In the last ten years we have lost two of these magnificent multi-purpose organisms to chainsaws when they were burning after arson attacks. There are several stumps that show the huge girth of the living trees and at least two skeletal trees which are look-outs for raptors and regular conference-centres for the ”big-four” species.
Please let us know if you would like to join in and whether, in the meantime, you’d be interested in a photographic project recording these ancestral trees. I have begun assigning numbers and recording these on a map so it’s easy to make copies that record the locations of the sixty I have noted so far.
The younger eucalypt trees were planted in the seventies along with many shrubs. Quite a few of these species are not native to Mt Rogers but have survived the climate’s vagaries. There are several species of wattle in the reserve including Cootamundra wattle which would have been introduced in the planting era. As recently as last year an Aboriginal elder stressed the benefits of wattles in “the bush” alluding to the fact that their root nodules fix nitrogen in the soil and therefore improve fertility for other species including eucalypts.
Kirsty and I have had two very enjoyable treks through the Hazard Reduction Burn (HRB) area to see how the plants have reacted to the August 2011 event. I’ve also had a walk through with Adam who is an ecologist working with the Fire Management Unit. Whilst the introduced grasses seem just as dense as before, there is actually more space hidden between the regrowing tussocks. The native Weeping grass, Microlaena stipoides, has flourished in the two damp growing seasons even in the HRB area. Native wildflowers are also growing well although only yellow Guinea flower, creamy-yellow Urn Heath and a few determined Bluebells currently colour the bush.
The data from our volunteers’ surveys will provide an updated Mt Rogers record and also inform the agencies which manage the reserve. All around Australia and internationally the citizen science movement celebrates the recording of species and instances of change. We can contribute to understanding of the ACT’s natural estate.
You’ll know that rapacious exploitation and alteration of woodlands, forests, ‘scrub’, grasslands, wetlands and bush is causing species loss and extinctions. Sometimes these losses occur before the organisms, particularly the invertebrates and microscopic species, have been studied and their significance in the interconnected web of life understood.
Thankfully seeing Scarlet robins, Speckled Warblers, Wrens, Finches and Whistlers on Mt Rogers helps to deflect the despair that overwhelms optimism for the future. When the powerful are allowing Sporting shooters into NSW National Parks what will these iconic places be like when all animals retreat terrified, from humans who come to see them? In spite of decades of scientists’ and ecologists’ data that show the effects of hard hooves on fragile vegetation and shallow soils, horse riding is also set to be allowed in interstate national parks. Rangers and volunteers have toiled for decades to eradicate weeds from national parks previously open to graziers and now horses are to bring in more non-native plants’ seeds in their dung. In theory equestrians can use Mt Rogers but instances of their leaving horse dung seem to be rare.
Mt Rogers folk experience the wonder and benefit of fresh air, calm or wild weather, the excitement of new flowers, regrowing trees and shrubs and the calls and behaviours of foraging and nesting birds. I wonder if any research has been done that shows those who spend time in the bush and their gardens live longer or are healthier? We’ve spread the word about these connections with nature to such an extent that a new printing of the brochure is necessary. That’s 2,000 in 3-4 years!
On 24th June, in Crates Gully Aidan, Flemming, Ivan, Shane and Sue worked on long-neglected Cotoneaster, Privet and Pyracantha hidden amongst stands of wattles. The ground is covered with swathes of Weeping grass though we ran out of time to gather the seed-heads and scatter them amongst introduced grasses lower down. Crates Gully? It was the setting for an elaborate cubby years ago with earthworks, roofing and milk and bread crates. On my eucalypt walk I found several other cubbies made with gathered dead branches. Numerous positives from planning, design, physical labour as the builders rearranged the bush material.
Negatively, I watched as a man took two branches home towards Magrath Crescent. It’s-only-me-people don’t realise that fallen timber is vital habitat and that firewood gathering from reserves is illegal. Have you come across Leaf Litter, a book by Rachel Tonkin? It’s a book to share with all who retain curiosity and wonder. Through 14 double-pages of paintings Rachel traces the complexity, beauty and intricacy of life below the leaves and bark we used to call dead or decaying. Microbes, fungi, ants, scorpions, spiders, worms, slaters and a range of vertebrates interact, by living and dying, to return nutrients to the soil in cycles much older than our dreams of recycling.
Kirsty and I grubbed out some Mullein or Verbascum rosettes on 24th following Chris and Margaret’s example. Subtle progress, against a species that produces thousands of seeds per plant. Can you imagine my language when I discovered that several trailer-loads of weed grass clumps have been dumped in the best bit of Mt Rogers bush? When will people learn that the bush is not a dumping-space for weeds and Landcare volunteers don’t appreciate having to spend their working-bees cleaning up such rubbish so the clumps don’t regrow amongst the native grasses and wildflowers? During the working-bee Lorraine wisely pointed out that the dumper probably thought suburban grasses would rot down innocuously and improve the soil.
Lorraine and Clare did valuable work on African Lovegrass (ALG) which had escaped both the mowers and herbicide. Chris and Flemming sought out isolated tussocks and dug them out. Prior to that they searched for woody weeds and cut them back. Eleven bags of the dumped waste and two of ALG are now out at Canberra Sand & Gravel for mulching & high temperature composting.
On Saturday 30th I was glad to disturb a Bronzewing pigeon in that several people had remarked about not seeing them. They and, for example, the Treecreepers are quiet now. Mixed feeding flocks are busy. Possibly there are two separate groups of small birds feeding together for safety. There may be a pair of Rainbow lorikeets not far from the northern playground but these beautiful birds could be a mixed blessing. Are there enough tree-hollows for another species to take up residence in the ACT? Around Perth the native species has become a pest as their over-assertiveness drives away smaller species. It’s thought that a few birds were released from an aviary in Hawker and their numbers are gradually increasing and spreading from south Belconnen.
Just when someone’s been asking where to find owls on Mt Rogers Ann discovered a Boobook peering in through one of their windows in Spence last week. That’s a reward for her work on the blog. www.mtrogerslandcare.blogspot.com
But who knows where the Boobooks and Frogmouths are apart from Ann’s good fortune?
About 3 weeks ago I filled out an online form at FIX MY STREET asking that the ALG growing in cracks between the asphalt and the gutter in the Wickens Place carpark be sprayed so that the plants don’t produce seed. This has been done recently. So if you have problems about maintenance in your street try that avenue or try Canberra Connect 132281.
I’ve heard that it takes a while for Blackberry and Honeysuckle to show that they’ve been sprayed so don’t expect too much even two months later! There are also one or two patches none of us had discovered by April so they’re on the next list.
Keep out of the cold winds and enjoy winter’s briskness!
Rosemary, Mt Rogers Landcare…..6258 4724
