bushlandnews Summer 2009-2010 bushlandnews

Behavioural change needed for waterway health

Issue 83 By Jason Menzies 2012 Spring In an effort to reduce nutrients and Time of Djilba and contaminants entering the Swan Kambarang in the system, the Swan Nyoongar calendar. River Trust is using innovative strategies to change household and business behaviours. Urban Nature update The Swan River Trust aims to Page 2 reduce nutrients entering the Swan Quenda/bandicoot and Canning river system from survey success Page 2 land-based activities. Fertiliser use through residential and recreational Weedwatch: application has been identified Sparaxis Page 3 as the main source of nitrogen and second highest source of Econote: Extinction Fountain Lake in Bennett Springs Estate is the last basin before the catchment drains forestalled Page 4 phosphorus entering our river into Bennett Brook, highlighting the importance of limiting nutrient input from system. Increasing urbanisation surrounding residential areas to maintain water quality health. Photo – Leah Botten Birdlife GWW is likely to amplify this issue and project Page 5 highlights the need for major community on ‘RiverWise’ and phosphorus input to Bennett behavioural change at a community practices. Projects encourage Brook. The development began Taxonomy rules and organisational level. participants to make small and in 1999 and is now almost revised Page 5 simple changes to their behaviours complete. In total, the area has Many environmental agencies are Boneseed Page 5 in their homes and gardens to about 1,200 dwellings, an focused on fixing past problems. help reduce nutrients and other 8,000 m2 shopping complex and The Trust understands that What’s on Page 6 non-nutrient contaminants finding several surrounding schools. community engagement, education their way into our river system and Funding and behaviour change is paramount Through the Bennett Springs adversely affecting water quality opportunities Page 7 to river health in a preventative Behaviour Change pilot project, (for example, causing algal blooms the Trust will deliver a range of Blackberry Page 7 sense, as it encourages citizens to take action and reduce nutrients and fish deaths). new RiverWise messages using Carnaby’s entering the system by changing A two-year pilot project in Bennett a variety of innovative delivery cockatoos Page 7 simple things at home. Springs Estate will start in spring mechanisms. Specifically, the pilot will involve personalised Regional reports Our first step was to better 2012 and involves the Trust coaching during household visits Page 8 understand our target market – working in partnership with the to Bennett Springs residents, the Perth community. The Trust City of Swan, Department of Water, Opera house traps work with businesses to clearly recently undertook some formative Great Gardens and the Bennett threaten rakali Page 10 identify and promote RiverWise research with the help of Perth’s Springs residential, commercial and household and gardening leading practitioners in the fields of school communities. Group profile: products, work with the school Porteous Park Page 11 science, education and community Bennett Springs Estate was communities, a free fertiliser engagement, and developed a new Resources Page 12 identified as the target area for swap event, and a RiverWise Behaviour Change Strategy to help the pilot project because long- garden competition. guide the River Guardians program. term water quality monitoring For more information on The River Guardians program was suggests that the residential these programs visit launched by the Trust in 2008 estate, or area surrounding it, is www.riverguardians.com. www.dec.wa.gov.au and aims to educate the wider a significant source of nitrogen

Bushland News is a quarterly newsletter of Urban Nature, a Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) program to support community involvement in bushland conservation. Bushland News Issue 72 - Summer 2009-2010 www.dec.wa.gov.au 1 Spring 2012

