Dear Friends,
The rain kept tumbling down and the volunteers kept turning up for the June meeting. We did however cancel the barbeque
in the interests of comfort and enjoyment. We will try again in July to enjoy a barbecue lunch.
Twelve members came prepared to work in the rain and all had their reasons for turning up. Perhaps the best one was “The options were come or stay home and study!”
The rain ceased by 9.30am and by 10.30am the second enclosure was completely mulched and everyone was ready for a chat, cuppa and bun.
Revegetating the new Tuan campsite on Depot Rd (by Eileen Collins)
Since everyone was ready for work it was decided to plant the trees at Chiltern Valley No 2 and the necessary gear was hastily assembled. A very competent group soon had the 65 trees in the ground, filling the spaces where plants had succumbed to the drought. The survival rate was excellent and the watering by Friends and Parks staff over the dry period certainly paid off. People were amazed at how much growth the plants had put on since the rains. Some herbivore grazing was obvious, possibly hares as they are plentiful.
Replanting at Chiltern Valley No 2 (by Tony Marsh)
Water has reached the dam and replenished the muddy puddle but much more is needed for it to fill. The demise of the huge carp has been one positive from the long dry.The last task at the dam was to hack the regrowth off the Peppercorn stumps and paste the cuts.. At 1.30pm we packed up for the day, hungry and pleased with our efforts. Ringing for a pizza was not an option!
<b>Birds about Depot</b> included a male Golden Whistler, Brown-headed, White-plumed and Black-chinned Honeyeaters, Restless Flycatcher and Willie Wagtail. We discussed the probability of there being a Rose Robin around Depot and the next day Darren found it! An uncoloured dainty little bird. Have to look for others around their usual haunts of Greenhill Dam and Honeyeater Picnic area.
<b>Around the park</b><p> Fungi, both dainty and huge, abound after the rain. Tiny golden Yellow Navels Omphalina sp grow on the bare soil; Forest Mushrooms which make a nice meal; Ghost Fungus Omphalotus nidiformis, which glows in the dark and can be seen on dead and living wood; the tall and elegant glossy-capped brown Rooting Shank with pure white gills is flourishing in the moist conditions and there are many more species for interested observers to enjoy.
Lilies and orchid rosettes with tiny flower buds are carpeting the ground with green and hopefully follow-up rain will ensure good flowering.
Parks Community Grants
Friends have applied for a grant to purchase a Tree-top Camera for the purpose of inspecting nest boxes. Ladder carrying will be greatly reduced, necessary only for repairs and placement of boxes.
AGM
Just a reminder that Sean Dooley, author of “The Big Twitch” will be our guest speaker. Everyone is welcome and we will have the usual dinner. Saturday August 4th is the date. Full details in the July newsletter.
Memberships
Are due at the end of June and a form is attached. Please ensure your details are correct so that you recieve the newsletter.
Newspapers
We will require more for the July meeting so please bring along whatever you have.
Rainfall May 107.4mm over 12 days. Yearly total: 258.4mm over 43 days. And how welcome it was!
NEXT MEETING SUNDAY JULY 1ST CHILTERN POST OFFICE AT 9.00AM
Parks Staff are providing a BBQ . BYO gloves, binoculars and chair and your favourite work tool.
The programme has been altered. We will complete the mulching of the third enclosure at Depot . After lunch we will inspect a group of nest boxes Contact: Eileen 03 57 261 484
FRIENDS OF CHILTERN NATIONAL PARK inc MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
P.O. Box 26 CHILTERN 3683 To assist, please mark the envelope Membership.
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 and weed control 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. Please ensure your contact details are current. Thank you.
Please find enclosed my membership of $10 for 2007-8 The fee covers the whole family and includes 11 newsletters.
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