Mt Rogers Update - February 2006

      On 21^st May 2005 over 50 volunteers planted a range of native plants into very dry and hard soil “uphill” of the gravel path. They were watered-in and then benefited from good restorative rain in the winter and spring. We also planted a few lilies on 17^th July. Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA) volunteers planted more tree and shrub species in the morning of 17^th. When the summer grass growth dies down we’ll be able to see how many of the plants have survived.

      The rain received in 2005 has restored the health of Mt Rogers’ native plants and also promoted vigorous growth of the many weed (non-Australian) species. By January Wild oats and some grasses are taller than we are. The oats and Phalaris were probably seeded onto Mt Rogers as ‘pasture-improvement’ when sheep grazed where our houses stand. Other grasses and many other weeds may be annuals but they are very successful at producing seed each year here and in and around Canberra’s other open spaces and Nature Parks.

      Of particular concern for us and many in Australia’s southern states are Paterson’s Curse and St John’s Wort. Mt Rogers’ patches of SJW have increased in size this summer and would, in time, take over the whole hill. The plants have attractive golden yellow flowers but have browned-off with ripening seed capsules by late summer. Each plant is capable of producing thousands of minute seeds. The roots also spread beneath leaf-litter and soil. CVA volunteers again helped out on 13^th February*, by pulling out what they can and ‘bagging’ the material for disposal. SJW is supposed to help those with depression and anxiety but probably not the species that’s invading Mt R. A very attractive native SJW is quite common in the woodland areas. Its flowers are orange but it, also, has browned off by now.

      After years of research & extensive trials both PC and SJW have biological control invertebrates that are successful in some places. Such controls are ideal as species that become weeds or pests have arrived in Australia without predators that kept the numbers under control in their original habitats. On our infestations the weevils and beetles that were noticed on the plants in spring may have succumbed to the heat as they’re not obvious now.

      Weeping grass Microlaena stipoides is a widespread native grass that is a positive invasive force. On Mt Rogers areas of this grass are increasing in size especially in un-mown places partly shaded by shrubs or trees.

Other native grasses are also more visible towards the end of summer. Kangaroo grass, with rust-coloured stems and seed-heads being the most obvious at .5m tall.

      The Superb Parrots have come to Canberra in exceptional numbers this summer, as many as 150 were sighted together at one point in Belconnen. We thought seeing 30 was wonderful in previous years. Arriving in Fraser in early December they didn’t stay long in or daily return to their usual haunts around Wickens, Avery and Keane places and gardens. Instead they have dispersed   to other Belconnen suburbs, delighting naturalists and birdoes there for 3-4 weeks as they foraged on un-harvested fruit,  seeds and lerps. Family groups have spent hours feeding in Eucalypts (even near Belconnen Markets), gleaning insects and the sugary lerp-scale they produce from the leaves.

      Leaden Flycatchers have nested ‘on our patch’ again and a Grey Butcherbird was heard early in February. Tiny Double-Barred Finches need to be close to water so cat-less gardens with water-features help them stay in our area. Have you heard them meowing like a small kitten when they’re in shrubs or feeding on grass-seeds with a flock of other small birds? Will autumn bring groups of Yellow Tailed Black Cockatoos back to check galls or under our trees’ bark? There aren’t many pine trees left in the ACT to provide their usual food.


Rosemary


* Conservation Volunteers Australia come together in teams and work at conservation projects in many regions of the country. Local leaders, such as Ken from Spence, drive a mini bus towing a trailer stocked with water, suitable clothing & tools. Our volunteers on 13^th came from Curtin (in Canberra), Tokyo, Belfast and Hull.