Fire and biodiversity Restoration work on Perth’s coastal islands By Julia Cullity By Kate Brown In June, Urban Nature coordinated a seminar for 120 participants on Fire and The Shoalwater Islands vegetation Biodiversity: recent work on the Coastal provides critical habitat for a Plain and in the Perth Hills. Speakers restricted form of Australian from the Department of Environment hollyhock (Malva preissiana). The and Conservation (DEC), Edith Cowan white-flowering island form of the University, Centre for Excellence for hollyhock was first collected from Climate Change Woodland and Forest Penguin Island in 1883. Since that Health, and The University of Western time it has been collected across the Australia presented some of their recent Shoalwater Islands and from Green research findings. (off Rottnest), Carnac and Garden islands. It has not been seen on Presentations were given on DEC fire policy, Penguin Island since the 1970s and in fire response of threatened plant species and recent years has disappeared from all ecological communities, prescribed burning islands except Carnac. Its preferred in tuart woodland, post-fire juvenile periods habitat is seabird guano deposits. and weed impacts in a banksia woodland flora, re-colonisation of fauna after fire, reptile The nutrient-rich status of these island responses, biodiversity of fire-dependent sites makes them particularly vulnerable insects, chemical and environmental impacts of to weed invasion, and this appears to fire in wetlands and guidelines for ecological be a major cause of the disappearance The white-flowering island form of the Australian burning in banksia woodland derived from the of the Australian hollyhock from Perth’s hollyhock (Malva preissiana) will be reintroduced work of the Gnangara Sustainability Strategy. islands. Urban Nature, together with onto Penguin Island. Photo – Kate Brown Visit www.water.wa.gov.au/sites/gss/reports. DEC’s Swan Coastal District, has been html. The day finished with concurrent, working on weed management on Penguin Island. Plants will be grown from interactive workshops on four major themes the islands for a number of years. We seed recently collected from Carnac Island of ecological regimes, weeds, wetlands and recently initiated a project to reintroduce and from seed collected from Shag Island fauna. Our thanks go out to all the people the Australian hollyhock back onto a number of years ago. who made the day a great success. Contacts Quenda/bandicoot survey a success By Geoff Barrett Urban Nature office DEC and WWF-Australia would like to A summary of this information will be Julia Cullity 9423 2925 thank everyone who took part in the available when the report is completed but Kate Brown 9423 2905 2012 quenda survey. The survey began initial analysis shows that causes of death Grazyna Paczkowska 9423 2914 in November 2011 and is now complete. include road kills, and predation by dogs, cats Department of Environment and and foxes, as well as poisoning and drowning. Observers sent sightings from 1,000 sites Conservation, Swan Region office 7 Turner Avenue, Bentley WA 6102 in the DEC Swan Region (Lancelin, south The 2012 survey results provide a record of to Preston Beach and east to York). Reports where quenda currently occur around Perth PO Box 1167, Bentley Delivery Centre of quendas or southern brown bandicoot that can be compared with future surveys, as WA 6983 (Isoodon obesulus) were also received from well as with an earlier DEC survey from 1990. Fax 9423 2901 as far afield as , Manjimup The results will also enable us to check our map Email [email protected] and Albany. This response confirms just how of potentially important habitat and identify Current and archived issues of Bushland accessible and popular quenda are, often potential sites for translocation of quenda that News are available at www.dec.wa.gov.au/ making themselves at home in people’s have been displaced by land clearing. programs/urban-nature/index.html. backyards. They are, however, dependent on For updates on the quenda survey visit nearby areas of bushland, from which they http://blog.wwf.org.au/tag/quenda/. For more Summer Bushland News travel into suburban areas. More than 200 information about quendas visit www.dec. Summer Bushland News contributions people sent in photos confirming that in wa.gov.au/content/view/7009/1979/. Contact almost all cases people were able to identify WWF-Australia species conservation manager should be sent to Urban Nature at bandicoots accurately. Causes of mortality Katherine Howard at [email protected], [email protected] by were also reported, giving us a clearer or DEC Swan Region ecologist Geoff Barrett Thursday 15 November 2012. understanding of threats to quenda. at [email protected]. Bushland News seeks original contributions. If your submission has been or may be published elsewhere © All material copyright. No part of the contents of the publication may be reproduced without the consent of the please let us know. Compiled and publishers. The views and opinions expressed in the articles in Bushland News are those of the authors and do not edited by Jo Tregonning. necessarily reflect those of the Department of Environment and Conservation.

2 Bushland News Issue 83 — Spring 2012 www.dec.wa.gov.au bushlandnews bushland weedwatch

Sparaxis: a wetland invader

By Kate Brown A major threat to the native flora and plant communities of clay-based wetlands of the Swan Coastal Plain is invasion and competition from South African geophytes such as Sparaxis bulbifera.

The plant communities of seasonal clay- Control based wetlands of the Swan Coastal Plain The current herbicide control have recently been listed under the federal recommendations are to spot spray Environment Protection and Biodiversity metsulfuron methyl 0.2 g/15 L + Pulse® Conservation Act 1999. On the southern or 2.5-5 g/ha + Pulse® just on flowering Plain, about 240 ha of clay-based wetlands at corm exhaustion, usually in early remain, which is considerably less than spring. Importantly, chemical 10 per cent of their original occurrence. control techniques are often Where S. bulbifera invades these wetlands only one part of an effective it forms dense monocultures, displacing the strategy for managing the spread rich native herbaceous flora. S. bulbifera. Hand removal of Biology small isolated populations in undisturbed areas can also be S. bulbifera is a summer-dormant geophyte, an effective part of a control sending up its first shoots with autumn rains. strategy. The wetland It has a corm that is renewed annually when soils are still soft in the plant is actively growing. A daughter corm, early spring and entire sometimes two, is produced as the previous plants including corms a) b) c) d) year’s corm exhausts and dies. Flowering come out quickly and occurs in early spring, and as summer easily with minimal soil disturbance. approaches plants produce prolific amounts Sparaxis bulbifera a) summer, dormant of seed and occasional stem cormels. With corm b) late autumn, corm begins to sprout c) early spring, flowering and corm exhaustion the onset of summer the leaves die back d) spring to early summer, leaves begin to and the corm goes into dormancy. Studies die back, seed and stem cormels are formed. indicate the seed remains viable in the soil Illustrations by Libby Sandiford. seed bank for less than 12 months. From: Brown K and Brooks K (2002) Bushland Weeds: A practical guide to their management. Environmental Weeds Action Dispersal Network, Greenwood, WA. While water flow plays a major role in seed dispersal into undisturbed bushland, fire probably also facilitates the spread of More information S. bulbifera. South African geophytes that Brown K and Brooks K (2003) Sparaxis occur in the fire prone environment of bulbifera (Iridaceae) invading a clay based the Cape Region of South Africa are well wetland on the Swan Coastal Plain – adapted to surviving summer fires. Soil control methods and observations on offers very effective insulation to the the reproductive biology. Plant Protection summer dormant corms and some have Quarterly 18(1): 26−29. contractile roots that pull the corms of Brown K and Paczkowska G (2008) Seed young plants deeper into the soil, helping biology of two invasive South African them avoid lethal fire temperatures. Fire geophytes and implications for natural area can break down corm dormancy and can management. Ecological Management and stimulate flowering, followed by prolific Restoration 9(3): 232−234. seed production. The post-fire environment then offers space and light where seeds Brown K L and Bettink K A (2009–) Swan can germinate and seedlings can establish Weeds: Management Notes, FloraBase — in the absence of larger trees and shrubs. The Western Australian Flora. Department Keeping frequent fire out of the wetlands of Environment and Conservation. is probably quite important in preventing Sparaxis bulbifera at Brixton Street Wetlands. http://florabase.dec.wa.gov.au/browse/ spread of S. bulbifera. Photo – Kate Brown profile/1558.

