‘Our land at contact’ event: Tuesday 18 April 2023

Posted on 13 April, 2023 by Ivan

Our friends and project partners at the Newstead Landcare Group are excited to be hosting Professor Barry Golding at an event on 18 April 2023 on the environment around Newstead at the time of European contact. The event will be an intriguing exploration of historical and early botanical records that may be vital in our restoration efforts and planning of revegetation works. Please see details below, provided by Newstead Landcare Group.

Our land at contact

Last October, we were very excited about Prof. Barry Golding’s presentation on the environment around Newstead at the time of European contact. Alas, a lot of rain and rising floodwaters meant a last minute cancellation. We are now very pleased to announce that Barry will be presenting on this subject for us this April. Barry has combed through historical records to put together a vivid and moving picture of how the land around Newstead and its environs may have looked prior to contact.

The arrival of Europeans in Australia produced profound changes across the continent. It can be hard to know exactly what the landscape looked like before this dramatic upheaval. The documents left by the earliest intruders can give us a few clues. Professor Barry Golding of Federation University has combed through historical records to put together a picture of how the land around Newstead and its environs may have looked prior to contact. From the extensive permanent ponds on the Loddon containing literally tonnes of Murray Cod to the vast meadows of Yam Daisies (Myrnong), some of the descriptions Barry has found give us a glimpse of the extraordinary richness of our neck of the woods.

Ancient River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis). Photo Barry Golding

Come along to our presentation on Tuesday April 18th when Barry will present what he’s learned about the extraordinarily rich and diverse vegetation communities that once adorned our landscape and the marvellous wildlife on this land and in the rivers.

The presentation will start at 7.30pm at Newstead Community Centre. All are welcome to attend, gold coin donations appreciated.

Shining the spotlight on the Imperial Blue Butterfly

Posted on 6 April, 2023 by Ivan

We are constantly amazed at how talented members of our community are at nature journaling and documenting our unique biodiversity in central Victoria. We recently received a terrific article highlighting the stunning Imperial Blue Butterfly and how it interacts with other species to benefit each other. The article came from one of our members, Sandra Nowland-Foreman, who spent a decade in central Victoria, before a recent move to the coast. Sandra has taken some excellent photos and documented the symbiotic relationship between the butterfly and ants species and how to identity the species. Thanks Sandra, well done!

Imperial Blue Butterfly/Imperial Hairstreak (Jalmenus evagoras)

It is not often you encounter the entire life cycle of a creature all on one small shrub!

I was visiting the Bald Hill Reserve, a wonderful 96-hectare bushland reserve near Kyneton recently on a warm Saturday afternoon (3^rd March 2023).  A beautiful blue butterfly with distinct black wing edging caught my eye as I passed a young silver wattle (acacia dealbata).  In the six years I had lived adjacent and regularly roamed this lovely reserve I had never encountered such a species.

Paying closer attention, I noticed the equally attractive creamy-coloured underside wings of several butterflies on its branches. The undersides were decorated with fine black spots with a pair of dainty orange dots on the lower wing ends adjacent trailing black tail filaments.

The young wattle was stripped almost bare of leaves, and I noticed clusters of pupae wedged along several upper branch intersections – some empty and others dark glossy encasements, lightly held by webbing. A closer inspection revealed an active trail of ants coming and going on the branches, attending the caterpillars, the pupae and even intermingling with mating butterflies.

My curiosity was piqued! Time for some further research…. the ants are of the genus Iridomyrmex and protect the larvae from both predators and parasites. Researchers have discovered that the Lycaenidae Butterfly species larvae and pupae use complex chemical and acoustical signals to manipulate ants (1).  The larvae produce three different types of calls, and larvae and the pupae have single-celled glands over their bodies that produce attractants (2). Ants respond and attend them and are rewarded with food secretions of amino acids. In my research I also came across a video posted by entomologist Roberta Gibson from her website “Wild about Ants” related to Blue Butterflies which provides further insight into the intriguing bodily mechanisms of the larvae and pupae. This video shows the glands in its depiction of the complex ant-caterpillar interaction. Click here

The breeding season is from November to March and judging by the extent and ages of pupae encasements, range of larvae size, egg laying and active mating observed on the day, it has been a good season. I learned that adult males keep proximity to the host plant for the opportunity to mate with emerging female butterflies. Warren and Gloria Sheather observed that pupae seem to develop rapidly, within two to three weeks (Sheather, W. and G. 2020). Eggs laid late in the season do not hatch until the following spring.

The photos below show mating butterflies, larvae, pupae and eggs, with the ants which I observed during the afternoon walk on 3.3.2023.

