Registrations now open for the Wetland Plant Identification Course October 2017
Posted on 4 May, 2017 by Connecting Country
For anyone interested in wetland plant identification and ecology, the registrations are now open for the 2017 Wetland Plant Identification Course with Damien Cook and Elaine Bayes. Starting in October, the course will run over 3 days and participants can elect to do 1, 2 or all 3 days. Each day will focus on a different wetland habitat and be timed so as to follow the wetting and drying of the stunning Reedy Lagoon at Gunbower Island or nearby wetland.
For more information including the 2017 flyer, program and feedback from past participants please click here. To go straight to the registration page click here.
Nature News – 2nd May 2017 Stay at home Dad in Happy Valley
Posted on 3 May, 2017 by Connecting Country
For this month’s Nature News on Page 30 of the 2nd May 2017 edition of the Midland Express, local ecologist and Castlemaine Landcarer, Karl Just explains the unusual breeding biology of a locally lesser common frog species and the work of Castlemaine Landcare in helping to restore its habitat.
Photo Caption: A male Brown Toadlet taking patient care of his eggs. Photo taken by: Damien Cook
Our local waterways sure copped a hammering during the gold-rush days. Early photos show a bleak landscape, all sludgy soil, bare of vegetation. The incredible changes that occurred to riparian habitat during those days would have removed entire communities of plants, mammals, birds, frogs and insects. But the process of recovery has well and truly begun, with the dedicated and hard work of various Landcare groups steadily restoring ecological diversity to our creeks.
Along Forest Creek, one species that would have been heavily impacted is the endangered Brown Toadlet. Now stick with me a moment, I know it has a very uninspiring name, but believe me this little critter is a true icon of the box ironbark ecosystem. Unlike our other local frogs that mostly breed during the wetter winter-spring months, the Brown Toadlet or Pseudophryne bibroni only breeds for a short period during autumn. The males set up little colonies in wet gullies and call regularly to attract a mate. When she arrives and lays the eggs, instead of hanging around she nicks off and leaves the work to the male, who will patiently sit on the eggs for many weeks or several months. This is why the species is also occasionally called a brooding frog. When rain arrives (in good years), the eggs are eventually flushed into adjacent waterholes where the tadpoles will hatch and begin their development.
Heading east into Happy Valley one autumn day, I heard the distinctive sound of the Brown Toadlet calling from the adjacent gully. Although I knew the species is fairly common in some parts of the local area, I was excited as it was the first time I had heard them in the Forest Creek valley. But the gully was a mess – the breeding site was covered in Gorse and Blackberry and there was only a sparse cover of native sedges. Something needed to be done.
Enter Castlemaine Landcare. We applied for and were successful in receiving a grant to clean up the site and also dig a new pond for the frogs to breed in. Landcare held a working bee where we planted the new frog pond with native sedges and rushes and the surrounding area with nectar rich shrubs for birds. We also put down some roofing tiles and had Toadlets sheltering and laying eggs beneath them.
In April 2017 Castlemaine received 140mm of rainfall – three times the long-term average for that month. The Toadlets responded very positively and colonised the frog pond we built last year, as well as several new sites nearby. Landcare aims to continue to restore the site and surrounding area and hope that the endangered Brown Toadlet will one day spread further throughout the Forest Creek valley.
New pond in August 2016
New pond after 65mm in April 2017
Places still available for this Friday’s Ecological Thinning on Bush Blocks workshop
Posted on 1 May, 2017 by Connecting Country
There are still a few places available for this Friday’s workshop titled “Ecological Thinning on Bush Blocks“. This workshop is designed for those interested in the benefits, challenges, and approaches to ecological thinning in remnant vegetation. Participants will visit a four year old thinning trial in Muckleford and hear about this fascinating pilot project. A benefit of ecological is slowing water in our landscape down and can potentially enhance biodiversity on your bush block. Don’t miss out on this free event and finding out more!
Date and Time: Friday the 5th May 2017 between 9am-12pm.
Presenters: Landholder, Paul Hampton; Ecologist, Paul Foreman; and local contractor, David Griffiths
Location: Details about the location and where to meet will be provided upon booking.
Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/270332
First Water in our Landscape workshop was wonderful and wet!
Posted on 26 April, 2017 by Connecting Country
Almost constant rain provided the very appropriate backdrop to our first Water in our Landscape workshop, Turning your Dam into Habitat, on Friday the 21st of April 2017. Despite the water, a full house attended the event hosted and presented by local wetland ecologist Damien Cook in Fryerstown. Participants were treated to a walk around Damien’s property where he has been working on renovating dams, creating habitat and restoring a eroding creekline.
Frances Cincotta from Newstead Natives was also at the workshop with plants to sell and lots of information to share about wetland species from our area. For a full write up of the workshop with lots of useful tips about turning dams into habitat and copies of the resources given to participants, please CLICK HERE.
The small frog pond with Swamp Wallaby grass
Damien kicks off the workshop by talking nutrient cycling, and inviting frogs and fish.
Learning about water ribbons around the medium sized dam
Attendees take a break from the rain and share stories over a cuppa
Swamp Pennywort was one of the plants for sale at the first of our Water in our landscapes workshop series
An attendee inspects a shallow frog pond
Sunday 30 April 2017 – Launch of the Cactus Control Season
Posted on 26 April, 2017 by Connecting Country
This year’s Cactus Killing season opens on Sunday 30th April 2017. Tarrangower Cactus Control Group and Parks Victoria are organizing this community field day which will kick off the day at 10.30 am in Watersons Road near the corner of Tarrengower School Road. Follow the signs from the Watersons Road turn off on the Bridgewater-Maldon Road.
There will be a special guest to open the season and the usual great sausage sizzle, cuppa and cake. For more information please contact Tony Kane, Treasurer of the Tarrangower Cactus Control Group Inc. on 5475 2973 or visit www.cactuswarriors.org.
Landcare Gathering at The Meeting Place
Posted on 24 April, 2017 by Asha
Gathering at The Meeting Place
Smoke drifted through the last rays of sunlight as people gathered outside at The Meeting Place in Yapeen for a Cultural Awareness Evening on Monday the 3rd of April 2017. Aunty Julie McHale and Kathryn Coff from Nalderun guided the group through a series of learning activities. The figures of Bunjil and Waa made by the Meeting Place children hung over a room packed full of people.
After the smoking ceremony, we had a game of ‘Pacman’ where Aunty Julie tested our Aboriginal history knowledge. For example, do you know what the question was on the 1967 Referendum?
We were then given a card with a picture and a snippet of an event in Aboriginal history, and we lined them up along the floor in order to make a timeline. A few people selected a card which stood out to them and shared them with the room, ranging from the Dreamtime to the present.
The last activity for the evening focused on the Kulin Nation seasons. We moved down the hall to the classroom and split into two teams. A competition was then underway to see which team could correctly match the most natural events with the correct season – surprisingly not an easy task!
A huge thank you to Aunty Julie and Kath for their hard work and kind sharing, and to Nalderun for inviting us out to the beautiful Meeting Place. It was both a fun and enlightening evening for those who attended.
This event was made possible through the Connecting Landscapes program with support from the Australian Government.
Kulin Nation Seasons activity
Kulin Nation Seasons activity cards
Playing ‘Pacman’ with Aunty Julie and Kath Coff
7th May 2017: Woodland Bird Spotting at Walmer
Posted on 20 April, 2017 by Tanya Loos
Follow that bird! A bit of fun in the Sandon Forest…
On Sunday the 7th May 2017, join the Connecting Country bird nerds on a bird walk, lunch and planting! Local artist Eliza Tree has graciously invited us to her beautiful 30 acre property in Walmer for our next bird survey. The property is grassy woodland adjacent to Crown land and has been awarded a Trust for Nature covenant.
We will do the bird walk, led by Eliza, and then have a BBQ lunch. We will also spend a bit of time having a discussion about the overall conservation of the Walmer area – and identifying some projects for future funding proposals. After lunch, there will be an understory planting session – grasses and wildflowers.
