Normally, according to a saying
from my English vocabulary, “rain before 7, fine before 11” is a rule that
usually rings true. Why hasn’t that happened today, 16th June?
Perhaps the weather came through to ensure I put pen to paper.
Both recent working-bees were on
mornings of significant frost. That didn’t deter Angharad, Ann and Ted where
their determined efforts involved collecting & bagging thousands of African
Lovegrass seeds and digging out Serrated Tussock plants. We worked in the
peninsular of Mt Rogers between Oster and Bird Places, Flynn and up and into
the reserve from the notice box respectively. We put in 14 hours
land-caring work between us with the aim of keeping the infestations of these
two grasses to a minimum in spite of the constant likelihood of seeds being
moved into the reserve as we walk, as paws run and as wheels turn. The other
day there was an Orienteering event through the reserve: we must balance seeing
others enjoying Mt Rogers with the need to vigilantly observe whether any
transported seeds germinate in the months ahead.
On 10th June I wasn’t
quick enough with the binoculars to see what was the object of a commotion involving
Crimson Rosellas, Wattlebirds and a host of equally vociferous Currawongs. I
expect the objected presence was a raptor but perhaps it was a dis-oriented
Tawny Frogmouth caught out in the daytime. Kevin & Megan and Chris &
Margaret have each had a Crescent Honeyeater close to their homes which is a
happy but unusual sighting for Mt Rogers. It’s wonderful & great
citizen-science to share these observations.
The Scarlet Robin has been
declared ‘vulnerable’ in the ACT. The species’ numbers generally have been
declining but we’ve been lucky several times on Mt Rogers and been able to
watch their un-shy feeding within a few metres of the paths. I was lucky on a (08.0615)
walk to One Tree Hill on the from-Hall Centenary Trail, seeing a pair of Scarlet
Robins feeding with at least two Diamond Firetails within a few metres of the
One Tree Hill lookout. The Diamond Firetails are definitely rarer in recent
years in the places where I might find them. Nearer home there has been
constant daytime activity in a flowering Ironbark in the next street. The
eucalypt’s pink flowers are nectar-pantries for Rainbow Lorikeets and the
assertive Red Wattlebirds that can’t abide intruders in their territory.
The moral of these stories could
be to be prepared for the unexpected and, if you have time, be prepared to
closely check out flowering trees to see which birds might be present. We’re so
fortunate on Mt Rogers that we commit time to being there, to being outside and
to taking up conversations with others we meet. Overleaf there are two more
instances of community engagement and capacity building in our region…proof
that more & more people are finding ways to take back control of their
lives as a shield against very worrying times and Federally-imposed policies.
I put some copies of the Belconnen
Community Services April–July 2015 Newsletter in the Notice box. That is
another organisation whose programs makes great contributions to the wellbeing
of Belconnen residents. I also took the liberty of creating a laminated
information sheet of businesses recommended by our family. If you’d like to add
any other businesses to the next sheet please let me know. Maybe we can create
a mini-services directory to guide our choices. There’s nothing like
‘word-of-mouth’ for growing communities.
During my cross-country wanders
I’ve still come across Meadow Argus butterflies enjoying the sunshine after
severe frosts. How can they find warm-enough shelter during the nights? Some
may visit the Urn Heath shrubs whose pale cream flowers are heather-like bells.
There are a few Bluebells and some dandelion-like Flatweed turning their blooms
to the sun. The Guides planted several Acacia
genistifolia not far from the Wickens Place car-park. They’re in flower,
keeping up the wattle and eucalypt species’ tradition of having flowers ready
to entice pollinators, in turn, throughout the year.
(The photo shows Acacia genistifolia in the rain, but not at Mt Rogers. Photo by A. Zelnik.)
The next working-bees are on
Sunday 28th June and Monday 6th July. Details later.
Rosemary, Convenor, Mt Rogers
Landcare Group, 6258 4724
LANDCARE-ACT ANNOUNCEMENT
I’m hoping that this LandcareACT initiative will morph into
further evidence that people around our region are actively supporting ways for
community activities to show governments and agencies success stories from
working together for mutual benefit now and into the future.
Once you’ve read this try information
on the Canberra Transition Town initiative. Transition Towns, universally,
bring community groups and agencies together for the benefit of those that need
informed help and support in their lives and in their volunteering. http://www.transitionnetwork.org/initiatives/canberra-transition-town
“Many hands – one voice”
Who is LandcareACT?
LandcareACT
is a new ”peak body” which is being formed to represent and support the wide
diversity of community landcarers in the ACT region. There are over 60 Landcare groups in the ACT
region including urban Landcare, Parkcare Groups, rural, junior and Aboriginal
Landcare groups, Waterwatch and Frogwatch volunteers, rural landholders and
Aboriginal traditional custodians.
LandcareACT
was initiated by the ACT’s three catchment groups (Ginninderra, Molonglo and
Southern ACT), who provide support for many landcare groups across the ACT and
in surrounding NSW. It will be inclusive of rural landholders in the region and
the local Aboriginal community.
Development
of LandcareACT is being funded by the Australian Government. It will operate
within the ACT and region and will also link to the National Landcare Network,
which provides a community voice for landcare programs at the national level.
What will Landcare ACT do?
LandcareACT
will work to sustain community efforts to look after their local bush in a
number of ways. It will seek to build on government funding for landcare - by
promoting the benefits of landcare to the wider community and seeking new
partners and funding. It will encourage more people to get involved and try to
build the capacity of existing groups. It will also be able to provide a “think
tank” for regional innovation and collaboration as well as opportunities to
share knowledge and experience across the region. Finally it will provide a
forum for identifying and discussing issues important to community landcarers
in the context of government policy and programs, which will benefit both
landcarers and their government partners.
Who has been consulted about Landcare ACT?
The LandcareACT interim steering
committee has consulted widely, including with the ACT government, rural
landholders, members of the local
Aboriginal community, the business community and other environmental organisations and
NGOs. Discussions have been about future
opportunities and about what organisation and membership structure will best
support the community landcarers in the ACT. A constitution will be finalised in
the near future.
To find out more about Landcare ACT you can contact:
Anne Duncan on 0466 108 432, or
any of the Catchment Coordinators in the ACT (Molonglo: Bernie Bugden on
62992119; Ginninderra: Karissa Preuss on 62783309; Southern ACT: Martine Franco
on 62966400)