Conservation Status:

Vic: unknown

NSW: Critically endangered

Qld: Vulnerable

Size: 

Caterpillars: 2 cm

Pupa: 1.3cm

Butterfly Wingspan: 4 cm

References:

1. Pierce, N et all, The ecology and evolution of ant association in the lycaenidae (lepidoptera)

2. Gibson, R, Ants and Blue Butterfly, 10^th January 2012, Wild About Ants https://wildaboutants.com/2010/01/10/ants-and-blue-butterflies/

Australian Plant Society of NSW https://resources.austplants.com.au/fauna/common-imperial-blue-butterfly-jalmenus-evagoras/ Warren and Gloria Sheather 2020

Butterfly House http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/lyca/evagoras.html

Naomi E. Pierce 1, Michael F. Braby, Alan Heath, David J. Lohman, John Mathew, Douglas B. Rand, Mark A. The ecology and evolution of ant association in the lycaenidae (lepidoptera) 1 January 2002

Roberta Gibson, Wild About Ants, 10^th January 2012, https://wildaboutants.com/2010/01/10/ants-and-blue-butterflies/

Knox Environment Society https://www.kes.org.au/environment/fauna/imperialblue

Museum of Victoria https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/species/12259

2023 Victorian Landcare and Junior Landcare grants are now open!

Posted on 6 April, 2023 by Hadley Cole

2023 Victorian Landcare Grants

The 2023 Victorian Landcare grants are now open! Landcare grants of up to $20 000 are available to Landcare and environmental volunteer groups for on-ground works, education, and capacity building projects that protect, enhance, and restore our land and natural environment.

The grants are open to environmental volunteer groups, including Landcare groups and networks, Friends groups, Conservation Management Networks, Committees of Management, and Aboriginal groups to support the important work they do in protecting and restoring our land and environment.

There are also support grants of up to $500 available to Landcare and environmental volunteer groups for help with administration and running costs.

Applications close on Tuesday 16 May 2023.

For more information and to read the grant guidelines – click here

2023 Victorian Junior Landcare grants

Victorian Junior Landcare grants are now open! The Victorian Junior Landcare and Biodiversity Grants provide funding for projects that involve and educate young people in valuing and actively caring for Victoria’s biodiversity and natural environment. These grants provide young Victorians with an opportunity to participate in biodiversity focused hands-on projects and/or learning activities.

The grants offer up to $5000 and are open to all schools, kindergartens, childcare centres, Scouts, Girl Guides, youth groups, and Junior Landcare groups in Victoria.

Applications close Friday 12 May 2023.

For more information and to read the grant guidelines – click here

If you have any queries regarding the Landcare grants please contact Hadley our Landcare Facilitator by email: hadley@connectingcountry.org.au or call the Connecting Country office 0493 362 294.

Three of Connecting Country’s ‘Feathered five’ now listed as nationally threatened.

Posted on 6 April, 2023 by Anna

Diamond Firetail (photo by Geoff Park)

In March 2023, several bird species that occur locally were approved for listing as threatened under the Federal Government Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999.

This includes the Diamond Firetail Stagonopleura guttata, and south eastern subspecies of Hooded Robin Melanodryas cucullata cucullata, and Brown Treecreeper Climacteris picumnus victoriae.

These three species along with the Jacky Winter and Painted Button-quail were identified in Connecting Country’s ‘feathered five’ and have been the focus of community engagement and ongoing woodland bird monitoring since 2015.

Other bird species that occur locally have also been listed on the EPBC Act including, The Southern Whiteface Aphelocephala leucopsis and Blue-winged Parrot Neophema chrysostoma.

Species’ can be listed as either vulnerable, endangered, critically endangered or extinct under the EPBC Act. These categories represent increasing levels of population decline.  For example, the Hooded Robin population has declined over 50% in just 10 years, making it eligible for listing as endangered.

While Connecting Country is heartened that the ongoing decline of these species has been nationally recognised, the inclusion of a species on this list is a double-edged sword. Through listing, species are afforded more legal protection and are more likely to receive funding than those that are not listed, however, making the list in the first place is deeply concerning as it means that these species have declined significantly in recent years and will need a lot of help to recover.

To make the list, a species (or ecological community) must first be nominated, a rigorous and time consuming process that usually falls upon members of the scientific community to do in their own time.  A great little piece in the Conversation recently sought to demystify this process for the average punter.

https://theconversation.com/i-realised-the-fat-tailed-dunnart-was-under-threat-heres-how-i-got-the-species-officially-listed-200632

A Hooded Robin

Bird of the month: Silvereye

Posted on 27 March, 2023 by Ivan

Welcome to Bird of the month, a partnership between Connecting Country and BirdLife Castlemaine District. Each month we’re taking a close look at one special local bird species. We’re excited to join forces to deliver you a different bird each month, seasonally adjusted, and welcome suggestions from the community. We are blessed to have the brilliant Jane Rusden and Damian Kelly from BirdLife Castlemaine District writing about our next bird of the month, accompanied by Damian’s stunning photos.

Silvereye (Zosterops lateralis)

A moderately common sight year-round, in gardens with a suitable food plant or water source, are small flocks of tiny Silvereyes, also known as White-eyes. They are a delight to watch. At only 10-12 grams and 125 mm long, this tiny olive bird, with a pale chest and distinctive white or silver eye ring, is a miniature favourite.

Even their soft-sounding “Zcheee” contact call, is endearing, which is lucky because they are chatty and constantly calling to each other. Like so many Australian birds, they are also mimics and adept at copying other bird calls.

It’s amazing to ponder the distances these tiny birds can cover, banding studies have recorded movements from Margret River WA to Braidwood NSW, that’s 3,159 km of flying. Many birds including some in the Castlemaine area where they overwinter, fly 1,500 km between Tasmania and NSW, which means crossing the treacherous Bass Strait. Silvereyes being so mobile, their ranges cover Southern WA, all along the south coast of Australia and up the eastern coast, extending inland over the Great Dividing Range to the edge of central deserts.

The Silvereye is not only highly mobile, but highly adaptable as well. They eat a varied diet including nectar, fruits, insects and foraging in small groups. Enjoying soft fruits in your garden, sipping nectar from flowers including gums, and gleaning insects, moving from ground level and right up through shrub layers into the tree tops.