Bushland News Issue 83 — Spring 2012 www.dec.wa.gov.au 3 Spring 2012 econotes

Extinction forestalled By Kevin Thiele

On average, 50–100 new species of plants are described in each year. A number of recent plant discoveries have highlighted the existence of short-range endemics surprisingly close to Perth—and rediscovered a species presumed extinct.

Short-range endemic plants are species that occur naturally only in a very restricted area. They occur throughout WA, though mostly in areas that are floristically diverse, such as the Mount Lesueur area, National Park, the Banded Iron Formation ranges on the edge of the South West Botanical Province and, perhaps surprisingly, the Swan Coastal Plain. In 2010, during a flora survey of clay-based wetlands in the Kenwick area of Perth, botanist Cate Tauss collected an unusual specimen of Ptilotus. Unable to name the specimen, Cate brought it to the attention of Ptilotus expert Rob Davis at the WA Herbarium. Rob had also not seen another Ptilotus like it. The specimen was subsequently described as the new species Ptilotus christinae in 2011. Presumed-extinct species Ptilotus Hibbertia leptopus was rediscovered near Goomalling after 160 pyramidatus was recently discovered years. Photo – Kevin Thiele Further research at the 15 km from the Perth CBD. Photo – Cate herbarium, however, uncovered a small drawing of the presumed-extinct species Ptilotus Examination of the original specimen showed that it was indeed pyramidatus, described by a French botanist in 1849 based on a the same. Hibbertia leptopus had been rediscovered after 160 specimen collected by colonial botanist James Drummond a few years. In this case, the species was not listed as presumed extinct, years previously. Labelled simply ‘New Holland’, the specimen was having been removed altogether several years previously from the clearly collected somewhere in south-west WA. The drawing and census of WA plants. the new species were similar. Careful examination of an original These rediscoveries highlight the continuing importance of specimen of P. pyramidatus at the National Herbarium of Victoria botanical research, both in the field and at the WA Herbarium. showed that they matched. Ptilotus pyramidatus, not seen for 160 years and listed as ‘presumed extinct’ by DEC, had been Research such as this has in recent years reduced the list of rediscovered less than 15 km from the Perth CBD! presumed extinct plant species in WA from 53 in 1991 to 13 at present. This is a significant achievement for conservation. A similar rediscovery, this time in a highly cleared area of the Avon Wheatbelt, again involved Colonial botanist James Drummond. In Completely new and highly localised species are discovered every 2009, botanist Mike Hislop at the WA Herbarium brought to me a year, many of them rare and restricted. Unfortunately, the high specimen of Hibbertia he had collected several years previously near incidence of short-range endemics in areas such as the Swan Goomalling. It was collected while surveying remnant bushland on Coastal Plain and Avon Wheatbelt also means that clearing private property as part of the DEC-WWF Woodland Watch project. probably resulted in many species becoming extinct before they Again, this matched no recognised species of Hibbertia. were discovered or scientifically described. These are lost forever. Searching through the herbarium brought to light three other For the two species discussed here, extinction has been forestalled, specimens which were all collected since 2003 in the same at least for now, by careful floristic surveys and taxonomic general area. A literature survey revealed a species that appeared research. It remains for equally careful planning and conservation to match—Hibbertia leptopus, described in 1863, again based efforts to ensure that these vulnerable species continue to thrive on a single specimen collected by Drummond. in their special and restricted habitats.

