Lake Wendouree bird census reveals a rarity

The buff-banded rail is a rare and irregular visitor anywhere in the Ballarat region.

There have been only a few reports from Lake Wendouree in the past 50 years.

It is a much smaller and browner bird than the other "waterhens" at Lake Wendouree. It is beautifully-marked, especially on its breast.

It is rather shy, but is gradually becoming more accustomed to people walking along the path near its preferred tussocky habitat.

The Lake Wendouree bird count earlier this week revealed more great cormorants than were present in July, as well as more white ibises and grey teal.

White ibises are busily and noisily nesting, with chicks already hatched in many nests.

There were 29 grey teal recorded and only 22 black ducks, possibly the first time that black ducks have not exceeded grey teal at Lake Wendouree, apart from when the lake refilled 10 years ago.

Black ducks now have many other places to visit, with flooded places numerous.

On the debit side, there are fewer silver gulls, masked lapwings and purple swamphens than a month ago.

Swan numbers are about the same. Other birds found during the count included Australian hobby, great crested grebe, little grassbird, freckled duck, tree martin and blue-billed duck.

Recently reported both in the centre and on the shore was a Cape Barren goose. At least 11 magpie geese are still in the centre, hidden from shore-bound viewers.

Greenhood orchids of several species have started flowering for another season.

While next month is the main time for nodding greenhoods, the first few have already opened.

Also recorded recently are trim greenhood near Linton, dwarf greenhood at Clunes, tall greenhood at Smythesdale, and emerald-lip greenhood at Smythesdale.

The last two are rather similar, with the scarcer emerald-lipped species having slightly larger, stockier and more erect flowers.

The stripe on its labellum is dark green, rather than blackish as in the tall greenhood.

The trim greenhood is also rather scarce, with flowers usually appearing later in the season.

The season's first cygnets have appeared at Lake Wendouree - a brood of five in the Swan Pool near Pipers'.

They hatched on Monday. They are not likely to leave the Swan Pool, so should be fairly easy to locate.

Their nest is in the pool too.

What are these white fungi found growing at Mount Buninyong?

C.V., Buninyong.

This is the white brain fungus, one of several jelly fungi.

The colour and form of this fungus are distinctive - white, translucent, soft, glossy, folded and convoluted.

It is mostly found on moist logs, fallen trees and branches.

It is one of the first fungi to appear after a tree has fallen. Large specimens can be 15cm wide; most are smaller.

Its spores are produced over most of its surface. Unlike most fungi, its spores are colourless.

It is the whitest of its group, with other similar species being browner, or almost transparent, or bright orange.

Overseas, this fungus is mostly known as the snow fungus.

The fungi season has extended longer than usual this season, with many species found over a long period.