and storm tide events. These drivers affect coastal erosion, sediment supply and inundation and are expected to vary geographically across Victoria’s coastal zone.

The Victorian Coastal Monitoring Program (VCMP) aims to provide communities with information on coastal condition, change, hazards, and the expected longer-term impacts associated with climate change that will support decision making and adaptation planning. Read more →

Environmental protection from the next generation of coastal innovators

Environmental protection from the next generation of coastal innovators

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On Wednesday 5 September, around 160 students from five local schools gathered in Torquay to learn, work-shop ideas and celebrate coastal conservation at the annual Coast Guardians Forum hosted by the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee.

The year 9 students from Northern Bay College, Surf Coast Secondary College, Geelong Lutheran College, Lorne Aireys Inlet P-12 College, and Sacred Heart College had a day of guest presenters, exciting activities and prizes as part of the Great Ocean Road Coast’s award-winning Environmental Education Program. Read more →