4 Bushland News Issue 83 — Spring 2012 www.dec.wa.gov.au bushlandnews

Great Western Woodlands project: call for volunteers Searching for boneseed By Liz Fox By Luke McMillan BirdLife Australia, in partnership with The Nature Conservancy, has started a Community groups and land new project on the birds in the Great managers joined forces for the Western Woodlands (GWW). The GWW annual WA Boneseed Blitz from is the largest intact Mediterranean 7–14 September. Spring is the woodland on Earth and covers 16 ideal time to target this noxious million hectares. It lies between the weed as it produces conspicuous WA Wheatbelt and Nullarbor Plain, and bright yellow flowers. Boneseed includes much of the Goldfields region. (Chrysanthemoides monilifera It is an excellent place to see species such subsp. monilifera) is known as Gilbert’s whistler, southern scrub- at only 39 locations in the robin and chestnut quail-thrush. When south-west of WA, but 37 the eucalypts are in flower you can find million hectares are considered Chestnut quail-thrush (Cinclosoma large flocks of purple-crowned lorikeets castanotus) which occurs in the Great at risk of boneseed invasion. and numerous honeyeater species such Western Woodlands. Photo – Chris Tzaros Infestations have been found as the yellow-plumed, white-eared, from Geraldton in the north purple-gaped, and brown-headed. as participants. Four-wheel drives are to Albany in the south, with required in most areas and volunteers will concentrations in the Perth hills BirdLife will be conducting bird surveys need to be self-sufficient. Survey dates are and in Wheatbelt towns around in small groups in a variety of locations flexible. Please also contact Liz if you are Narrogin. It is important that across the region in every season to interested in future surveys but are unable any boneseed plants still hiding 2014. The summer survey will be held to make the upcoming dates. in backyards or bushland are 28 December 2012–2 January 2013 and reported. the autumn survey will be held during For more information contact Liz Fox on Easter. Expressions of interest are sought 0427 947 009 or 9287 2716 or The WA Boneseed project is from potential group leaders as well [email protected]. funded through the Australian Government's Caring for our Country program and managed by Perth Region NRM. If you think Taxonomists aboard electronic 21st century you’ve seen boneseed, take a photo and report potential sightings to the DAFWA Pest Info line on 1800 084 By Kevin Thiele recognised. Another change overturns 881 or [email protected]. a centuries-old tradition that required a Recent changes to the rules governing Alternatively, contact Luke McMillan, description in Latin, the once-universal the naming of plants have resulted in an WA Boneseed Coordinator, on language of science, to accompany the easier, faster and more modern process 0466 744 960 or 99374 3321 or description of new species. for naming the many new species that [email protected]. are discovered every year in WA. These changes come at an opportune time for the WA Herbarium, which recently The naming of plants (nomenclature) is moved towards electronic publication of governed by the International Code of its taxonomic journal Nuytsia. The changes Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants are helping staff at the herbarium describe (ICN) which is discussed and voted on at some new species more rapidly. Recently, a week-long meeting of the International Tetratheca spenceri was named in Nuytsia Botanical Congress (IBC)—the world’s just six months after its discovery near largest scientific botanical meeting, held Kalgoorlie. Of course such rapid publication every six years. The most recent IBC, held in can only happen when the considerable Melbourne in July 2011, saw some of the skills needed to recognise the new species most important and far-reaching changes are available, and when the taxonomy is to the ICN for many years. relatively straightforward. The ICN changes One change allows species to be described will help us deliver a more rapid taxonomy in fully electronic journals whereas which will help our attempts to save and Boneseed has bright yellow flowers during previously only printed journals were conserve WA’s remarkable plant biodiversity. spring, making this weed easy to identify and eradicate. Photo – Hillary Cherry

