FRIENDS OF CHILTERN PARK ,
Convenor: E.Collins 057 261 484
Newsletter No. 8 March 1994
Dear Friends,
Our “stag watch” efforts are not being rewarded! However the “possum prowl” more than made up for the lack of wildlife in the hollows.
Fifteen members enjoyed a ‘bush ramble, some plant identification tests and bird watching. Although the Long-leafed Box is coming into flower few honeyeaters were seen. The record wet – summer has helped the park to remain green and some Chocolate Lilies were still sporting flowers. Sharp eyed Judy found an early Gnat Orchid, Acianthus exsertus. As the name implies the flowers are very small and in tones of reddish brown blending perfectly with the ground cover.
A large Cootamundra Wattle was removed from All Nations Road and scattered ancient junk was piled ready for collection on ‘Clean Up Day’.
Tea was shared at Cyanide Dam. The aroma of barbecued mushrooms and onions filled the air. The evening was mild and calm as we set off for the “stag trees”. By the time we returned to the dam the moonless sky was sparkling with stars and the children were anxious to prowl. Two Ringtail Possums were the first sightings followed by a Kookaburra perched on a bare branch along Cyanide Road. Just above the Kookaburra sharp eyed Sally spotted movement in the canopy and to everyone’ s delight a Feather-tailed Glider put on quite a show as it foraged in the flowers of the Long-leafed Box.
Further down the track more eyes then revealed a Squirrel Glider clinging to a bare branch and looking down at us showing its cream under-belly and white-edged gliding membrane. As it turned to scamper up the branch the long, thick tail hung down giving a great view. Next came two Sugar Gliders feeding in the blossom. As the spotlights were focused lower several Swamp Wallabies, a Fox, and some Grey Kangaroos were picked up.
The mild evening brought out hordes of insects so it was open season for the many bats. There were two sizes of bat. Since no one had any bat I.D. skills I can only list a few of the bats that have been recorded in the Cyanide area by the bat banders.
– The Chocolate Wattled Bat. This bat emerges about 20 minutes after sunset to feed mostly on moths.
– Gould’s Wattled Bat. This bat forages below the tree canopy in woodland and seldom flies more than 20 metres above the ground. Ref: Australian Mammals.
The smaller bats were probably Little Forest Bats, of which there are three kinds.
Our spotlight walk was certainly very productive and educational as well as being highly sociable. There were requests for repeats so we’ ll see what we can organise.
FROM THE MEETING:
1. Membership has reached 46. Members were urged to recruit a new member.
2. Reminder about the Friends Seminar at the Herbarium on March 19.
3. Volunteers for Clean Up day to meet at 9.30 am at the Tourist Park.
4. Incorporation: The draft rules are available to read and to comment upon. Please ask for a copy if you wish to have input.
The committee will meet to draw up rules for our group in late April and present them to the group for approval at the May meeting.
5. Geology Tour April 17. Details below.
6. It was suggested that we have a trading table at each meeting to raise funds. Just bring along items which you no longer need, extra vegies etc.
7. Final membership notice to be attached to this newsletter.
• Newsletters cannot be posted to unfinancial members, however extra newsletters will be available for collection.
There will be no newsletter for APRIL since we have no formal meeting. A report on the Geology
Tour will be included in the May edition.
GEOLOGY TOUR
SUNDÅY APRIL17 . .
MEETING PLACE: Chiltern Tourist Park . . , . . . .
TIME: 8.O0am. . Planned to return at 5.O0pm ,
COST:. $15.00 Adult members ,$7.00 Children under l6yrs, $17.00 non members, $7.00.Children under l6yrs
FARES TO BE PAID BY MARCH 25. Please make cheques payable to Friends of Chiltern Park. Post to
P.O. Box 60 Chiltern 3683. Enquiries 057261 484
BRING YOUR OWN LUNCH .
ROUTE INCLUDES:
Indigo Valley Leneva West .
Wooragee Reid’ s Creek
Mount Pilot Beechworth
Murmungee , Everton
Oxley Greta
Hansonville Tatong
Mt.Samaria Warby Range .
The tour is designed to explain the major rock types, earth movements and ages which have influenced the geology of the North East of Victoria.
Our guide will be Phil Rosengren.
FRIENDS OF CHILTERN PARK MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
P.O.BOX 60, CHILTERN 3683
Please find enclosed my membership fee of $7.00 for 1994.
Fee covers the whole family. , , , , . . ,
NAME PHONE
ADDRESS
The renewal of your membership is vital to our cause Thank you for caring
CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA DAY ,
This followed hard on the heels of our meeting but that didn’ t deter 16 members from putting in four
hours hard work. The Howlong Road, the Park and the Underpass were the targets. Six large trailer loads of rubbish were removed. Thank you to all who attended.