What’s under that tile? – reptile and frog monitoring at Campbells Creek

Posted on 14 December, 2017 by Frances

You may think ceramic roof tiles belong on roofs, but we have another use for them. Ceramic roof tiles also make great shelters for reptiles and frogs.

On Friday 8 December 2017,  we gathered at the Campbells Creek walking track to admire the beautiful creekline restoration work achieved by Friends of Campbells Creek. The aim of the workshop was to check the tiles previously set out as part of Connecting Country’s citizen science monitoring program for reptiles and frogs. This program involves arrays of ceramic tiles set out on both private and public land across the shire. For some more information on our  reptile and frog monitoring program click here. 

Peter Johnson (PJ) from Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) demonstrated how to safely check monitoring tiles, and helped us identify the creatures we found. At the first monitoring site we found several native garden skinks (Lampropholis guichenoti) sheltering under the tiles, along with numerous scorpions, centipedes, beetles, slugs and ants. Unfortunately we discovered the second monitoring site had been ‘tidied up’, with the tiles piled into a neat stack! Asha and the rest of the team reset the tiles and took this as a valuable lesson in the challenges of doing scientific research.

It was a perfect day for reptile and frog monitoring – not too hot or too cold. Although we didn’t find frogs or larger reptiles, Peter suggested that it takes time for the tiles to become suitable habitat for these animals. Experience suggests the tiles are first colonised by invertebrates, then increasing numbers of reptiles and frogs move in over several years. So we can expect tile monitoring to get more exciting as monitoring continues!

Over some morning tea, Peter shared more of his knowledge and experience about reptile and frog identification and conservation. We thank Peter and DELWP for their support in running this event.

If you would like some ceramic tiles and instructions on how to set up reptile and frog monitoring on your property, please contact Asha Bannon at Connecting Country.

The following images were captured on the day by our director, Frances Howe.

Bird Baths – tips for keeping birds cool and safe

Posted on 14 December, 2017 by Tanya Loos

Bird baths – there are mosaic ones, terracotta ones, deep ones, shallow ones. What makes a great bird bath, and how do we best care for them?

Types of baths – for a variety of  bathing styles 

Very small birds like thornbills stand in shallow water, crouch down and then flutter their wings at unbelievable speed to bathe. Honeyeaters and fairy-wrens seem to dip into to deeper baths and almost swim through the water. Larger birds like rosellas wade in to a deep bath and create a massive splashy mess to their great enjoyment!

White-throated treecreepers creep up the side of a nearby log or branch, and then back into the bath. You can almost hear the reversing beep!

I have three baths of differing depths and heights, and each are used by different birds. As the bird bath enthusiasts among us know, bird baths are also used as baths and a source of clean drinking water by animals such as echidnas, wallabies, kangaroos, and frogs and reptiles.  Occasionally a bird bath is used as a clever lure for the hunters among us – see the stunning images from the Yellow-footed antechinus and Grey fantail story here.

Location of the bath(s)

The placement of the bath is important for a few reasons. If it is in full sun, it will get too hot, and the birds are too exposed to aerial predators such as goshawks. Birds also need a place to perch and preen their feathers after their bath.

Pardalotes are very cautious at my place. They wait until the bath is jam-packed with happy visitors and then come down to the bath, checking for danger at many different perch heights as they approach. They visit the bath that is located under a a tall fruit tree and protective shrub.  The White-browed scrubwrens and fairy-wrens share the deep mosaic bath on the ground with the rosellas.

Another reason to have plenty of perching spots around the bath area is that queues form on very hot days! Birds will wait nearby until there is enough room to fly down and have their turn.

Safety for the bathers

Ensure the bath is beyond the reach of cats – hang it from a tree or use a pedestal bath if cats are around. If you have a pedestal bird bath, some dead branches placed across the bath may make it more attractive for smaller birds.

Keep the water cool, fresh and clean. It’s a good idea to locate bird baths near your plants that need watering on hot days, so you can water your plants and refill the bird baths easily at the same time.  It’s best to keep the bath clean by giving it a regular scrub with a brush, to avoid the spread of diseases such as Beak and Feather disease, which affects parrots.

If the bath is bucket shaped or deep, always provide a sturdy stick or series of stepping stones for small animals to climb out. I have seen skinks and young rosellas drowned in water that was too deep with smooth sides.

Finally, if you are going away,  ask your neighbour to refill your bird bath, so your birds and other creatures don’t lose their water supply.

