Nature News January 2017 – Reconnecting at the Res

Posted on 9 January, 2017 by Connecting Country

For this month’s Nature News (on page 17 of the January 3rd edition in the Midland Express), Connecting Country’s Naomi Raftery and Golden Point local and photographer, John Ellis, have teamed up to share their appreciation and knowledge about one of the region’s most loved summer places, the Expedition Pass Reservoir.

The first time I swam in the Expedition Pass Reservoir or ‘the Res’ was about ten years ago. I’m from the sea and so this large body of cold and dark fresh water was intimidating to say the least. I talked myself through imaginary, unseen creatures and kept going back, often at night jumping into the water as it reflected the stars on its surface and made me think I was jumping into the universe.

The Expedition Pass Reservoir is a great public place to connect with nature, especially in summer. Photo: John Ellis

Expedition Pass Reservoir sits in the pass named by Major Mitchell when he led his expedition through the hills in 1836. The reservoir was built in 1868 and is fed from Forest Creek and was supplemented by the Malmsbury-Bendigo water race – a feat of engineering in its day. The Res is a special place, especially in summer. On long hot days it provides many different people with a cool, free place for a dip. The Res becomes a true meeting place, for all types of people.

Murnong (Microseris walteri) in flower, seed and spent blossom. One of the wild flowers you might see at the Res in Spring. Photo: John Ellis

My appreciation of the place has deepened over the years. I still really like swimming there but will often venture to the bank opposite the car park to walk the less crowded side of the slopes. I enjoy exploring the spring wildflowers with my local flora guide and feeling the hum of life whizzing around me as the beautifully coloured dragonflies zoom past often closely followed by super fast Welcome Swallows. Once, I woke from a nap  in the bush to find myself nose to short beak with a pretty surprised Echidna who then, endearingly, looked to be trying to dig its way to China in an attempt to get away.

Over the last 21 years Golden Point Landcare has initiated many enhancements to the local environment near the Res on both public and private land. This work has required strong partnerships with the government agencies who manage the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park.  Their work makes the Expedition Pass Reservoir an important part of a corridor for animals, humans and otherwise to use, live in and love.

The Expedition Pass Reservoir is a shining example of how important it is that our local public land be managed effectively so as to provide a place for people to connect with nature and themselves.

You can pick up an ‘Indigenous Plants of Castlemaine and Surrounds’ flora guide for a gold coin donation at the Connecting Country office at the Hub office 14, 233b Barker St, Castlemaine (Enter glass door on Templeton St).

2017 Autumn Fungus Workshops and Forays with Alison Pouliot

Posted on 9 January, 2017 by Connecting Country

Discover the curiosities and delights of the fungal kingdom this coming autumn through a variety of seminars, workshops and forays with the wonderful Alison Pouliot. CLICK HERE for the full details of each of the events listed below.  (Note:  These workshops are run by Alison, and are not official Connecting Country events).

SUNDAY 16 APRIL 2017 (EASTER SUNDAY) – TRENTHAM, VIC – Fungi in Focus – Photographic Field Day
MONDAY 17 APRIL 2017 (EASTER MONDAY) – TRENTHAM, VIC – Wild Desires – Fungus Foray in the Wombat Forest
SATURDAY 23 APRIL 2017– GELLIBRAND, VIC – Wild Desires – A Forest Foray in the Otway Forests
TUESDAY 25 APRIL 2017 – GELLIBRAND, VIC – Anzac Day Mushroom Hunt
FRIDAY 28 APRIL 2017 – WOODEND, VIC – A Foray Among the Funguses of Ard Choille Heritage Garden
SATURDAY 29 APRIL 2017 – WOODEND, VIC – A Foray Among the Funguses of Ard Choille Heritage Garden
SUNDAY 30 APRIL 2017 – KYNETON, VIC – Discovering the Fungal Curiosities of Bald Hill Reserve
TUESDAY 2 MAY 2017 – BACCHUS MARSH, VIC  – Photographic Field Day – Fungi in Focus
FRIDAY 5 MAY 2017 – NEERIM SOUTH, VIC – The Fungi – An Introduction to a Curious Kingdom
SATURDAY 13 MAY 2017 – MELBOURNE, VIC – The Fungi – An Introduction to a Curious Kingdom
FRIDAY 9 JUNE 2017 – CRESWICK, VIC – Meeting with Mushrooms – Fungus Identification Workshop and Foray
SATURDAY 10 JUNE 2017 – CRESWICK, VIC – Meeting with Mushrooms – Fungus Identification Workshop and Foray
SUNDAY 11 JUNE 2017 – BARINGHUP, VIC – The Fungi – An Introduction to a Curious Kingdom

For further information and bookings, please contact Alison directly at alison@alisonpouliot.com.

