There are seven or eight species known locally. Most are basically grey-blue, with slight variations in colour and wing markings.

One of the lesser-known species is the varied dusk blue. A 1999 local butterfly list describes it as “possibly rare” and does not give any localities or dates for occurrences in the Ballarat district.

A month ago it was found at Spargo Creek, about 30km north-east of Ballarat.

This is a small grey-blue butterfly, much like the common grass blue in appearance. Its wingspan is just over 25mm. Underneath, it is pale fawn with light brown blotches.

Most butterflies have rather specific food plants. In the case of the varied dusky blue, the plants are the larger dodder laurels, parasitic twining creepers. These plants are its main requirement, whether they grow in thicker forests, mallee scrub or coastal heathland.

The Spargo Creek butterflies were clearly attracted to the dodder laurel plants, which are food for its caterpillars. Similar small blue butterflies have specific foodplant choices too, such as wattles, clovers, plantains and saltbushes. Their presence can help with the identification of these butterflies.

The varied dusky blue was at one stage known as the common dusky blue, or simply the dusky blue. It can be found from spring to autumn, with more Victorian reports in November, January and February.

Today’s photo shows a much larger and more distinctive butterfly – the orchard swallowtail. This one, a female, was photographed in December at Napoleons.

Five or six years ago, our region had an unprecedented influx of this butterfly. But sightings since then have been scarce. This December specimen is the only one known to me this season.

Wanderer butterflies have been reported a few times this summer, at Alfredton and Pootilla, for example. This large butterfly is uncommon in the district.

A month ago we mentioned a sighting of a grey-headed flying fox.

Not long after, we received a recording of nocturnal mammalian sounds that might have been made by the same species. The recording was from Black Hill.

Is there a small colony of flying foxes at Black Hill – or was the recording of some other mammal? Are flying-foxes visiting fruit trees in Ballarat? We are keen to find out. With peaches, nectarines, apples, pears and plums all fruiting, now is the time to watch and listen for flying foxes. Their usual roost sites are in dense trees in gullies. Contact details are elsewhere on this page.