WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD

The Wedderburn CMN is conducting a free bus tour of their worksites and places of interest in the Wedderburn area.

Sunday September 26th leaving from the Loddon Visitor Information Centre

(24 Wilson St Wedderburn) at 10am

BBQ lunch provided (free)

Please bring sturdy walking shoes and appropriate clothing for the weather conditions

RSVP by Sept 22 to:

Wendy Murphy Wedderburn CMN Ranger

ph 0438384053 or wendy.murphy@dse.vic.gov.au

SHRUB VIOLET BUSH FOUND IN FLOWER

Nature Notes: August 2010

So much rain! So much response from plants, animals and nature in general! This month has kept the observers very busy, with a great deal to stimulate our interest in the local biodiversity of flora and fauna.

We have noted responses in plants. Many beautiful sundews – the flat red type known as scented sundews are flowering with prominent large white flowers on sunny days, tall sundews are also very conspicuous, and in large numbers. Green rock ferns have multiplied incredibly and are much larger than recent years. In many places the ground is dotted with the small white flowers known as early Nancy. And of course the Orchids! Dwarf Greenhood orchid numbers are massive this year. Now is the time to start really looking out for a variety of Orchids – the common blue caladenia are starting to appear in some numbers, and we have also seen mosquito orchids.

Two shrub violet plants have been found, in full flower in the Wychitella Nature Conservation Reserve. Apparently these beautiful plants were once common in the district, but are now rarely seen. It would be very interesting to learn more about this plant from the longer term residents of the district.

The birds are also busy. Sighted sitting on nests have been - Grey shrike thrush, Magpies, and White Winged Choughs. Also, a Little Eagle has been seen in the vicinity of its nest from last year, and the aggressive behaviour of the small bird, Jacky winter indicated that it too was protecting a nest. A group of Silvereyes have been observed. They appeared to be the southern form that migrate from Tasmania. Grey Fantails continue to maintain an entertaining presence.

If you would like to find out more about the Wedderburn Conservation Management Network you can see us at the Kooyoora Wildflower Show, or come on our bus tour – See more information in the “Naturally Loddon” A wonderland in Spring brochure.

Wedderburn Conservation Management Network “Observers”

Photograph is of the Shrub Violet flower

Loddon Plains Landcare Dinner a success, despite the weather

Eighty six people turned out for the Inaugural Loddon Plains Landcare Network on Saturday 4^th September at the Serpentine Hall. The night was sponsored by the Inglewood and District Community branch of the Bendigo Bank. The attendees enjoyed a meal prepared by the East Loddon Lions Club and also music by Kinja. Ron Murray and Sarah James make up Kinja and provide a unique combination of indigenous Australian culture (fantastic didgeridoo playing) with Celtic singing and fiddle playing. We also heard a dreamtime story handed down by Ron’s ancestors.

It was great to see such good attendance given the difficult driving conditions due to the amount of rain that fell over the weekend. A planting day had also been planned for the Saturday, but had to be cancelled due to the weather conditions. The planting day was going to be an opportunity for city people to come out and volunteer their time to plant trees on four locations in the Loddon Shire. The planting day will be re-scheduled for 16th October.

The event was also part of the Loddon Shire’s, month long activities showcasing the natural environment of the Loddon Shire called Naturally Loddon.

Article by Penny Wall

Photo by Mal Brown - the Hocking and Wall family enjoying the evening

Landscape Restoration Project – Project Officer Position

Project Officer Position – Part-time (2-3 days/wk) Short term contract (6 months)

The Norman Wettenhall Foundation has provided a grant to the Loddon Plains Landcare Network Inc. for a landscape restoration project across the network’s area in North Central Victoria. Applications are sought from suitably experienced persons for the role of Project Officer to work with the Landcare and Conservation Groups in the network to develop an area-wide biodiversity plan. The plan will identify existing natural assets, threatening processes, priorities for protection, enhancement and restoration including potential landscape-scale biolinks. Importantly, the blueprint will include a social/cultural overlay that captures community interest and builds on work the community has already done.

Organisational skills and the ability to engage with the community is a vital part of the role. Community ownership of the project is critical to its success. The Project Officer will work closely with the Network’s Committee of Management.

The position description can be downloaded from www.nrmjobs.com.au

Applications in writing close 5.00 pm 27 August 2010

Loddon Plains Landcare Network Planting Day and Evening Dinner

Loddon Plains Landcare Network is a collective of farmer, Landcare and other environmental groups located northwest of Bendigo working to improve the natural environment.

As part of Naturally Loddon – a month long series of environmental events across the Loddon Shire – the network has organised a tree planting day at four sites, from Wedderburn to Durham Ox , for Saturday , 4 September. Urban volunteers are needed to join with network members and share this enjoyable and rewarding day.

