A tribute to Landcarer Maurie Dynon (1934 – 2023)
Posted on 19 April, 2023 by Hadley Cole
On Saturday 25 March 2023 we lost Landcare legend and Yapeen/ Guildford local, Maurie Dynon. Maurie contributed countless volunteer hours to Guildford Upper Loddon Landcare group and their restoration projects over almost 30 years. He was known affectionately by Yapeen and Guildford locals and often seen down at the local general store in his ute adorned with Landcare signage, collecting his morning paper. After moving to Guildford around thirty years ago, Maurie signed up to Guildford Upper Loddon Landcare group and never looked back. He swore by the power of a cuppa in connecting community. Through his determination and many cups of tea he recruited many Guildford and Yapeen landholders to get on board local restoration projects.
Maurie with his beloved ute overlooking plans for the Larni Barramal Yaluk (previously Jim Crow) creek restoration project. Photo from the Connecting Country archives.
Most notably were his efforts in convincing landholders along Jim Crow Creek, now known as Larni Barramal Yaluk, to join forces in the management of Willow trees and other noxious weeds. Maurie went door to door and shared many cuppas with landholders as he talked of the value of restoring the creek line. Maurie shared the bigger picture with landholders, explaining how their local actions would help ecosystems downstream and lead to improving water quality all the way to Adelaide!
Maurie also worked with Guildford Upper Loddon Landcare group and landholders along the Guildford Plateau to restore shelterbelts and wildlife corridors across private land. His enthusiasm for restoration spread among landholders across the Plateau with farmers discovering that establishing the corridors also saved their lambs from frost.
Maurie working with Asha Bannon on mapping Landcare projects in 2017. Photo from the Connecting Country archive.
Maurie giving a tour of Blue Duck Mine project site. Photo by Ivan Carter.
Over the many decades that Maurie was involved with Landcare, he worked with many government and community organisations. His ability to leverage funding from government agencies was a credit to him. He saw the big picture possibilities in expanding restoration projects to the landscape scale. Restoration at the Blue Duck Mine site in Fyerstown was another of Maurie’s favourite projects that benefited from his enthusiasm, determination and wonderful conversation skills, resulting in positive outcomes for the local landscape.
Maurie with the Connecting Country team in 2019 at the Landcare Awards. Photo from the Connecting Country archives.
Maurie sitting in a workshop at the Connecting Country Reference group meeting in 2008. Photo by Beth Mellick.
Maurie worked closely with Connecting Country since its beginning in 2008, including as a member of Connecting Country ‘s Reference group and Committee of Management from 2008 -2014. He then continued his relationship as a valued member of Connecting Country’s Landcare Steering Group for over seven years, right up until late 2022. Maurie was a welcome regular visitor to the Connecting Country office, and an inspiration to us all.
The Connecting Country team send their condolences to the beloved family and friends of Maurie. Maurie’s positivity and kindness will be greatly missed.
Comments from his Landcare friends and colleagues:
I was honoured when Maurie invited me to accompany him as his ‘date’ for the 2019 Landcare awards in Melbourne. We have much to learn from Maurie‘s gentle manner, patient determination and significant on-ground achievements. Frances Howe
I first met Maurie when Wettenhall decided to start Connecting Country. In 2007 we got together as many ‘key’ people in the area. Maurie and Lois (Maurie’s wife) were at all the initial meetings and workshops (Maurie always wearing his signature hat), and I got to learn a lot from him. Beth Mellick
Maurie brought humour and wisdom to every room he was in through his many stories. His love for the land and his community were evident in the way he lived his life, and the gentle but persistent ways he inspired so many others to get on board the landcare movement. I’ll always remember his kindness and his perseverance in getting landcare projects done on the smell of an oily rag. Asha Bannon
Maurie was a wonderful conversationalist, and I will always remember his cheeky giggle, positivity and kind nature. Hadley Cole
Down the hill and down the map
Is Guildford Upper Loddon’s patch.
The group has members far and wide,
And utes with writing on the side.
The weeds that way will wilt with worry,
Just from catching sight of Maurie.
