With a neck at least half as long as its shell, the long-necked turtle (or tortoise) is not too difficult to identify.
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The one in the photo was laying its eggs alongside the North Gardens Wetlands near Lake Wendouree a week ago.
Local turtles seem to have a rather synchronised laying time, judging from reports of previous years.
December is the month when most reports are received.
The eggs take a surprisingly long time to hatch - from three to five months - which means the youngsters will not appear until some time in autumn.
At the North Gardens Wetlands there are two turtle species - the long-necked and the Macquarie.
The latter has been introduced there, but the long-necked turtle is a true native and has survived all the alterations at Lake Wendouree over the past 200 years.
The Macquarie turtle (Murray River turtle or tortoise) is larger, sometimes with a shell to 30cm long.
It has a cream stripe along its neck, and its neck is shorter than the long, slender one of the long-necked turtle.
Both species have been seen laying eggs this month.
The eastern long-necked turtle or tortoise is moderately common in the Ballarat district, although it tends to remain hidden most of the time.
Its shell grows to about 20 to 25cm long. The Macquarie turtle reaches 30 or more centimetres long.
If a turtle is found away from water, leave it where it is; it may be on its way to dig a nest hole, it may be wandering back to water, or it may be searching for a new home. Only move it if it is in danger from cars or dogs.
WHITE-WINGED TRILLERS
A recent report of a few white-winged trillers at Nerrina has aroused interest among local bird observers.
The white-winged triller is a small migratory bird that has been scarce so far this season.
White-winged trillers visit us every springtime in varying numbers.
Two years ago, they were quite common, turning up in places at which they had not previously been reported. Last year their numbers were fewer.
This spring they have been very scarce.
I am aware of only one sighting at Lake Wendouree, then this recent Nerrina sighting, which involved four or five birds.
The male triller is a black-and-white songbird that is quite noisy in springtime.
Singing as it flies from tree to tree is an unusual habit it shares with the rufous songlark.
The female is brown and quiet, so is not seen as often as the more prominent male.
NATURE QUERIES ANSWERED
Last year I was walking around our bush block at Clunes when I saw this moth I had never seen before. It was the weirdest thing ever, sunbathing on the wall. M.W., Clunes
This is a twisted moth. Its wingspan is 55 to 65mm.
Its body is characteristically held at the unusual twisted angle shown in your photo.
The wings are twisted too, resembling curled dry gumleaves, making it well-camouflaged, with the small head tucked under the wings adding to this.
It is found across most of Australia and is not uncommon here, although seldom seen due to its nocturnal habits and excellent camouflage.
Sometimes it is attracted to lighted windows.
It can be found from spring through to autumn. Its well-camouflaged caterpillars resemble green twigs and feed on gumleaves.
Entomologists know it as Circopetes obtusata.