Merry Christmas from Connecting Country – our 2016 wrap and our 2017 plans

Posted on 22 December, 2016 by Connecting Country

2016 has been an exciting year for Connecting Country staff and committee of management. We have been busy helping landholders with on-ground works, supporting landcare, monitoring populations of plants and animals and engaging with our community of amazing supporters, members and volunteers. We are all so proud to have had the opportunity to work with the people and environment across the Mount Alexander region to do all of these activities.

In 2016 we focused on raising the profile of woodland birds and growing our partnerships with fellow organisations. This enabled us to work cooperatively with the Friends of Box Ironbark Forests, North Central Catchment Management Authority, Mount Alexander Shire Council, Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation, Parks Victoria, Castlemaine Festival of Gardens, Castlemaine Agricultural Society and of course lots of our local landholders and volunteers. We would like to thank all involved and our project funders over the last twelve months.

We have also been planning for our future and 2017 promises to be as invigorating. We currently have ten projects on the go and look forward to continue rolling them out into the New Year. We are particularly looking forward to the Camp Out on the Mount event, celebrating the achievements of the the Connecting Landscapes program which concludes in June and a workshop series around Water in our Landscape. Watch this space to find out more!

We have created a snapshot from 2016 events and activities in the gallery below, see if you can see you!

PS. Please note our office will be closed from the 24th of December 2016 until the 3rd of January 2016.

Our beautiful bush! Photo by Janet Barker

Andrew and Phil inspire the crowd

Bonnie with landholders

Hooded Robins by Hannah Vellacott

Even white chocolate lilies

Blue Pincushions galore in Spring

The local Green Army Team

Tanya’s Birdwatching group

Art works from our youngest nature lovers

Asha talking up Landcare

Soil tests help us with the big picture

Tanya and Sean Dooley

Peppered Rock Shield Photo Bronwyn Silver

The Sticky Beak Tour was fun!

Landcare link-up in February

Tanya and Krista meeting some goats

Photo by Damian Kelly

Direct seeding lines

Krista talking up the Feathered Five

A Tuan helped at the Castlemaine show

Chris Tzaros talks birds

Five sweet sugar gliders

The Farm Field Day at the Holy Goat Farm

Our local expert speakers at our AGM

Naomi and Marie with the Chewton PS student leaders at the schools Landcare day

New weeds brochure

2016 works crew, Luke, Rachel, Anna and Alex

Asha out checking nest boxes with Chewton Primary School kids.

Barking gecko (Photo by Alison Pouliot)

Frogmouths at Francies

Milkmaids make us so happy!

Bonnie behind the wet weather buggy

Fences for wildlife corridors

2016 bird monitoring – painting a picture of our woodland birds

Posted on 19 December, 2016 by Tanya Loos

People most often ask – how are the birds doing? Are there more birds, and more ‘good’ birds as we have revegetated the landscape?  This is a really valid question, and the reason why we have put so much time and energy into our monitoring programs. It is a difficult question to answer. But we can say that we now know more than EVER before about the distribution of woodland birds across the landscape.  Monitoring began in 2010, and has combined both an in-house program (click here) and our citizen science program (click here).

I am just about to export some 8,473 bird records to BirdLife Australia, as part of our data-sharing agreement. These records are from the period May 27, 2015 to November 11, 2016.  This means the BirdLife Australia Bird Atlas is about to get a large injection of information from this part of the world – including 406  surveys carried out by myself, and 91 surveys from our Group Sites and landholder citizen science program. Well done team! This data gives us valuable information on how our woodland birds are faring across the landscape – including their distribution, and a beginning of an idea about their population sizes.

In this fascinating map above, we can see the distribution of the Brown Treecreeper. The white circles show where surveys have been carried out and the Treecreepers were not recorded. The green coloured dots show that the Brown Treecreepers  have been recorded there. The number next to the dot shows not the number of individual birds but occurrences – so a number two means that any number of Brown Treecreepers have been recorded on two separate occasions. The large ovals are the priority habitat zones as identified in our Ten Year Woodland Bird Action Plan.

For more exciting information from our recent monitoring results – see our updated website page here.

These maps have been generated for each member of the feathered five – and Cara Byrt, our database expert extraordinaire has just re-jigged the database so that we can create similar maps for any bird species! If you would like a map similar to the map above of your favourite bird species – email Tanya Loos and she will be happy to oblige!

On a final note: whether you enjoy birdwatching in a group, on your own, or from the comfort of your own property – there is a place for you in our bird program! Please do not hesitate to get in touch either by email (tanya@connectingcountry.org.au) or calling the Connecting Country Office on 5472 1594.