Here is a series of images from our staff member Bonnie Humphreys. Bonnie has three baths at her property in Barkers Creek. Note how clean and fresh the water is! Click on the arrow on the right hand side to move through the images…  Thanks Bonnie!

Sociable Skinks – Nature News Midland Express – 5 December 2017

Posted on 5 December, 2017 by Tanya Loos

For this month’s Nature News, Tanya Loos from Connecting Country writes about the sociable skinks photographed by Nick Schulz on his property in Nuggetty.  This article was featured in the Midland Express on 5 December 2017.

Earlier this year, landholder Nick Schulz sent us a series of stunning photographs from a granite outcrop on his property in Nuggetty. The pictures show a large group of plump, spiny and spotted skinks seemingly enjoying each other’s company near the safety of deep rock crevices. They are Cunningham’s skinks and they turn the idea of reptiles being cold loners on its head!

A family of skinks peers out from the safety of their rock crevice. Photo by Nick Schulz

The skinks live in long term family groupings, with a large breeding pair (around 25 cm long) and many immature siblings of various ages and sizes from previous years. This kind of social system is more commonly seen in birds and mammals. Researchers suggest that the family group represents safety in numbers, with more eyes to look out for predators such as birds of prey. Another advantage may be temperature-related, as the skinks huddle together to help keep warm during cold weather.

The breeding pair remains faithful to one another from season to season and sometimes over many years – similar to the Stumpy-tail lizard or Shingleback, who also have long monogamous relationships. Both the Stumpy-tail lizard and the Cunningham’s skink give birth to live young instead of laying eggs.

Cunningham’s skinks are only found around rocky outcrops. Each family group must have a rocky habitat with nice deep crevices to hide in.  If threatened by predators, the whole group scuttles into the cracks to hide. If the bird of prey or fox is persistent and tries to remove a skink from a crevice, they will inflate their bodies and make their spines stick out, becoming incredibly hard to dislodge from cracks.

The very spiny tail is evident in this photo. Photo by Nick Schulz

Cunningham’s skinks are omnivorous, like other large skink species such as Stumpy-tails and Blue-tongue lizards. Most of their diet made up of plant matter such as flowers, fruits, soft leaves and shoots. They also eat insects, spiders and small lizards.

We have had reports of this species in Sutton Grange, Elphinstone and now Nuggetty. If you have granite outcrops on your property, you may be hosting a whole family!

Many thanks to Nick for sharing his wonderful photos with us. For more information or to report a Cunningham’s skink family, contact Tanya Loos at Connecting Country 5472 1594, or info@connectingcountry.org.au.

Connecting Country’s Birthday Picnic in the Gardens

Posted on 30 November, 2017 by Tanya Loos

On Tuesday 28 November 2017, members and staff of Connecting Country from past and present gathered to share delicious food and reflect on our tenth birthday!

The weather was kind to us, and we had a relaxed gathering in the shade of deciduous trees and the lee of the Castlemaine Tea Rooms. The food was ‘bring a plate’, enhanced by a generous donation of silky goats cheese from from the Holy Goat Farm. Thanks Ann-Marie and Carla!

After the lovely picnic, Bernard Slattery, Beth Mellick and Brendan provided some entertaining speeches about the formation of Connecting Country ten years ago. At this point, Brendan quite rightly acknowledged founding member Marie Jones for her past, present and ongoing kindness and stewardship of all of us at Connecting Country. Thank you, Marie!

Brendan gave Krista, our former Co-director, a gift to say thanks for her time at Connecting Country, and Marie presented new director Frances Howe with a gift too – a passing of the baton!

Jane Rusden created a wonderful tree for us to write little messages on each of the leaves – thank you Jane!

Many thanks to all who attended this relaxed and lovely celebration – and thanks also to the many people who sent in apologies or dropped in to wish us a happy birthday!

Krista and Brendan

It was lovely on the grass

Frances receives a hat from Marie

Higgo and Asha

Bernard and Brendan

Friends and food

The beautiful tree by Jane Rusden with memories and well wishes

Say Cheese! – New Reptile and Frog Photo Gallery

Posted on 23 November, 2017 by Asha

Large Striped Skink in Welshmans Reef (Photo by Linda Craig)

Jacky lizards, geckos, pobblebonks, and ‘Tuk’ the turtle are all stars of our new reptile and frog photo gallery. CLICK HERE to go to the page, where we share photos of reptiles and frogs sent in by community members. Most of these photos are from landholders involved in Connecting Country’s reptile and frog monitoring program (CLICK HERE to read more), which uses ceramic roof tiles as artificial habitat for reptiles and frogs. Tile monitoring is fantastic, but these photos also capture species that don’t use tiles as habitat, like goannas.

