Sounds like a riddle perhaps? But no, the answer is kelp - specifically in this case, bull kelp. Bull kelp (Durvillaea potatorum) is relatively abundant off the southern coast of Australia and the evidence washes up along our coastline in clumps and strands after big...
This month our 'species of the month' is Carex iynx, which - to be honest - is not a plant that any of us knew too much about until very recently. Generally it is observed as an occasional occurrence in grasslands and moist woodlands in...
In the dark of night, they announce their arrival with the leathery snap of their wings. Their wings span up to one metre! If you startle them accidentally, visions of Dracula may briefly flit through your head as they wheel through the sky. It’s that time...
Maiko and Nick have been busy undertaking Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) listing assessments as part of Species Expert Assessment Plans (SEAPs) for Australian freshwater fish and spiny crayfish. Prior to these SEAPs, only 40 freshwater fish and just three spiny crayfish were listed...
Winter is a great time for getting outdoors and exploring the different types of fungi in your region. Whether it’s in pine plantation, native bush, open paddocks, or even in your own backyard, you'll see mushrooms popping up everywhere. On a recent fungi photography hunt, I...
You've probably heard of the Orange-bellied Parrot (Neophema chrysogaster) and might be familiar with some or even a lot of this species' story. Over the past few years we've written several posts about the OBP, but I thought it was time to refresh your memory...
Rose and Jess’ exciting find of a Southern Blue-Ringed Octopus (Hapalochlaena maculosa) at Cape Douglas with families from the local home-school network is our Species of the Month for April. (For those that are interested, the Limestone Coast Homeschool Group contact is Nicole: .)There are...
Earlier in the year we kicked off a series of coastal workshops supported by the Coast Protection Board with a reef ramble at Cape Douglas. We had several interesting and unidentified finds that day and put the call out in our post last month for...
Our February species of the month is the Brolga (Grus rubicunda) - also affectionately known by many people on the land as the "Native Companion". This spectacular bird is an iconic species of Australian wetlands, but is now highly threatened as a result of...
This month's feature species is the Moose Orchid or Large Tongue Orchid (Cryptostylis subulata). The Moose Orchid has long and leathery green leaves that are erect and lance shaped, and is usually found growing in swamps, marshes and stream edges. The flowering stems can range...