Owlet-nightjar paparazzi at the Christmas break-up. A lot of fun!

The ultimate Christmas gift for a Little Habitat Hero

Posted on 14 December, 2016 by Connecting Country

Connecting Country is very excited that the Little Habitat Heroes fundraising effort has been so successful. We are thrilled to have now raised over $3700! This has inspired these beautiful mums to continue to raise funds for 500 plants to revegetate the former Silkworm Farm on Mount Alexander with a community planting planned in June next year. So, if you’re looking for a Christmas gift with a conscience, please lend your support to this great project by making a donation on your recipient’s behalf and giving them an environmentally friendly hug when you see them next. We really hope you do!

(L-R) The Little Habitat Heroes mums and bubs, Jodi, Ann Ferguson and Krista.

Little Habitat Heroes held a celebratory lunch on Monday the 12th of December 2016 in the Hub garden to give thanks to donors and supporters of the project so far. Recipient babies received a ceramic tree made by local artist Ann Ferguson and an illustration by Trace Balla in recognition of the money raised on their behalf.

Jodi Newcombe spoke about the project and was delighted to share their inspiring story. The group also listened to a beautiful song inspired by the project written by singer/songwriter Eva Popov. You can listen to it here.

2016 Works Crew – a big thank-you to all!

Posted on 14 December, 2016 by Connecting Country

Creating change on-ground is an essential part of what we do at Connecting Country. This year, we have worked with over 30 private landholders and groups to develop and implement projects that improve and connect habitat in the region. At the same time, we have provided natural resource management training to a crew who do our on-ground work.

Our annual works crew has seen a number of people involved this year and we’d like to thank them all for their effort and hard work. The crew started just after Easter with Alex Schipperen as crew leader and Anna Pike, Rachel Campbell and Luke Archer as crew members.

2016 Works Crew (L-R); Luke Archer, Rachel Campbell, Anna Pike and Alex Schipperen (crew leader).

Together, they fenced off remnant vegetation and creek lines, undertook weed and pest animal control and planted lots of plants. They learnt to cut and paint woody weeds and drill and fill pines while also receiving training and tickets in spraying and chainsaw use.

Rachel and Alex moved onto other positions about midyear and this made way for some fresh faces. Fritz Hammersly stepped into the role of crew-leader and Scott Woodman joined the crew. More recently, Anna left the crew as she gained employment with the summer fire crew.

2016 Works Crew following their thank-you breaky in Newstead last week. (L-R) Scott Woodman, Luke Archer and Fritz Hammersly

Connecting Country is proud to give this training and work opportunity to the young people in our area.  When asked what his favourite part of being on the crew was, Luke replied “just being outside”.

Best wishes and thank-you to all from Connecting Country.

15th December 2016 – Monster Meeting of Miners celebration in Chewton

Posted on 12 December, 2016 by Connecting Country

Michael Smith recently walked from Chewton to Canberra to present to the Federal Parliament a bill about war powers in Australia.

The Chewton Domain Society have asked Connecting Country to share news of their annual celebration of the 1851 Monster Meeting of Miners at the original site at Golden Point Rd Chewton on the 15th December 2016. They will tell and sing the story of how the Diggers on the Forest Creek Goldfields set a path to democracy when they stood up to Governor La Trobe’s unfair gold licence fees. At this year’s celebration, author Robyn Annear will deliver a tribute to Connecting Country’s first president, the late Doug Ralph who was also the instigator of the modern celebrations of the Monster Meeting in 1995.

In 2016 there will be two additions to the Monster Meeting celebrations.

Firstly the site at Chewton where 15,000 miners peacefully gathered to defy the government and demand respect for their rights, has now been declared a Site of National Significance in the cultural history of Victoria, and nominated for addition to the Heritage Register.

This recognises that the Monster Meeting was a defining event that united individual gold seekers into a political force that became the Diggers and set a path to popular democracy in Australia. A path that led to miners’ defiance across the Victorian goldfields and culminated, three years later, at the Eureka Stockade.

Secondly, in keeping with the spirit and theme of democracy from the original 1851 meeting, this year the Monster Meeting celebrations will include a guest speaker who will talk about democracy today – in particular the issue of democracy and war.

That speaker is Chewton resident, Michael Smith. Michael recently walked from Chewton to Canberra to present to the Federal Parliament a bill about war powers in Australia. His bill proposes that any decision about whether our country becomes involved in a war should be made by the whole Parliament, not just by the Prime Minister as it is currently.

The MC will be Jan ‘Yarn’ Wositzky who, along with Danny Spooner and Tony Ryan, will be singing songs from the acclaimed Monster Meeting CD, and will pay tribute to one of the songwriters, the late Doug Owen.