Thank you to everyone who shared their photos!

If you have any interesting photos of reptiles or frogs that you would like to share in our photo gallery, please send them to asha@connectingcountry.org.au

Pobblebonk in Elphinstone (Photo by Sylvia Reeves)

Baby Common Long-necked Tortoise in Strangways, dubbed “Tuk” (Photo by Leanne Crisp)

Victorian Landcare Magazine – Issue 70 – with our local winners

Posted on 23 November, 2017 by Asha

CLICK HERE to download Issue 70 of the Victorian Landcare Magazine. This issue features the Victorian Landcare Awards, with stories about local winners: Tarrangower Cactus Control Group (page 6), Ian Higgins (page 10) and Connecting Country (page 18).

There are also stories about Landcare Award winners from all over the state and a beautiful photo collage in the middle. Well worth a read.

Boosting Bulokes project helps a diamond shine

Posted on 15 November, 2017 by Tanya Loos

Thanks to Connecting Country’s Boosting Bulokes and Diamond Firetails project there are now 1,200 more young Buloke plants in the western parts of the Mount Alexander region.  These slow growing trees will eventually set seed and provide a  much-needed food source for seed-eating birds such as Diamond Firetails and Common Bronzewing pigeons.

Buloke trees belong to the Casuarinaceae or Sheoak family and were once abundant across the region. Bulokes are so rare nowadays that they are  listed as ‘threatened’ under the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. We wanted to help bring this threatened species back into our local area. The Boosting Bulokes and Diamond Firetails project involved 78 landholders on 23 properties, Muckleford Landcare group and the kids and teachers of the Castlemaine Steiner School and Kindergarten.

Project coordinator Bonnie Humphreys with Lisa Hall from Castlemaine Steiner School – you can see the large robust guards in the background, as well as a host of enthusiastic kids and landholders!

Bonnie prepared a comprehensive fact sheet on Bulokes, covering their ecology, threats and importantly – how to plant and care for Bulokes! The sheet can be downloaded by clicking this link:  Buloke-Factsheet-CCountry.

Diamond Firetails are attractive little finches whose numbers are declining in the region.  Recent studies by Grace Goddard (unpublished PhD, Adelaide University) have shown that the Diamond Firetail relies heavily on the seeds from Sheoaks as a winter food source. Diamond Firetails also eat the seeds of exotic and native grasses. However, it’s the native grass seeds that are a superior food source. The Firetails also use the long grass stems to build their nests.

We can help our declining Diamond Firetail population, by planting:
* Native grass species such as spear grasses (from the  Austrostipa and Rytidosperma genera).
* Sheoak trees – the more commonly occurring Drooping Sheoak ( Allocasuarina verticillata) and of course the Buloke ( Allocasuarina leuhmenii).

For a  detailed (and somewhat technical) fact sheet on Grace Goddard’s Diamond Firetail studies click this link  Diamond-Firetail-Diet-fact-sheet

A Diamond Firetail strikes a pose at the edge of a bird bath, while two Red-browed Finches look on. Thanks to Nick Schulz from Nuggetty for the great pic!

Connecting Country turns ten: a picnic in the park 28 November 2017

Posted on 14 November, 2017 by Tanya Loos

Come one, come all for a picnic in the Castlemaine Botanic Gardens to celebrate our tenth birthday! This gathering aims to bring together supporters and friends from the beginning, middle and future of Connecting Country’s story.

It was 2007 when Beth Mellick of the Wettenhall Environment Trust approached the late and great Doug Ralph with  an idea about landscape restoration in the region. Doug promptly called Marie Jones (who still stands on the committee today!) and a small team developed to nut out the first beginnings of what grew into Connecting Country.

Today it is 2017, and we would love you to join us in the park to reflect on the past and celebrate the future! We are keeping it casual – here are the details:

When: Tuesday November 28 at 6pm

Where: Castlemaine Botanic Gardens Tea rooms

BYO: Please bring:
*  a plate of something savoury or sweet to share, and a little sign with a  dietary description. Vegetarian preferred
* crockery – plate, cups, cutlery
* drinks of your choice
*  A chair or two, or a picnic blanket

No need to RSVP – we will see you there!

