Half a million fungi records and counting!
By Tom May
Sometime around the middle of the day on Saturday 18 May 2024, the number of fungi observations for Australia on iNaturalist ticked over 500,000. I was hoping to see the half millionth record as it came in, but just on this one day, more than 900 observations were posted, one every one to two minutes, covering more than 200 species.
Among the records submitted today were species from the first set of 100 Fungimap targets such as Cortinarius archeri, Cookeina tricholoma and Cruentomycena viscidocruenta, along with other distinctive fungi such as Mycena kurramulla and Phaeolus schweinitzii.
I remember from the early days of Fungimap that it took more than two years to reach 1,000 observations! It is a thrill to see the current rate of observing on iNaturalist, with Australian fungi observations contributed by more than 12,500 observers.
More than 3,000 species are represented among these Australian fungi observations, but the observations to Research Grade (see below) cover around 1500 species, for which there are a little over 140,000 observations. In other words, only around a quarter of all observations have been confidently identified to species.
Many of the observations not identified to species are because necessary features are not shown (there are many top-only views of mushrooms!). However, among unidentified images there are still gems awaiting identification or confirmation of the original identification.
Last week I came across Pseudoinonotus chondromyelus for the first time and when submitting my observation I found that there was just one previous observation on iNaturalist that I could then confirm as Research Grade.
Among the species with observations not yet to Research Grade there are quite a few that are reports of Northern Hemisphere species, not otherwise confirmed from Australia, such as Cortinarius croceus or Macrolepiota procera. From time to time, I check and re-identify these erroneous records.
It is heartening to see that for the fungi records from Australia, there are now more than 3600 identifiers, including some very active identifiers. This means that records suitable for Research Grade tend to be identified quite rapidly.
Almost 100,000 iNaturalist fungi observations are tagged as belonging to the Fungimap Australia project – which has the advantage that host and habitat are recorded for all these observations.
iNaturalist observations continue to extend the range of known species and add images of species rarely reported. I expect that it will not take too many years now to reach 1 million observations.
The numbers above were tallied for observations eligible for Research Grade. Research Grade observations are where more than 2/3 of the identifications agree, and there are two or more identifications. Data was extracted using the filter facility of iNaturalist, including the date, rank (for species and below) and project filters.
6 July bird survey
A cold start with frost on Carpark/Saltwater grassed area. It was a disappointing tally regarding ducks with only Chestnut Teal stepping forward and all other frequently seen species being absent. Sightings recorded on eBird, however during June show that all the usual duck species and one Australasian Grebe were recorded recently in the park by several observers.
A big plus was the sighting of two Buff-banded Rails today. Other notable sightings over June were a Black Kite, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike and four Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos.
Noisy Minors were seen on the big Island in the Fresh Water Lake today – something that has not been noticed before. This is an important observation, which possibly indicates these birds are establishing themselves within the park. This will be to the detriment of most of the smaller birds that occur in the park, such as White-plumed Honeyeaters, Superb Fairy-wrens and Spotted Pardalotes just to name three.
As H5N1 bird flu has arrived in Australia, we must be vigilant in the future if we encounter sick or dead birds in the park. Currently the advice is, avoid, record and report any dead or sick birds or other wildlife to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888. I am raising this issue after Ursula found what appears to be a dead young duck (not sure what species) on 17 June.
Authorities have already confirmed H5N1 detections in 7 seabirds in Western Australia, South Australia and New South Wales. While there is no evidence of any mass mortality or wildlife transmission from these sea birds, it is now becoming clear this deadly virus will establish in Australia – more a matter of when, not if.
For species like the black swan — which lack some immune genes to fight viral infections the consequences could be devastating.
19 April – 5 May microbat survey
Checking the bat boxes initially with a red torch to reduce disturbance we quickly found single Goulds Wattled Bats in box 16 – small bat had been in residence for a while! Box 45 had 2, box 5 had 1.
Best find of the day – a group of large and small GW bats approximately 5/6 in box 8 which hasn’t been occupied for a couple of months. It grew dark quickly so we were unable to complete all boxes.
(The video is better! If you’d like me to text it to you)We checked boxes for May and replace batteries and SD card in our Songmeter minibat 2 loan from Faunatech. Set to trip record bat calls for 30 mins before sunset and 30 mins after sunrise.
17 nights produced 1,319 files – to be analysed asap
1 June bird survey
Despite the less than favorable weather the survey results were encouraging, backed up by excellent observations throughout the month. With planting under way, the forecast several days of moderate rainfall will be helpful.
This is mostly aimed at restoring ground covers and replacing burnt trees in the various areas subjected to arson over the last 12 months.
4 May bird survey
Water levels in the main lakes have been dropping steadily, encouraging waders to visit and forage. Whilst the good news was that some 20 mm of very welcome rain fell at the weekend, the weather during the survey was not pleasant. Numbers reflect these wintry conditions.
Nevertheless, the month of April included many interesting observations many of which are seasonal migrants/temporary visitors such as Great Crested Grebe, Grey Fantails, Silvereyes (14 were counted on 15 April) passing through and our overwinter stayers, Spiny-cheeked Honeyeaters.
Foxes roam the park. A juvenile Black Swan was killed in the last several days. If not already commenced a fox control program is urgently required.
14 April bird survey
Although conditions on the day were poor, water levels were down and in many cases species numbers were low, the overall number of species – 50 – was encouraging. It included three Great Crested Grebes on the Yarra River, and a fleeting glimpse of a Rufous Fantail.
Regarding low numbers, Superb Fairy-wrens are a case in point with a low count last survey and the same prevailing this month. Very few males in blue plumage were observed. Similarly, there were no raptor sightings today, although a juvenile Brown Goshawk has been seen a couple of times during March. Some observers thought there may have been a Collared Sparrowhawk in the park, but after looking at some distant images that were taken, all appear to be the same Brown Goshawk. The rounded end to the tail indicates the latter.
However, the range of water birds in the park is encouraging, as are the widespread sightings of Welcome Swallows, with an attendant Fairy Martin. Unfortunately, several cygnets have disappeared most likely due to fox predation. A fox control program is underway.
More broadly, the month of March produced several other very rewarding sightings, many captured by our superb photographer, Ursula Dutkiewicz. Thank you, Ursula, and Peter Petinatos, for your many graphic and beautiful images that contribute so much to our surveys.
Yedabila habitat pod workshop 5 May
Eco Warriors Australia are running a habitat pod workshop supported by the City of Melbourne with the important aim of protecting Superb Fairy Wrens in Westgate Park.
Starts 12 pm, 5 May 2026, followed by a guided walk in Westgate Park. Meet us at the BBQ shelter. Bookings essential
Gorgeous photo: Ursula Dutkiewicz
2 March bird survey
Whilst 42 species on an inclement day is satisfying, the month of February was rather more impressive after reported sightings on eBird, and observations and images taken by Ursula. With these added the grand total for the last few weeks is 60 species.
The extensive rains falling across Victoria and flooding rural landscapes are very welcome. They will create widespread new temporary wetlands, which may mean some Westgate birds will move elsewhere.
Unfortunately, the Westgate arsonist(s) lit a fire two weeks ago before the survey, yet another unpleasant action reducing the park’s amenity and biodiversity.
The survey day also coincided with the launch of a of an insect Bio-blitz promoting a healthy and more diverse range of insect species. Some of those found are included in the last page of this report.
One of the pleasures of our park surveys is looking at the mistletoe established 2-3 years ago. Wiry mistletoe Amyema preissii is currently flowering.
About our insects
Westgate Park covers ~40 hectares and a third of this area is planted with indigenous species over the last three decades making this park increasingly biologically diverse. Estimates suggest there are more than 200.000 species of insects in Australia but only 1/3rd have so far been described.
Insects are important because of their diversity and ecological roles. Insects create the biological foundation for all terrestrial ecosystems. They cycle nutrients, pollinate plants, disperse seeds, maintain soil structure and fertility, control populations of other organisms, provide a major food source for other taxa, dispose of waste and control pests. For example:
- Native bees, butterflies, moths, flies and beetles pollinate flowers and help native plants produce seed and fruit.
- Beneficial insects like ladybugs, praying mantises and wasps keep pest populations in check.
- Some beetles break down organic matter, enrich the soil with nutrients and promote better soil structure.
- Insects are also food sources for native birds, frogs, lizards and mammals.
Here are some we have observed:
