Friends of Chiltern Mt Pilot NP Newsletter #310 October 2021
Dear Friends,
Due to COVID-19 restrictions for the size of outdoor groups, the October field day consisted of three separate wildflower walks with one led by Mick Webster in the Lancashire Gap Road area and the other two in the general area around the Honeyeater Picnic Area and Cyanide Dam.
Photos: Mick Webster other two groups found plenty of interesting flowers but did not see any reptiles.
Photos: Neville Bartlett
There has also been some excellent weeding work done recently in the old Vinca area at Bartleys Block ready for some revegetation at the November field day and early next year. Thank you very much for those who have carried out this valuable work between field days.
Friends 2022 Calendars
The response to our request for images produced an excellent and varied collection of images for our judges to select from. Our 2022 calendar will come in two formats so that purchasers will have a choice.
The first format (original A3) is the same A3 size and layout as in previous years.
The second format (compact A4) comes as an A4 size that is much more compact and is a little over half of the weight.
The image below shows how the calendar looks when hung. Note that there are no small images at the bottom of the calendar so the calendar boxes have more room for notes and annotations. The compact A4 weighs 184g, about 55% as much as the original A3 calendar (344g) and therefore costs much less to post.
The calendars are both priced $20 each and have the following postage:
Original A3
Cost per calendar (including white envelope) $20.00 each
Packaging and postage 1 calendar $11.30
2 or 3 calendars $14.70
Compact A4
Cost per calendar (including white envelope) $20.00 each
Packaging and postage 1 calendar $4.65
2 calendars $6.85
3 calendars $10.65
The image below shows the Compact A4 as it would look when hung
A detailed flyer and order form will be sent out separately.
Imperial Jezebel Butterfly – Delias harpalyce – Eileen Collins
Also known as Imperial White Butterfly.
These pupae were photographed in June and they will overwinter and hatch in spring. However, we were surprised when Jan Palmer found these hatching in mid-August.
The caterpillars of this species are blackish brown with white hairs. Their food plant is Mistletoe and they may be found on Amyema sp and on Creeping Mistletoe Muellerina eucalyptoides. They pupate on their food plant.
The latter host species is rare in the park. The last known host tree died some years ago.
The adult butterfly may be overlooked when at rest as its upper side is black and white, with just a hint of yellow at the tips. However, when feeding the wings are closed and display their vibrant red, yellow and black undersides
A common but beautiful butterfly.
Imperial Jezebel Butterfly – Delias harpalyce – adult – photo Joseph Birckhead
Imperial Jezebel Butterfly – Delias harpalyce – pupae Photo Jan Palmer
Imperial Jezebel Butterfly – Delias harpalyce – recently hatched Photo Jan Palmer
AGM Deferred until February 2022
We usually hold our AGM early in September, but this year’s AGM has been deferred until later in February 2022.
Last year’s AGM was conducted via email, but this year we would like to revert back to having a gathering centred on the AGM. Details will be announced closer to the time.
Rangers Report – Brian Pritchard
The park is looking great in response to the weather this year. Covid times have certainly seen an increased number of people visiting parks and it will be interesting to see what happens as the state opens up again.
Our staffing is currently Brian and Scott in ongoing ranger roles and Laura is backfilling Luke, who is acting in a fire role until mid-2022. Hannah has been extended in her project office role until mid-2023 and we will soon recruit to backfill her position.
Our project fire fighters will commence over the next few weeks and will undertake fire preparation works including clearing tracks.
Contractors have completed spraying bridal creeper in Chiltern and fox baiting has commenced in some of the park. Monitoring and trapping of pigs is continuing with the occasional sighting still occurring.
Unfortunately, illegal activities continue to increase including timber removal, rubbish dumping and off road motor bike use. An number of infringement notices have been issued to people found breaching regulations.
Rainfall September 2021: 91 mm. Total for year-to-date 2021: 647 mm.
In 2020 we had 623 mm up to the end of September.
The average annual rainfall for Chiltern is 689 mm.
NEXT MEETING – SATURDAY 6th NOVEMBER 2021
We have three activities planned for Saturday 6th November 2021.
#1 Wildflower walk with Neville Walsh – Senior Conservation Botanist at the Royal Botanic Gardens.
This will most likely take place on the South side of the Chiltern section of the park.
#2 Wheel cactus work with Mick Webster. Please call Mick on 0429 017 229 if you are considering this activity.
Wheel cactus team maximum is 10 people, and will be working on steep (hopefully not wet) slopes so will need boots, long pants and long sleeve tops, good spine-proof gloves (not leather) and water. We will harvest Cochineal bugs from infested plants and transfer them to new Wheel cactus between Old Coach Rd and Eldorado (so 20 minutes drive), as well as remove buds and flowers.
#3 Revegetation at Bartley’s Block.
A small group will head to Bartleys Block and plant sedges and grasses in the area previously occupied by Blue Periwinkle (Vinca sp.)
Further planting in this area is planned for Autumn 2022.
All groups will be provided with bun.
We request that people attending abide by the prevailing COVID-19 advice:
https://www.health.vic.gov.au/covid-19/directions-issued-by-victorias-chief-health-officer
Dates for 2021-22
For 2021: Saturday 6th November and Sunday 5th December.
For 2022: Sunday 6th February, Saturday 5th March, Sunday 3rd April, Saturday 7th May, Sunday 5th June, Saturday 2nd July, Sunday 7th August, Saturday 3rd September, Sunday 1st October, Saturday 5th November and Sunday 4th December.
Rule of Thumb: For even months, the field day is held on the first Sunday of the month and for odd months, it is held on the first Saturday of the month.
Membership – It’s time to renew
Membership expired on June 30th 2021. 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 few years. 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 important to our cause.
Please ensure your contact details are current.
Please find enclosed my membership of $15 for 2021-22. 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:
Account 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 treasurer, Tony (Email: anthonymurnane9@gmail.com), when you have made the payment to help us keep track of payments.