Dear Friends, A fantastic group of planters made light work of getting 235 plants into the ground at the Frogs Hollow revegetation site. The weather was overcast and very nippy but everyone soon warmed up. Thankfully the rain fell the day before and after the event, sometimes we can be lucky. 
The dams at Frogs are full and appropriately there were plenty of frog calls. Unfortunately frog call identification is not one of our strengths. At 11.30 am a delayed morning tea was followed by a meeting. Thank you to the fourteen planters for a job well done! Four of us decided the afternoon was pleasant enough for a walk in the reference area, a part of the park not often visited. There is a special aura about this area of the park with its changing vegetation, granitic soil, very old trees and peaceful atmosphere. 
It was rather disturbing to come across deer-rubbed trees and deer droppings. Deer are a recent and destructive invader of the box-ironbark section of the park. 
. Elsewhere in the park the Golden Wattles are at their prime and the Varnish Wattle and Gold Dust Wattles are beginning to add to the display. Purple Hovea and scattered Hardenbergias are providing splashes of colour and at ground level there are masses of Nodding Greenhoods 
, Pterostylis nutans and Tiny Greenhoods, P nana. and myriads of tiny fungi.
Cootamundra Wattle removal is an ongoing action. Mick has cycled the park in search of these weeds which by now should be shaking by their roots at his appearance! 
Conservatively some 800 have been felled and stumps pasted. Great job, thankyou Mick and helpers. The main sites will need to be monitored for some time but any emerging seedlings will be easily removed by pulling. White Wallaby: This animal was first seen last year by ranger John and again by visitors from the UK. On Sunday August 4th a lady was able to catch it on video as it scrambled up a distant slope. If you are around Honeyeater Picnic area you may well see this unusual animal so have your camera on hand. I will try to have the video clip loaded on the web. Bird news: among the recent sightings were Gang Gangs, Swift Parrots, and a New Holland Honeyeater (rare visitor to the area). Regent Honeyeaters are still around but much more difficult to find unless you come to a monitoring day. On the Valley 2 dam Michael spotted two Freckled Ducks. A Silver Gull has visited Valley No 1 Dam. Last known record of this species in the district was at Great Southern Swamp on the Rutherglen Road.
Projects: The postcards are now on sale at a cost of $1.00 each. There are four in the set featuring a Regent Honeyeater, Turquoise Parrot, Diamond Firetail and a Great Egret in breeding plumage. Thankyou Neville for organising this project and for providing three of the images. The photo of the Regent Honeyeater was donated by Dean Ingwersen. If you wish to purchase a set please use the email at the top of this newsletter to place an order.
Bartley Plaque: We were successful in our application for a shire grant of $750 to assist with the cost of the plaque.This project is in its final stages. The work is with the designers and we are expecting it to be ready in early September for launching on the morning of the AGM.
AGM : PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE OF DATE Due to the election office requiring the hall we have had to move the AGM to Saturday September 14th. Our guest speaker for 2103 is Martin O’Brien. Martin has been a BOCA and BA member for 20 + years.He has worked as a wildlife biologist and policy officer in the Department of Sustainability for 25 years. He is a member of Friends and a regular cycling visitor to the area. He is a member of Friends of French Island National Park, where he is a regular volunteer. Martin’s presentation will be on the birds of French Island. After the day’s proceeding we will retire to the Senior Citizens rooms for dinner a short meeting and the presentation.
CATERING; Members are asked to bring along a meal to share. It would be appreciated if you could indicate whether you will bring a dessert or main course so that we can balance the fare. Thankyou. Regent Honeyeater Release: We ars still seeking volunteers for ongoing tracking. If you are able to assist with this project please contact Glen Johnson glen.johnson@dse.vic.gov.au The challenge is still on! To find and photograph a wild bird! Half of this challenge has been met, just need the photo!
Rainfall: July 86 mm over – days. Year to date: 359 mm over – days.
CALENDAR PHOTOS FOR 2014 EDITION If you have an image you would like to submit for inclusion in the 2104 calendar please forward it in high resolution. The image should relate to the park. NEXT MEETING: SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 14TH Meet at Chiltern Post Office at 9 45 am Byo lunch, binocs, chair and a spare. We are hoping to unveil the Historic Plaque at Bartley’s Block. Preparations are underway and the details will be circulated closer to the day. At the close of the day we will retire to the hall for dinner and the evening activities. Contact in the field : Eileen 0407 486 480
Membership: Thankyou to everyone who has supported the group by renewing their membership.
FRIENDS OF CHILTERN Mt PILOT NATIONAL PARK inc MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
P.O. Box 60 CHILTERN 3683
To assist, please mark the envelope Membership. Please ensure your contact details are current. Thank you.
Friends have achieved a great deal during the past year. Surveys for plants, birds and monitoring, replacing and erection of new mammal boxes, tree planting , weed control and the provision of a bird hide and gates are just some of our contributions. Your support for our activities is valued and your membership renewal is vital to our cause. Membership expires on June 30th.
If you wish to pay electronically please contact Neville Bartlett, Secretary, by email: neville@nrbartlett.com.au
http://friendsofchiltern.org.au/index.php/friends/membership