Well, we are a bit late in our first orchid exploration this year, as it has been a hectic couple of months. Usually, we head out in late March or early April. As our usual suspects are found north of Esperance, we head out on Dempster Road for a look. We will mix it up, though, by visiting new locations, so our Scaddan 1 location is our first stop.
As with most early-season searches, the results are pretty average. The first orchids found were specimens of the Banded greenhood (Pterostylis vittata), which is found growing between Perth and Israelite Bay from late-April to early September.
The only other orchid found here was the Pygmy orchid (Corunastylis fuscoviridis), which is found between Corrigin and Eucla in WA, as well as in South Australia and Victoria. It is one of the first orchids of the season in WA, as it flowers from March through to May.
Moved onto another nearby location, Scaddan 2; however, this proved even less successful. The sole find here was the Hare orchid (Leporella fimbriata), which is found between Shark and Israelite Bays from March to June.
We leave Dempster Road and head west along Scaddan Road, where we make another impromptu stop. Scaddan 3. A rather overgrown sand track that required me to remove fallen branches or hold back overhanging shrubs to try our best not to scratch up the Mighty Triton too much. OMG, this was nearly a waste of time. Only found another Banded greenhood and a very spent Pygmy orchid. Pics for recording purposes.
Moving on to our last location of the day, which is located in the Speddingup East Nature Reserve. Here we spend around 1 hour looking around with not much luck. This time, only further Banded greenhoods and Hare orchids were found. Again, pics taken for recording purposes.
Driving back along the Coolgardie-Esperance Hwy, we make a quick check of our Gibson 15 location. Here we find our Robust snail orchids, but they are only starting to sprout, so we will need to revisit if we are to catch them flowering. Oh well, it was not such a great day out, but we did get to enjoy the fresh air and clocked up some steps, which is always good for us. Until next time!!
On the hunt for that elusive Winter Spider Orchid. To improve our chances, we are heading over to Lake King. To provide as much time as possible we have booked into the Lake King Tavern Motel for Saturday night.
However, as is usual for us we never go anywhere directly. Orchid hunting stops will be made along the way, plus we like to venture paths not previously travelled.
First up we check out a location in Coomalbidgup3 where we come across some bunny orchids.
Pictures of two findings only taken with the leaf not visible in one. The second pics show very small smooth margined leaves.
Unable to give a positive ID based on these pics so will leave as ??? bunny orchid (Eriochilus sp.)
The next couple of locations, one in Coomalbidgup4 and one in Munglinup,5 did not turn up any orchids.
I did come across a large Beehive located under a rocky overhang. I gave it a wide berth.
Another 2 stops made on the roadside verge of Lake Ace Nature Reserve followed by Kathleen Nature Reserve.
No luck in finding any orchids in flower.
We then visit a previously visited site nearby6 and here we only find some spent Pygmy orchids (Corunastylis fuscoviridis).
Oh well that was not a very successful day, orchid wise, however getting out in the bush is always enjoyable.
After spending a wonderful night at Lake King, we enjoy a leisurely morning. The after the 10am check-out we finally head out for further exploration.
Damnosa and Pallarup Nature Reserves are both checked. Unfortunately, nothing other than further spent Pygmy orchids are found.
Oh well time to go home and back to work on Monday.
The Winter spider orchids will have to wait for another year.
It’s past midway of May so we anticipate some other orchids are starting to show themselves. So, northeast of Esperance we head with our first stop being one of our usual haunts in Neridup1.
The only orchid found during a quick sweep of the location was the Hare orchid (Leporella fimbriata).
They are a very distinctive orchid with thin upright petals that appear to be ears and a prominently fringed labellum.
Flowering: March – June Distribution: Shark Bay to Israelite Bay
Moving on towards our planned destination we pull into a track on a whim and have a quick look around.2 Not much found here either.
First up we find the Pygmy orchid (Corunastylis fuscoviridis), however they are finished for the season. Pics taken for recording purposes only.
Flowering: March – May Distribution: Corrigin to Eucla
Then we come across the Banded greenhood (Pterostylis vittata) which is the most common of the greenhood orchids.
Flowering: April – September Distribution: Perth to Israelite Bay
Then a small greenhood orchid is found that is just sprouting its first flower. From the colouring and size, I believe it will be the Mallee banded greenhood (Pterostylis arbuscula).
Flowering: June – July Distribution: Dalwallinu to Eyre Bird Observatory
Next, we move onto our planned destination, Mount Burdett, which is also located in the Mt Burdett Nature Reserve. We enjoy a late bite to eat for lunch before starting our search.
On the granite rock we locate some bunny orchids growing. By referring to the latest book by Andrew Brown I ID them as the Eastern granite bunny orchid (Eriochilus dilatatus subsp. “eastern granites”).
Flowering: April and May Distribution: Esperance to Balladonia
Then around the back of the rock I discover the sole Hare orchid growing. Last year there were more but not today 🙁
Well not such a productive day, however it is always wonderful to get out on a beautiful sunny winters day.
Home alone for the weekend, so of course I head out looking for some early season orchids. Heading north out of Esperance I first pull into one of our regular haunts. To my dismay, it appears the track we used to check along is in fact a fire break. It had been re-cleared, though unfortunately a little wider this time. Thus, it cleared away the vegetation where we had previously found orchids. I decided to expand my search in the location. I included the other side of a Salt Lake. I was excited to find some orchids over the entire search area.
The first orchid found was of the Eriochilus genus. Due to the wavy edged leaf, I believe they are the Blunt-leaved bunny orchid (Eriochilusdilatatus subsp. brevifolius).
These orchids are listed as being found between the Murchison River and Toolinna Cove.
Flowering during the months of April, May and June.
Two specimens of the Leafless orchid (Praecoxanthus aphyllus) were found in the newly explored area past the Salt Lake.
The orchids are listed as occurring between Perth and Condingup.
Flowering during the months of March, April and May.
The common name is actually incorrect. The flowering orchids do have a leaf. However, it is minuscule (Minute bract only) when compared to the non-flowering leaf. Plus, it occurs at the very base of the flowering stem.
A farmer on a quad bike with his two dogs approached me. It appears I have been looking for orchids on his property. After discovering I was not a lost tourist, he was quite happy for me to stay.
I however decide to head back, taking one last hunt for any orchids in the old location.
Woohoo, I find one lone Hare orchid (Leporella fimbriata)growing in the shrubs alongside the newly cleared fire break.
These orchids are listed as being found between Shark Bay and Israelite Bay.
Flowering during the months of March, April, May and June.
I decide to head further north to the Red Lake Townsite Nature Reserve. This is a known location for the 4th early season orchid I am chasing today.
As luck would have it after walking along the track for quite a while, I finally find the Pygmy orchid (Corunastylis fuscoviridis).
The orchids are listed as occurring between Corrigin and Eucla.
Flowering during the months of March, April and May.
I finish the day a happy Chappy as I managed to find 4 of the early season orchids flowering. Each species was from a different genus: Eriochilus, Praecoxanthus, Leporella, Corunastylis.
After a long working week, we jump into the Triton, hitch up the camper and make tracks for Bromus Dam, where we catch up with friends Jan and Bob. We are enjoying a weekend away camping. It is bloody cold when we arrive so after setting up camp, we sit very close to the campfire for a drink and a yarn.
Rugged up around the campfire
After a freezing cold night (minus 2), we awake to clear blue skies and a cold morning. After enjoying breakfast, we check out the dam before jumping in our vehicles for a trip to Peak Charles. We arrive late morning and pull into the day use area. We go for a brief walk and climb a little way up the rock. All the while I am checking for orchids. None found in flower, so somewhat deflated I join the others and head back down to enjoy a picnic lunch.
Bromus Dam
Peak Charles from the North
Peak Charles from the Day Use Area
After lunch we check out the camping area before making tracks back to Bromus Dam. It is just past 4 PM, but it is already so cold outside that we have got thre campfire cranking. I walked over to the dam to capture the beautiful sunset, and it is so peaceful here. Another great night spent around the campfire having a few drinks and solving all the world’s problems. 🙂
Afternoon campfire chatsBromus Dam Sunset
Next morning after breakfast I go for an exploration of the pipeline that feeds the dam. It takes me up to a large granite rock outcrop which has a water tank at the summit. I have a quick scout around for any orchids, but alas none found. I decide to walk back along the track to the south of the rock and it is along here I find a spent Pygmy orchid (Corunastylis fuscoviridis) which flowers from March to May over an inland range between Corrigin and Eucla. These small orchids are some of the first to flower in the season and reach no more than 250mm in height.
Water pipeline from Rock to damSummit water tankPygmy orchid (Corunastylis fuscoviridis)Size comparison to my index fingertip
Once I get back from my walk, we are able to pack up the camper as it had now dried out in the sun; after becoming very damp overnight. Jan and Bob head off home whilst we intend to take a detour to check for any orchid currently flowering.
Our planned detour was to our usual Fleming Grove Road location. Here we found our track had been widened, we assume for a firebreak. This however destroyed a lot of the previous orchid locations which was devastating. Not one Leafless orchid was found, whilst last year we found a good number. Luckily the Hare orchid (Leporella fimbriata) was still located is ok numbers. The highlight was finding a triple headed one. These do flower later than the Leafless orchid; into June rather than May, however the numbers were still affected by the track widening. 🙁
Survived the pushed up earth.
Triple header
The much more common, double header
Size comparison to my hand
Possible pollinator
We backtracked easterly along the widened track looking for some bunny orchids. After nearly giving up we found one lone specimen. I forgot to take a pic of the leaf so will not attempt to formally identify it other than to call it a Bunny orchid (Eriochilus sp.)
Nothing to spectacular found however the 3 headed Hare orchid was a highlight. It was a great weekend away, spent with good friends, even though it was a tad cold at night. Roll on the 2023 orchid season.
After enjoying the Yabbie Classic at Grass Patch on Saturday afternoon and evening we awake to a beautiful Sunday morning. Saying our goodbyes to friends, Bob and Jan we decide to head north to Redlake Townsite Nature Reserve where we try our luck with the 1st orchid hunt of the 2023 season. We are not disappointed with the small Pygmy orchid found flowering.
The Pygmy orchid (Corunastylis fuscoviridis) is the only species found in Western Australia of the 89 recognised Corunastylis species found throughout Australia. This early flowering orchid, March to May, is found between Corrigin and Eucla. The height of the orchid ranges from 50 to 200mm and each inflorescence can have up to 50 flowers of 1-2mm in size. The Pygmy orchid is similar to leek orchids (Prasophyllum) in having inverted flowers, where the labellum is above and not below the column.
Solo again as Deb is still in Perth with Ollie visiting relatives and having a ball. So, after enjoying a sleep in, I have breakfast, do some washing, then pack up and head off for an exploration northeast of Esperance. First stop is on Wittenoom Road at our usual spot (Neridup1). I immediately check out where the spider orchids flower and was shocked to see the area had been pushed up to increase the space. There was only one small Western wispy spider orchid (Caladenia microchila)Common spider orchid (Caladenia varians) in flower, with no others found, not even leaves. (ID was altered after posting on iNaturalist)
Then I wander around the site, plus also across the road and not too much is flowering. I find some very small donkey orchids which I am not confident to name. Then of course I find the Banded greenhood (Pterostylis vittata)and Dark banded greenhood (Pterostylis sanguinea) growing under the scrub.
And the final orchid found at this location was the small Brittle snail orchid (Pterostylis timothyi) which was hard to photograph due to the wind. So I will post a video of it instead.
Time to move on, but only as far as Scaddan Road, where I pull into a section of reclaimed scrub to see if there is anything flowering. Only found a single greenhood growing as well as some more snail orchids. Both named previously.
Past lunch time, so I head off to Mount Burdett, which is located in the aptly named Mount Burdett Nature Reserve. I parked up halfway as the track is badly washed out, however the view was still great whilst eating my nuts and drinking my coffee. I then walk up the last of the track and first up come across some more snail orchids, but this time they are growing in lush green moss.
Then I hit the usual rock edge where we find most of the orchids on the previous visits. This time however all I find are the faithful Banded greenhoods. This is looking poor, however I push further along the base and come across what appears to be a great patch of non-flowering Pink bunny orchid leaves. Could not see anything flowering though. Just as I was about to head up the hill, I stumble across a small patch of Robust snail orchids (Pterostylis dilatata) which is one of the larger snail orchids and it does not have a rosette, which is quite unique.
Climbing up I come across the Dark banded greenhood again plus a patch of Caladenia leaves. Then found some Hare orchids (Leporella fimbriata) which were in a reasonable state given the listed flowering period is March to June.
Further towards to summit I reach the access track which is very rough and would be a test for your 4WD. At the first turnaround area I discover some further Brittle snail orchids. Then finally at the summit clearing I find a few Green-veined shell orchids (Pterostylis scabra), with only one fully formed. These are a widespread orchid, being found from Kalbarri to Esperance. After taking some pics, I have a quick search for any donkey orchids in flower, but alas none were found. So, it’s back down I head.
Nothing more really comes to my attention before making it back to the Triton. So back to Norwood Road, where I turn right. On the left side of the road, it had been burnt out, so I pull alongside the road, park up, then venture into the blackened scrub. After walking around for about 15 mins, with not an orchid in sight, I despondently jump back into the Triton and head toward Dempster Road. Just before the intersection of the roads, I pull into a layby, which is actually the boundary of the Mount Ridley Nature Reserve. Mount Ridley though is actually some 20kms to the north and is not included in a reserve, which I find bizarre. I decided to check out the reserve bush first, but didn’t get very far in, as it was fairly thick. I did however find some small greenhoods, one of which may be the Midget greenhood (Pterostylis mutica), which commences it’s flowering in July. The I checked out the other side of the road but again, no orchids found. Then just before I reach the Triton, I notice some very spent Pygmy orchid (Corunastylis fuscoviridis), so had to grab a pic for recording purposes.