CONTACT: For information Pat Healy – 0422 759 661.

Fare-thee-well to 2016 and Merry Christmas from CC staff and committee

Posted on 8 December, 2016 by Connecting Country

2016 has been an exciting year for Connecting Country staff and committee of management. We have been busy helping landholders with on-ground works, supporting landcare, monitoring populations of plants and animals and engaging with our community of amazing supporters, members and volunteers. We are all so proud to have had the opportunity to work with the people and environment across the Mount Alexander region to do all of these activities.

In 2016 we focused on raising the profile of woodland birds and growing our partnerships with fellow organisations. This enabled us to work cooperatively with the Friends of Box Ironbark Forests, North Central Catchment Management Authority, Mount Alexander Shire Council, Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation, Parks Victoria, Castlemaine Festival of Gardens, Castlemaine Agricultural Society and of course lots of our local landholders and volunteers. We would like to thank all involved and our project funders over the last twelve months.

We have also been planning for our future and 2017 promises to be as invigorating. We currently have ten projects on the go and look forward to continue rolling them out into the New Year. We are particularly looking forward to the Camp Out on the Mount event, celebrating the achievements of the the Connecting Landscapes program which concludes in June and a workshop series around Water in our Landscape. Watch this space to find out more!

We have created a snapshot from 2016 events and activities in the gallery below, see if you can see you!

Bonnie behind the wet weather buggy

Soil tests help us with the big picture

Bonnie with landholders

The local Green Army Team

Landcare link-up in February

Frogmouths at Francies

Tanya’s Birdwatching group

Asha talking up Landcare

Asha out checking nest boxes with Chewton Primary School kids.

Barking gecko (Photo by Alison Pouliot)

Five sweet sugar gliders

New weeds brochure

Our beautiful bush! Photo by Janet Barker

The Farm Field Day at the Holy Goat Farm

2016 works crew, Luke, Rachel, Anna and Alex

Hooded Robins by Hannah Vellacott

Tanya and Sean Dooley

Peppered Rock Shield Photo Bronwyn Silver

Even white chocolate lilies

Blue Pincushions galore in Spring

Fences for wildlife corridors

Tanya and Krista meeting some goats

Direct seeding lines

The Sticky Beak Tour was fun!

Naomi and Marie with the Chewton PS student leaders at the schools Landcare day

Our local expert speakers at our AGM

Photo by Damian Kelly

Milkmaids make us so happy!

Art works from our youngest nature lovers

Krista talking up the Feathered Five

A Tuan helped at the Castlemaine show

Andrew and Phil inspire the crowd

Chris Tzaros talks birds

The Mount Alexander Council Plan – have your say!

Posted on 7 December, 2016 by Connecting Country

What do you love about living in Mount Alexander Shire? What are your aspirations and priorities for the shire over the next four years? The Mount Alexander Shire Council has asked Connecting Country to share the news that they are developing their four year Council Plan. You could help shape the Council Plan by contributing your views and by sharing the opportunity to contribute with your friends and networks.

There are a number of ways to get involved in this project. For more information please visit the website.

http://haveyoursay.mountalexander.com.au/council-plan2021

Nature News December 2016 – Lichens: Underrated Natural Wonders

Posted on 7 December, 2016 by Connecting Country

For this month’s Nature News, found on page 38 in this week’s Midland Express (6th December 2016), Bronwyn Silver, nature photographer and co-author of Eucalyptus of the Mount Alexander Region, shares her interest in the natural beauty and wonder of our local lichens.

Map Lichen (Rhizcarpon geographicum) Photo: Bronwyn Silver

I was originally attracted to lichens, especially ‘map’ lichens, because they looked so unusual. Map lichens (Rhizcarpon geographicum) come in many colours and often have intricate arrangements due to each lichen being surrounded by a black border and adjacent to another. Many of the rock surfaces tightly encrusted with map lichen look like aerial maps or abstract art works.

Unless you are watching out for this lichen, these subtle and often small formations can easily be overlooked. But once I became aware of their wonderful abstract qualities and sought them out, I found them to be quite common in our bushlands.

Then, when I did more research, I began to find lichens even more fascinating. Although they are sometimes confused with moss, lichens are unrelated to moss or any other plant. In fact, lichen can be regarded as a community rather than a single organism because it always consists of at least one species of alga and one species of fungus that grow together in a mutually beneficial relationship. The fungus provides protection and absorption of minerals and gains nutrients from its photosynthesizing partner in return.

