Notes on nature and environment at Mt Rogers, ACT, by Rosemary Blemings, Landcare coordinator
Mt Rogers in November 2022
Working bees, late October, early November 2022
The next working bee dates for the Mt Rogers Landcare Group are:
- Sunday 23rd October from 09.00am. Working uphill from the easement between Hammett place, Spence and Carey place, Melba.
- Monday 7th November. Details TBA.
Mt Rogers Newsletter, September 2022
As Mt Rogers begins to emerge from a very wet and damp-cold winter the native wildflowers are beginning to bloom. The most obvious blooms are from at least four species of Wattle with the early wattle showing its creamy-yellow flowers in the middle of winter. By September the Cootamundra wattles have lost their glory but they still attract many insectivorous birds which come to feast on the invertebrates that prove that the invasive wattles are good habitat. The Wattles ‘take it in turn’ to flower as others will provide nectar and pollen as enticements to pollinators in November and later in the summer. Later again Cockatoos and Superb Parrots will come into the reserve to feed on the Acacias’ seedpods.
Many native wildflowers are much smaller than people expect especially if they are more familiar with large daisies, camellias, roses and other species from overseas. The rainy seasons we have had have rehydrated the soils to such an extent that native shrubs are very showy with masses of blooms even though the individual flowers are intricate and small. Particularly at ground level wildflower species have evolved very specialist mechanisms and structures for attracting visitors and dusting them with pollen for transferring to other blooms.
It may seem that there hasn't been much Landcare activity on Mt Rogers recently. Two or three working days were cancelled due to weather. Because so many Privets, Cotoneasters and Firethorns have been removed over 25 years, the group's land caring has increasingly focused on herbaceous and grassy invasive species. The woody weeds reached the reserve as berries eaten and carried in from gardens by hungry birds. The La Nina seasons we have had mean that woody weeds still in suburbia and gardens produce millions of berries to re-invade the ACT's reserves. We are already finding that Privet seedlings are present under branches and trees where birds have perched and pooed.
At least three winter working bees were spent pulling out Euphorbia plants. These European, green-flowered species are popular with gardeners seeking novelty, have caustic sap and spread rapidly. We are monitoring infestations of berry-spread Honeysuckle, Ivy and Blackberry and are on the lookout for new incursions when going ‘cross-country’.
As
last summer ended volunteers began to remove thousands of Fleabane seedheads to
prevent the seeds blowing away in the wind. We also removed the seemingly dead
stalks as buds around the roots seemed likely to reshoot in spring. Now we are
also digging up the rosettes of new Fleabane leaves as we search through the
reserve’s rank, introduced grasses in search of young Verbascum plants’
rosettes. Fleabane has its uses but is a major herbaceous invasive in
Australia’s agricultural areas. Here’s a quote from The Weed Forager’s
Handbook by Adam Grubb & Annie Raser-Rowland. “We use Fleabane …to remove fleas from our
dog. Boil large bunches [of fleabane] in
water and add the strained-off liquid to the bath when washing your canine.
Many human medicinal qualities have been attributed to it too, most widely as a
tea to treat diarrhoea.”
Sometimes Verbascum rosettes are growing amongst the kangaroos’ preferred fodder and native Weeping Grass, Microlaena stipoides.
Scores of Thistles were removed to prevent further distribution of their ‘parachute’ seeds but we’re still finding ones we missed, particularly those that grew cryptically under or up through shrubs and trees. This effort and daubing – spraying the invasive grasses, CNG, ALG and ST, that come in on wheels feet and mowers is also an individual effort rather than happening in a working bee session. We try to reduce the amount of herbicides used or use them as a method of last resort. Similarly, and we are helped by the La Nina damp soil, we apply the no dig method or minimal digging whenever possible. Dormant seeds respond by germinating when shading plants are removed and the soil is aerated. Digging also damages the essential fungal and microbial networks that we are all finding out much more about.
Snakes live here.
They are not usually aggressive.
If you meet one stay calm and
back away slowly while
maintaining eye contact
be called 0448 789 039 or 0417 485
788
Note: They are not permitted to
administer antivenin.
The team at Canberra Snake Rescue
and Relocation will come to your
property 0405 405 304
to assist if you have reptilian
visitors.
Native wildlife, plants & rocks
are protected from interference
or removal by ACT laws.
And
there’s the URBAN FIELD NATURALIST project site and companion book: A Guide to the creatures in your Neighbourhood.
Both are about, becoming and being naturalists; observant
people who pause, ponder, record and share experiences whilst out and about in
the nature around them.
Will
there be any fungi emerging as the soils and leaf litter layers warm up? An
inspection mirror is good for looking under toadstools without knocking them
over and magnifying glasses give intriguing views of leaves, flowers and
mini-beasts. Enjoy Sprummer!!
Rosemary
Convenor, Mt Rogers Landcare Group www.mtrogerslandcare.blogspot.com 62584724
August 28th and September 5th - working bees
Just a quick note with details of the next two working bees for Mt Rogers.
Postponed: first August working bee - now NOT 9.30 am Monday
The weather forecast for tomorrow, Monday 1 August, has led to that working bee being cancelled.
It may possibly be moved to later in the month, on a day of more pleasant weather for working.
.....................
There will be a Mt Rogers working bee on Monday 1st August. We’ll meet at Wickens Place, Fraser at 09.30am.
Next working bee, Sunday 24 July
This email confirms a Mt Rogers Working Bee for Sunday 24th July meeting at the Wickens Place carpark at 09.30am.
There is an infestation of Honeysuckle to be removed and areas that need to be checked for emerging weeds such as Verbascum, Privet seedlings, sticky weed and Fumitory.Gaiters and gloves will be available but you’re welcome to bring your own gloves.
And dress warmly if frost is likely again.
Rosemary
Monday 4 July working bee
Our next scheduled working bee will be on Monday 4th July from 09.30am
- Fleabane (pulling up and beheading plants)
- Digging or pulling out Verbascum rosettes
- Treating ‘woody weeds’ we come across.
June and July working bees
Following the schedule of fourth Sundays and first Mondays of each month the next working bee comes up on Sunday 26th June.
We’re meeting at Rechner Place, Flynn for a 09.30 start…..finding and pulling up clusters of privet, cotoneaster and ivy seedlings that birds have brought in as seeds foraged from suburban gardens.Probably the same time on Monday 4th July with the meeting place to be announced.
Next working bees 22 May (Sunday) and 6 June (Monday)
Ted (who is a Mt Rogers volunteer committing multiple hours weekly to work on invasives on our 65 ha site) has referred us to a valuable article on managing Fleabane.
"Seed persistence in soil
The majority (90–95%) of flaxleaf fleabane seeds lose their viability within 12 to 18 months in the surface soil. However, a small percentage can persist for several years, particularly if seeds are buried 2 to 5 cm below the surface. "
The photo below shows the seeding heads of a low specimen of this widespread weed;
low because the plant had been mown. Some of the taller plants are well over a metre tall.
I therefore propose meeting at Mildenhall Place again on Sunday 22nd
around 09.00am
and at Rechner Place on Monday 6 June at 9am,
and continuing a walk and weed
approach protecting the higher quality areas from the main culprits:
- · Fleabane,
- · check for privet seedlings under every tree,
- · Briar rose dug out/rose hips removed,
- · St John’s Wort,
- · isolated ALG tussocks (+ rarer Serrated Tussock if found),
- Cotoneaster,
and photographing any fungi species found to put on Canberra Nature Map (https://canberra.naturemapr.org/).
In some places gentle levering out of the new Fleabane plants is
successful and will save us doing this later on especially in the good-quality vegetation places.
Yesterday I took out Fleabane near the best grassland at Umbagong,
Latham. The dead plants are worth pulling out, even though the seeds have
dispersed, because the roots are still alive and new sprouting buds are present
on some. The soil was damp enough for this pulling not to be too onerous. and
the area doesn’t look as derelict now.
Bring secateurs and the little diggers if you have them, though I have several here.
I hope you have been able to search out the amazing diversity of toadstools, mushrooms and other colourful species. The wet weather has encouraged the spores to germinate. The above ground fungi are the fruiting bodies of the very extensive hyphae networks below the ground, through the soil and that link plants to each other.
If you’d like to find out which species have been found around our
region go to Canberra Nature Map where people, citizen
scientists and naturalists have uploaded their sightings.
Please keep eyes open to see if Scarlet Robins have returned to Mt Rogers
for the cooler months.
Thank you,
Rosemary
Working bees on 27th March and 4th April
Mt Rogers scheduled working bees are on Sunday 27th March and Monday 4th April. Each starting at 09.00am.
Next working bee, and what we've done recently
The next scheduled Mt Rogers working bee is on Monday 7th March. We’ll meet at Wickens Place, Fraser by 09.00am and return to the task of tackling weed species that will be dispersing their ripening seeds within the next few weeks.
Prickly Lettuce.
Mt Rogers news in mid-February 2022….mostly about Landcare activities
With the determined efforts of dozens of volunteers over the past 25 years Mount Rogers is relatively free of woody weeds such as privet, cotoneaster, firethorn, honeysuckle and hawthorn. Woody weeds come into the 65 hectare reserve as berries that birds have feasted on while in suburban gardens or the ACT’s green spaces on public land. Several infestations of Blackberry are constantly monitored. They and Chilean Needlegrass, Serrated Tussock and African Lovegrass attract assistance from TCCS* rangers and employed contractors.
Landcare volunteers at Mount Rogers are dispirited by the extent of weed growth due to the rains and the fact that the seeds of many species have germinated and grown after years of dormancy in the soil’s seedbanks. We are planning to continue the Bradley method of weeding where we work from the centre of each biodiverse section of the reserve cutting or treating any species that are a threat to the biodiversity of the native plants and animals. https://www.aabr.org.au/learn/what-i-bush-regeneration/general-principles/the-bradley-method/ We also weed by concentrating on specific places, track sides and learning identifications by focusing on one weed species at a time.