Bushland News Issue 83 — Spring 2012 www.dec.wa.gov.au 5 Spring 2012 Highlights Opportunities for you to take part! Visitors what’s on always welcome but please confirm activities Bibbulmun Track Foundation events suit all ages and most fitness with the contact person. Most activities are FREE! levels. From guided walks to learning how to cook on a fuel stove. Visit www. Sundays 8.30am−9.30am Thursdays 9am−11am bibbulmuntrack.org.au/walk-the-track/ Recurrent activities Guided walks followed by Friends Bushcare activities on the fourth events-calendar/. Saturdays of Mirrabooka meeting. First Sunday Thursday of the month at Baldivis Bushcare activities with the Mt of the month. Call Jan 9344 2872. Children’s Forest. Contact Jo 0410 1 Saturday September– Henry Conservation Group are on the 16 Tuesday October Sundays 9am–11am 341 087 or jo.tregonning@education. fourth Saturday of each month. Email Night stalks sponsored by Tronox Bushcare activities with wa.gov.au. [email protected]. are happening in your local area. Visit Cottesloe Coastcare are on the first Conservation Volunteers activity www.perthzoo.wa.gov.au/nightstalk or Saturdays 8am–9am Sunday of each month. Visit www. schedule. Free one-day local email [email protected]. Guided walks with Friends of cottesloecoastcare.org for details activities or overnight country trips. Koondoola. Second Saturday of the or contact Robyn on 9384 7668 or Call Jodi 9335 2777 or visit www. 2 Tuesday–13 Saturday October month. Meet at Gate 2, corner of [email protected]. conservationvolunteers.com.au. School holiday activities with Koondoola and Burbridge Ave. Sundays 9am–10.30am Research into bird populations Nearer to Nature. Visit www.dec. Saturdays 8am–9am Bushcare activities at Throssell with the Herdsman Lake Bird wa.gov.au/content/view/3404/1885/. Guided walks and meeting with Reserve, Eastern Hills in the Jane Banding Group. Call Bill Rutherford 8 Monday–11 Thursday October Friends of Landsdale. First Saturday Brook Catchment are on the second (ABBBS Coordinator) 0438 910 252. 18th Australasian Weeds of the month. Meet at third gate Sunday of each month. Call Una Bell Conference 2012, Melbourne. Landsdale Rd, east of Landsdale Farm 9572 1447. Developing solutions to evolving weed School, Darch. Sundays 9.45am–12 noon October problems. Visit www.18awc.com. Saturdays 9am Bushcare activities with the 3 Wednesday 29 Monday October–2 Friday Bushcare activities with the Friends Friends of Piesse Brook are on the Wildflower walk at Island Point November of Brixton Street Wetlands are on third Sunday of each month. Contact Reserve, Herron. Meet 9am at Australian Network for Plant the third Saturday of the month. Meet Gerry Brown 9293 2517, Bridgett Mandurah DEC office or 9.45am at Conservation 9th National Alton St, Kenwick. Contact Regina [email protected] or Island Point barbecue area. Call Peg Conference: Plant Conservation 9459 2964 or [email protected]. [email protected]. 9535 8401. in Australia – Achievements and Saturdays, Sundays 9am–12 noon Sundays 9am–12 noon 5 Friday 6.45pm–9.30pm Future Directions. Canberra. Visit Koala maintenance at Yanchep Bushcare activities with the Friends Night stalk with Friends of Ellis www.anpc.asn.au/conferences/2012. National Park. Call Kerstin 9303 7771. of the Spectacles (Kwinana) are Brook Valley. CoG Sundays on the third Sunday of each month. 31 Wednesday October 5 Friday 7.30pm 12.30pm–5pm Work morning with the Wilson Contact Lynda Smith on 9439 1928 or Birds with guest speaker Stephen Wetlands Action Group. Exact [email protected]. WA Sustainable Education Forum Davies. WA Nats(P) 2012: Our next courageous site is decided a week prior. Email Mondays 8.30am–10am 6 Saturday, 11 Thursday, 14 steps. Naturaliste Marine Discovery [email protected]. Bushcare activities with the Friends Sunday, 20 Saturday 9am Centre, Hillarys. Cost $20 or $10 of Mary Carroll Lake (Gosnells). Sundays 8am–9am Guided walks with Friends of Bold student. Visit http://admail.adcorp. Volunteers also work the fourth Guided walks with Friends of Park Bushland Volunteer Guides. com.au/ch/23477/2dcvf4q/1751330/ weekend of each month. FMCL Marangaroo. Fourth Sunday of the Contact FBPB. e0266gtz5.pdf month. Meet at Gate 3, Decourcey Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays Way. 9 Tuesday 8pm 25 Sunday–29 Thursday 9am–12 noon Native bees and wildflowers Sundays 8am–10am Bushcare activities and wetlands November with guest speaker Terry Houston. 