Peppered Rock Shield lichen (Xanthoparmelia conspersa) resting on rock and moss (Triquetrella papillata) Photo: Bronwyn Silver

There are over 3000 known species of lichen in Australia; some are leafy, some are plant-like, and some are flat. Map lichen and other flat types are pretty much the same in all weather conditions. Other lichens are called ‘resurrection’ plants because they can switch off their metabolism and then fire up again when there is moisture.

The greatest threats to lichens are fire and pollution. However, the importance of conserving lichens is generally overlooked despite their many benefits for the environment. Like mosses, they can help with soil stabilization and the colonisation of barren environments.  Some animals eat them, insects shelter in them, and people have used them for food, perfume, medicine and dyes. For example, traditionally lichens were used to produce the colours of Harris Tweed.

And very importantly they can enhance our aesthetic appreciation of the bush with their varied colours, unusual shapes and wonderful patterns on the surfaces of rocks, trees, leaves and soil.

If you would like to find out more about lichens a good place to start is the three engaging interviews with Tasmanian lichenologist, Gintaras Kantvilas, available on the ABC Science Show – click here.

Soils workshop with Katie, Hugh and NCCMA

Posted on 1 December, 2016 by Connecting Country

On Wednesday the 30th November 2016, Connecting Country was proud to partner with the North Central Catchment Management Authority (NCCMA) to provide an soils health workshop as a extension to our Farm Field Day held in August. Sixteen attendees were taken through the soils guide which was developed by the NCCMA to help people to conduct tests on their soil to survey for soil health. Katie and Hugh Finlay, from the Mount Alexander Fruit Gardens, kindly hosted the event on their orchard in Harcourt and shared their understanding and land management practices in relation to soil health.

Mandy Coulson (NCCMA) and Martin Hamilton (Department of Agriculture) lead participants through the guide which aims to give landholders a quick and easy group of soil tests they can do on their patch. It’s intended that these results become baseline information for soil health. Katie and Hugh grounded this exercise with the story of land management practice change on their orchard, current practice and resultant soil health.

Connecting Country has copies of the soil guide available from their office at the Hub – feel free to drop by and pick one up. Another great resource for people interested in soils is the The Brown Book website hosted by the Corangamite CMA.

Mount Alexander Fruit Gardens in Harcourt hosted the event

Mandy and Martin introduce the Soils Guide

Tools of the trade

Attendees studying their sols guides

Getting stuck into soil texture

Ph can affect plant growth

Soil tests help us with the big picture

Soil compaction tests require a metal rod and some elbow strength

Looking at soil structure requires some organising skill

Hugh talked about making and distributing compost tea to trees on the orchard

Worms make great pets and form the starter for compost tea

Celebrate International Volunteer Day with MAVN

Posted on 1 December, 2016 by Connecting Country

Connecting Country would like to share Mount Alexander Volunteer Network’s series of morning teas and information sessions to celebrate International Volunteer Day. The session will include resources and opportunities to strengthen volunteer programs across the shire. These events will be a great way to find out more about support for volunteering in our shire and acknowledge the contribution that volunteers make locally.

On Sunday 4th December 2016, join them for a thank you event at the Castlemaine Farmers Market in Victory Park, between 9am – 11am. Federal MP, Lisa Chesters, will be on hand to express her thanks and local community radio station MAIN FM will be broadcasting live from Victory Park, chatting on-air to volunteers and volunteer involving groups. The Volunteer Network will have thank you cards for community members to sign as a gesture of thanks for local groups and – most importantly – there will be CAKE.

On Monday 5th December 2016, join them for two free information sessions, with information and opportunities to support and strengthen your volunteer involvement. Contact Jacqueline at mavn@outlook.com for more information.

ENGAGING JOB SEEKERS & WORK FOR THE DOLE VOLUNTEERS
Castlemaine has a very high level of eager, educated and professional people looking for volunteer opportunities to fulfill Centrelink requirements. Some folk may be semi-retired but not quite at pension age; others are returning to the workforce after raising families or recovering from an illness. Funding is available to support teams of job seekers who undertake 6 month placements. Find out how your community group can benefit from job seekers seeking volunteer opportunities.

11am Monday, 5th December 2016, The Gov Café, Old Castlemaine Gaol
Morning tea provided. RSVP to Jacqueline at mavn@outlook.com

FOOD SAFETY FOR COMMUNITY GROUPS: what you need to know to provide safe, legal food service
From sausage sizzles, to cake stalls, selling food is a tried and true fundraising strategy employed by many community groups. Sometimes the laws and requirements around safe food handling can be intimidating and confusing. Representatives from Council’s Environmental Health department will be joined by a leading food safety trainer who will spell out exactly what is required and how to go about providing safe, legal food service.

1pm Monday, 5th December 2016, The Gov Café, Old Castlemaine Gaol
Light lunch provided. RSVP to Jacqueline at mavn@outlook.com

Many thanks to Cobaw Community Health for funding the catering for International Volunteer Day.