Where the soil is damp most of these species pull out quite readily with steady but gentle effort with some species and especially Verbascum (also called Mullein) needing attention now. We cut the flowering heads off and bag them leaving the pulled, green stems and leaves to dry and then rot down and fertilise the soil. Later in the season we will dig out many rosettes of Verbascum leaves. The grey-green leaves are quite attractive and soft to touch.
The biodiversity in some sections of the reserve is an extraordinary contrast to the rest of the reserve even though the native wildflowers are often hidden by annual weeds and introduced grasses thriving on the rain events of the last nine months.
Grass
species from other countries were brought to Australia in the days when few
landholders or even “agriculture departments” understood the land and
Australian soils and plants in the way Indigenous peoples did. They expected to
succeed by transferring European farming methods to the very different landscapes
of the ancient continent. The species were often introduced to fix specific
problems such as erosion but without the insects and grazing animals that
controlled plant numbers in their original regions, the new arrivals thrived to
became invasive species that threatened the survival of native grasses and
wildflowers.
The mowing operators have recently reached Mount Rogers again. They have an enormous job trying to keep up with the growth of African Lovegrass resulting from the regular rain events coming through the ACT. I expect it’s possible to find out from the ACT Government’s website how many hectares need mowing in the ACT but it’s many, many thousands. As you’ll have noticed, several different types of mowing machines are required. I doubt if any are manufactured in Australia.
All through Sprummer individual Landcare volunteers have continued their observations, reporting and weeding efforts. St John’s Wort is a prime target because each plant can produce thousands of seeds and the plants also spread with sucker-like roots through the soil.
Ideally SJW, this very invasive
species, needs to go to the tip to be deeply buried.
We have chosen to work on SJW now
because, with the ground being still damp, the plants pull out with a
determined, steady pull. Normally pulling causes the suckering roots to break
off, a signal to the plant to respond by growing new plants from the broken
root pieces.
The plants are more mature than
those in photos with numerous capsules containing seeds maturing but not yet
ready to be dispersed. There are several articles about SJW on ’the web’ one of
which stated that one plant could produce 33,000 seeds.
The seeds remain viable in the
soil for 12 years which is why Mt Rogers has seen a rash of SJW patches through
the reserve this sprummer in spite of the Landcare Group’s consistent action
against the invasive species over a decade or two.
Why work on only one weed? There
are so many invasive species that have gone berserk with all the rain. We are
concentrating on weeding near and outwards from Mt Rogers' best vegetation
areas or on specific species that spread thousands of seeds. (Currently Thistles,
Euphorbia, Fleabane, Verbascum, Mustard.) Ann has posted some photos in the new 'page' (right hand column of the screen) called
'2022 summer weeds gallery', on the blog site, mtrogerslandcare.blogspot.com
Here is mustard, close up,
and below is a view of the effects of mustard's yellow blooms on the Ginninderra Creek landscape beyond West Macgregor in 2020.
During a working bee on Monday 7th
February Phil and I pulled up hundreds of St John’s Wort plants whilst Steve D
returned to Bridget’s to repeat spot-spray an infestation of African Lovegrass
there as we worked north of Jacob Place. The Sunday 23rd session saw
three of us working on isolated plants north of the main carpark in Fraser. Ted
walks daily with a wand to daub specific invasives as he comes across them.
Each of our regular landcarers carries a pair of gloves whilst focussing on
weed species they know as they walk on ’the hill’.
1st
Monday and the 4th Sunday. The meeting places vary according to the
tasks that are prioritised each time.
As
mentioned above our community members contribute numerous landcaring acts each
time they are in the reserve. Observing nature, recording wildlife and plant
species, welcoming newcomers, collecting rubbish when found, monitoring erosion
run-offs, sharing enthusiasm for the reserve and its habitats.
Our group is one of over 25 energised communities determined to make a difference for wildlife, waterways and habitats in the Ngunawal land catchment area of Ginninderra Creek. The creek rises in Mulligans Flat making its way through its floodplain until water reaches the spectacular 40m waterfall in NSW at Parkwood, and the Murrumbidgee River beyond Macgregor. If you’d like a map of Ginninderra Catchment a new one was published in 2021.
The catchment’s Landcare and Parkcare groups come under the ‘umbrella’ of Ginninderra Catchment Group (GCG) based at Kippax. GCG provides ecological and land management advice and networking. We also have considerable operational and liaison support with other government agencies from *TCCS (Transport Canberra & City Services) volunteer co-ordinating staff.
There are
other ways to contribute to nature’s health with volunteering opportunities
through Frogwatch, Turtlewatch and Waterwatch. Their co-ordinators are also
based at Kippax.
Contact
the office by leaving a message on 6278 3309 or by emailing landcare@ginninderralandcare.org.au
Rosemary 10.02.22.
Convenor,
Mt Rogers Landcare Group.
or via the catchment group (as above:
or by emailing landcare@ginninderralandcare.org.au)
Mt Rogers working bees January and early February 2022
Greetings to Mt Rogers’ carers’ community as, in theory, a new year of twice-monthly Landcare activities begins.