From Max Schlachter’s Landcare poem
Bird of the month: White-fronted Chat
Posted on 18 April, 2023 by Ivan
Welcome to Bird of the month, a partnership between Connecting Country and BirdLife Castlemaine District. Each month we’re taking a close look at one special local bird species. We’re excited to join forces to deliver you a different bird each month, seasonally adjusted, and welcome suggestions from the community. We are blessed to have the brilliant Jane Rusden and Damian Kelly from BirdLife Castlemaine District writing about our next bird of the month, accompanied by Damian’s stunning photos.
White-fronted Chat (Epthianura albifrons)
Despite being quite common in certain areas, I get excited when I see a White-fronted Chat because they are not so common in Mount Alexander Shire. A very striking bird, especially the male with it’s distinctive black and white colouring. The female is a bit more grey and brown, but still has the beautiful white chest and belly with the stunning black chest stripe.
The White-fronted Chat’s range extends across the southern parts of Australia, avoiding the driest areas, Tasmania and some of the larger islands in Bass Straight. Locally they can be found on the Moolort Plains, along the edges of wetlands such as Cairn Curran and Lignum Swamp. This kind of habitat is typical for them as it’s essentially open grassland around open damp and possibly saline patches of ground.
Foraging amongst seaweed on Port Fairy beeches is where Damian Kelly took a photo of this male White-fronted Chat.
So, what is it that makes White-fronted Chats attracted to open areas of habitat? That would be food of course! They wander around, but don’t hop, foraging for insects and occasionally seeds, on the ground and in low shrubs. If startled, they will fly a short distance to a prominent perch such as a branch or fence. I’ve usually seen them perched on fence wires.
White-fronted Chats usually stay in one place all year round, however weather and food availability will encourage them to move when necessary. Banding recoveries have been from less than 10km from the original site where the bird was banded, indicating they don’t move far.
Female White-fronted Chat, with her grey head, on a fence wire, a very typical perch for this species.
Interestingly, behavioural studies at Laverton Saltworks in southern Victoria, revealed that White-fronted Chats are quite an adaptable species. Often they will be in flocks of 30 or so birds, with pairs often foraging together, they also communally roost when not breeding. Cooperative breeding (where non-parent birds help raise chicks), is not apparent in this species and breeding pairs may change over the years. However, they nest semi-colonially, with several nests close together. Essentially there will be a whole lot of breeding pairs, who are a bit fluid about who they are paired to, hanging out together most of the time, but doing their own thing.
The adaptability of the White-fronted Chat is highlighted in their breeding, being opportunistic in drier country, largely in response to rain and food availability. However, in wetter coastal areas breeding is seasonal. The nest is cup-shaped and usually, three eggs are laid. Both parents will brood and feed the chicks, and hopefully, a Horsefield’s Bronze Cuckoo won’t find them, to parasitize the nest with their egg.
To listen to the call of the White-fronted Chat – click here
Jane Rusden
Damian Kelly
Collecting or buying firewood? Look out for wildlife!
Posted on 17 April, 2023 by Ivan
Dead trees and fallen logs play an essential role in our local Box-Ironbark forest ecosystems. They provide food and shelter for countless living organisms from fungi to the invertebrates that sustain larger animals such as woodland birds and Brush-tailed Phascogales. Many of our local birds, reptiles and small marsupials also rely on tree hollows for nesting and shelter.
When people collect firewood from our native forests, removing standing dead trees or woody debris on the ground, they can contribute to a serious loss of biodiversity and affect the long-term viability of wildlife habitat. Therefore firewood collection requires careful management. While many of us rely on firewood to keep us warm over winter, we can make sure our firewood is from a sustainable source. If you are buying firewood, be sure to ask your supplier where it comes from and if you’re collecting your own wood, follow the Victorian Government firewood collection rules.
The State government of Victoria recently published a timely media article, highlighting the sad reality of illegal firewood collection in Victoria. The Conservation Regulator, an arm of the State Government, is urging people to help save critical wildlife habitat and protect Aboriginal scarred trees by sourcing firewood responsibly this winter. Details are provided below courtesy of the State Government.
Australian owlet-nightjar uses a hollow in a dead tree (photo by Peter Turner)
The sad reality of illegal firewood collection in Victoria
As many Victorians stock up their firewood supplies for winter, the Conservation Regulator is urging people to help save critical wildlife habitat and protect Aboriginal scarred trees by sourcing firewood responsibly.
Illegal firewood collectors have caused significant damage to parks, forests and reserves in recent years, with some areas like the Mansfield Swamp Wildlife Reserve in Northern Victoria losing an estimated 50 per cent of its old mature trees through timber theft.
Birds and reptiles as well as a range of native mammals, such as possums, gliders and bats, rely on hollows in both standing and fallen trees for habitat. The illegal collection of firewood, if made up of mature trees and limbs, also has potential to harm Aboriginal scarred trees. Once gone, an important piece of Aboriginal cultural heritage is lost forever.
Domestic firewood collection from public land is only available in designated areas during the autumn and spring firewood collection seasons. During these times people can collect a maximum of two cubic metres of firewood per person per day and a maximum of 16 cubic metres of firewood per household per financial year. Only fallen timber without hollows can be collected.
This year the Conservation Regulator is targeting firewood theft with Forest Fire Management Victoria and Parks Victoria through Operation Hollows. Authorised Officers are educating the public about the rules and penalising thieves. Anyone caught breaking firewood collection rules can face on-the-spot-fines of $740 under the Forests Act or a maximum penalty of $9,246 and/or 1 year jail if the matter is taken to court.
Last year the Conservation Regulator laid 625 charges and issued 85 infringement notices and 16 official warnings for firewood offences, including cutting or taking fallen or felled trees, and disturbing, damaging or destroying wildlife habitat. Cases which resolved in the Magistrate Court system faced convictions, fines and had chainsaws and trailers forfeited and destroyed.
It is also important firewood collectors understand their obligations under the Aboriginal Heritage Act . All Aboriginal places, objects and Ancestral remains are protected in Victoria. It is an offence to harm Aboriginal heritage and substantial penalties apply.
If you think you have found a scarred tree or other Aboriginal cultural heritage, contact your relevant Registered Aboriginal Party (if one has been appointed) or First Peoples – State Relations on 1800 762 003.
For details of where firewood can be collected, visit Forest Fire Management Victoria’s webpage on firewood collection in your .
More information about firewood collection rules can be found on the firewood regulation page.
The community can report the illegal cutting or removal of firewood anonymously by calling 136 186.
Information on financial assistance available for low-income people who buy firewood for heating can be found on the energy concession and page.
‘We can all do our part in protecting Aboriginal cultural heritage, wildlife habitat and biodiversity by knowing where, when and what firewood can be collected. It can take hundreds of years for nature to create tree hollows and habitat loss from illegal firewood collection has a serious impact on the future of our iconic native species’.
‘Our land at contact’ event: Tuesday 18 April 2023
Posted on 13 April, 2023 by Ivan
Our friends and project partners at the Newstead Landcare Group are excited to be hosting Professor Barry Golding at an event on 18 April 2023 on the environment around Newstead at the time of European contact. The event will be an intriguing exploration of historical and early botanical records that may be vital in our restoration efforts and planning of revegetation works. Please see details below, provided by Newstead Landcare Group.
Our land at contact
Last October, we were very excited about Prof. Barry Golding’s presentation on the environment around Newstead at the time of European contact. Alas, a lot of rain and rising floodwaters meant a last minute cancellation. We are now very pleased to announce that Barry will be presenting on this subject for us this April. Barry has combed through historical records to put together a vivid and moving picture of how the land around Newstead and its environs may have looked prior to contact.