A few familiar faces in this mob! An early planning meeting with Beth Mellick, Geoff Park, Maurie Dynon, Gib Wettenhall, and others

Fun with Phascogales – Jess Lawton’s Talk

Posted on 9 November, 2017 by Asha

 At their recent AGM, Newstead Landcare invited Jess Lawton along to talk about her research on Brush-tailed phascogales (Phascogale tapoatafa). She shared some facts above about this special species, along with some interesting results from her PhD research with Andrew Bennett from La Trobe University. Jess used camera traps and habitat surveys to gather information on the habitat requirements for phascogales across central Victoria. Fifty of these sites were in the Mount Alexander region at some of Connecting Country’s nest box sites.

Brush-tailed Phascogale cartoon by Jess Lawton

Jess set up two cameras at each site, pointing towards the ground where she set up a small bait station. She collected these again after 40 days, and found she had a total of 69,611 photos to go through! These included 488 phascogale records in the Mount Alexander region. One brown treecreeper also had some fun with a camera and took 952 selfies (CLICK HERE for GIF)!

Taking into account site factors such as the amount of native forest in an area, elevation, productivity, predators, tree species, number of large trees, structural complexity, logs, and leaf litter, Jess found that phascogales were present at 82% of sites. Interestingly, she found that the amount of native forest in an area was not a big influence over whether phascogales were present at a site or not. However, this could have been due to the time of year data was collected, when males may have been using sub-optimal habitat during breeding season.

The two biggest habitat factors that Jess found influenced phascogale detection were tree species (box versus gum) and leaf litter. Sites with more box species and/or more leaf litter had more phascogale records. This is probably because these provide habitat for invertebrates, which are a critical food source for phascogales.

Jess finished with some tips for landholders who wish to help with phascogale conservation:

• Protect existing hollows and put up nest boxes.
• Keep it messy – leaf litter, logs, and tree stumps and all important for phascogales.
• Help reduce predator pressure by keeping pets inside at night and walking them on a lead.
• Care for your local bush by getting involved with your local Landcare or Friends group.

Thank you Jess and Newstead Landcare for an interesting and engaging talk. Here are some pictures Jess provided from her camera traps – well worth a look!

Brush-tailed Possum

Bat (possibly Lesser Long-eared?)

Brush-tailed Phascogale

Brush-tailed Phascogale

Brush-tailed Phascogale

Eastern Pygmy Possum

Fox

Goat

Koala

Tree Goanna

Wedge-tailed Eagle

Phascogale Facts!

I am a small nocturnal marsupial.

I am threatened species.

My range in Victoria has contracted.

My home range area is 40-100 hectares (40-50 hectares for females and 100 hectares for males).

I rely on large tree hollows with small entrances for nesting and breeding, and will use several hollows within my range.

Females of my species give birth to eight young each year. Once weaned, the litter will weigh three times the weight of the mother.

I belong to the Dasyurid family and feed mainly on invertebrates, such as insects, spiders and centipedes.

Caring for our Key Biodiversity Areas: new on ground works program

Posted on 1 November, 2017 by Tanya Loos

A Diamond Firetail, photo by Geoff Park

Connecting Country has been granted funding for a new on ground works project called ‘Caring for Key Biodiversity Areas in Central Victoria’. The special bird habitats of Clydesdale and Sandon are designated as Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) by BirdLife International and BirdLife Australia. The trigger species for these areas are the Diamond Firetail, Swift Parrot and Flame Robin.

The project is funded by the Victorian Government – Community and Volunteer Action Grants. In a nutshell, the project has three main components:

1. Care and protection of native vegetation on private land, including actions such as supplementary revegetation, weed control and rabbit control. These actions will help enhance habitat for the trigger species for the Diamond Firetail, Swift Parrot and Flame Robin.
2. Creation and installation of two attractive interpretative signs at popular parts of the Key Biodiversity areas, such as Rise and Shine Bushland Reserve, and Muckleford Nature Conservation Reserve.
3. Two community events in 2018, such as a bird walk and sign launch!

The participating landholders have been contacted, and site visits will begin in early 2018.

Earlier this year, Connecting Country held a workshop in partnership with BirdLife Australia, to recruit bird survey volunteers known as ‘KBA guardians’ and provide training in how to complete an annual ‘Easter Heath Check’ form. You can read about that workshop here.

Diamond Firetails are declining in our region. Photo by Geoff Park

We are thrilled that this workshop generated the interest and the impetus for this grant.

There is also a very keen new group, coordinated by Friends of Muckleford Forest, which involves volunteers surveying 15 sites across the Muckleford KBA. These surveys are in preparation for the 2018 Easter Health Check. To read about Friends’ project, or volunteer,  see the Friends website here. 

