Dear Friends
Checking nest logs and boxes with Bruce Quin gave everyone a fitness outing for the weekend. Again we were granted perfect weather for the three days and having two groups to share the task ensured that all nest logs and boxes were located and checked. The rewards of the day were many, groups of Swift Parrots, Regent Honeyeaters, Painted Button Quail, King Parrots, numerous Antechinus with some feeding in the Ironbark blossom, boxes which revealed Squirrel Gliders, Sugar Gliders and Tuans. On the ground we disturbed many groups of kangaroos and noted the many rosettes of the winter greenhoods.
Many thanks to those who volunteered for this job, especially those who carried the ladders. By the end of the exercise everyone was locating the targets with ease, and compass skills were well practised. Nature certainly rewarded us for our effort.
Twenty-one nest boxes were checked and six were occupied. Of these four had either Sugar or Squirrel Gliders in residence and two contained adult Brush-tailed Phascogales. Sixty-two nest logs were checked, five contained gliders, one held a family of four Sugar Gliders. Many logs contained fresh leaf nests indicating that they were being used.
The two groups met for a shared lunch at Bartley’s and enjoyed the sunshine and company of birds, The remaining Persimmons were being enjoyed by the Pied Currawongs and only a few of the lovely orange leaves were left to fall. Bartley’s Block is full of history and the Persimmon trees are a reminder of the tastes of the Bartley family in the 1890’s. Quince, Mulberry, Lemon and Plum trees are other fruit trees which made up their orchard. The winter bulbs, mostly Jonquils, will soon add their colour to the old garden.
One group located a cache of ancient rubbish on Pooley’s Trail. This will be piled at the July gathering ready for removal by the park staff. Hopefully we will soon run out of such sites.
Earlier this year tall guards were placed around the Acacia deanei plants on Mt Pleasant Road to prevent the wallabies from chewing off the new growth a recent inspection revealed the plants were making good progress.
As the flowering has decreased all the bee hives on the bees sites have now been removed. The practice of clearing all the shrub and wattle layer from around the sites has left them rather ugly. The recently graded roads have been well bedded down following the rains so it’s goodbye to dust for a few months at least
Visit to Friends of the Warbys. A group of us spent a pleasant day with the Warby group. Like us they have a small working group so were glad of a few extra hands. Several years ago they established an arboretum at Wenham’s camping ground for the purpose of showing visitors the plants that grow in the Warbys. On our visit we helped with direct seeding of some areas of the arboretum, picked up Pademelons and filled in a few rabbit burrows. Lunch together with shared goodies was followed by an energetic walk along their 4.6 km walking track. The track wanders through several plant communities along the undulating forest plateau. Rocky outcrops, great stands of Grass Trees and superb views from the top of Mt Warby and later to the east towards Mt Bogong. The final part of the walk followed a little creek line with rock pools. Warby Friends are to be congratulated on the route chosen for the walk. A most enjoyable day with great company.
At our July meeting we will be saying farewell to Scott Jessup. Scott has been with Friends since it was reformed in 1992 and has been involved in all our major projects. Presently Scott is the Curator of the Burke Museum in Beechworth. He is moving to Sydney where he will take up the position of Manager of the Mary MacKillop Place Museum. We congratulate him on this appointment and wish him all the best in his new position.
Neville has provided us with another batch of bird lists. These lists, printed on card, sell very well at $3.00 each.
Flora booklets, tee shirts, from small to XL, and mugs featuring the Regent Honeyeater are still available. If you’d like one give me a call.
The bulk email request has been very well received. We will save on paper, copying and time. Thank you to all who responded.
Threatened Species Grant: Another round of grants will be coming out towards the end of the year. If you have any ideas for a project please put them forward.
Yellingbo Visit to see the Helmeted Honeyeater with Bruce Quin July 14/15 . Visiting Yellingbo reserve on SUNDAY 15th
Membership Renewals are now due.
NEXT MEETING SATURDAY JULY 7TH 9.00 AM AT THE CHILTERN POST OFFICE
BYO lunch, gloves, a trowel a friend and energy.
The scheduled activity for July has had to be cancelled. In place we will tackle the mature Spurge at Bartley’s Block and visit the Genista sites and pile the rubbish on Coyles Track. Afternoon walk for plants, birds and fungi. Bring a hand lens if you have one.