2017 intake for CALM courses at Bendigo TAFE

Posted on 24 November, 2016 by Connecting Country

Bendigo Tafe is again calling for expressions of interest in the 2017 intake for Certificate III, IV and Diploma of Conservation and Land Management. If you are reasonably fit, want to learn more about the environment and enjoy being outdoors this may be the course for you.

Current graduates are employed by places such as Connecting Country, DELWP, NCCMA, Local Contractors, Councils and Conservation Volunteers Australia. There are no pre-requisites for any levels.

Certificate III – gain skill sets – pathways to further study or employment

• Farm Chemical Users Certificate
• Chainsaws
• Fencing
• Revegetation
• Water quality, macro-invertebrate survey and animal identification skills
• Introduction to Native Flora
• Weed and Pest management
• Multiple field trips
• Camps where applicable

Certificate IV – gain knowledge – pathways to further study or employment

• Native Flora and Fauna ID
• Survey methodology
• Farm Chemicals Users Certificate
• Revegetation
• Mapping
• Pest Management
• OHS
• Project Costing
• Environmental Policies and Legislation
• Multiple camps and field trips

Diploma – It is advised that students have completed the Certificate IV or have extensive environmental background – pathway to further study or employment

• Research
• Planning River restoration
• Whole Farm Planning
• Conduct Biological Surveys
• Advanced Flora ID
• Creating Management Plans
• Environmental Legislation
• Creating Funding Bids
• Management of Weed and Pest Planning
• Management of Alpine, Woodland and Coastal Parks
• Multiple camps and field trips

For more information you can go to the Bendigo Tafe website and put in an enquiry/online application or contact Terri Williams, Coordinator of Conservation and Land Management, twilliams@bendigotafe.edu.au (03) 5434 1743.

Talking Fire – Igniting a Spark

Posted on 24 November, 2016 by Connecting Country

There’s a triangle involved in fire; which involves conditions, substrate and spark.  The “Talking Fire” weekend on 12-13th  November 2016 lit a spark, but it certainly wasn’t damaging. The triangle of local, Indigenous and technical expertise, field and forest visits, and space to talk about what people in the Newstead-Maldon community have heard and seen, all created another sort of ignition.

Part of the field trip convoy through the Muckleford Forest looking at ecological values, burning and fire recovery

People are concerned about the places they love, including home and the local landscape more generally. Talking Fire was a great start to a new kind of conversation: about learning, reducing fear, building understanding, caring for our towns, settlements and the whole landscape together.

Thanks to everyone who participated and contributed. Especially Maldon Urban Landcare Group (MULGA). And for funding – thanks to Mount Alexander Shire Community Grants, Maldon and District Community Bank (Bendigo Bank), Norman Wettenhall Foundation. For catering – Newstead Primary School, Newstead Mens’ Shed; for gifts – Goughs Range Olives and Newstead Natives; in-kind support – Newstead Landcare, Connecting Country, Newstead Fire Brigade, Newstead Auxiliary, Friends of Box Ironbark Forests, Bendigo TAFE, DELWP. And our recorders – Julie Hough, Julie Millowick, Christine Sayer, Marion Williams, Simon Beckett, Andrew Skeoch, Sarah Koschak, Gordon Dowell. And three cheers for the planning group too.

Andrew Bennett (wildlife and landscape ecologist, La Trobe University and Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research), Sam Strong (pHD candidate at Charles Sturt University), Joan Sartori (Newstead CFA Auxiliary), Mick Burke and Trent Nelson (Dja Dja Wurrung Clans)

And mostly, to everyone who came to any of it, or all, and joined the chat. Talking Fire think there were around 40 – 50 on each day, and not the same attendees, or speakers. It made for more conversations.

Because many people couldn’t attend the event, or only came to parts of it, Talking Fire are curating the audio, visual and audio-visual of the weekend at their website www.talkingfire.org. You will be able to get a gist of the conversations there. But please be a bit patient for it all to arrive.

Talking Fire are also interested in collecting ‘fire histories’ around the CFA auxiliary, and other fire experiences – to share and learn from. Contact Gordon 0467 586 881 or Janet 0439 003 469.

More info: www.talkingfire.org or Chris 54762457.

South African Weed Orchid – ID first, then dig out!

Posted on 23 November, 2016 by Connecting Country

South African Weed Orchid, Disa bracteata, is flowering now and if you’re quick  you can help stop the spread of this emerging and highly invasive weed in our area. Tanya recently found them at Barkers Creek Reservoir in Harcourt and we have some photos to help you identify them. And, if you do find them, practice good bush hygiene so that you don’t spread the infestation.