• Learn about Key Biodiversity Areas by visiting the BirdLife Australia website: birdlife.org.au/KBA

Welcome Frances – our new director

Posted on 31 October, 2017 by Tanya Loos

It is with much pleasure that the staff and committee of Connecting Country welcome our new director, Frances Howe. Frances started at the Connecting Country offices last week in a handover with past directors Chris Timewell and Krista Patterson-Majoor. Welcome Frances, we are thrilled to have you on board!

Frances grew up in Melbourne but fell for central Victoria during numerous childhood visits. She became a part-time Castlemaine resident in 2000, when she bought a run-down old church.

As an environmental scientist, for many years Frances helped assess and manage the environmental and social impacts of large development projects, across Australia and around the world. Frances has led numerous teams of environmental professionals to deliver projects spanning environmental and social baseline studies, impact assessment and management.

Frances also worked as an environmental advisor for a non-government organisation in Lesotho (Africa) and is currently a member of the management committee for The Growing Abundance Project (Castlemaine). Her qualifications include a Bachelor of Science (Honours) and Master of Environment from the University of Melbourne, majoring in ecology and conservation biology.

Having travelled far and wide, including living in the Middle East, Africa and the United States, Frances recently returned to settle in Castlemaine. She lives with her husband and dog, on a small bush block just out of town, surrounded by the Castlemaine National Heritage Park.

Frances is in the office from Monday to Thursday, leading the staff team and overseeing Connecting Country’s projects, organisational management and administration.

Nuggetty & beyond: an invitation to their 2018 calendars launch

Posted on 26 October, 2017 by Tanya Loos

Nuggetty Land Protection Group

Invites you to an afternoon tea to celebrate the launch by author and historian Peter Cuffley

of their two 2018 calendars

Nuggetty & Beyond – A patchwork of people & place

and

Nuggetty & Beyond – A glimpse of contemporary rural life

Saturday 28 October 2017, 2.30-4.30 pm

Nuggetty Winery – 5/280 Maldon Shelbourne Rd Nuggetty 3463.

Enquiries: Jane Mitchell on 0457 729 132 or janee@impulse.net.au

or

Christine Fitzgerald on 0419 347 408 or ckfitz5@bigpond.com

Those attending will have the opportunity to purchase, at a discounted price, archival quality calendars. These illustrate part of the story of settlement and agriculture in the Nuggetty area, and some of those contributing to the continuing farming community. The calendars are an initiative of the Nuggetty Landcare Protection Group. They are an outcome of the Nuggetty Landscape History project, which was originally funded by the Foundation for Regional & Rural Renewal (FRRR), the Shire of Mount Alexander and Maldon & District Community Bank.

Our 2017 Annual General Meeting: science, art and good company!

Posted on 19 October, 2017 by Tanya Loos

On Tuesday 17 October, Connecting Country staff, committee, members and friends joined together in Newstead for our 2017 Annual General Meeting.

Thanks to Brendan and Bernard for coordinating the AGM formalities. Over the next 12 months, Connecting Country remains as ably led as ever, with some new additions and shuffling of roles within the Committee of Management. In short, congratulations to Brendan Sydes (president), Saide Gray (vice president), Max Kay (treasurer) and Marie Jones (secretary) as the executive office bearers, and to Karoline Klein, Christine Brooke, Malcolm Trainor and Deborah Wardle as general committee members.  We would also like to thank retiring committee member Jen Irlam for her contributions, support and insights over the past 2-3 years.

As a community-based, grass-roots incorporated organisation, Connecting Country is driven by our committee. Committee members provide their time and experience on a voluntary basis, and their participation is much appreciated!  Connecting Country’s members and supporters are always able to ask questions and make suggestions to committee members – their elected represenatatives – about the organisation and its activities.

The 2017 Annual Report was also launched at the AGM, and the front cover is graced by the artwork of an Eastern Yellow Robin by Jane Rusden.  Jane gave a short talk about the printmaking process, and how her beautiful Campbells Creek property and its robins inspired the artwork.  The Annual Report will be available on our website soon.

Our new film was also launched! The five minute film was well received, and a great suggestion was made to get the film played in the Castlemaine and Maldon Visitor Centres. The Wild Melbourne team are doing some final technical touches and we will post it on a blog post very soon.  The film featured Connecting Country staff, committee members and supporters in our quest to preserve habitat for woodland birds.