Silvereye foraging for food in a Castlemaine garden. Photo by Damian Kelly.

Although Silvereyes are usually in small flocks, during the spring breeding season they split into life pairs and defend breeding territories. Both parents brood the 2-4 eggs laid in a cup-shaped nest, once hatched both parents feed the chicks. Often Silvereye pairs attempt to rear two broods in a breeding season.

So keep an eye out for this diminutive bird in your garden and around town, with its distinctive silver eye ring and ability to fly such huge distances. That’s a lot of birds in a tiny fluff ball.

Silvereye in a fruit tree, with its buff coloured flank, indicating it’s the Tasmanian type bird, which can be seen overwintering in the Castlemaine area. Photo by Damian Kelly.

To listen to the call of the Silvereye – click here

Jane Rusden
Damian Kelly

You’re invited to The Indigenous Seed Project Launch

Posted on 22 March, 2023 by Anna

The Castlemaine Seed Library invites you to come along on Saturday 25th March 10:30AM to launch The Indigenous Seed Project.

This project encourages anyone to germinate a selection of 10 local plant species.

With each seed packet you will receive a booklet/PDF with information about garden use and care, ecological significance, cultural information and propagation relevant to each species.

This information was provided by local experts ; Dr Cassia Read, Frances Cincotta and Aunty Julie McHale.

There will be catering supplied by the wonderful Murnong Mummas.

The Buzz project: promoting pollinators of central Victoria

Posted on 14 March, 2023 by Hadley Cole

The Buzz project: promoting pollinators of central Victoria, is a Connecting Country project funded by the 2022 Victorian Landcare grants, that aims to celebrate and expand community knowledge on the smaller heroes of our local ecosystems, the insect pollinators.

The project was launched with a presentation from local entomologist and bee specialist Dr Mark Hall, Senior Biodiversity Officer at the City of Greater Bendigo, on Wednesday 15 February 2023 at the Campbells Creek Community Centre. The presentation focussed on the various native pollinators we may see in the local area and was titled ‘Native pollinators on your property: who, where and what they do?’

Participants enjoying Dr Mark Hall’s presentation on pollinators.

Dr Mark Hall introduces the range of bees we can see across the landscape.

We had a wonderful turnout to the presentation with up to forty enthusiastic attendees who came along with fantastic questions. Mark spoke of the many pollinators present across the landscape from native bees, to flies, butterflies, moths, and beetles. He spoke of the importance of connectivity between gardens, roadsides, and bushland of native vegetation to help build corridors for pollinators to move and plenty of wooded areas for them to nest in. We learnt of the specific adaptations native bees have formed to pollinate indigenous plants and how introduced insects such as honey bees cannot perform the same pollination service as efficiently as the native pollinators.

Following the presentation, we then went out on a field trip with Mark to a private property in Harcourt on Friday 24 February 2023. The field trip was titled ‘promoting native pollinators from property to landscape.’ Thirteen enthusiastic participants came along to learn of the various monitoring techniques we can use to investigate the pollinators occuring on our properties, Landcare sites and in our backyards. The beautiful property of Lois from Barkers Creek Landcare and Wildlife group did not dissapoint! Although it is late in the season for many insects, we discovered a range of insect pollinators in Lois’s garden and the bushland on her property. A couple of species of Blue banded bees were on show, as well as the Imperial Jezebel (Delias harpalyce) butterfly that feeds on misstletoe, a few dragonflies were noted however were very difficult to catch with the net as they zip about so fast! The most exciting discovery was a Cuckoo Bee (Thyreus) found in one of the insect traps. As the cuckoo part of the name suggests, the native Cuckoo Bee will take over the nests of Blue Banded Bees by laying their eggs in with those of the Blue Banded Bees. Although the Cuckcoo bees are not the friendliest of bees they are very beautiful and Mark reassured us that they appear to exist in smaller numbers than many of the other native bees.

Participants gather around an insect trap to hear from Dr Mark Hall. Photo by Lou Citroën.

Field trip participants Lou and Tully inspect a specimen from the insect trap. Photo by Hadley Cole.

Dr Mark Hall shows field trip participants native bees caught in an insect trap. Photo by Frances Howe.

So far The Buzz project has been a wonderful success, bringing together community members, nature enthusiasts and Landcarers with a common focus of learning more about the various native pollinators occurring across the local landscape, where they live, how they behave and the types of pollination services they provide.

Connecting Country would like to thank Dr. Mark Hall for his brilliant contributions to The Buzz project. The knowledge he has shared with us all will go a long way to building a greater understanding of the native pollinators of the region. A big thank you also goes to Lois and Geoff for sharing their beautiful property in Harcourt for the field trip.

If you or your Landcare group are interested in learning more on how to monitor and survey insects across the region please get in touch by emailing hadley@connectingcountry.org.au.

We will host one final event later in the year in Spring to wrap up The Buzz project, so stay tuned for more details!

This project was funded through the Victorian Landcare Grants and the North Central Catchment Management Authority.

Blue banded bee species. Female and male specimens. Photo by Mez Woodward.

Leaf cutter beetle. Photo by Lou Citroën.

Imperial Jezebel (Delias harpalyce). Photo by Lou Citroën.