This outing is one of the monthly bird outings in the Mount Alexander area – a few hours out in the bush with like-minded people, carrying out bird surveys on private and public land. This year we have visited a private bush block on Limestone Road, and explored the wonderful Saltwater Track, Elphinstone.
The bird walks are open to everyone with an interest in birds and habitat – even for the total beginner! We can supply you with a pair of Connecting Country binoculars for the outing, and our bird group is friendly and happy to help people 1) find the bird and 2) identify it! We are all learning together – even your walk leader had to send photos of a bird of prey to Geoff Park (Natural Newstead) to confirm that the bird was indeed a Square-tailed Kite!
By identifying and counting the birds on private land such as Eliza’s block in Walmer, we gain a greater understanding of the health of our woodland bird populations; especially of our target species such as the Hooded Robin and Diamond Firetail. By attending the monthly bird walks, we hope that participants will feel confident and inspired to survey birds on their own properties, or on the various bird survey sites on public land.
There are many ways to get involved in the Stewards for Woodland Birds program – to register or to find out more, contact Tanya at tanya@connectingcountry.org.au or call 5472 1594. You can;
- Join the Bird Survey Enews mailing list for a monthly enews with updates on our bird walks and various projects.
- Come along to our next bird survey – the Walmer bird and planting event on May 7 with Eliza Tree ( RSVP required for catering purposes) Eliza extends a warm invitation to camp on her land at Walmer on the Saturday night! Please contact Eliza directly on m: 0409 209707 if you would like to camp.
- Send in your bird sightings! See here to find out more about how.
- Get involved with our KBA (Key Biodiversity area) program, featured recently here.
The Stewards for Woodland Birds Program is generously supported by the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust
4pm Friday 21st April – Trace Balla is launching her new book
Posted on 20 April, 2017 by Connecting Country
Connecting Country would like to share news of the launch of Trace Balla’s new book on this Friday afternoon (21 April 2017) at 4pm at The Hub Plot garden (or in the Growing Abundance Cafe if it’s wet) at the corner of Templeton and Barker Street. Trace’s advice is to feel free to come along… its a picture book…for young and young at heart!
April 2017 edition North Central Chat plus Landcare Grants and Report Card
Posted on 19 April, 2017 by Connecting Country
CLICK HERE to view the April 2017 edition of the North Central Chat. This month’s edition features information, Landcare stories and upcoming events.
Landcare Australia’s Sustainable Agriculture Grants 2017 have recently opened. All the information can be found at: https://landcareaustralia.org.au/funding-opportunities/landcare-australias-sustainable-agriculture-grants-2017/
To see our region’s Landcare report card 2015-16 from Tess Grieves, our Regional Landcare Coordinator, CLICK HERE.
9am Tues 11 April 2017: Paul Foreman on the radio
Posted on 10 April, 2017 by Connecting Country
Paul Foreman presenting at a 2015 workshop for Connecting Country.
Tune in to 94.9 MAINE fm between 9-11am this Tuesday 11 April 2017 for the Hear Say program when local ecologist and presenter at the Ecological Thinning on Bush Blocks workshop, Paul Foreman chats with Suzanne Donisthorpe about the workshop and all things local ecology. There are still some places left for the thinning workshop, to book click here.
Muckleford Forest gets mapped!
Posted on 10 April, 2017 by Connecting Country
In April 2015, after suggestions from Connecting Country, the Castlemaine Information Centre and the Newstead Landcare Group, Jase from Cartography Community Mapping started work on a map of the Muckleford Forest. He has recently completed this map – recognizing that a map is never really “complete”.
Broadly the map area is bounded in the north by the Castlemaine-Maldon Railway, in the south by the Pyrenees Highway, on the west by the Maldon-Newstead Rd and on the east by the east boundary of the public forest land There are some minor tracks yet to be delineated and features to be defined – these adjustments will happen over time. For further information, perusal and PDF files for printing are available when you click here.
Cartography Community Mapping (CCM) offers free mapping services to non-profit organizations such as Landcare groups. The maps have proved useful for resource management and as support material for reports and grant applications. Other non-profit organizations may have use for maps in “how to get here brochures” or for training purposes. Maps can be provided by CCM in any of the standard graphical file formats (usually PDF) and georeferenced formats. Some of the other local maps that Jase has prepared are available via the CCM Examples page.