Georgia Garrard, RMIT University, and Brendan Sydes, Connecting Country President.

Following the film, we heard from Dr Georgia Garrard. Georgia is a Senior Research Fellow in RMIT University’s Interdisciplinary Conservation Science Research Group.  Georgia’s presentation had three parts – 1) structured decision-making processes for conservation, 2) biodiversity sensitive urban design and 3) framing conservation messages for different audiences. A detailed blog post will follow – but in the meantime you can read some of Georgia’s past and present work on her blog here. Many thanks to Georgia for sharing her fascinating research with us!

After Georgia’s presentation,  supper and drinks were served, with much chatting and camaraderie.

Many thanks to to Connecting Country staff and our volunteers – Sarah Edwards, Deb Shaw, Jane Rusden, Jen Pryce and Fritz Hammersley – for their assistance on the night.

Max Schlachter and Krista Patterson-Majoor – beloved past staff of Connecting Country.

Connecting Country Director Chris Timewell and Penny Roberts from Newham and District Landcare.

Landcare facilitator Asha Bannon with new Connecting Country Committee member Christine Brooke, and Sutton Grange Landcare President Grant Workman.

A pow -wow – with Frances Cincotta, Bernard and Deirdre Slattery and Max Schlachter.

Tuan Talk by Jess Lawton – Newstead Landcare AGM

Posted on 17 October, 2017 by Asha

This Thursday evening, 19th October 2017, Newstead Landcare Group is hosting a presentation by PhD candidate Jess Lawton. Jess is studying the Tuan or Brush-tailed Phascogale, a threatened and declining species of the Box-Ironbark country. The presentation will start at 8pm at Newstead Community Centre and all are welcome. A gold coin donation would be appreciated.  Afterwards there will be supper and a brief AGM.

Jess says,

“The Brush-tailed Phascogale is a rare, threatened species, and is declining in Victoria. Our understanding of its conservation biology is limited because it is sparsely distributed, ‘trap-shy’, and has been difficult to survey using traditional techniques. We know that this species has a rapid reproductive cycle, whereby all males die of stress and exhaustion after their first breeding season. We also know that this species often has a large home range of up to 100 ha. Therefore, the current thinking is that it requires large areas of intact forest for a population to persist. However, this species still occurs in modified habitats, such as paddock trees, roadsides, and isolated remnant patches. The aim of my study is to see if the occurrence of the Brush-tailed Phascogale in a modified landscape relates to patch size and patch connectedness.

Connecting Country set 150 nest box sites in 2010 to provide habitat for this species through the Mount Alexander Shire. They have since monitored many of these nest box sites every two years, and now have a number of years of data on this species occurrence in the region. I selected 50 of these 150 sites, stratified according to landscape context (ie. the amount of tree cover surrounding each nest box site). Between April and June 2016, while Connecting Country conducted their nest-box checks, I set two cameras at each of these 50 sites.

In this study, I model the occurrence of Brush-tailed Phascogales in the Mount Alexander Shire with landscape attributes, such as the size of a forest patch, and a number of habitat attributes collected in the field, including forest productivity, forest structure, logs and leaf litter, and tree size and species.

One property near Axe Creek was home to a particularly active population of Brush-tailed Phascogales, and you can watch a video of the sort of footage we detected” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTklMGskLyYc

Birds get a boost in the Goldfields region

Posted on 16 October, 2017 by Tanya Loos

All smiles beneath the rainbow outside the beautiful Chewton Town Hall.

By Tanya Loos, Connecting Country Monitoring and Engagement Coordinator

On Friday September 30, 2017, Connecting Country hosted an afternoon tea and planning meeting for the birders of the Castlemaine region.  I presented some of the findings of  the last six years of bird monitoring, and then the group had a discussion on the future of bird monitoring in the region. Last but not least, Fiona Blandford from BirdLife Australia gave a presentation on the merits of becoming a BirdLife Branch. It was a jam-packed afternoon,  filled with energy and enthusiasm!