13th International Conference Bushcare activities every Sunday walk trail maintenance with WSWA(P) with the Friends of Shenton Park Yanchep National Park Volunteers. Wetland Systems for Water Bushland. Contact Dani 9381 3470 or Call Kerstin 9303 7771. 10 Wednesday 7.30pm Pollution Control. Murdoch Fungi after fire with guest speaker University. Visit www.promaco.com.au/ [email protected]. Thursdays 8am–9am Richard Robinson. WA Nats(B) events/wetlandsystems2012.html. Sundays 8.30am Bushcare activities every Thursday Bushcare activities with the with Byford Enviro-Link. Call Johanne 14 Sunday 9am–11.30am 27 Tuesday–29 Thursday November Friends of Wireless Hill are on Garvey or Kristy Gregory 9526 0199. Nature ramble with Friends of Ellis Australasian Wildlife Brook Valley. CoG the second and fourth Sunday of Thursdays 9am–2pm Management Society Conference each month. Meet at main car park. Bushcare activities in Margaret 14 Sunday 9am 2012, Adelaide. Visit www.awms.org. Contact Margaret 0402 105 649 or River with the Capes Volunteer Team. Cape to Cape Track maintenance. au/pages/events.html. [email protected]. WA Nats(B) Call 9757 2202. 28 Wednesday–30 Friday 16 Tuesday 6pm November Role of invasive plants in Conference of the Society Registration/contact details facilitating human parasites with for Ecological Restoration guest speaker Richard Mack. UBC. Australasia, Perth. Visit www. BCF Baldivis Children’s Forest FMCL Friends of Mary Carroll Citywest Lotteries House, West Perth. seraustralasia.com/pages/conference.html. $10 adults, $5 children (5–16 years). Lake Gosnells. Eudoria St car Visit www.bushlandperth.org.au/. Bookings Michelle 0405 998 598 or park. Contact Unice 9398 7126 or 20 Saturday 7.30pm 3 Monday–7 Friday December [email protected]. [email protected]. Guided night walk at Dianella Ecological Society of Australia CoG City of Gosnells Registrations WA Nats(B) WA Naturalists Club bushland. FDB 2012 Annual Conference, Sebel essential. Contact Peta 9397 3111 or () RSL Hall, Busselton. Albert Park, Melbourne. Ecology: 20 Saturday 8.30am [email protected]. Call Bernie 9727 2474. Fundamental Science of the Biosphere. Work day with Canning River FBPB Friends of Bold Park Bushland WA Nats(P) WA Naturalists Visit www.esa2012.org.au/. Regional Park Volunteers. Call Jo Meet at WA Ecology Centre, Perry Lakes Dr, Club (Perth) Hew Roberts 9458 3669 or email Pam admin@ 18 Monday–22 Friday February Floreat. Call 9480 3996, email Lecture Theatre, UWA Extension. canningriver.org.au. Global Herbicide Resistance [email protected] or visit Clifton St, Nedlands. Email info@ Challenge Conference, Perth. www.bgpa.wa.gov.au. wanaturalists.org.au. $2 door entry. 21 Sunday 9am–11am Guided bird walk with Birdlife Visit www.herbicideresistance FDB Friends of Dianella Bushland Meet WSWA(P) Wildflower Society of conference.com.au. at reserve car park. Enter from Dianella Dr, WA (Perth) Subiaco Community Australia at Baldivis Children’s Forest. Gay St, then Channel 7 Private Rd. Contact Centre. Email wildflowers.perth@ BCF WA Citizen Science Conference Jan 9344 2872 or [email protected]. ozemail.com.au. $2 door entry. 26 Friday 7.30pm has been postponed from November Nocturnal walk with Friends of 2012 until 2013. For revised Please send us your January, February and March 2013 events by Star Swamp Bushland. Bring a torch. conference notices visit www.ccwa.org. Thursday 15 November 2012. Contact Christine 0430 013 364 or au/content/citizen-science-conference. [email protected].