Friday 12th May 2017 – Linking landscapes at a time of climate change symposium
Posted on 10 April, 2017 by Connecting Country
Bookings are now open for the Central Victorian Biolinks Alliance’s second annual Symposium on Friday 12th May 2017 at the Bendigo Capital Theatre. Titled Linking landscapes at a time of climate change it will explore the concepts and practicalities of re-establishing ecological connectivity in the central Victorian landscape. It will be a chance hear the latest expert knowledge around how to design and deliver ecological connectivity.
The program will be headed by 4 of Australia’s leading conservation research scientists and practitioners;
- Dr Veronica Doerr – CSIRO AdaptNRM
- Professor Andrew Bennett (La Trobe University & Arthur Rylah Institute)
- Professor Ary Hoffman (Melbourne University)
- Dr Gary Howling (Great Eastern Ranges)
The Symposium will also provide the opportunity to hear lessons from inspiring, long established projects and hear about central Victorian projects with a focus on ecological connectivity.
- Cost $25 for members of Central Victorian Biolinks Alliance member organisations. $50 for others. Ticket price includes morning tea and lunch.
- CLICK HERE to register. Closes May 10th 2017.
- For further information contact Sophie Bickford: sophie@centralvicbiolinks.org.au
For program details visit the CVBA website.
2017 Camp-Out – Camping and Connecting with Country
Posted on 6 April, 2017 by Connecting Country
The beautiful Leanganook Campground on Mount Alexander set the scene for the Camp Out on The Mount over the weekend of 1-2 April 2017. Hosted by Connecting Country with Harcourt Valley Landcare and Friends of the Box-Ironbark Forests, over eighty children and adults enjoyed a packed weekend of free environmental and cultural heritage education activities. Check out lots of fun photos at the end of this post!
To start the weekend, Trent Nelson of the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation gave a Welcome to Country and Mount Alexander Shire Counsellor, Bronwen Machin, officially opened the Camp Out by cutting the pine tree ribbon.
A keen team of volunteer ‘Pine Assassins’ then headed down the road to Dog Rocks to treat feral pine trees. Experienced assassins mentored some new apprentices in drilling-and-filling and cutting-and-painting, and together they continued the work done at past Camp Outs controlling pines.
Back at the campground, families took part in engaging activities aimed at increasing understanding about the environment and Aboriginal culture. Parks Victoria ranger, Brendan Smith, ran through the importance of soils and showed how to propagate local indigenous plants, Aunty Julie McHale from Nalderun Aboriginal Services shared Aboriginal kids games, and Jirrahlinga Koala & Wildlife Sanctuary held kids in awe with their wild animal display.
Ahead of lunch Aunty Julie told the creation story of Bunjil and answered questions about Aboriginal language, stories, and food sources. Everyone then focused on setting up their tents, having a rest in the sun, and soaking in the beautiful place. Later, George Milford from Harcourt Valley Landcare Group did a wonderful job of entertaining adults and children alike with stories about the history of the Mount, both geological and human.
Harcourt Lions Club provided a delicious BBQ dinner and Muckleford Landcarers Beth, Neville, Nioka, Maisy, and Theo prepared damper for all the kids to cook on the communal campfire. A big thank-you to Juliet Walsh and Jenny and Paul Leishman for donating the firewood.
Brendan’s walk along the Great Dividing Trail allowed us to see, hear and smell the bush at night while looking for animals with nocturnal habits. We spotted one or two Brush-tailed Possums and heard a few bats flying overhead.
It was a chilly night for those who camped out, but well worth it for the beautiful sunrise on Sunday morning. Early risers were treated to a bird and nature walk with Connecting Country’s Tanya Loos. They learnt how to be ‘bush detectives’ by sneaking quietly and looking closely, and how to tell your Grey Fantail from a White-eared Honeyeater.
