Get the iNaturalist app and create an account at https://www.inaturalist.org/

Find links to each of the local government landing pages at this Facebook event for CNC 2022 Greater Melbourne to find out about local CNC events near you https://www.facebook.com/events/660339051710700/?ref=newsfeed

Strathmore

Vermont South, City of Whitehorse

monash council

Find links to each of the local government landing pages at this Facebook event for CNC 2022 Greater Melbourne to find out about local CNC events near you https://www.facebook.com/events/660339051710700/?ref=newsfeed

Here's Hume City's CNC event flyer https://www.hume.vic.gov.au/files/assets/public/cnc-2022-flyer.pdf

Monash Council https://www.monash.vic.gov.au/Things-to-Do/Events/City-Nature-Challenge-2022

Birdlife Australia is the major website to check out for all things birds https://www.birdlife.org.au/

For global bird data see https://ebird.org/home

Another great website https://www.birdsinbackyards.net/

eBird is great for locations across the world, not just Melbourne or Australia

Great bird field guide and mobile phone app available http://www.michaelmorcombe.com.au/

FREE basic Melbourne Birds ID book by Birdlife Australia https://www.ppwcma.vic.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Melbourne-Birds-booklet-Ramsar-Living-Links-version-Nov-2018-LOW-RES-WEB.pdf

Birds of Hume field guide is our most popular publication https://www.hume.vic.gov.au/files/sharedassets/public/residents/health-waste-and-environment/birds_of_hume_brochure_a5_-_web_sm.pdf

Another bird field app to purchase https://apps.apple.com/au/app/pizzey-and-knight-birds-of-aus/id714625973

FREE shorebirds ID booklet by Birdlife Australia https://www.birdlife.org.au/documents/Shorebird_ID_Booklet_V3.pdf

A great free app for all wildlife from Melbourne Museum - https://museumsvictoria.com.au/apps/field-guide-app-to-victorian-fauna/

https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/?__hstc=60209138.22a3f0758234ccf98068e6ed1cf5e08c.1613953081011.1614777843637.1614838330017.3&__hssc=60209138.1.1614838330017&__hsfp=156900835

Do you know of any birding groups for kids?

The FNCV have a Juniors Group. They meet in Blackburn once a month on a Friday night. Not just birds but all things nature.

thank you

The Field Naturalists Club of Victoria can be found here http://www.fncv.org.au/

Frog ID - https://www.frogid.net.au/

Melbourne Waters Frog Census https://www.melbournewater.com.au/water-data-and-education/get-involved/be-citizen-scientist/frog-census

Frog ID works Australia-wide https://www.frogid.net.au/

Looking out for Growling Grass Frog specifically https://www.ari.vic.gov.au/research/people-and-nature/gone-growling-listening-out-for-the-local-vocal-celebrity

Fauna of Hume field guide for frogs, reptiles and mammals https://www.hume.vic.gov.au/files/sharedassets/public/residents/health-waste-and-environment/fauna_of_hume_booklet_a5_12pp-_web.pdf

OMG I found a Murray River Turtle (though iNaturalist is calling Maquarie Turtle) in Roxburgh Park wetland!!!

I think there are a few murray river turtles at damper creek in mt waverley

Legless lizards are so cute!

Long-necked turtles are at the Royal Botanical Gardens

The plant bible for Victoria https://vicflora.rbg.vic.gov.au/

I also love Vic Veg Online, as can give species lists for Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVC) when know bioregion and Catchment Management area https://vicveg.net.au/vvCommunities2.aspx

Great Grasslands field guide app https://grasslands.ecolinc.vic.edu.au/

However, if taking plant samples to id later, many plants are protected from collecting on public land and fines can be issued unless you have the relevant Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act permits.

Great tip from Michael - if you take a photo and recording of a plant make sure to stand under the tree when you log it's location

From there you want to take close up photos! including seeds, foliage and where the stems split from the node

That is awesome Julie!

I love how Michael is trying to get 2 for one in the photo of a skink and a Euc!!

City Nature Challenge nature discovery tours in Stonnington this weekend - Fungi, Bugs and Birds!https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing?eid=889221&

Acacia's most important features to capture in your photos:- seed pods (on plant or even on the ground!)

For grass identification you want:1. The form of the plant2. A close up3. An in hand picture of the seeds

Seed in hand helps us identify the size of the seeds

The Great Southern Bioblitz is very similar to the City Nature Challenge but runs in late October - in Spring when all of the flowers are out https://www.greatsouthernbioblitz.org/

For geranium species it is important to try and capture the variety of leaves they have

The plant bible for Victoria https://vicflora.rbg.vic.gov.au/

I believe the flora of Melbourne 7th edition is being prepared at the moment.

Thank you. So much to think about

Great to know what is best to photograph to get the best results.

All of the books mentioned are available at the Field Naturalist Club of Victoria bookshop. go to fncv.org.au for the catalogue

Thanks so much, very informative.

so wonderful, thank you for the recommendations

Common names are frustrating even for us arm chair naturalists!

Can the links in the chat be copied and sent out please

http://www.fncv.org.au/junior-naturalists-group/

Great knowledge and information thank you

Port Phillip EcoCentre Melbourne Biodiversity Discovery School Webinar Thurs 28 April, 2pm - 3:15pm

https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/884028?bof=1