South African Weed Orchid is a  perennial terrestrial orchid with underground tubers. Dormant for much of the year, it sprouts in early spring with a rosette of leaves, followed by flower spikes developing into seeds as the weather drys out during summer.

South African Weed Orchid – whole plant, roots and bulbs. Photo: Bonnie Humphreys

Stems – erect and fleshy usually 30–50 cm tall. Leaves – a rosette of green leaves with purple undersides, tapering from a broad base to an pointy tip, 5–15 cm long.  These weeds are distinct from indigenous Onion Orchids (Microtis spp.) as they have a rosette of leaves, while the native Onion Orchids have one round leaf, often extending above the flower spike.

Flowers – from late October through to December in Victoria. 15– 30 flowers grow on a thick cylindrical spike 5–20 cm long, which resembles a greenish-brown asparagus spear. Flowers very dense and are mostly reddish-brown and yellow with a leafy bract.

Seeds – black, minute and dust-like, contained within the capsular fruit. The species is autogamous (self-pollinating) and thus produces

Treatment by digging out and carefully bagging plant matter is useful in containing the spread of this invasive weed. Photo: Bonnie Humphreys

a large amount of seed per plant. The main form of dispersal is wind, but seed can also be spread on shoes, clothing and vehicles, as well as in water and through animal and soil movement. The seeds can remain viable for years. (This means that one seeding plant this year means many weeds for many, many years to come.) Seed set and dispersal starts at the end of November or as the weather drys out. The seeds continue to mature even if the flower head is picked.
Tubers – generally thought to have 1–3 tubers, similar  in appearance to a small potato, about 20 mm in size. The plant also has a mass of fleshy  roots and there is no main tap root.

The weed orchid has 1–3 tubers about 20 mm in size also has a mass of fleshy roots and there is no main tap root. Photo: Bonnie Humphreys

Treatment – Manual removal requires digging up and removing all parts of the plant, including the tuber, leaves and flowers. The plant material must be bagged securely (e.g., in a snap-lock bag) to prevent the fine dust-like seed from spreading further.

Currently this weed has been recorded in relatively small numbers in Chewton, Redesdale, Elphinstone, Taradale, Walmer, Barkers Creek, Sutton Grange, Ravenswood and Harcourt.

For further reading see this link for more information and reading references see page 6 of this 2009 edition of Weedscene magazine.

Fantails and Button-quails on the Metcalfe Bird Walk

Posted on 23 November, 2016 by Tanya Loos

On the 6th of November 2016, Connecting Country’s monthly bird walk was at Metcalfe Nature Conservation Reserve, or “the Common”. We met at the Metcalfe Hall, and some twenty of us were delighted to hear that locals, Brian and Kate Hamond, had something special they wished to share.

Safe and sound, photo by secondary school student Maeve Boyle

A large roll of wire in the Hamond’s open shed proved an excellent nesting spot for a pair of Grey Fantails. As we all gathered around, binoculars in hand, we were delighted to observe the pair swap over egg brooding duties. They seemed unconcerned by our presence, and Brian said he has been able to go about his usual business in the shed without disturbing the fantails. Many thanks to Brian and Kate for this exciting start to the morning.

We set off to the Common and the excitement continued – for the moment Greg Waddell opened the car door, we were stunned to get very good views of a small quail-like species as it walked and then flew away into the woodland. A rather technical discussion of Button-quail identification followed using a couple of bird books. We decided that the Pizzey and Knight field guide is most useful in these situations, as it has the key identifying feature in italics.  It was agreed that the bird was a Little Button-quail, rather than the more common Painted Button-quail. Little Button-quails are being seen increasingly in Eastern Australia after these record-breaking rains and – although rarely seen – they are on our local bird-checklist-for-the-mount-alexander-region.

The highlight birds seen along the Ridge Track were probably the Rufous Whistlers, calling incessantly from the canopy. A quiet spot that morning, we saw just 13 species along the track. The wildflowers were stunning however – thick masses of flowering Chocolate Lilies and Yam Daisies.

We traveled around the Goldfields Rd to the more lush areas on the lower slopes of the Reserve, and did a Twenty Minute 2 Hectare count as we walked up the slope and we saw 9 species. The birds were a bit hard to see due to the lush and abundant growth on the Yellow Box and Grey Box. Again, the wildflowers were a treat- with Chocolate Lilies and Bulbine Lilies in huge drifts. Thanks to Maeve for being our scribe.

We also saw a white form of Chocolate lily! This is not an albino – just a colour variation. You may have noticed some white forms yourself – such as Wax-lip Orchids, and also more recently, Bluebells (Wahlenbergia).