Preliminary findings and report

Connecting Country has been counting woodland birds since 2010 as part of our long term monitoring program. This has been undertaken by a staff member (such as myself or my predecessors) and has helped build a picture of bird species distribution  across the landscape, especially in different habitats. This in-house monitoring has been quite comprehensive, but gaps still existed  – so in 2014, we started a citizen science program to enlist the help of birders across the region. A whopping 20,000 bird records have been submitted to BirdLife Australia to date!  The preliminary findings of the results of both programs may be found in this short report: Bird-Monitoring_Summary_Sept_2017

A more comprehensive update on this report to follow soon…

Bird monitoring in the region: banding together 

We love our woodland birds in this region – there is the Connecting Country-led bird monitoring, and other initiatives as well. Lesley and Anne Perkins are continuing the bird monitoring that Ern and Lesley started some twenty years ago, with help from local birders: there are 15 sites in all. More recently, the Muckleford Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) monitoring group commenced monitoring their sites in the Muckleford forest. This group is  ably coordinated by Geoff Nevill, and also has 15 sites.
We also wanted to discuss the other programs to ensure there was no double-up of sites and see if we could share methodology.  After removing the double-up and including group sites –  we calculated there are 84 sites being regularly monitored for birds across the region!

A follow-up blog post on the sites, survey methodology and other aspects of bird monitoring in our region coming soon…

A BirdLife Goldfields branch

Fiona Blandford, Birdlife Australia, and Tanya Loos, Connecting Country

Connecting Country has been an affiliate of BirdLife Australia since 2015, and we love our relationship – supporting each other’s events, and sharing data and expertise. Our nearest BirdLife Branches are in Ballarat, and to the north, in Echuca.

The Field Naturalist Clubs of Bendigo and Castlemaine, and more recently Connecting Country have filled the gap of bird activities in the region, such as the Annual Bird Count, and Swift Parrot Counts. But after discussions with key birders in the region, and with Fiona Blandford the Network Manager, we all feel it is time for a local branch!

Fiona has suggested BirdLife Goldfields – as the area covered will be  Castlemaine and surrounds, including east to Baynton, south to Daylesford, up to just south of Bendigo, and to Maryborough in the west.  Fiona gave us all an insight into the BirdLife model, and how branches work – and how they really can cater for the needs of the birders and communities they live in. And I am thrilled to say we already have enough interested people for a committee!

Please get in touch if you have any questions or would like to be involved in our growing bird monitoring project.

Call Tanya Loos, Monitoring and Engagement Coordinator, on 5472 1594 during work hours, or email tanya@connectingcountry.org.au

13 Oct 2017 – Travels across Australia with Robyn Davidson

Posted on 10 October, 2017 by Connecting Country

The guest speaker at the October 2017 meeting of the Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club is Robyn Davidson, who will talk about aspects of her travels in Australia.

Robyn’s first book, ‘Tracks’, an account of her journey alone across Australia, with only camels and a small dog for company,  won several awards, and has been published in twenty languages. Since the book’s publication in 1980, it has never been out of print.  Robyn has been travelling ever since, and has written extensively on many topics.  In 2013, ‘Tracks’ was adapted into a major releases Australian film starring Mia Wasikowska and Adam Driver (click here).

The presentation is from 7.30pm on Friday 13th October in the normal location – the Fellowship Room behind the Uniting Church on Lyttleton St (next door to the Castlemaine Art Gallery).  Visitors of all ages are welcome, and entry is free.  RSVPs not required.

Barkers Creek bush delights in Nature News – October 3rd 2017

Posted on 4 October, 2017 by Tanya Loos

For this month’s Nature News, local landholder and member of Barkers Creek Wildlife Landcare and Wildlife Group, Lois Denham writes about the joys of getting to know the bushland on her block, and how to care for it. This article was featured on page 38 of the Midland Express, October 3rd 2017.

One of the many joys of living in the bush is observing the wildlife. Today we enjoyed watching the male blue wrens chasing females in and out of the golden wattles. Last week we saw scarlet robins, and we have been amused by the querulous, chattering choughs drinking from our bird bath.

Our soundscape includes the faint soprano sounds of the bats at night and the continuous croaking of the many frogs in our dam. We have learnt to identify some birds by their calls, but not many of the frogs!  We are delighted by the kangaroos and the resident wallaby hopping through the bush; the lizard scurrying around or sunbaking on the rocks and then there is the thrill of discovering an echidna or two. No need for pets here!

A tiny Caledenia sp, by Bonnie Humphreys

My husband and I retired to live on eight acres of Box Ironbark bushland block 19 months ago. We had no desire to own much land but this block and its lovely mudbrick house and studio ‘found’ us.  A friend, who is a local and an active Landcare member, informed us it was a good bush block even though it had been turned upside down by miners in the gold rush days.  He also noticed that there weren’t too many weeds we would have to control. With our friend’s encouragement, we bought the property and joined Landcare with the knowledge that there would be help available to manage  and continue the rehabilitation of the land.

