Dear Friends
Happy New Year to All. Sadly it is a fiery one with nature exacting a heavy toll.
Please find enclosed, or attached, if you are on the email list, the programme for 2003. Please note that the AGM has been scheduled for July 12th, a week later than the normal meeting date. The guest for the AGM will be announced in a later newsletter. The activity for the December meeting will also be noted in a later newsletter.
Around the park:
I’m sure no one needs to be told it is dry! Those of you who are picnicers or birdwatchers may like to know that Cyanide Dam and Frogs Hollow are now dry. There is a little water in Depot Dam but I expect it to dry up in the coming week. Lappins Dam, Greenhill Dam, Mt Pleasant Dam and Riley’s Road Dam are holding up well as they are all fairly deep. The dams at Bartley’s Block are also dry.
Spot fires on Skeleton Hill were quickly controlled.
Spotted Harrier sighting: Neville and Helen Bartlett had the good fortune to have excellent views of a Spotted Harrier as it cruised over grassland and perched obligingly on a fence along Yackandandah Road, near the junction with Lancashire Gap Rd. Known to nest just north of the park this, to my knowledge, is the first sighting close to the town. Perhaps the state of the grasslands to the north have deprived it of good feeding ground.
A new project for Friends in 2003 will be to commence flora and fauna lists for specific blocks in the park. The blocks will be selected after consultation with Parks Victoria staff. ) The information gained over several seasons will be valuable when the blocks come up for burning under the Fire Strategy for the park. ( I wrote this before the fires!) The project will also provide an opportunity for participants to share and extend their knowledge.
On going tasks such as nest box and log checking, weed and rubbish removal will be slotted into the programme through out the year.
Tee shirts: if you wear a large in tee shirts and would like to purchase one, all is not lost. The Albury/Wodonga Environment Centre still has a few in stock. Give me a call if you would like one.
Friends of the Warbys : The project days for this group are Feb 8; March 8; April 12. If you would like to support the group phone Helen on 57 218 937. You will be most welcome.
Tidbinbilla Fires, Canberra: This note arrived from Peter Christie, NSWPS, Dubbo “ The Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve copped the full blast of the fire front. Geoff Underwood managed to rescue the captive bred Regent Honeyeaters but it appears they did not make it safely to the Taronga Zoo. Sadly Geoff lost his home and pets.” Our thoughts are with him and all those who lost property in the Canberra fire.
NEXT MEETING SUNDAY FEBRUARY 2 9.00AM AT THE POST OFFICE
Removal of Broom, protection of Acacia deaneii ssp deaneii
BYO Lunch, gloves, secateurs and small saw if you have one. Lunch at Greenhill Dam.
Contact: Eileen 57 261 484