Wheel Cactus hinders fire fighting

Posted on 14 March, 2023 by Ivan

Our friends and partners at the Tarrangower Cactus Control Group Inc. (TCCG) have recently published a media article highlighting the firefighting issues caused by infestations of the invasive plant wheel cactus (Opuntia robusta). Please find the article below which gives landholders yet another reason to control and remove infestations of this devastating noxious weed.

Patches of wheel cactus grow densely, forming an impenetrable barrier.   In some instances the plant was used as hedging. Where established, the weed is most likely to restrict human access and have impacts on the environment and agriculture. The barbed bristles of the wheel cactus are sharp, readily penetrating human skin causing severe irritation and are difficult to remove.

Wheel Cactus hinders fire fighting

Many of us are familiar with the destructive environmental impact of wheel cactus in Mount Alexander Shire. Some have volunteered for years in controlling this weed and take responsibility on their own and other properties. However, there are still properties in our area with significant infestations of wheel cactus.

Possibly, some landowners may not have considered the problems created by wheel cactus in a fire situation.

In a recent fire emergency in Baringhup, CFA volunteers were confronted with a situation made difficult due to the rocky and hilly terrain.  Equally confronting were the many large mature wheel cactus plants on one of the properties.  This dense infestation of wheel cactus created a dangerous situation for the CFA volunteers.  Combined with smoke affecting visibility and high-pressure hoses, the wheel cactus infected terrain became highly slippery and very challenging for the volunteers.

As CFA Captain Brendan McKnight commented “Wheel cactus is an OH&S issue for the CFA.  It is another risk factor in a situation that is already full of risk; just ask the poor bloke who fell onto a large wheel cactus while we were dealing with the fire”.

This fire incident has highlighted yet another reason why landowners need to control infestations of wheel cactus of their property.  We encourage all landowners to keep their property safe as well as environmentally healthy.

Tarrangower Cactus Control Group are available to provide advice and assistance to local land holders. Please contact us via our website https://cactuswarriors.org/

Tarrangower Cactus Control Group consists of Landcare volunteers dedicated to the eradication of Wheel Cactus (Opuntia robusta). 

Apply now for the North Central CMA Board

Posted on 14 March, 2023 by Ivan

Our friends and project partners at the North Central Catchment Management Authority (NCCMA) have an opportunity open to join their board and assist in achieving their vision of sustainably managed land, water and biodiversity resources in a changing climate. Each CMA board has a maximum of nine members including the Chairperson. The Board is responsible for the strategic planning of the authority and ensuring that the CMA fulfils its statutory functions consistently with its overall governance framework and is renumerated accordingly. Please find the details on how to apply below, courtesy of the NCCMA.

North Central Catchment Management Authority Board: Now Open

We are encouraging people from the North Central CMA region with diverse backgrounds and differing environmental perspectives to #GetonBoard. Applications for positions on the North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) Board have recently opened.

The Victorian Government is committed to increasing diversity on CMA Boards to encourage new ideas and reflect the rich diversity of the Victorian community.

Our Chair, Julie Miller Markoff, leads a well-established, dynamic, and knowledgeable Board that guides an energised and dedicated natural resource management team to achieve our vision of sustainably managed land, water and biodiversity resources supporting productive and prosperous communities in a changing climate.

Alongside the strategic and regional perspective that the Board brings to the diverse work of the North Central CMA, they also have a sharp focus on supporting Traditional Owner self-determination and tracking new opportunities in natural capital and environmental markets for the region.

More information Member, Victorian Catchment Management Authority Board | boards.vic.gov.au

Applications close at 11.59pm on Monday 27 March.

If you would like to discuss in more detail the role of the North Central CMA Board or have a question regarding the application process, please contact our Chair Julie Miller Markoff on 0407 819 066 or email julie.millermarkoff@nccma.vic.gov.au

https://www.boards.vic.gov.au/search-board-vacancies/member-victorian-catchment-management-authority-board-vgb/1701290

Kaweka Wildflower Sanctuary – AGM – call for new members!

Posted on 9 March, 2023 by Lori

Kaweka Wildflower Sanctuary is a beautiful ‘hidden gem’ in Castlemaine.   People often confuse Kaweka with Kalimna, but they are two different places!

The welcoming entrance to the reserve is visible from the intersection of Hargreaves and Turner Streets.  The 8ha stunning wildflower reserve was given to the people of the district over fifty years ago and has been lovingly looked after by locals ever since.

On Wednesday March 15 the Kaweka committee is having its Triennial AGM at 5.00pm.  Would you like to join this congenial group of nature-lovers?  They are a small group, definitely in need of new members in order to remain active.

They have irregular seasonal working bees and occasional meetings.  The meetings are enjoyable and quick, and the working bees are for weeding, planting, watering and other general maintenance.  They especially try to keep the plant identification signs up to date.

The committee is in danger of having to go into recess/hibernation – they need new people!  They need you!  It is a great opportunity to get involved in restoring our natural environment, learning from experienced members and gain group management skills, all while having fun!

The meeting will be at the main entrance next to the beautiful big rock.  Please feel free to come along, even if just curious to meet the group.

If you can’t make it but are interested in getting in touch, please contact info@connectingcountry.org.au and we can connect you.

Photos:  1. Kaweka Sanctuary entrance and 2. kookaburra –  Kaweka Committee

Welcome Lori – our new director

Posted on 28 February, 2023 by Ivan

It is with much pleasure that the staff and committee of Connecting Country welcome our new director, Lori Arthur. Lori started at the Connecting Country offices earlier this month, in a handover with past director Frances Howe. Welcome Lori, we are thrilled to have you on board!

