Roger Thomas
The Courier
Australia
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Past articles by Roger:
Nature Notes: Crickets in Ballarat seen in bigger numbers
A minor plague of crickets this summer and autumn is probably due to a sudden reduction in green grass which is their main food source. Ballarat is experiencing a minor plague of crickets, with the active and adventurous little black creatures now entering inner-city offices and shops. → Read More
Nature Notes: Nardoo fern an unusual spot with a long history
Common nardoo is actually not common in the Ballarat area. It is more likely to be found across much of periodically-flooded inland Australia. The unusual plant known as nardoo is more often associated with inland Australia than the Ballarat district, but it does grow here at a few places. → Read More
Nature Notes: Prickly devil near Ballarat holds some surprises
PLUS: Antechinus and tiny glider spotted near Lal Lal, and who is this tasty green caterpillar? → Read More
Nature Notes: Uncommon horned orchid spotted near Ballarat
The horned orchid is uncommon in the Ballarat district and had never before been recorded in the Enfield forest area. The forest of the Enfield district has the incredible total of 96 species of orchids on its list of native plants. One more orchid was added to the total a few weeks ago - the horned orchid, uncommon in the Ballarat district and never before recorded in the Enfield forest area. A… → Read More
Nature Notes: Duckweeds play an important role for Ballarat's ducks and swans
Duckweeds are an interesting range of native aquatic plants and are best-known for their lawn-like appearance, or as a food for ducks and swans. With large and small life above and below them, duckweeds are an interesting range of native aquatic plants. → Read More
Nature Notes: Ballarat's Golden-haired cicada population higher this season
A golden-haired cicada at the Ballarat's Botanical Gardens. Picture by Phillip LeMarshall This summer has been a good one for cicadas. They appear in the Ballarat district every year, but numbers have been higher this season. → Read More
Nature Notes: Christmas Beetle numbers declining in the Ballarat region
The gloss of this smooth, hard and metallic beetle is stunning and eye-catching. The rather stunning beetle pictured here is a golden stag beetle, often called Christmas beetle because of its colouring and the time it appears. → Read More
Nature Notes: Common Mynas increasing across Ballarat
A Common Myna, also known as Indian Myna, photograhed in Sydney by Richard Taylor /Wikipedia. The introduced bird known as the common myna or Indian myna is gradually increasing in range and numbers in the Ballarat district. → Read More
Nature Notes: An abundance of dragonflies spotted in Ballarat
An Australian Emperor dragonfly on Lake Wendouree. Picture by Carol Hall Dragonflies of many species are abundant throughout the district this summer, no doubt as a result of the wet spring. → Read More
Nature Notes: Wild watercress shows off white flowers
Water cress is an exotic plant growing wild around Ballarat favouring muddy edges of flowing water. Growing wild in many places around Ballarat, water cress is an exotic plant favouring muddy edges of flowing water. → Read More
Nature Notes: Fragrant flowers identify black wattle
The black wattle produces its seed over a period of 12 months or more. flowers in spring and drops its seed in January. Feathery leaves and pale-yellow summer flowers readily identify the black wattle. It is the only local wattle tree to have this combination. → Read More
Nature Notes: Coots, grebes harder to find in Lake Wendouree area
Royal spoonbills have been found in the area, despite lower than average birdlife in a count last weekend, as captured in this photo by Ed Dunens. The main feature of a local bird count last weekend was a lack of waterbirds. → Read More
Nature Notes: Pink Match-Heads catching our attention
Comesperma ericinum belongs to the family containing plants often known as milkworts and has been found in Woowookaung Regional Park. The colourful wildflower pictured makes its mark in late spring and early summer. Although often called "pink match-heads" it also has a more technical name of "heath milkwort". → Read More
Nature Notes: Cape Barren geese breeding at lake
Cape Barren geese goslings spotted at Lake Wendouree. Picture by Ed Dunens One or two Cape Barren geese have been present at Lake Wendouree for most of the past 18 months. → Read More
Nature Notes: Mother and pup flying fox are a long way from home
Taking a sneaky peek, a young grey - headed flying fox is snapped peering between the gum trees. Picture by Jeffrey Crawley. New residents of Ballarat - a couple of grey-headed flying-foxes - have been present in the North Gardens Wetlands near Lake Wendouree for nearly a week. → Read More
Nature Notes: Ballarat's fungi season extends through wet weather
Jelly bells fungi is normally found on damp twigs and branches that have fallen on the ground. The local season for fungi has been extended due to the long damp springtime, creating continued interest for fungi enthusiasts and photographers. → Read More
Nature Notes: Uncommon imperial jezebel butterfly spotted near Ballarat
The imperial jezebel lays its eggs on mistletoe leaves. Picture by Jenny Sedgwick This colourful butterfly is the imperial jezebel. Although not rare, it is not a common butterfly in the Ballarat district. → Read More
Colourful butterfly sighted more in region this year
The imperial jezebel is not a common butterfly in the Ballarat district, but there have been more reports than usual this autumn. → Read More
Why seagulls are found at Lake Wendouree, so far from the sea
The Ballarat seagull is found all around the Australian coast, as well as at many places inland. → Read More
Nature Notes | Rare arrival proof of wandering waterbirds
A rare white swamphen in Lake Wendouree is a sign swamphens move through the district. → Read More