6 Bushland News Issue 83 — Spring 2012 www.dec.wa.gov.au bushlandnews

Blackberry project – 5 years on 26 Friday 8am–3.45pm 16 Friday 7.30pm Canoeing at Canning River Regional Tuarts with WA Naturalists Club Park. Contact Amy 9458 5664 or (Kwinana Rockingham Mandurah By Andrew Hemsley [email protected]. Branch). Naragebup Rockingham In 2007 the Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA) Regional Environment Centre. Email 27 Saturday 6.30pm–8pm initiated the Blackberry Buffer Zone project to stop the Night stalk (Halloween theme) at [email protected]. $2 entry. Baldivis Children’s Forest. BCF 17 Saturday 8.30am southward spread of American blackberry (Rubus laudatus). 28 Sunday 7.30am–10.30am Jewel beetle walk at Dianella The area targets a 6 km wide buffer from Australind to Darkan. Breakfast with the birds with bushland. FDB Friends of Mary Carroll Park. CoG 19 Monday 9.30am R. laudatus is resistant to the rust fungus developed by CSIRO to treat European blackberry (R. anglocandicans) in south-west 28 Sunday 8.30am–10am Guided insect walk with Phylis Bushcare activities with Friends of Robertson and Friends of Paganoni WA. If allowed to spread further south, R. laudatus is likely to Mary Carroll Lake. FMCL Swamp. Meet at entry near re-infest areas where European blackberry has been reduced. powerlines. Contact Leonie 0439 921 298 or [email protected]. The project has grown since inception and a Blackberry November 24 Saturday 8.30am–10am Working Group was formed between DAFWA, South West 2 Friday 7.30pm Bushcare activities with the Catchments Council, Leschenault Catchment Council, DEC and Friends of Mary Carroll Lake. FMCL The use of biota in mineral Department of Water. exploration with guest speaker 25 Sunday 9am Mel Linton. WA Nats(P) Aquatic life in the Vasse Wonnerup More than 420 ha of blackberry have been treated since 2009 3 Saturday, 8 Thursday, 18 Sunday estuaries. WA Nats(B) and all R. laudatus infestations found south of the buffer zone 9am have been treated or contained. Treatment effectiveness has Guided walks with Friends of Bold Park Bushland Volunteer Guides. December been more than 95 per cent in nearly all infestations after Contact FBPB. 8 Saturday the first year of treatment. An online database has also been 4 Sunday 8.30am–12 noon Shorebirds 2020 training developed for tracking blackberry control and planning future Native plant sale with Friends of workshop. Identification and treatment and rehabilitation work. Kings Park. Exhibition Ground (off Fraser monitoring of shorebirds of the Perth Ave). Rare and unusual native plants. metropolitan coast. Contact Coastcare Targeted surveillance of R. laudatus is planned for the Visit www.friendsofkingspark.com.au. officers Craig Wilson 9439 0433 or Ferguson, Preston, Capel and Blackwood river systems south [email protected] 7 Wednesday 9.30am or Kate Sputore 9285 5099 or of the buffer zone. We will continue to encourage private Wildflower walk at Pinjarra Nature [email protected]. landowners to control blackberry on their land and engage Reserve. Meet at gate, south end of Phillips St. Call Graham 0400 893 499. with other stakeholders for a coordinated approach to Activities key 10 Saturday 9.30am–12.30pm blackberry surveying and control. Native grass workshop with Bush The long-term success of the buffer zone project will depend Skills for the Hills, Mahogany Creek hall. Hands on – bushland and Contact EMRC 9424 2216 or rebbekah. wetland management activities. on landowners, community and local governments in the [email protected]. Walks and tours – look, south-west identifying, reporting and eradicating R. laudatus 13 Tuesday 8pm listen and enjoy guided walks when they find it. For more information or to report Regional variation in salmon gum and excursions. R. laudatus infestations contact Andrew Hemsley on communities in the Great Western 9780 6120 or Ken Okamitsu on 9726 4131. Woodlands – preliminary findings Skills development with guest speaker Judith Harvey. activities – talks, WSWA(P) presentations, training courses and workshops. 14 Wednesday 7.30pm Geothermal energy from hot dry Meetings and events – rocks with guest speaker Dennis Gee. group meetings, expos, festivals WA Nats(B) and conferences.

Funding opportunities

The Biodiversity Fund will Landowner Biodiversity support activities which restore, Conservation Grant program manage and better protect gives financial and natural biodiversity on public and resource management private land. Projects could training support to Cockburn include biodiverse plantings, landowners who wish to protecting and enhancing conserve and enhance the existing native vegetation and natural bushland and wetland American blackberry (Rubus laudatus) (right) is distinguished by bright controlling invasive pests and areas on their property. Grants green elongated leaves. The leaves of European blackberry (R. anglocandicans) (left) are darker green above with a whitish weeds. Round two 2012−13 is to a maximum of $3,000. underside. R. laudatus begins flowering one to two months earlier likely to close 31 January 2013. Closes 31 October 2012. than its European cousin. Photo – Blackberry Working Group Visit www.environment.gov.au/ Visit www.cockburn.wa.gov.au/ cleanenergyfuture/biodiversity- Council_Services/Environment/ fund/index.html. Grants_and_Subsidies/default.asp.

Bushland News Issue 83 — Spring 2012 www.dec.wa.gov.au 7 Spring 2012 regionalreports Please send us your regional report (150–200 words) and a photo by Thursday 15 November 2012. Text may be edited in response to volume of submitted reports.

Congratulations Heidi By Steve Collett Tuart forest restoration project

The -Harvey Catchment Council has partnered with the federal government, DEC, Murdoch University and the Lake Clifton community to restore the collapsed tuart forest ecosystem within Yalgorup National Park. The ecosystem decline during the past 10–15 years has put extra pressure on the resident and migratory birds, as well as the endangered Carnaby’s cockatoo and western ringtail possum, which both breed within the park. The project also aims to reduce threats to the critically endangered thrombolite community. Planting and seeding started this winter and will be Landcare award finalist Heidi Hardisty at work alongside Lake Claremont. completed in winter 2013. A total of 30,000 tree Photo – Peter Randell seedlings will be planted and 25 ha of understorey species will be seeded. As the largest community- Heidi Hardisty, coordinator of the native seedlings. As a full-time based tuart forest restoration project of its kind, Friends of Lake Claremont, won the volunteer, she has started and success will be measured in years to come by the 2011 Individual State Landcare Award leads many programs and events return of tuarts, understorey diversity and small and was a 2012 National Individual such as Celebrate Lake Claremont, ground-dwelling mammals and other fauna. Landcarer Award finalist in September. the Year 10 Community Service Program with local high school For more information contact Jane O’Malley on Heidi has been instrumental in a students, Walking Weeders, 9583 5128 or [email protected]. project to transform an old golf course National Tree Day, and Clean Up around Lake Claremont in western Australia Day. Perth into an ‘urban biodiversity hotspot’. This winter she continued For more information on the her work, leading hundreds of other Friends of Lake Claremont email volunteers to plant nearly 50,000 Heidi on [email protected].