Frances has kindly given her time for a detailed handover and has passed on her experience and excellent attention to detail over a number of weeks. Thank you, Frances, and best wishes on your next adventure.

Lori comes to Connecting Country after working in conservation and land management roles with local governments in Melbourne, collaborating with a range of environmental stakeholders and community groups.  She moved to Castlemaine with her family in late 2020 and is very excited to get involved with a grassroots conservation organisation doing great things in the local community.

Lori has a Bachelor of Applied Science (Environmental Horticulture) from the University of Melbourne. When she’s not working, she’s kept pretty busy with family life, often riding, bushwalking or swimming in and around the local environs with her two young boys and her kelpie, Dusty.

Lori works Monday to Thursday, overseeing Connecting Country’s projects, organisational management and administration. Be sure to hello to Lori at our next event!

Wetland Revival Trust discovers new Eltham Copper Butterfly population in the Wimmera

Posted on 28 February, 2023 by Ivan

Connecting Country has partnered with local ecologist Elaine Bayes (Wetland Revival Trust) over many years to help monitor and conserve the critically endangered Eltham Copper Butterfly. We have delivered education programs and coordinated monitoring events in central Victoria, with Elaine tirelessly leading the campaign to improve land management practices and promote the survival of this iconic and fascinating species.

Elaine and her team at the Wetland Revival Trust recently reported some great news: they discovered the largest population of Eltham CopperButterfly and the largest area of habitat ever found! The new population is at Gerang Gerung, in the Wimmera region of northwest Victoria.

We congratulate Elaine and the team on their perseverance and recent exciting discovery!

The full media release is provided below, courtesy of the Wetland Revival Trust.

Wetland Revival Trust discovers National treasure in the Wimmera with the largest population of the Eltham Copper Butterfly found at Gerang Gerung

Wetland Revival Trust’s (WRT) long term butterfly project in northern Victoria discovered the largest population of the nationally endangered Eltham Copper Butterfly (ECB) (Paralucia pyrodiscus lucida) in the Wimmera, at two Gerang Gerung nature reserves.

Elaine Bayes, an ecologist from Wetland Revival Trust, a not-for-profit environmental charity, has been involved in the protection of this tiny butterfly since 2009.

Elaine started a search and find mission in 2019 in north central Victoria, where there are several ECB populations. The search spread to the Wimmera which may be the prime location for this species. Elaine said, ‘ECB numbers at the two very small known populations in the Wimmera were at much higher densities than in the north central where we had been searching.’

‘This year, our team searched 1,600 hectares of public land for the butterflies, 1,400 ha of which was in the Wimmera. And we were certainly rewarded for the effort, with around 500 ECB seen between the two Gerang Gerung reserves. To give perspective, in north central Victoria last year, we searched 1000 ha and found a total of 43 ECB peppered across a large area. To see 500 ECBs in one season is exceptional, and so far, this is the largest number of ECB and the largest area of ECB habitat ever found.’

This search was funded thanks to the Victorian Government Biodiversity On-ground Action Program (Icon Species Projects) which supports actions to protect nationally endangered species like ECB. ECB were first found in the Wimmera in 1988 at Salisbury Bushland Reserve and in a small area of Kiata Flora Reserve. In 2011, another tiny population (6 hectares) was found on a Wail roadside by local entomologist Fabian Douglas. In the intervening years, the Salisbury population became extinct, believed to be caused by sheep grazing out the butterfly’s food plants. The two remaining populations at Kiata and Wail are separated by a sea of agriculture, with nowhere for their young to disperse to.

There is no way for the populations to move around as environmental conditions change, and no corridors of native vegetation for the butterflies to move along so they can share DNA to make them more resilient. Also being small the sites are under threat from pests, weeds and roadworks.

Elaine believes that part of the reason ECB is rarely seen is that they require very specific conditions. As well as being dependent on one plant species to feed their larvae, the Sweet Bursaria (Bursaria spinosa), they require one specific ant species (Notoncus ectatommoides) to act as a bouncer for their larvae, scaring off predators that would otherwise feast on their juicy bodies. Their other very specific needs are that these delicate little butterflies are solar powered and only fly when it is 20-30 degrees with no wind or rain. The adults only emerge when there is abundant nectar around November and December usually peaking at Christmas and New Year (with a smaller emergence in March and April). Finding field staff to search for ECB at Christmas and New year is as rare a thing as finding the ECB themselves!

To find this elusive species you first find the one and only plant species it relies on, Sweet Bursaria (Bursaria spinosa) which is much easier to map as it is large, stays still and is present all year round! Previous searches have shown that ECB only occur where Sweet Bursaria plants are dense (more than 30 plants in a ¼ hectare). So, the first part of the plan is to search for and map dense Bursaria patches. The second part is to search those dense patches for ECB during their flying period.

Given the cool start to summer this year the number of days that ECB were flying before it became too hot for them was less than fourteen. WRT had ten field staff and several volunteers out searching the 1400 hectares. Ten very dedicated people who put this conservation work before summertime at the beach. The team searched areas including Gerang Gerung Mallee Dam, Gerang Gerung South Reserve. Glenlee NCR, Barrett NCR, Lierschs NCR, Coker Dam Wildlife Reserve and Lil Lil Dam and at a few locations in Castlemaine.

