FRIENDS OF CHILTERN PARK INC.
Convener: E.Collins 057 261 484
Newsletter No. 20 May 1995 wax
Dear Friends,
Good Autumn rain and a warm, sunny day provided excellent conditions for tree planting on Sunday May 7. Seventeen members planted over 500 trees into the prepared ground in just under three hours. As usual the younger members of the team were very productive. They laid out stakes and guards, planted trees and collected the empty tubes. We\’e got such a good team we could go into business! Muddy boots and mud pies were part of the fun too.
Members inspected last year’s planting with great satisfaction. The Acacias and Eucalypts are up to 1.5 metres tall. It will be interesting to see how this Autumn planting progresses. The project has been doubly rewarding because members Steve and Arlene grew all the Acacias and some of the Eucalypts. It was their first venture into seed raising and it has been a great success.
Lunch was enjoyed at Cyanide Dam. The recent rain failed to raise the level enough to join the two pools. However, 30mm of rain has fallen since then and run-off has commenced. After a long lunch and meeting some members undertook cactus and wattle removal while others did some Regent Honeyeater survey work.
From the meeting:
1. Ranger John has been on the injured list. We wish him a speedy recovery.
2. The next tree planting will be in Spring. Before then the area will be sprayed and re-ripped to control Paspalum growth.
3. CRA have resumed drilling west of Magenta. Drilling will take place at seven points which are reasonably close together. Work should be completed in about three weeks.
4. The Albury/Wodonga newsletter was tabled.
5. The Radiata Pines which were growing at Frogs Hollow have been removed.
6. Scott reported on the Regent Honeyeater survey work. A flock of 40 birds is present in the park and this holds the promise of a good nesting season. .
7. John Reeve has been running a Kangaroo survey. 283 animals were counted for the whole park on the last survey. John reported that they were in very good condition despite the dry season.
8. A welcome was extended to new memberš, Mr. Bill Steele, Melbourne, Joan Hilderbrand,
Beechworth and Natasha Schedvin, Melbourne.
9. Robin Sanderson donated a plant press to the group. Thankyou Robin.
lO.Activities for the next meeting were discussed. Since that time Ranger John has returned to duty; He will arrange to have the materials for the track construction on site at Barnawartha Depot dam..
June is also our second birthday. Members decided to have a celebration lunch.
11. Bus trip to Barmah/Dharnya Centre. Seats are available on the bus. Enquiries to John Reeve 060331 229.
From the Ranger: The Director of National Parks, Mr Mark Stone, will visit Chiltern in June.
Funding has been approved for the remainder of the fencing at Chiltern Valley No.2 .
Old road areas will be ripped in June in readiness for rehabilitation by friends.
Easter visitors: Bendigo Field Naturalists camped at Cyanide Dam. They were impressed with the park and what it had to offer, particularly the Regent Honeyeaters whiçh came to bathe and drink at the dam. How lucky can you be!
Geoff Durham of Victorian National Parks Association also enjoyed Easter in the park.
Newsletter articles: This is your newsletter. I would be happy to receive articles to publish. The newsletter is limited to two sheets but it’s amazing how much it takes to fill them.
Around the park.
Orchids are beginning to flower. The dainty pink and maroon Parson’s Bands and the Tiny Greenhood, Pterostylis parviflora, with its green and white flowers tinged brown are among ones seen recently.
Fungi will be abundant following the rain. Shaggy Caps are plentiful at present.
Mosses and lichens have come alive in the moist conditions.
The first Swift Parrot was recorded at Gieenhill Dam when it came to drink. These birds are usually hard to see as they forage in the treetops, They are winter visitors from Tasmania coming to the box/ironbark areas to feed on nectar and pollen. Chiltern is an important habitat for these birds.
The most exciting arrivals have been the Regent Honeyeaters. A flock of 40 birds was recorded in April. Hopefully this will be a good year for breeding.
Rose Robins can be found at Cyanide Dam. The male bird has a slate grey back, head and throat, with a breast of deep pink. There is a white spot just above the beak.
While walking along a ridge last week we came upon a blue/black and red spider hurrying along the track. It was the male Mouse Spider, Missulena occatoria, a ground dwelling spider. The female of this species is glossy black. When this spider was touched with a piece of bark it raised itself on its rear legs and bared its large fangs in threat. In Chiltern these spiders seem to appear after the Autumn rains. They should be treated with great care. Literature says the bite is non-toxic but I bet it would be painful!
NEXT MEETING
PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE OF VENUE
SATURDAY JUNE 3 AT BARNAWARTHA DEPOT BLOCK DAM : 9 am
We will commence the forming of the walking track. Please bring shovel, rake, and a wheelbarrow if you can transport it. Lunch and celebrations will be held at the southbound freeway facility at approximately 12.30pm. Bring lunch to share.
Getting there: if you are traveling from Wodonga you can gain access from the freeway stop. For those coming through Chiltern: Go to Frogs Hollow, take the underpass to the Yackandandah Road, turn left, pass the house on the left and take the first turn to the left.
Travel this track for 1.lkms until you reach the dam. We’ll need all hands on deck for this project.