Flora & Fauna of ‘Hidden Valley’
Sticky Everlasting (Xerochrysum viscosum)
‘Hidden Valley’ (not a proper name) is at the back of the Three Sisters, off Moore’s Rd in Flowerdale and is one of the project sites of the new Strath Creek Biodiversity Project. A short survey, visiting the properties of Hubbard and Watson, was organized to gain some understanding of the flora and fauna of the area.
The morning dawned cool and overcast, but the previous day’s rain had gone. Though six of us set out on the walk, two had other duties and only joined us for the first leg. Four of us then spent about three hours traipsing up and down rather steep slopes recording the plants and animals of the area, with some surprising results.
Despite the dull, overcast conditions 31 species of birds were recorded. Somewhat surprisingly we only found one species of reptile, the common Garden Skink; we found no other skinks, or snakes and certainly no legless lizards. And the only frog recorded was the very common Common Froglet (view the lists here). Several Imperial White Butterflies fluttered in the cool breeze and around midday some Painted Ladies and Common Grass Blues emerged to warm themselves in the sun.
The stand-out moment of the survey came as we headed back to our cars across Watson’s land. What from a distance had looked like a rather trampled, eroded northern slope turned out to be a gorgeous, diverse patch of wildflowers – see the pics below.
For those of you interested in bird and their calls, here are the calls of the Scarlet Robin and it’s close relative the Flame Robin, both of which were recorded in ‘Hidden Valley’.
Flame Robin, Mt Disappointment, Victoria.
Scarlet Robin, Flowerdale.
-
- Remnant Red Stringybark & Long-leaf Box Grassy Woodland.
-
- Several Imperial White Butterflies were seen in the valley.
-
- We worked our way up-slope turning rocks and logs.
-
- Some of the mid- and upper-slopes still have very impressive old trees, like this Red Stringybark (Eucalyptus macrorhyncha) – easily 150+ years old.
-
- The presence of termite mounds like this one raised the question of whether Tree Goannas (Varanus varius) might occur in the area.
-
- Dave & Laurie setting up one of the remote cameras.
-
- Checking the placement.
-
- Open, grassy patch between stands of old Stringybark and Box eucalypts.
-
- One rocky slope had very showy Narrow-leaf Bitter-peas (D. leptophylla)
-
- Narrow-leaf Bitter-pea (Daviesia leptophylla) was uncommon in the valley.
-
- Small Poranthera (Poranthera microphylla)
-
- A Painted Lady basking in the midday sun.
-
- A tiny Twining Fringe-lily (Thysanotus patersonii) hugs the rocky ground.
-
- Scaly Buttons (Leptorhynchos squamatus) added a splash of colour.
-
- The Daphne Heath (Brachyloma daphnoides) was just beginning to come into flower.
-
- Why is the grass greener in this semi-circular pattern? Underlying geology?
-
- A purple surprise – Love Creeper (Comesperma volubile)
-
- A lovely local display of Sticky Everlasting (Xerochrysum viscosum).
-
- Sticky Everlasting (Xerochrysum viscosum)
-
- Sticky Everlasting (Xerochrysum viscosum)
For more information on how the valley will be managed, read about this project site on the Strath Creek Biodiversity Project website.
Focus On Fauna 
Great photos.
The sun orchid may have been Thelymitra pauciflora. I remember seeing that growing there when I was there organising the fire recovery blackberry control a couple of years ago in Waynes bushland areas and along his creek. Also you may want to add Painted Quail to the list as I remember I also flushed one of those whilst walking in the hill area behind his shed.
Chris Cobern
Fire Recovery Landcare Coordinator
Upper Goulburn Landcare Network