Combining environmental education with on-ground action and an appreciation of the local forests is something the Camp Out has managed to do each year. A small army of volunteers made this event happen and for this great effort we thank everyone who gave up their time and energy to provide an active and informative experience at Leanganook.
Connecting Country is looking forward revisiting the mount on Saturday 17th June 2017 for the Little Habitat Heroes planting day. We hope to see more young families learn about and look after nature on Mount Alexander.
Camp-out on the Mount 2017 was made possible with support from the Australian Government, the Victorian Landcare Initiative, the Harcourt Lions Club, Harcourt Valley Landcare Group, and the Friends of the Box-Ironbark Forest.
Trent Nelson and Uncle Alan (Photo by Robyn Miller)
Trent preparing leaves for the Welcome to Country (Photo by Robyn Miller)
Welcome to Country with Trent Nelson (Photo by Robyn Miller)
Bronwen Machin launching the Camp Out! (Photo by Robyn Miller)
Brendan Smith from Parks Victoria and Kailee from Deakin University running a soil health activity (Photo by Robyn Miller)
Kids used their hands to understand different soil types (Photo by Robyn Miller)
Learning about propagating native plants
Aboriginal memory game.
Spear throwing practice. with Aunty Julie.
Aunty Julie led one of the kids activities and gave a talk on Saturday afternoon (Photo by Robyn Miller)
A baby Blue Tongue being adored (Photo by Robyn Miller)
Xavier from Jirrahlinga with Willow the Wombat (Photo by Robyn Miller)
Puzzles the python and Xavier from Jirrahlinga (Photo by Robyn Miller)
Pine Assassins from Castlemaine Secondary College
Nioka, Amy, and Meaghan with a feral pine tree
Pine Assassins after their mission
Aunty Julie talking about Aboriginal history and culture
George Milford talking about the history of the mount
Kids creating a natural playground from a log
Getting damper ready to cook
Cooking damper on the campfire
Yummy damper!
Brendan getting everyone ready to go on a night walk
Sunrise over the campground
Tanya and the “bush detectives” looking at a beetle
Watching birds in the canopy (Photo by Robyn Miller)
The Woodland Bird brochures came in handy on our morning bird walk
Exploring under a Cherry Ballart with Tanya (Photo by Robyn Miller)
Tanya showed everyone how much cooler it is under the shade of a Cherry Ballart
Watching birds with Tanya (Photo by Robyn Miller)
Everyone crowds around to look at a Dragonfly
Biodiversity 2037 has been released
Posted on 6 April, 2017 by Connecting Country
The Victorian Government has released Protecting Victoria’s Environment – Biodiversity 2037. According to representatives from DEWLP the plan “establishes a long-term vision and goals. Specific targets have been developed to deliver on these goals”. Connecting Country made a submission during the the development of this document. To see this submission please click here.
An Implementation Plan to accompany Protecting Victoria’s Environment – Biodiversity 2037 is in development and due for release in 2017.
For more information: and view or download the new biodiversity plan visit: www.environment.vic.gov.au
Nature News March 2017 – Feng Shui in the Muckleford Bush
Posted on 5 April, 2017 by Connecting Country
For this month’s Nature News on page 42 of this week’s (4th April) Midland Express, Muckleford Landcarer Beth Mellick describes her family’s journey of living with nature they settle into life on a ten acre bush block in Muckleford – birds, plants and all.
A few years ago we found a beautiful wooded property in Muckleford and had a rammed earth house built so that it nestles into the bush. We’ve since grown to love the dry forest, the crackling leaf litter underfoot, and the fields of wildflowers in spring.
Many properties like ours have dams that are no longer used for stock or irrigation. These dams now act as wetlands to support biodiversity, and there are simple things that can be done to increase habitat for frogs and birds, as well as protecting the edges and caring for water quality.
Despite our freshly filled dam drying out fast, we’ve had groups of White-necked herons appearing on dusk, we’ve seen the illusive Painted Button-Quail running around, and several families of ducks have bred up there. A healthy, wildlife-vibrant dam is good ‘feng shui’ for your property.
