FRIENDS OF CHILTERN PARK
Convener: E. Collins. 057 261 484
Newsletter No.12 August 1994
Dear Friends,
Cold south-westerly winds whipped the working place for the August meeting. However that didn’t deter the small band of willing workers who removed fruit trees, Lucerne trees and loads of ancient rubbish from an old house site near Magenta Mine. Ranger John has left us for a couple of months to go globe trotting but before leaving he made sure we would not be idle in his absence! The fruit trees at Frogs Hollow are also on his list. .
The Chiltern tip area is ready for tree planting. The Shire will provide the trees, stakes and guards and prepare the ground. Fleur Stelling, the revegetation officer of CNR, will help with the planning and selection of species. The aim will be to recreate the hillside flora. Some direct seeding will also be used. This project will be started at the next meeting so we will need all hands on deck. I hope that local people and school groups will take part on weekdays. A large area is involved and work will continue over two or three months. If you have
any spare time and wish to help please call me.
Regent Honeyeaters.
The Regent Honeyeater recovery team is on the move. They will visit Chiltern on August 22 to inspect the regularly used sites. They will also be seeking a commitment from interested friends to monitor the sites in much the same way (minus the ladders) as the Turquoise Parrots are monitored. It offers people the chance to contribute to the understanding and conservation of this highly endangered species. In June this year two large groups of Regents were located at Wiseman’s Ferry { 150 birds) and Warrumbungle N.Park {40 birds) I understand that 50 birds were banded. Hopefully one day we will be able to report a banded bird at Chiltern. The Ironbark flower is extremely sparse this year and there are very few nectar eaters in the park. However 4 Regents were seen in Wangaratta at the end of July feeding in White Ironbark, Leucoxylon rosea, which has been planted around the ambulance station and the saleyards. This small decorative gum flowers profusely even when young so plant one or two if you have the space.
Recently I visited Hattah Kilkyne N.P. They have a small but very active Friends group. A large block has been fenced within the park. The Kangaroos have been culled to allow the vegetation to recover. I drove through this fenced area enjoying the sight of Red Roos and noticing where the Friends had planted the dunes and installed drip systems to establish the plants. Some dunes were fenced off to help stabilise the sand and establish the vegetation. As I left the park via the gate I was immediately aware of the success of this project. There was little grass, less understorey virtually no regeneration and countless roos.
Near the park, on the Colignan Road, sixty Regent Parrots flew lazily across the road. In the low light of the evening their canary yellow undersides were striking.
Meeting
There was no formal meeting this month. Numerous apologies were received.
Members were saddened to hear of the passing of Phil Rosengren’s Father. We extend our sincere sympathy to
Phil and his family. .
NEXT MEETING WILL BE ON SATURDA Y SEPTEMBER 3RD AT DONKEY HILL
TREE PLANTING FOR THOSE WISHING TO TAKE PART.