A dinner (with entertainment by Kinja ) will be held in the Serpentine Hall to celebrate the day’s landcare work. Volunteer tree planters and network members are welcome to attend.

The day’s timetable

11 am Arrive at sites, briefing, lunch (provided)

12 pm Planting, guarding, watering trees and shrubs

5 pm Arrive Serpentine Hall (Drinks and nibbles)

6.30 pm Dinner and Entertainment

9 pm Close

What to bring

Volunteers should bring with them a hat, sunscreen, gloves, water bottle, waterproof boots and a change of clothes for the dinner. All planting equipment will be provided.

Who to contact

All volunteers and network members participating on the day must register with Penny Wall by Tuesday 25 August.

(Ph: 54361262; M: 048836126

E: apwall@aussiebroadband.com.au).

Please advise Penny of any dietary special requirements

KINJA TO ENTERTAIN LANDCARERS

Made possible by the generous support of the Inglewood

and Districts Community Branch of the Bendigo Bank

Ron Murray and Sarah James (pictured above) celebrate the cultural heritage of their ancestors in a blend of indigenous Australian and Celtic music. In many ways Ron and Sarah that playing together is their special contribution to reconciliation between indigenous and non-indigenous people in this country.

Wedderburn Conservation Management Network “Observers” attend Outing with St Arnaud Field Naturalists.

A very frosty morning greeted us on the drive to Birchip where we met with members of St Arnaud Field Nats to tour the “Wetlands”

First Stop was Keith and Helen Barber’s property. The wetland area on their property was initially created by Keith’s grandfather and has received an environmental water allocation with the completion of the Wimmera Mallee pipeline. Keith had photographs of a wide variety of bird and animal species that use the wetland including plumed ducks and carpet pythons. We viewed his frog pond which has been one of the environmental considerations from the pipeline project.

Peter then escorted us to the Birchip Landcare wetland area which was nominated for a Landcare award this year. A most interesting project, illustrating use of a redundant bunker area, to capture water runoff. The community usage of the area and recycling of water was conveniently demonstrated to us by a truck wash in progress.

Lunch at Lake Tchum, where a committee member gave us a picture of the utilisation of the lake, particularly since it has been dry for years and has recently filled with water from the pipeline. We witnessed an Australian Raven take an egg from a plovers nest at the water’s edge.

Another Birchip Landcare member ( Dorothy) showed us her frog pond. This one impacted by kangaroos and rabbits, and intermittent available water supply from a domestic tank. She gave us an interesting historical perspective of past droughts in the 20’s and 40’s when her family had to walk off the farm due to lack of feed for too many sheep.

Mary Fielding’s farm, and neighbouring catchment dams provided yet another view of water catchments. The catchment dams on her property continue to hold water, however her frog pond had failed due to lack of tank water supply. The area has an increasing population of Chariot Wheel which is currently being researched.

This was a great opportunity to view the importance of water for biodiversity in the Mallee. It was also valuable to view the effects of the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline project and its political and practical applications for farmers and the environment.

A most interesting day. Annette Robertson and Lynton Schriever

Photograph - Keith and Barbra's frog pond

Assistance required for work with endangered plants

DSE biodiversity officer Julie Whitfield is again looking for assistance with her work in the Wedderburn/Charlton area. Julie works towards the protection and sustainability of rare and endangered plants. Her timetable and contact details are given below.

DATE	ACTIVITY	MEETING TIME/PLACE
Thursday 19th August	Searches for old records of Dainty Phebalium in the Wanyarra area.	10am at the corner of Rooneys lane and Dunolly-Rheola rd. Vic roads ref Map43 E6
Thursday 26th August	Count and map extent for Dainty Phebalium Phebalium festivum In the Wedderburn Nature Conservation reserve.	10am at the corner of Gibson road and the Wedderburn/Wychitella road. Vic roads ref Map29 B7
Wednesday 8th September	Planting Day for Velvet Daisy Bush in Korong Vale and BBQ provided.	Meet at 9:30am at the corner of Korongvale-kinypanial road and Boort Wedderburn road. Vic roads ref Map29 D7
Sunday 12th September	Counts and searches for Golden Moths Orchid at Mt Jeffcott.	Meet at the base of Mt Jeffcott at 11am Vic roads ref map28 D7
Wednesday 15th September	Counts and searches for Golden Moths Orchid	Meet at base of Howells Hill Scenic lookout Vic roads ref map 28 H6 Opposite the quarry

email: Julie.whitfield@dse.vic.gov.au

Or phone 03 5430 4461 mobile 0407 340 729