Another delight is a birdbath tucked under a Cherry Ballart that we can watch from the dining table. Busy little Thornbills, Weebills, Pardalotes, Silvereyes, and Wrens love the mornings, while Wattlebirds, Rosellas, Choughs, and Bronzewings fight for space in the evenings. It is so popular a drinking spot that we’ve had to place a second birdbath underneath to keep everyone happy.
Coming up to planting season this year, we are preparing to put in some small shrubs like tree violets and a little Sheoak and Banksia grove – all important species that have ‘dropped out’ of the system.
My family and I are lucky to work with terrific local groups like the Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club, Friends of the Box Ironbark Forests, Connecting Country, and Muckleford Landcare who all run field days and workshops, and produce useful resources about the box ironbark forest in which we live.
We’re a pretty busy family, and it’s hard to do everything. But we know it’s crucial to make time to take care of the bush. Landowners have a duty of care for the land – to ensure that what native habitat we have left is protected and enhanced to support a whole range of critters. Clearing properties leaves you with an ugly slab of dirt and, eventually, a lot weeds to combat – certainly not good property ‘feng shui’!
Muckleford Landcare will be running a workshop on how to restore habitat in wetland areas soon. CLICK HERE to see their website for more details. You could also attend Connecting Country’s Water in our Landscape workshop series in April and May. CLICK HERE for more information and bookings.
Beth’s kids enjoying the dam almost as much as the White-necked Herons do. Photo taken by: Beth Mellick
7th April 2017 – Listen to the Inevitable Batgirl!
Posted on 29 March, 2017 by Connecting Country
The guest speaker for the April meeting of the Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club is local bat ecologist, Emmi van Harten (a.k.a. Emmi Scherlies).
Emmi studying one of her microbats in the lab.
Local PhD student, Emmi van Harten is fascinated with the world of bats. For the past two years she has been researching the critically endangered southern bent-wing bat in South Australia. With the help of 45 volunteers, Emmi has microchipped almost 2000 bats and is shedding light on the lives of these elusive mammals to inform recovery of the population.
During the presentation, Emmi will share stories about bats, her research and the findings so far, as well as her inevitable transformation into ‘Batgirl’. The story will start and end here, in the box-ironbark forests around Castlemaine, Victoria.
Unusually, the meeting is being held on the first Friday of the month (7 April), due to a clash with easter on the second Friday. It is being held at the normal location – in the Fellowship Room within the hall behind the Uniting Church on Lyttleton St in Castlemaine (next door to the Art Gallery/Museum). Doors open from 7.15pm, with the meeting starting from 7.30pm. Members and visitors welcome and encouraged to come along, and there is no cost for entry.
Emmi is a good friend of Connecting Country, having assisted us a couple of years ago with a review of different revegetation techniques and their success rates. Last year she gave an engaging talk to the Newstead Landcare group about her previous research on Powerful Owls. This talk on bats promises to be a great one as well.
Water in our Landscape workshops – registrations now open!
Posted on 28 March, 2017 by Connecting Country
Water can have a powerful impact on our landscape. If we can slow flows and retain water for longer we can improve soil fertility, habitat quality and reduce erosion. How we might achieve this is the theme for Connecting Country’s 2017 ‘Water in our Landscape’ education program. Three workshops will explore habitat creation in dams, ecological thinning, and gully restoration.
The free Friday morning workshops are being held on public and private land in late April and early May. They are likely to be popular with rural landholders, bush block owners, and local Landcarers. Numbers are limited and booking is essential.
Turning your Dam into Habitat – 21st of April 2017
This workshop features local ecologist, Damien Cook, who will discuss the possibilities and practical steps of turning farm dams into habitat. Participants will learn how to reap the benefits of establishing more wetland plants and animals on their properties. For bookings please visit: https://www.trybooking.com/257169
Ecological Thinning on Bush Blocks- 5th of May 2017
This workshop is designed for those interested in the benefits, challenges, and approaches to ecological thinning remnant vegetation. Participants will visit a four year old thinning trial in Muckleford and will hear from ecologist, Paul Foreman, and local contractor, David Griffiths, about this fascinating pilot project. For bookings please visit: https://www.trybooking.com/270332
Creating Frog ponds and Habitat Corridors – 19th of May 2017
This workshop highlights the approach of the Victoria Gully Group in seeing possibilities and setting priorities for the ecological restoration of the gully. This session is designed to help people to make decisions about land use and habitat creation in low-lying areas. For bookings please visit: https://www.trybooking.com/270312
CLICK HERE for more information about the workshops or CLICK HERE to download a copy of the poster.
Saturday 8th April 2017: Farm Fencing Course for Beginners
Posted on 23 March, 2017 by Connecting Country
Ever needed to repair an old fence, or build a new one, but didn’t know how? Connecting Country would like to share the details of a beginners farm fencing course that is coming up on a local farm, Hillside Acres, on Saturday 8th April 2017 from 9am-3pm. Participants will construct a brand new farm fence in a small group and be under instruction of a experienced local farmer and teacher. The cost is $95. For bookings and further information email: info@hillsideacres.com.au.
Catch a festival glimpse of Dja Dja Wurrung Country by Eliza Tree
Posted on 23 March, 2017 by Connecting Country
While the State Festival is on, we hope you find some time to visit Eliza Tree’s exhibition titled Dja Dja Wurrung Country at Morell Gallery on 139 Mostyn St Castlemaine. The gallery is open from 12-5pm until the 25th March 2017. Eliza kindly donated the use of her stunning painting for the cover of our 2015-16 Annual Report and this exhibition gives the opportunity to see it in the flesh.
Eliza Tree’s painting of Castlemaine and surrounds at the time of Mitchell’s expedition
Guardians assemble! A new group of custodians is formed…
Posted on 22 March, 2017 by Tanya Loos
The special bird habitats of Clydesdale, Sandon and Muckleford now have a small team of Guardians! These three areas, of both private and public land, are designated as Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) by BirdLife International, and BirdLife Australia.
Connecting Country held a workshop on Saturday 18 March 2017 to recruit KBA guardians and provide training in filling out an Easter Heath Check form each year. Birdlife Victoria KBA coordinator Euan Moore and his wife Jenny kindly took some time out from their busy schedule to present a comprehensive introduction to KBAs, and how to become a Guardian.
The open bushland around the hall was filled with birds – despite being rather hot, we saw a Diamond Firetail, a Mistletoebird and a pair of Peaceful doves – 20 species in all!
There are over 300 KBAs in Australia – and the Easter Health Check is a means to working out which KBAs are in danger – so that lobbying can be done and funding procured. For example, recently the Murray-Sunset and Hattah KBA was saved from an inappropriate burning regime that had reduced the population of tiny, rare birds called emu-wrens by such a drastic degree that they had become critically endangered.
In the case of our Key Biodiversity Areas, the Easter Health check is a means for locals to come together and try to quantify the threats facing our woodland birds and their habitats. Each KBA has what are known as “trigger species” – the key species that are under threat in that habitat – in our area, the trigger species are the Diamond Firetail and Swift Parrot. During the workshop there was much discussion around what these threats are, and the rate that they are causing declines in the Diamond Firetail. A fascinating process! Drought featured heavily, as did grazing, and pest animals such as European Rabbits, Red Foxes, and cats, both feral and domestic.
This young Diamond Firetail faces an uncertain future. Photo by Geoff Park
Connecting Country’s Stewards for Woodland Birds project is delighted to support the Easter Health Check initiative. The Health Checks filled in by our guardians will form the basis for a series of community plans for each area – Clydesdale, Sandon and Muckleford.
If you were unable to make it to the workshop but would still like to be involved – contact us! Not only birdos are needed for this process – anyone with understanding of our local habitats, the trials faced, and the communities working to address these threats is welcome to take part. At the workshop it was decided to form a small Guardians email list so that people can stay in touch – let Tanya know if you wish to be added to the list. Email tanya@connectingcountry.org.au or call 5472 1594.
Thanks to Euan and Jenny for an inspiring and informative workshop – and many thanks to the enthusiastic participants! For more information on KBAs, see BirdLife’s overview: click here
The KBA workshop and the Stewards for Woodland Birds Program are supported by the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust.