Friends of Chiltern Mt Pilot NP Newsletter #287 Sept 2019
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
http://www.friendsofchiltern.org.au/
Dear Friends,
September Field Day and AGM
The weather was not great but a hardy group ventured to Bartley’s Block for an afternoon walk. A few Vinca and Caper Spurge seedlings were dispatched as we started the walk and the participants were pleased to find a few Painted Honeyeaters and an amazing number of Grey Fantails. Everywhere we looked there were Grey Fantails. Usually, there are one or two but not 30 or more. Some of the birds seemed to have more white on them. Further investigation revealed that Grey Fantails may migrate and that the ones with more white on them could be a sub-species that is usually found in the Bass Strait islands. We have no conclusive proof that any of the birds in the Park belong to this sub-species but it was great to realise that these birds can move over considerable distances.
Grey Fantail (Rhipidura albiscapa) – photo: Neville Bartlett
Karen Retra and others found some colonies of Coconut ants (Tapinoma sessile) and the more that we looked, the more colonies that we found. These ants had been found in previous years and are now known to be reasonably common in the Park.
Karen Retra (above) inspecting a colony of Coconut ants (Tapinoma sessile) – photos: Neville Bartlett
An interesting find was what looked like a set of bones but Martin informed us that they were the lower shell from a turtle and it is called a plastron.
A plastron, or lower shell, of a turtle – photo: Neville Bartlett
Another discovery was a fungus that could only identified to a genus level but it is commonly known as a puffball.
Puffball (Pisolithus sp.) – photo: Neville Bartlett
Having several skilled bird watchers present also resulted in the discovery of a male Rose Robin (Petroica rosea).
A male Rose Robin (Petroica rosea) – photo: Neville Bartlett
This bird kept the photographers busy by mostly keeping its back in their direction to the delight of the other observers who enjoyed wonderful views of the front of the bird. It is the first time that I have seen this species at Bartley’s Block.
Friends of Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park – AGM
The financial report and a general report for the group were presented and accepted by the AGM. If anyone would like a copy of these please get in touch with our Secretary, Tony Murnane.
Eileen Collins was elected as a Life Member of the group for her tireless work over more than 25 years.
The office bearers for 2019-2020 are:
Neville Bartlett (President and Newsletter Editor), Mick Webster (Vice President), Tony Murnane (Secretary/Public Officer and Treasurer), Tony Marsh (Webmaster) and committee members: Eileen Collins, Helen Carse, Neil Blair, Jennifer Davidson, John Hawker, Phillip Seely, Simon Bennett and Bill Boulton.
Following on from the AGM, Karen Retra gave a very entertaining talk on native pollinators in which she presented a strong case for us to broaden our attention to these important groups of insects. It was fascinating to learn more about the 1,700 or so species of native bees, 12,000 species of wasps and possibly 30,000 species of flies in Australia. Each species has a life cycle with several quite distinct stages of growth
Eileen Collins – OAM Investiture
Eileen Collins was presented with her Order of Australia Medal (OAM) at Government House in Melbourne on the 17th September 2019.
Eileen being presented with her OAM by Her Excellency the Honourable Linda Dessau AC, Governor of Victoria – Photo: Kit Haselden Photography
We are planning to have a local celebration of this award at 12 noon on Sunday 20th October 2019 near the bird hide at Chiltern Valley Number 2 Dam. Food will be provided but please bring your own alcohol. An email requesting numbers attending and dietary requirements will go out early in October. Please advise Tony or Neville if you are planning to come but are not on our email list.
Around the Park
Kim Radnell photographed some interesting lichens in the Park and Eileen Collins has assisted in identifying them.
Coral lichen (Cladia retipora) and British soldiers lichen (Cladonia cristatella) – photo: Kim Radnell
The dams (Chiltern Valley No 1 Dam, Chiltern Valley No 2 Dam and the dam on Barambogie Block) in the Northern section of the Park have reasonable amounts of water and are well worth visiting.
A pair of Grey Teal and two turtles at Chiltern Valley No 1 Dam – photo: Neville Bartlett.
2020 Friends Calendars – Available mid-November
The 2020 calendars will cost $20 each plus $11.20 postage/packaging. This is now the flat rate for ONE calendar countrywide and includes the cost of a padded bag.
Postage for 2 to 3 calendars in same bag in Victoria or interstate (max 3 per bag) $14.45
Please forward your order and cheque to:
Friends of Chiltern-Mt Pilot N.P., 69 Conness Street, Chiltern Vic 3683. A limited number will be printed.
I……………………………………………enclose payment of $………….. for…………calendar(s)
Address: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….Phone:……………………………..
email:……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
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.
Advise Tony (anthonymurnane9@gmail.com) when you have made the payment so that we can keep track of payments. Thankyou for your support.
Rainfall For August: 27 mm. Year to date: 329 mm. Last year we had 269 for the year up to the end of August.
NEXT MEETING – SUNDAY 6th OCTOBER 2019
We will be removing some more tree guards at the Grasslands Block.
Enter from near the corner of Howlong Road and Old Howlong Road if you are going directly to the block.
Alternatively, meet at the Post Office at 9:00am. Field contact: Neville on 0412 399 239
Membership It’s Time to Renew
Memberships expired on June 30th. 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 year. 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 vital to our cause. Membership expires on June 30th of each year.
Please ensure your contact details are current.
Please find enclosed my membership of $15 for 2019-20. The fee covers the whole family and includes 11 newsletters.
Name:…………………………………………………………………………………….. Telephone:……………………………………
Email:…………………………………………………………………………………….. Receipt required: Yes / No
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 Tony (anthonymurnane9@gmail.com) or Neville (neville@nrbartlett.com.au) when you have made the payment to help us keep track of payments.