This work builds on WRT searches between 2019 and 2021 and a similar search in 2011, when large areas were mapped and collectively thirteen new populations around Central Victoria and at one at Wail were found. The new populations were very localised with the butterfly only occurring in 3-25 per cent of suitable habitat (where the ant and the host plant are present). This is reflected in this year’s survey where, out of 1400 ha, ECB was only found on 36 hectares.

The butterfly is listed as critically endangered under the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 and as endangered under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. This places considerable importance on managing the small number of known population sites and locating any potential new sites so they can be protected from threats.

The threats to this species in the Wimmera are numerous. Given the amount of historical land clearing in the Wimmera you can be confident that any quality remnant vegetation has a high likelihood of containing rare species, including insects, orchids and other plants and animals. Management and protection of these sites will bring benefits to multiple species as well as places of recreation and learning for future generations, impacts on local climate etc. Next year funding applications are in for weed and pest management, signage, translocations and more.

According to Elaine, it is undoubtable there will be ECB populations on private land where remnant vegetation occurs.

‘It is easy to check if you have any. First search your property or nearby bushland for dense patches Sweet Bursaria plants (easiest to see when flowering in December). Then look for the copper sparkle of flying adults in December on still days that are between 20-30 degrees. Tap each plant with a stick, which will cause them to fly and be more easily seen. Use the fact sheet and butterfly look alike sheet from the Eltham Copper Butterfly website (www.butterflies.net.au). Sightings can be reported on this site, the inaturalist app (www.inaturalist.org) or on the Butterfly Australia app (butterflies.org.au).’

Landholders can help protect this and other rare species by retaining and restoring native understorey plants on their properties.

Wetland Revival Trust
January 2023

Please enjoy the following photographs provided by the Wetland Revival Trust, showing the beauty and size of this national treasure.

We need your help! Mapping our old trees of central Victoria

Posted on 28 February, 2023 by Ivan

We are excited to announce the arrival of our new mapping portal, that aims to assist community citizen scientists to map the old, and often large, trees of central Victoria. The interactive mapping portal is part of Connecting Country’s larger project, ‘Regenerate before it’s too late‘ which aims to engage the community on the importance of old trees across the landscape and how to protect them. Within the mapping portal you will also find an updated species list that will assist with the identification process of the large old trees.

Over the next three years (2023 – 2025), we will continue to host community workshops and develop engagement resources such as the mapping portal and a video. We will also work with local landholders to implement practical on-ground actions to protect their large old trees and ensure the next generation of large old trees across the landscape.

The community, including landholders, Landcarers and land managers, will be vital in mapping their favourite old trees across our region. Anyone can access Connecting Country’s new online mapping portal. The portal uses BioCollect, an advanced but simple-to-use data collection tool developed by the Atlas of Living Australia (ALA) and its collaborators. BioCollect helps users collect field biodiversity data for their own projects, while allowing the data to be easily copied into the ALA, where it can be publicly available for others to use in research, policy and management. This allows individual projects to collectively contribute to a larger science database.

We need your help!

The mapping portal is now open for any community member to record the old trees in your area. You will need to register with the Atlas of Living Australia (its easy and free), then upload a photo and enter the field details needed for the survey. The portal will ask you simple questions about the tree location, size, species, age (if known), health status and habitat value.

To record your large old tree, or view the field survey questions and required measurements – click here

By recording large old trees you will help build our understanding of the large old trees in our region, and contribute to the largest biodiversity database in our country. As the database grows, you can also access the portal to learn about other wonderful large old trees in our area and view the photos.

Trees can be tricky to identify, especially eucalypts. If you are unsure about the identification of the tree species, you can:

• Use the to iNaturalist app to assist with identification –  click here
• Refer to a good guidebook, like those published by Friends of the Box-Ironbark Forests – click here
• Visit the Castlemaine Flora website – click here

Euan, Jenny and Peter with a large old tree (photo by Beth Mellick)

We are most grateful for our generous project support from the Ian & Shirley Norman Foundation. The foundation aims ‘To encourage and support organisations that are capable of responding to social and ecological opportunities and challenges.’ To learn more about Ian & Shirley Norman Foundation – click here

Clean up Australia Day: 5 March 2023

Posted on 21 February, 2023 by Hadley Cole

Clean Up Australia Day is an annual nationwide event focussed on empowering local communities to clean up, fix up and conserve the natural environment. This year Clean Up Australia Day will be held on Sunday 5 March 2023. You can register your local clean-up event on the Clean Up Australia Day website – click here

To find events happening near you – click here

Local Landcare and friends groups of the Mount Alexander/ Leanganook region often host a Clean Up Australia Day event. Please see below for a list of local events happening across the region. You can also get in touch with your local Landcare group to see if they are hosting a 2023 event by finding your local group on the Connecting Country website – click here

Friends of Campbells Creek 15th annual clean-up event:

Help to clean up rubbish along the creeks and trails, followed by a social morning tea.

Where: Meet at the bus shelter next to Winters Flat Footbridge, Johnstone Street (Midland Highway), Castlemaine VIC

When: Sunday 5 March 2023, 8.00 am – 10.00 pm

What to bring: Hats, gloves, sturdy clothing, enclosed boots/shoes, sun protection, a rake if you have one, your own water (and a friend).

 The group will provided collection bags, rubbish skip, and tea/coffee biscuits.

For more details – click here

Sutton Grange Landcare Group 

Where: Meet at the Sutton Grange Hall, Faraday – Sutton Grange Rd. Sutton Grange VIC 

When:  Sunday 5 March 2023, 9.00 am – 11.00 am

What to bring: Hats, sunscreen, sturdy foot wear, water bottle, gloves and a friend!

For further information contact: Zane Tronson at ztronson@gmail.com

Golden Point Landcare Group

Where: Meet at Expedition Pass Reservoir (The Res), Golden Point Rd. Golden Point VIC

When: Sunday 5 March 2023, 10.00 am – 12.00 pm

What to bring: Hats, sunscreen, sturdy foot wear, water bottle, gloves and a friend!

FOBIF exhibition opening this Saturday: Newstead Arts Hub

Posted on 21 February, 2023 by Ivan

Jane Rusden. Crested Shrike-tit

Choughs. Patrick Kavanagh

Phil Ingamells. Bluebell

Barking Owls. Geoff Park

Reflections. Alex Panelli

Bird of the month: Gang Gang Cockatoo

Posted on 21 February, 2023 by Ivan

Welcome to Bird of the month, a partnership between Connecting Country and BirdLife Castlemaine District. Each month we’re taking a close look at one special local bird species. We’re excited to join forces to deliver you a different bird each month, seasonally adjusted, and welcome suggestions from the community. We are blessed to have the brilliant Jane Rusden and Damian Kelly from BirdLife Castlemaine District writing about our next bird of the month, accompanied by Janes’s stunning photos.

Gang Gang Cockatoo (Callocephalon fimbriatum)

Unlike other members of the cockatoo family who stand out with their colour and raucous noise, the Gang Gang can be quite unobtrusive with its overall grey plumage. Males can be distinguished by their distinctive red head with its wispy crest. Taxonomically they are in a separate genus from the other cockatoos (Callocephalon). In spite of their colour, they are more closely related to Galahs than they are to the Black Cockatoos. There have been a few isolated examples of hybridisation with Galah and one with a Little Corella.

And as an inhabitant of the forests, it is often heard before it is seen. One of its distinctive calls is a creaking sound that identifies it easily. Although they often move about in groups, unlike the other more noisy cockatoos they are often fairly quiet. At times they just feed quietly on gum nuts in the upper foliage and you only notice them from the sound of the pattering of gum nut fragments as you walk underneath.

A female Gang Gang Cockatoo, perching on dead timber. Photo: Jan Rusden

Gang Gangs are confined to southern Victoria and south-east New South Wales, usually in the highlands and adjacent moist coastal areas. There is some altitudinal movement from the higher areas to lower regions in autumn and then they can be seen in the drier, more open woodlands.  At times they can be found in urban areas in Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra wherever there are sufficient eucalypts. Like many of our native species, they have adapted to changes in habitat and food supplies.

Seeds of many forest eucalypts and acacias make up most of their diet, but they will also eat other plant material and insects. Like many species, they have also adapted to eating the fruits of a variety of introduced species such as the berries of the hawthorn bush as well as fruit trees and flocks will congregate in suitable areas. Apple orchards in particular can attract them and damage may be caused at times.

The male is grey with a bright red head whilst the female could be mistaken for a galah. Photo: Jane Rusden

Breeding usually takes place between October and January. Nests are in tree hollows, usually high up. Females, with their string beaks, will often excavate a deeper hollow. Normally 2-3 eggs are laid and both parents do the incubation and feeding.

They are uncommon in the drier areas closer to Castlemaine, but they are recorded occasionally with recent records at Guildford, Yandoit and Mount Alexander. You are more likely to see them in the wetter forests such as around Daylesford and Trentham.

To listen to the call of the Gang Gang Cockatoo – click here

Jane Rusden
Damian Kelly

AusChem Chemical users subsidised course 20 and 21 March 2023

Posted on 16 February, 2023 by Hadley Cole

The North Central Catchment Management Authority is offering the AusChem Chemical users course at a subsidised rate of $107 per person in Maryborough over Monday 20 and Tuesday 21 March 2023. The course is open to Landcare groups, small and large landholders, farmers, new users or existing chemical users requiring a refresher. This course is the industry standard for training in chemical use, storage and handling.

Upon completion of the two-day course, participants will receive an AusChem Certificate which may be used to comply with Industry Quality Assurance Programs. This certificate is required to apply for the Victorian Agricultural Chemical Users Permit (ACUP), and may also be used to pursue further training, such as Minimising risks in the use of 1080 and PAPP bait products for Vertebrate Pest Control.

All participants will receive the latest copy of the AusChem Manual.

The course will cover:

• Pest identification
• Modes of action
• Label interpretation
• Issues associated with chemical use
• Formulation types
• Weed and pest control application
• Animal health
• Chemical handling storage
• Transport and disposal
• Preparation, application and clean up
• Recording and other procedures

For more information or to register – click here

Our own Christine awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia

Posted on 2 February, 2023 by Ivan

Connecting Country is excited to learn that one of our committee of management members, Christine Brooke, has been formally recognised for her outstanding dedication and volunteering for the environment and local landscape restoration.

Christine was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia – a great acknowledgement for her decades of far-reaching volunteering and commitment to the environment. We are very lucky to have Christine’s commitment to Connecting Country, and benefit from her expertise and experience. The medal was granted on 26 January 2023 for her ‘service to the environment, and to the community’.

