Journal Number 104
August 2007

AUSTRALIAN NOTES
By David McConachie

Small Golden Moths Survey: Was It A Success?
By Colin Rowan (from ANOS [Vic] Bulletin Vol 39 no. 5 November 2006)

The major charter of A.N.O.S. Vic. is the conservation of orchids and, as a result, we are often called upon to help in orchid surveys around Melbourne and country Victoria. So, on a hot and very windy day (the 19th of September), twelve members gathered on the western outskirts of Melbourne, to help Karen Lester of the DSE to extend the known range of Diuris basaltica (Small Golden Moths Orchid). The orchid is found in only one spot in a small grasslands area near housing. Two years ago only 16 plants could be located.

A number of surveys of other orchids in other areas has often led to disappointment as, during the day, absolutely no orchids were seen, let alone the target orchid of the day.
So we started the day wondering what would happen this time.

Starting at the known plant colony, the first thing we noticed was the small size of the orchid, how strong the wind blew, and how many other little yellow flowers abounded in the area.
This was going to be hard work.

A line search was organised, a difficult task for any A.N.O.S. member, and off we went. Within 20 metres of the baseline, the first orchid was seen and marked. Soon everyone was sighting the orchids and so, as usual, we degenerated back to a rambling mob. The initial supply of 80 markers soon ran out and more had to be made on the go. Pink tapes tied to larger grasses were also used to help mark our finds. This survey, everyone realised soon enough, was going to produce amazing results.

To escape the wind, we stopped in at a local member's house for lunch. Here we planned how we would GPS all the markers we had just put out. Breaking up into small teams, with each team having a GPS "expert", the task was taken up. It was noted later that we also should have appointed snake watchers as there were three sightings after lunch - all over 6 feet (1.8 metre) long.

In a rough tally, it was estimated we had found over 500 new plants - with another 100 or so in the original colony. So this survey was considered a very successful day indeed, and obviously a good year for the orchid as well.