The arrival of Europeans in Australia produced profound changes across the continent. It can be hard to know exactly what the landscape looked like before this dramatic upheaval. The documents left by the earliest intruders can give us a few clues. Professor Barry Golding of Federation University has combed through historical records to put together a picture of how the land around Newstead and its environs may have looked prior to contact. From the extensive permanent ponds on the Loddon containing literally tonnes of Murray Cod to the vast meadows of Yam Daisies (Myrnong), some of the descriptions Barry has found give us a glimpse of the extraordinary richness of our neck of the woods.
Ancient River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis). Photo Barry Golding
Come along to our presentation on Tuesday April 18th when Barry will present what he’s learned about the extraordinarily rich and diverse vegetation communities that once adorned our landscape and the marvellous wildlife on this land and in the rivers.
The presentation will start at 7.30pm at Newstead Community Centre. All are welcome to attend, gold coin donations appreciated.
Shining the spotlight on the Imperial Blue Butterfly
Posted on 6 April, 2023 by Ivan
We are constantly amazed at how talented members of our community are at nature journaling and documenting our unique biodiversity in central Victoria. We recently received a terrific article highlighting the stunning Imperial Blue Butterfly and how it interacts with other species to benefit each other. The article came from one of our members, Sandra Nowland-Foreman, who spent a decade in central Victoria, before a recent move to the coast. Sandra has taken some excellent photos and documented the symbiotic relationship between the butterfly and ants species and how to identity the species. Thanks Sandra, well done!
Imperial Blue Butterfly/Imperial Hairstreak (Jalmenus evagoras)
It is not often you encounter the entire life cycle of a creature all on one small shrub!
I was visiting the Bald Hill Reserve, a wonderful 96-hectare bushland reserve near Kyneton recently on a warm Saturday afternoon (3rd March 2023). A beautiful blue butterfly with distinct black wing edging caught my eye as I passed a young silver wattle (acacia dealbata). In the six years I had lived adjacent and regularly roamed this lovely reserve I had never encountered such a species.
Paying closer attention, I noticed the equally attractive creamy-coloured underside wings of several butterflies on its branches. The undersides were decorated with fine black spots with a pair of dainty orange dots on the lower wing ends adjacent trailing black tail filaments.
The young wattle was stripped almost bare of leaves, and I noticed clusters of pupae wedged along several upper branch intersections – some empty and others dark glossy encasements, lightly held by webbing. A closer inspection revealed an active trail of ants coming and going on the branches, attending the caterpillars, the pupae and even intermingling with mating butterflies.
My curiosity was piqued! Time for some further research…. the ants are of the genus Iridomyrmex and protect the larvae from both predators and parasites. Researchers have discovered that the Lycaenidae Butterfly species larvae and pupae use complex chemical and acoustical signals to manipulate ants (1). The larvae produce three different types of calls, and larvae and the pupae have single-celled glands over their bodies that produce attractants (2). Ants respond and attend them and are rewarded with food secretions of amino acids. In my research I also came across a video posted by entomologist Roberta Gibson from her website “Wild about Ants” related to Blue Butterflies which provides further insight into the intriguing bodily mechanisms of the larvae and pupae. This video shows the glands in its depiction of the complex ant-caterpillar interaction. Click here
The breeding season is from November to March and judging by the extent and ages of pupae encasements, range of larvae size, egg laying and active mating observed on the day, it has been a good season. I learned that adult males keep proximity to the host plant for the opportunity to mate with emerging female butterflies. Warren and Gloria Sheather observed that pupae seem to develop rapidly, within two to three weeks (Sheather, W. and G. 2020). Eggs laid late in the season do not hatch until the following spring.
The photos below show mating butterflies, larvae, pupae and eggs, with the ants which I observed during the afternoon walk on 3.3.2023.