Christine has a long history of service, including representation on the North Central Catchment Management Authority, Loddon Plains Landcare Network (formerly Loddon Vale Landcare Network), Sutton-Grange Landcare Group, Australian Landcare International, Natural Resource Management Committee, North Central Goldfields Regional Library Corporation, Loddon Shire Council, Faraday Community Association and of course, Connecting Country. She has also won a number of awards during volunteering, remains an active Landcare volunteer, and deserves a big pat on the back!

The humble Christine told us ‘I am a bit overwhelmed by this because, as you all know, it is not one individual that gets things happening but everyone … as part of a team, of which I’m privileged to be a part’.

Christine has shared her expertise and knowledge across many volunteer organisations over her long career (photo courtesy of Bendigo Advertiser)

The mighty Chewton Chat community newspaper has published a terrific story about Christine, which we have included below. Great work Christine and thank you for your huge contribution!

Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) awarded for service to the environment and the community

When local volunteer Christine Brooke and her husband John moved to Faraday ten years ago, Christine already had a strong interest in working for the environment and the community.

Before long she had become involved with local groups Sutton Grange Landcare and the Faraday Community Association. Her roles in Loddon Shire as a councillor and mayor along with her time on the board and community group of the North Central Catchment Management Authority gave her an overview of how the community and the government agencies can work together successfully. She has been involved at national, state and local levels of Landcare.

This led to her being elected to the Committee of Management of the local landscape restoration organisation and Landcare Network, Connecting Country, working across the Mount Alexander region. And this is where all her skills of governance and accountability, her knowledge of natural resource management along with her understanding of how communities can work together are all used so effectively.

As Christine explained to the Chat, ‘Our communities are vibrant places to live, because of the tremendous amount of time and effort given by volunteers to make them so, from the environment, the arts, sport organisations and all the work of parents within our education systems. I believe we can all play a part to keep them that way.’

Chewton Chat
February 2023

Director reflections

Posted on 2 February, 2023 by Frances

The time has come for me to hand over my role as Connecting Country’s Director. I will miss many aspects of the work, but am delighted to transition the role to an excellent new Director – Lorene (Lori) Arthur. I’m sure Lori will bring a fresh perspective and energy, while I focus on my property and other personal projects.

A huge thank you to the Connecting Country staff and committee for your friendship and help, and to our volunteers and donors for your support these last five years. Our community is blessed with some remarkably generous, dedicated and knowledgeable people. I am incredibly grateful for the chance to be part of Connecting Country, all I’ve learnt and the people I’ve met.

I’ve loved collaborating with a great team on meaningful projects, while constantly learning. Although difficult times (given declining funding and a global pandemic), it’s been extremely fulfilling and always interesting. Our team has delivered some brilliant projects, while becoming a more streamlined and adaptable organisation. Connecting Country’s ongoing funding remains uncertain, but I am confident about its capacity to keep navigating the challenges.

Connecting Country’s achievements rely on its small but passionate and hardworking staff team. During my five years as Director, we’ve developed and obtained funding for 36 new projects, spanning on-ground landscape restoration, Landcare, monitoring and community engagement. In addition to all the work of delivering the projects, that represents an awful lot of grant applications and reporting! During my time we’ve completed 26 projects, with 14 current projects ongoing for 2023.

Connecting Country is now ready to embrace some compelling new opportunities. I am keen to stay involved, where appropriate, and look forward to continuing the journey as an active volunteer and supporter.

Connecting Country’s new Director (Lori) starts on 13 February 2023. Stay tuned for an upcoming blog post introducing Lori.

Frances will still be involved with Connecting Country, including volunteering as a nest box team leader! (photo by Jess Lawton)

Promoting native pollinators from property to landscape – 24 February 2023

Posted on 31 January, 2023 by Hadley Cole

In 2023 Connecting Country is hosting a series of events celebrating the pollinators of our region as part of The Buzz Project: promoting pollinators of central Victoria. We launch the project with a presentation with Dr Mark Hall (Senior Biodiversity Officer at City of Greater Bendigo) in Campbells Creek VIC on Wednesday 15 February 2023. Following the launch, we will host a field trip in Harcourt VIC with Mark on Friday 24 February 2023. Mark completed his PhD on how the composition of wooded habitat in modified landscapes affects bird and pollinator assemblages and has also investigated pollinator diversity, health, management and contribution to crop production. To learn more about Mark – click here

We will spend a morning out in the field with Mark to meet local pollinators, explore their habitat, and learn to identify some of the local pollinator heroes. This event will be at a private property in Harcourt VIC.

Join us for a fascinating morning out where will explore both a garden and bush setting in search for pollinators and their homes.

Field trip: Promoting native pollinators from property to landscape
When: Friday 24 February 2023, 10.00 am to 12.00 pm
Where: Dja Dja Wurrung Country, Harcourt VIC (details will be provided on booking)

Bookings are essential as spaces are limited. To book your free ticket – click here

BYO morning tea and drinking water. We will be outside for the whole two hours so please wear sturdy shoes, hat, sunscreen and insect repellent.

If you haven’t yet booked your free ticket for the presentation with Dr Mark Hall on ‘Native pollinators on your property: who, where and what they do’, there are still spaces available. To learn more and book – click here

The Buzz project is funded by the North Central CMA through the 2022 Victorian Landcare grants.