Our Bird Walks usually finish up at about 11:30am, but this time we travelled back to the Metcalfe Hall and I gave a short Powerpoint presentation on the birds of the Metcalfe area.

It was a very enjoyable morning, and I would like to thank Debbie Farmer, Secretary of Metcalfe Landcare, for organising the Hall and publicising the event locally. It was fantastic to have some beginner birdwatchers there!

Smiles in the woodland, photo by Tanya Loos

Vale Ern Perkins

Posted on 21 November, 2016 by Connecting Country

The Connecting Country community is deeply saddened to learn of the recent passing of Ern Perkins.  Along with wife Lesley, Ern’s efforts to discover and document the flora and fauna of Castlemaine and surrounds over a period of more than 40 years are legendary.  The findings of this research have formed the basis for so much of our knowledge about the local environment.  He was passionate about making this information available to the general public.  Ern mentored many local ecologists, and was a great believer in using rigorous scientific survey methods.  He was a great supporter of Connecting Country, and regularly provided advice on plant species identification and occurrence.  He was also involved in many other local groups including Friends of Kaweka, Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club, FOBIF and Castlemaine Landcare.

It would be a monumental task to list all that he has achieved, but some of the highlights include:

• Co-authorship of the ‘Eucalypts of the Mount Alexander Region’, launched by FOBIF only a couple of months ago (click here for more info)
• Development of the comprehensive ‘Wild Plants of Castlemaine’ interactive guide, and subsequent free distribution to the local community and Landcare groups (again, only in the past couple of months was this released)
• Long-term maintenance of the list of plants of Castlemaine district, which has been the most valuable document on the shelves of many local botanists
• Monthly 20-minute, 2-hectare bird surveys at more than 15 locations for a period of more than 10 years
• Coordinating hundreds of repeated plant surveys at burnt and unburnt woodland plots within local bushlands
• Development of the Grass Identification Guide CD for the local area
• Maintenance of the Photopoint Project for the local area
• Development and maintenance of many brochures on the identification of plants and animals of the local area, as well as brochures on local sites to visit.  Many of these brochures are available at the Market Building and Goldfields Library.
• Dozens (if not hundreds) of articles published in the Castlemaine Naturalist newsletter.

He was awarded an OAM in 2000 for Services to Conservation.  In 2008, Ern was awarded the Australian Natural History Medallion, which is awarded annually to the person judged to have made the most meritorious contribution to the understanding of Australian Natural History.  In late 2015, his local contribution was recognised with life membership of the Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club.  He is an inspiration to the staff of Connecting Country.

We send our condolences to Lesley and family.  He has established a legacy that everyone with an interest in the local environment will need to work together to continue.  (Follow these links to read messages from the Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club and Castlemaine Landcare – as published in the Castlemaine Mail newspaper on 11 Nov 2016).

Vale Ern Perkins.

Ern (on right) at the launch of his Grass Identification CD in 2012.

Wednesday 30th November – Soils workshop with Katie Finlay and NCCMA

Posted on 14 November, 2016 by Connecting Country

Following on from our Farm Field Day in August, Connecting Country is working with North Central Catchment Management Authority (NCCMA) to run a short workshop about soils in Harcourt.

During this workshop participants will hear from Katie Finlay from Mt Alexander Fruit Gardens about their property and the role soil  health plays in their farming system. Practical instruction from Mandy Coulson (NCCMA) and soil scientist Rebecca Mitchell will take participants through a series of soil tests in the recently launched Soil Health Guide to measure health on your land.

If you’d like to come along, the free workshop will run from 10 – 11.30am on Wednesday November 30th 2016.

To reserve your place at this event, please follow this link: https://www.trybooking.com/241695.

For more information contact Naomi on 5472 1594 or email naomi@connectingcountry.org.au.

Tarrangower Cactus Control Group nominated for Parks Vic award – vote for them!

Posted on 10 November, 2016 by Connecting Country

Cactus Warriors partying and celebrating at the recent Maldon Easter Fair

The Tarrangower Cactus Control Group has let Connecting Country know that they have been nominated for Parks Victoria’s Kookaburra Public Choice Award. You, your family and friends can support the Cactus Warriors by voting for them.

You can go direct to the voting form through this link:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/publicchoiceaward

If you would like to read more about the award and those who have been nominated before you vote please use this link:  http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/get-involved/volunteer/kookaburra

Voting closes on 30 November 2016. Let them know you care!

Call for photos from Friends of the Box Ironbark Forests

Posted on 9 November, 2016 by Connecting Country

The theme of the next FOBIF photo exhibition is “Mountains and Waterways”.

Mount Tarrengower from Chewton Hills. Bernard Slattery, 23 June 2010