Conservation Status:
Vic: unknown
NSW: Critically endangered
Qld: Vulnerable
Size:
Caterpillars: 2 cm
Pupa: 1.3cm
Butterfly Wingspan: 4 cm
References:
1. Pierce, N et all, The ecology and evolution of ant association in the lycaenidae (lepidoptera)
2. Gibson, R, Ants and Blue Butterfly, 10th January 2012, Wild About Ants https://wildaboutants.com/2010/01/10/ants-and-blue-butterflies/
Australian Plant Society of NSW https://resources.austplants.com.au/fauna/common-imperial-blue-butterfly-jalmenus-evagoras/ Warren and Gloria Sheather 2020
Butterfly House http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/lyca/evagoras.html
Naomi E. Pierce 1, Michael F. Braby, Alan Heath, David J. Lohman, John Mathew, Douglas B. Rand, Mark A. The ecology and evolution of ant association in the lycaenidae (lepidoptera) 1 January 2002
Roberta Gibson, Wild About Ants, 10th January 2012, https://wildaboutants.com/2010/01/10/ants-and-blue-butterflies/
Knox Environment Society https://www.kes.org.au/environment/fauna/imperialblue
Museum of Victoria https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/species/12259
2023 Victorian Landcare and Junior Landcare grants are now open!
Posted on 6 April, 2023 by Hadley Cole
2023 Victorian Landcare Grants
The 2023 Victorian Landcare grants are now open! Landcare grants of up to $20 000 are available to Landcare and environmental volunteer groups for on-ground works, education, and capacity building projects that protect, enhance, and restore our land and natural environment.
The grants are open to environmental volunteer groups, including Landcare groups and networks, Friends groups, Conservation Management Networks, Committees of Management, and Aboriginal groups to support the important work they do in protecting and restoring our land and environment.
There are also support grants of up to $500 available to Landcare and environmental volunteer groups for help with administration and running costs.
Applications close on Tuesday 16 May 2023.
For more information and to read the grant guidelines – click here
2023 Victorian Junior Landcare grants
Victorian Junior Landcare grants are now open! The Victorian Junior Landcare and Biodiversity Grants provide funding for projects that involve and educate young people in valuing and actively caring for Victoria’s biodiversity and natural environment. These grants provide young Victorians with an opportunity to participate in biodiversity focused hands-on projects and/or learning activities.
The grants offer up to $5000 and are open to all schools, kindergartens, childcare centres, Scouts, Girl Guides, youth groups, and Junior Landcare groups in Victoria.
Applications close Friday 12 May 2023.
For more information and to read the grant guidelines – click here
If you have any queries regarding the Landcare grants please contact Hadley our Landcare Facilitator by email: hadley@connectingcountry.org.au or call the Connecting Country office 0493 362 294.
Three of Connecting Country’s ‘Feathered five’ now listed as nationally threatened.
Posted on 6 April, 2023 by Anna
Diamond Firetail (photo by Geoff Park)
In March 2023, several bird species that occur locally were approved for listing as threatened under the Federal Government Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999.
This includes the Diamond Firetail Stagonopleura guttata, and south eastern subspecies of Hooded Robin Melanodryas cucullata cucullata, and Brown Treecreeper Climacteris picumnus victoriae.
These three species along with the Jacky Winter and Painted Button-quail were identified in Connecting Country’s ‘feathered five’ and have been the focus of community engagement and ongoing woodland bird monitoring since 2015.
Other bird species that occur locally have also been listed on the EPBC Act including, The Southern Whiteface Aphelocephala leucopsis and Blue-winged Parrot Neophema chrysostoma.
Species’ can be listed as either vulnerable, endangered, critically endangered or extinct under the EPBC Act. These categories represent increasing levels of population decline. For example, the Hooded Robin population has declined over 50% in just 10 years, making it eligible for listing as endangered.
While Connecting Country is heartened that the ongoing decline of these species has been nationally recognised, the inclusion of a species on this list is a double-edged sword. Through listing, species are afforded more legal protection and are more likely to receive funding than those that are not listed, however, making the list in the first place is deeply concerning as it means that these species have declined significantly in recent years and will need a lot of help to recover.
To make the list, a species (or ecological community) must first be nominated, a rigorous and time consuming process that usually falls upon members of the scientific community to do in their own time. A great little piece in the Conversation recently sought to demystify this process for the average punter.
https://theconversation.com/i-realised-the-fat-tailed-dunnart-was-under-threat-heres-how-i-got-the-species-officially-listed-200632
A Hooded Robin