Newsletter No 65 July 1999
Dear Friends
By 9.00am the frost had faded, the sun was warming, and hot drinks were being consumed at the meeting place by two who had travelled some distance. We had quite a few workers so some were deployed to replace a fallen nest log while others went to Depot to plant more trees on the dam banks. Previous plantings have done very well, especially the Hedge Wattle, Acacia paradoxa which the browsing animals seem to avoid. Natural regeneration of Red Stringybark was plentiful on the bare area. The trees planted in the fenced area have recently been decimated by the Kangaroos despite the fact that there is plenty of grass. If we are to succeed with this area we will need to construct wire guards or fence the plantings with netting.
Having completed the various tasks we met at Bartley’s Block to enjoy morning tea and the sunshine before tackling the next planting at Slaughteryard Gap bend. It was noted that Paterson’s Curse and Thistles were making good growth and the information was passed on to Ranger John. At Slaughteryard Gap the trees battle the harsh environment but so far are untouched by browsers. It was disappointing to find only one White Cypress Pine had survived. On a brighter note we found good regeneration of peas, Golden Wattle and Everlastings so hopefully a good season will help to heal this old road site.
Lunch and the meeting at Magenta was interrupted by calling Regents {they were the reason for choosing Magenta for lunch!}. However they escaped our attention very quickly and we failed to find out if they were banded. Later a pair was located near Klotz Track and another at Greenhill Dam late in the day making a total of 5 birds for the day. King Parrots were heard at Magenta and all smaller honeyeaters were listed. Three Swift Parrots were seen on the ridge above Klotz Track. Numbers of Noisy Friarbirds have decreased.
Barry and Susie visited Mt Lady Franklin and found the White Box to be in full flower with good numbers of Swift Parrots present. Perhaps we should all visit that area on on meeting afternoon.
Regents at Corry’s Wood, Thurgoona. A report was received of birds at Corry’s Wood. Philip confirmed the sighting. They were in the same area as the dead banded bird was found. It would be appreciated if anyone with time to visit that area and/or the Thurgoona Campus of CSU would do so and report their findings.
From the meeting:
An application for funding for revegetation has been sent to the Threatened Species Network. Thanks to Jim and David for their work on this application.
2. Parks Victoria Community Grants. After consultation with Ranger John we have decided to apply for interpretive signage for individual sites at Magenta Mine. These will be similar to the ones on the Freeway Walking Track.
3. Newsletter: WAW will continue to print the newsletter for us subject to our providing the paper.
4. The Top 20 National Weeds have been listed. We have SEVEN in this district. The Garden Thugs have also been listed. See lists printed below.
5. The Indigo Shire Roadside Management Plan was launched by Dr. Barry Traill on June 17th. We look forward to seeing the plan in action.
6. An order for more Regent Honeyeater coffee mugs has been placed. Have you acquired yours?
7. Accounts were passed for payment.
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Annual General Meeting Saturday August 7th 1999
We will meet for the day’s activity at 2pm at CHILTERN POST OFFICE. Following the afternoon activity there will be shared tea at 5.30 pm in the Senior Citizens Hall in Conness Street, Chiltern. BYO salad or vegetables to share, Quiche and Casserole, tea and coffee supplied. Tea will be followed by the AGM and the monthly meeting. Guest speakers will commence at 7.45pm.
Dr Ian Lunt, Lecturer at CSU and one of Australia’s leading grassland biologists will speak about the Grassy Woodlands.
Dr Barry Traill, from the Australian Woodlands Conservancy, and one of Chiltern’s leading biologists will entertain us with “Animals of the North East Nights – What is That Scream?!!!”
To assist with catering please register your intention to attend by Tuesday August 3. on 57 261 484. There will be small charge for tea for non-members.
TREE PLANTING FOR GREY-CROWNED BABBLERS AND OTHER WOODLAND BIRDS
Doug Robinson has tree planting arranged for the Chiltern/Rutherglen area on the weekend of August 14/15. If you can assist contact Doug on 0357 981765 A/h or 0357 611680 B/hours.
Apostle Bird News: Doug has just finished the Apostle Bird Survey. There is a maximum of 12 groups in the Chiltern/Rutherglen area with possibly a few “interstate” visitors. All groups are associated with Murray Pine, Callitris glaucophylla. As part of the survey a good stand of the rare Yarran, Acacia omalophylla, was discovered in the west of Indigo Shire as well as an additional stand of rare Water Bush, Myoporum montanum.
Park News from the Ranger.
* All the new track signs are now in place as per the management plan.
* Renamed roads also have appropriate signs.
* Directional signs to assist visitors in returning to Chiltern have been placed at exits.
* Signage at picnic areas has been updated.
Note from editor: Camping in the National Park is no longer permitted.
WEEDY NEWS
The Top Twenty Weeds Of National Significance has been released. The list has been selected from the 3000+ escapees, 450 of which have been declared noxious and from this group the 20 worst offenders were named. It should be noted that at least six of these occur in our area. Fortunately there is only one, Bridal Creeper, which occurs in the National Park. It is targeted regularly by Park staff.
Kate Blood, of the Weeds Co-operative Research Centre at the Keith Turnbull Research Institute has listed 15 of Australia’s worst “Garden Thugs” ie plants that “jump the fence” to invade parkland, farmlands and natural areas.