Friends of Chiltern Mt Pilot NP Newsletter #321 October 2022
FRIENDS OF CHILTERN MT-PILOT NATIONAL PARK, Inc.
President : Neville Bartlett
neville@nrbartlett.com.au Ph: 0412 399 239
Correspondence to: Tony Murnane Secretary/Treasurer: anthonymurnane9@gmail.com
Newsletter: Neville Bartlett: neville@nrbartlett.com.au
Dear Friends,
October Field Days
Starting at the Tuan Campground car park, we split into two groups with Neil leading the main group in a wildflower walk in a wide loop each side of Tuan Track. The second group focussed on wildflower photography much closer to the campground. One of our group had purchased a smart phone with the best possible camera for her budget. After some guidance on how to get the phone’s camera system to focus on the desired flower and how to alter the exposure, Lisa quickly adapted to getting some excellent shots. This suited her because she prefers not to get involved in the technical aspects of operating a separate camera.
Lisa taking a shot with her phone (above) and the result (below)
Photos: Neville Bartlett (above), Lisa Deayton (below)
After morning tea, both groups travelled with Neil to the intersection of Donchi Hill Road and Bullant Track to look for some Leopard Orchids (Diuris pardina), Golden Moths (Diuris chryseopsis) and flowers that were most likely hybrids of the two Diuris species.
Leopard Orchid (Diuris pardina)
Golden Moth (Diuris chryseopsis)
Photos: Neville Bartlett
possible hybrid of the two Diuris species above
A second wildflower day took place in mid-October with Neil showing people around the Tower Hill Road area followed by a visit to the Mt Pilot section of the Park to see spider orchids (Caladenai parva and Caladenia tentaculata) and possible hybrids between the two species.
Thank you very much to Neil Blair for sharing his considerable knowledge of the Park’s flora.
Friends 2023 Calendars
The 2023 calendars, in A3 and A4 format, are being printed. Details, and the order form, are available in the flyer that accompanies this newsletter. The calendars are expected to be available in about two weeks.
Thank you very much to the photographers who have contributed images: Jan Palmer, Leshya Perkins, John Hawker, David Skinner, Mick Webster, Philip Dubbin, Brian Pritchard, Neville Bartlett and Robert Boehm.
November Field Day and 2021-22 AGM – Saturday 5th November 2022
The planned schedule for the day is:
The Chiltern Senior Citizens Hall will be open at 2:30pm so that food can be stored there
Meet at the Chiltern Post Office at 3:00pm
At approximately 3:10pm, we will depart for the Mt Pilot Picnic Area
From 3:30pm to about 5:00pm, Dr Damian Michael* will lead a reptile walk around the summit area.
This location has been chosen as the best available with good access in the current conditions.
At 5:00pm depart for the Chiltern Senior Citizens Hall
At 5:30pm, Dr Michael will give a talk about reptiles
At about 7:00pm, dinner.
Please bring a plate and any alcoholic beverages that you wish to consume.
Some non-alcoholic beverages will be provided.
We usually purchase some ready-made dishes to complement what people bring.
People with special dietary requirements can either bring food/beverages that meet their requirements or let us know. We will endeavour to make suitable purchases from places such as Clancy’s Food Store and Miss Amelie Gourmet, and let you know beforehand, so that you can make an informed choice about what you bring to eat.
The AGM will take place at approximately 8:00pm.
* Dr. Damian Michael of the Institute of Land, Water and Society at Charles Sturt University. Dr. Michael’s expertise includes rocky outcrop (inselberg) ecology and applied herpetology.
Some of our committee members and office bearers will be standing down this year and we are looking for people to take their place. This is a great opportunity for you to become more involved in a group that has made a difference in the Park for over nearly 40 years.
Ranger’s Report – Brian Pritchard
The big wet is providing all of us with some challenges. Road conditions are exceptionally wet and vehicles need to stay on the road surface to avoid becoming bogged.
Falling trees are a constant hazard and many roads and tracks can be blocked but we are trying to keep key access roads open.
To date the park has avoided major damage from storms or flood events however the toilets at Woolshed falls have been closed due water inflows into the underground tanks.
The weather has also provided perfect growth conditions for the diverse flora species in the park as well as undesirable weed species. Contractors have completed a project to spray Bridal Creeper as part of an ongoing program.
We have completed replacing a number of damaged signs and closed and rehabilitated some illegal tracks whilst continuing to monitor and deal with off road vehicle use and vandalism.
Rainfall September 2022: 112mm. Total for year-to-date 2022: 781mm.
In 2021 we had 647mm up to the end of September.
Stop Press: October 2022: 236mm, the wettest October since records began in 1885.
Total for the year-to-date 2022: 1,017mm, already the wettest year since 2010.
The corresponding total to the end of October 2021 was 703mm with the full year 2021 being 887mm. The average annual rainfall for Chiltern is 689 mm.
Data supplied by Mick Webster.
Anyone interested in finding out why it is so wet this year can find out more from this article:
https://www.theage.com.au/environment/climate-change/you-know-nina-and-sam-now-meet-julian-another-culprit-for-our-soggy-spring-20221011-p5borp.html
NEXT MEETING – SATURDAY 5th NOVEMBER 2022
Reptile walk, followed by a talk from Dr Damian Michael, dinner and the AGM.
[see the details above]
For the walk you will need: sturdy shoes, warm clothes, water and insect repellent.
Meet at the Chiltern Post Office at 3:00pm.
Upcoming field days:
Sunday 4th December 2022: end-of-year gathering in the late afternoon/evening.
Sunday 5th February 2023: activity TBA.
Dates for 2022-23
For 2022: Sunday 4th December.
For 2023: Sunday 5th February, Saturday 4th March, Sunday 2nd April, Saturday 6th May, Sunday 4th June, Saturday 1st July, Sunday 6th August, Saturday 2nd September, Sunday 1st October, Saturday 4th November and Sunday 3rd December 2023.
Rule of Thumb: For even months, the field day is held on the first Sunday of the month and for odd months, it is held on the first Saturday of the month.
Membership – It’s time to renew
Membership expired on June 30th 2022. Thank you to all who have taken out membership this year. We hope you will continue your support. Friends have achieved a great deal during the past few years. Surveys for plants, birds and monitoring, maintaining and surveying mammal boxes, tree planting, weed control and provision of brochures, interpretive signage and park furniture are just some of our contributions. Your support for our activities is valued and your membership renewal is important to our cause.
Please ensure your contact details are current.
Please find enclosed my membership of $15 for 2022-23. The fee covers the whole family and includes 11 newsletters.
Name:…………………………………………………………………………………….. Telephone:……………………………………
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Address:…………………………………………………………………………………… Postcode: ……….
If you wish to use electronic payment the details are:
Acc Name: Friends of Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park
Bank: WAW Credit Union Co-operative Ltd (Cuscal Limited)
BSB number: 803070
Acc number: 81167
Please add your surname to the transaction.
Please advise treasurer, Tony Murnane (Email: anthonymurnane9@gmail.com), when you have made the payment to help us keep track of payments