Moving on, I turn left onto Dempster Road and head south toward Fisheries Road. This part of the road is another boundary of the Nature Reserve, so when another layby catches my eye, I do a U-turn and park up for my final exploration of the day. It is getting dark pretty quickly, but I notice some Dark banded greenhoods and grab some pics, then come across some small rosettes with 3 little buds growing from the bare earth in between. Due to this they are going to be some Shell orchids. I take a pic for record purposes, then make a beeline for the Triton.
Then out of nowhere, hiding under a small bush, a large patch of Dwarf shell orchids (Pterostylis brevichila) catches my eye. Now this is an awesome last find for the day. These wonderful orchids are found from Hyden to Mt Ragged, growing in eucalyptus woodlands. The rosette is listed as being compact with rounded leaves, which confirms the buds found earlier will be more of these.
Time to head home as the light is fading fast, however I pull over to grab a shot of the sunset over one of the many clay pans in the area. Amazing day with 2 species of Shell orchids being found together with other Pterostylis species, A sole Wispy spider orchid represents the Caladenia genus and spent Pygmy and Hare orchids close out the list. Winter is moving on slowly, so we can look forward to more orchids flowering in the weeks to come.
We awake to a crisp winters’ morning at the Chicken Ranch in Varley. After a leisurely breakfast, we break camp and head straight for Dempster Rock to look for orchids. Nothing in bloom found. Disappointed, we move on and stop at a new location for us, in the Lake Hurlstone Nature Reserve.
This location may prove fruitful in later stages of the season, as it has a few different habitats to check out. We did locate some orchids this time as well, so all is good. First up appears to be the Mallee banded greenhood (Pterostylis arbuscula) due to its small size and colouring. Further specimens are found with more stem leaves, taller plants and more flowers, so some may be the Dark banded greenhood (Pterostylis sanguinea). I will post pics of all, so please assist with the identification if you can.
Also found lots of spent White bunny orchids, with a lone one still identifiable as such. This one had a crinkled edged stem leaf, so I initially thought it to be the Crinkled-leafed bunny orchid(Eriochilus dilatatus subsp. undulatus)which flowers during April and May, hence why only spent flowers were found, except for this late flowering one of course. However, using Florabase, the only listed bunny orchid found in both the Shire of Kulin and the Shire of Kondinin is the Blunt-leaved bunny orchid (Eriochilus dilatatus subsp. brevifolius) which flower May and June and only have up to 3 flowers. The leaf is also crinkled-edged so I am happy with this identification. Seems subsp. undulatus has been cancelled in Florabase and the common name of Crinkled-leaved bunny orchid given to subsp. brevifolius. The name game is never ending with native orchids. Also found on the way back to the Triton was a nice specimen of the Dark banded greenhood.
Leaving this new location, we head north to Hyden, where we enjoy an amazing hamburger for lunch. As Richard is running late, we make tracks for Anderson Rocks, our planned destination for this long-weekend.
Anderson Roack campingReflectionsDinner, camp styleGnamma holes??
During the weekend I would climb the rock and record the sounds of the frogs in the FrogID App and then attempt to upload my recordings. I received a reply from the Frog ID App on the 20/07/22 advising they had identified 2 species, so my uploads were successful. The species found were the Bleating Froglet (Crinia pseudinsignifera)and Crawling Toadlet (Pseudophryne guentheri).
Monday 06/06/2022
After a great long-weekend camping with Richard, Sandy and Noel at Anderson Rocks, it is time to travel home. As per usual we do not travel home in a straight line and try our best to take roads yet travelled. So, from Hyden we make our way to Allen Rocks Road, where we stop at an old rubbish dump it seems, as there is so much rubbish lying around. We found some old Gest cooldrink bottles and an old enamel pot to add to our collection. The only orchids found here were some yet to fully open shell orchids.
Next stop was on Dragon Rocks Road in the Dragon Rocks Nature Reserve. This roadside stop turned up some Dark banded greenhoods. Then further south on the Newdgate Road North at another roadside stop we only found some spent Pygmy orchids (Corunastylis fuscoviridis) which are also an early flowering orchid.
Dark banded greenhood (Pterostylis sanguinea)Pygmy orchid (Corunastylis fuscoviridis)
Final stop for the day other than to fuel up in Lake King and a toilet break in Munglinup. Arrived back in Esperance around 6.15pm and had dinner at our sons’ house, before heading home to unpack. A great weekend but not so great on the orchid front.
A road trip back home to Dwellingup for my beloved Mothers funeral is not something I wished to be doing, but not unexpected either. As we were driving through so-called Winter Spider orchid territory, we made a few stops along the way. First up called into Varley with no luck. Then we popped into the bush around Lake Gouter Nature Reserve, again with no luck. Our final stop of the day was at Karlgarin Nature Reserve, where we did not find any Winter spider orchids, however, were lucky to find a Pygmy orchid (Corunastylis fuscoviridis) still in flower. Spent ones were found at all 3 locations. These little orchids are similar to Leek orchids as their flowers are inverted.