We knew we would be on a steep but enjoyable learning curve. With the help of Landcare members, Connecting Country’s Bonnie Humphreys, and some professional assistance we learnt to identify the native plants and weeds. Our newly acquired weed management skills haver resulted in fewer invasive species and more natives on the property than were here when we moved in.

We were fortunate that there was good rain and a bumper wildflower season last spring. This year the wattles have put on a magnificent show, and I am enjoying watching many other wildflowers come into bloom.  I will always remember the joy of discovering the tiny ground orchids as they emerged and I thought I had struck gold when I found our first spider orchid. I wonder how many orchids I will find this spring?

Spring at Pilchers Bridge event – Sat 7 October 2017

Posted on 2 October, 2017 by Tanya Loos

The Axe Creek Landcare Group would like people to know of their upcoming event “Spring at Pilchers Bridge”, a jam-packed program of expert speakers on the flora, fauna and management of Box-Ironbark forests.  The program includes:

• A bird identification walk around the Trust for Nature covenanted property, Led by  Salli Dearricott, followed by a quick pancake breakfast
• A video on Indigenous Burning techniques presented by Trent Nelson, Parks Victoria and  Mick Bourke, DELWP
• Orchids of the Box-Ironbark Forests by  Julie Radford-Whitfield, Amaryllis Environmental
• Bushfire Preparedness by a representative from the CFA
• Wildlife, Habitat, and Nestboxes by  Miles Geldard, Wildlife Nestboxes
• Flowering patterns of local Eucalypts by Bob McDonald, apiarist.

They have also asked us to let you know the following:

• Lunch can be purchased from the Eppalock Primary School Sausage Sizzle.
• Bring your own binoculars, sturdy shoes, camera and water bottle
• Free entry, pancake breakfast, tea coffee and sunscreen
• All welcome but no dogs please

 Saturday  7 October.       
8am to 4pm  at 178 Huddle Creek Rd, Myrtle Creek  

Enquiries: Chris Kirwan phone 5439 6494
Email: cwkirwan@bigpond.com

For a flier of the event, click here.

8 Sept 2017 – Banksia ecology presentation

Posted on 5 September, 2017 by Connecting Country

The guest speaker at the September meeting of the Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club (CFNC) is Simon Heyes.  Simon  is currently studying for his Masters in Research at La Trobe on Banksia recruitment. He is looking at why banksias aren’t regenerating, and is also researching the ecology patterns of recruitment for Banksia marginata on the plains.

The presentation is from 7.30pm on Friday 8 September in the Fellowship Room, behind the Uniting Church on Lyttleton St (next door to the Castlemaine Art Gallery).  Members and visitors are all welcome, and there is no cost for entry.

To whet your appetite for Simon’s presentation, the following link is to an article written by Ian Lunt in 2014 about Banksia marginata (CLICK HERE).  The comments and discussion at the end of the article are also quite interesting.

A European bee visits a fine specimen of Banksia marginata in flower. Pic from Wikimedia Commons.

Local groups and volunteers honoured at the Victorian Landcare Awards 2017

Posted on 4 September, 2017 by Connecting Country

Environmental groups from the Mount Alexander Shire dominated the 2017 Victorian Landcare Awards ceremony at Government House last Friday, the 1st September 2017. Connecting Country was awarded the Landcare Network Award, and the Tarrangower Cactus Control Group was awarded the Fairfax Media Landcare Community Groups Award.

Individuals were also recognised for their voluntary work; Ian Higgins, from Friends of Campbells Creek won the Australian Government Individual Landcarer award, and Ian Grenda was Highly Commended in this category.

Around 350 Landcarers from around the state gathered at Government House, with a jubilant group of 16 from the Mount Alexander region. The Landcare Awards are an opportunity to showcase people and projects that are contributing to sustainable agriculture and the protection of Victoria’s environment.

This year’s awards received significant interest from right across the state, with 85 nominations submitted across the 14 categories. Also nominated from this region were Asha Bannon for the Young Landcarer Award; and Chewton Primary and Winters Flat Primary for the Junior Landcare Team Award.

These awards are a strong testament to the energy and enthusiasm of the Mount Alexander Shire community for our natural environment. Mount  Alexander Shire is incredibly fortunate to have such an active network of Landcare groups, schools and individuals working together with passion and a focus on landscape scale restoration. Congratulations to all the nominees and winners at the Landcare Awards this year.

CLICK HERE to read all of the winners’ stories from across the state.

Here are a few shots from the exciting day: