With a body size of about 30 millimetres, and a span of 60 or 70 millimetres including the legs, it is one of our larger spiders. It is not quite the size of a large huntsman, although its abdomen is much bigger.

There have been several recent reports of this handsome silver-grey spider from Ballarat and beyond.

It becomes obvious in autumn, when it builds its huge web across gaps in gardens and forests. The web is surprisingly strong, and often golden-coloured, hence the spider’s name of golden orb-weaver, or golden orb-web.

Unfortunately for bushwalkers, webs are often around head-high, and are often constructed across people-sized gaps.

The big spider sits upside-down at the centre of its web, but its large size, plus the remains of its prey, usually make it sufficiently visible to avoid walking into. Sometimes unconsumed prey is also attached to the centre of the web, to be used at a later stage, perhaps during a shortage of food.

This large spider is the female. The male is tiny. He can often be found somewhere on the web.

A number of people enjoy watching these spiders from autumn through to winter. They are very hesitant to bite and their bite is not considered dangerous.

The big spiders usually produce their eggs in a fluffy golden cocoon and then die by the time winter sets in.

Several people have reported nankeen night herons at Lake Wendouree.

These birds are normally nocturnal, but a number of them have ventured out in daylight hours lately, especially in duller weather.

Their favourite part is the Fairyland area, where up to ten have been seen. Some have been standing in typical hunched posture, others perched in willows, and others actively seeking food.

An adult is a handsome bird with an orange-brown back and a black cap. A good view may reveal a couple of unexpected ornamental white head plumes.

Younger ones are mottled greyish-brown with white spots and dark streaks. These are more numerous than adult-plumaged birds.

Food must be the reason for so many of these herons to be out in daytime. This is probably mostly mosquito fish, but other items such as mudeyes, leeches and yabbies are no doubt taken too.

Other interesting recent Lake Wendouree sightings have included a rarely-seen, intermediate egret and late-nesting Australasian grebes. These small grebes very rarely nest at the lake.