Friends of Kooyoora Activity - Erecting protective Fencing of Orchid Species

A very cold morning and an early start saw a good number of us meet at Kurting Silos. We had to wait a little while for Geoff Neville (Department of Sustainability biodiversity Officer) as post flood road closures had impeded his journey to meet us.

The site identified for the work was reasonably accessible. Geoff had perfected a fencing method for this type of environmental work and that was an education to some of us used to more agricultural forms of fencing. Some members were also pleased to learn about and use some of the more modern forms of fencing tools and equipment that made the job a lot easier.

A brief discussion over lunch and some effort to garner more enthusiasm saw us proceed to another nearby area to fence a much smaller site. Just as well, as we had to carry all the equipment some distance through the bush. It was amazing how quickly we completed the second fence, not only because it was considerably shorter than the first, but we had all found our place in the team, and knowing what was required got on with the job.

For those who participated, this activity was a sense of achievement. Taking positive action, to protect vulnerable and threatened flora from the ravages of browsing macropods. We have committed to monitor these sites and ascertain the effectiveness of the fencing . This activity also demonstrated the cooperative works between several agencies – Parks Victoria, Department of Sustainability and Environment, Wedderburn Conservation Management Network and the Friends of Kooyoora.

Annette Robertson

Malleefowl and Primary Students

On the 9^th of August at the start of the school day Wendy Murphy and I along with other supportive members of the Wedderburn community turned up at Wedderburn College for a day of coordinated activities designed to raise environmental awareness of the plight of the nationally threatened malleefowl. A small isolated population of these endangered birds inhabit some of the areas of bush around Wedderburn. Wendy and I were to be the introductory ‘act’ and depending on the age levels of the students Wendy would read a story or give a short talk then I would show a short film illustrating aspects of the malleefowl life cycle that Peter Watts (a WCMN member) had filmed in the Wychytella NCR.

One of the points that we were trying to get across among others was that there are quite a few endangered species closer to home than the whales and tigers of distant and exotic climes. In fact many were the ooh’s and ah’s when Wendy revealed the stuffed malleefowl in a glass fronted box, the only sight many had ever had of a malleefowl. The students asked many questions concerning the birds including why the birds were in danger of extinction in this area.

Depending again on their ages the students then went on to be involved in a variety of activities including dance organised by Thais Sansom in which they were encouraged to incorporate any of the actions of the birds that they had seen on the film into their malleefowl boogie. The day was filled with painting, model making and mask making all assisted by Margaret Holtham, Margaret Van Veen, Jude ------ and the student’s teachers.

Margaret Van Veen is to be especially thanked for her great efforts in coordinating this fine day.

Article – Michael Moore

WCMN host a visit from the Maryborough Field Naturalists

On Sunday 7 August WCMN were visited by 7 members of the Maryborough Field Naturalists. The Field Nats had enjoyed the presentation that Jeroen Van Veen had given to their meeting on the previous Monday, and the field trip had been planned as a follow up to that talk on the activities and works of WCMN.

The weather was not the most startling but at least the rain held off. Car pooling from Jacka Park enabled the small convoy to move efficiently between the sites. Firstly to the Korong Bushland reserve to show the Oleria pannosa plantings and seed trials, we discovered that a number of the netted plants had in fact died or were succumbing to some sort of insect predation or frost or disease. Wendy gave a good description of the history of the reserve and the WCMN involvement with it management in conjunction with Parks Victoria.

Next, the group visited the site of the Pimelia spinicens – Spiny rice Flower which was in spectacular flower and in large numbers on the roadside.

A brief look at the African Lovegrass nearby to demonstrate how it dominates where it grows.

The group also visited Wattle Track and were impressed with the large variety of wildflowers in bloom, particularly the Bent Leaf Wattle. Wendy gave a poster presentation (still fresh from the National Malleefowl Forum) on WCMN involvement with monitoring of nearby Malleefowl mounds.

The visitors provided very positive feedback following their interaction with WCMN

Annette Robertson

Web albums of the WCMN and LPLN

The Wedderburn Conservation Management Network (WCMN) along with the Loddon Plains Landcare Network (LPLN) will be making available for viewing many photographs that result from activities and works carried out by these networks. The photographs found in the albums on this blogsite and that of the LPLN have been contributed by members and wellwishers of these organisations. The albums are works in progress and will be updated through time.

Michael Moore

Secretary, LPLN and WCMN

Assorted Fauna of the Wedderburn CMN Area

Assorted Fauna of the Wedderburn CMN Area

Wedderburn CMN Gallery of Birds

Wedderburn CMN Gallery of Birds

Birds of the Loddon Plains

Loddon Plains Landcare Network presents: Birds of the Loddon Plains - photographs by Diana Womersley