Cockatoo numbers remain low

The Great Cocky Count (GCC), organised by BirdLife Australia in partnership with DEC, counts how many Carnaby’s cockatoos (Calyptorhynchus latirostris) are at their roost sites on a single April night each year. Thanks to the efforts of 252 volunteers across south-west WA, including regional areas, another successful GCC was held in April 2012. The minimum population size of Carnaby’s in the Swan Region was 4,036 this year. This is similar to the 2011 estimate and 40 per cent lower than 2010, suggesting numbers are still down in the region. BirdLife Australia believes the Swan and Peel regions are critical winter feeding habitat essential for the survival of Carnaby’s, and must be protected. A new BirdLife Australia project for Carnaby’s and Baudin’s cockatoos on the Swan Coastal Plain is underway. The project will support landholders, particularly those near priority roosting sites, to plant suitable food and roosting trees and combat weed invasion. It will work with the Dieback Working Group to raise awareness about Phytophthora dieback and William (left) and Joshua unearth ‘dinosaur’ bones as part its impact on black cockatoo habitat. The project will also work with of activities at the Forest aimed at promoting a love of our natural environment. The Baldivis Children’s Forest project nurseries to encourage gardeners to plant local native plants suitable for won the United Nations of Australia World Environment black cockatoos. Day 2012 Sustainability Education Award at a dinner in Melbourne on 8 June. The award recognises the projects Results from the 2012 GCC are available at www.birdlife.org.au. innovative educational programs in bushland conservation, For more information contact Tamara Kabat on 9287 2204 or Aboriginal culture, nature play and sustainability. Visit [email protected]. www.baldivis-childrens-forest.com.au. Photo – Jo Tregonning

8 Bushland News Issue 83 — Spring 2012 www.dec.wa.gov.au bushlandnews

Heritage trail rehabilitation By Gwyneth Dean Tackling weeds

The Railway Reserves Heritage Trail in the Shire The removal of weeds along the whole By Leonie Stubbs of Mundaring follows the old railway lines length of the trail is our dream. Other Prior to 2005, Paganoni Swamp from Bellevue to Wooroloo and includes a loop groups are working on different sections Reserve was an isolated patch of from Mount Helena. The trail is 59 km long to the same aim and it would be beneficial bushland with unrestricted access to and is one of the ‘Top Trails WA’. It follows if we could join forces and consolidate the Serpentine River. Since that time Jane Brook for many kilometres, includes rural these projects. Our small section in Mount there has been construction of a and urban landscapes, and traverses a range Helena includes heavy work and a DEC rail line and Kwinana Freeway on its of habitats almost to the Swan River. The trail Environmental Community Grant will boundaries, a widening of Paganoni corridor maintains biodiversity for vegetation enable contractors to assist us. We will Road and the encroachment of and wildlife. be working in partnership with bushcare suburbia. officers from the shire and hope that once There are more than 70 friends groups in the this section is under control we will be able In May 2012, a meeting was organised shire. Volunteers from the Friends of Pioneer to extend the vision. with Urban Nature, DEC Regional Park, a member of Jane Brook Catchment Parks, Main Roads WA, the City of Group, and others have joined forces to work For more information contact Gwyneth on Rockingham and the Public Transport on rehabilitating a section of the trail. 95721447 or [email protected]. Authority. As a result, participants decided which weeds were priorities for the year and the most effective Topsoil used in banksia woodland revegetation means to address the weed threat. A City of Rockingham grant will enable By Eddy Wajon our Friends group to target perennial veldt grass on the road reserve The Friends of Ken Hurst adjacent to Paganoni Swamp. This Park and City of Melville will be the first year that no herbicide used a DEC Environmental spraying will be required for Geraldton Community Grant of carnation weed within the reserve – $14,410 to revegetate a great achievement! Our Centranthus degraded areas, primarily and Cape tulip (Moraea flaccida) tracks and edges, in the park patches targeted over a number of during May–June 2012. years have significantly diminished. Topsoil from cleared banksia On the negative side, dune onion woodland was transported weed (Trachyandra divaricata) remains from Jandakot airport persistent and Fumaria is appearing all Volunteers planting tubestock along rip lines at Ken Hurst Park. and placed in temporary over the place. Photo – Eddy Wajon stockpiles. Areas where the We completed our first revegetation topsoil was to be placed were project this winter on degraded A second planting of 600 seedlings ripped to loosen compacted land adjacent to the railway line. involved 17 volunteers and focussed on soil. A 2.2 m wide tractor was used so We continue to carry out ‘Rapid an un-ripped area of wetland within the areas could be accessed without damaging Bushland Assessments’ and forward park. Each planting hole was disturbed vegetation. The tractor pulled a ripping bar our results to Geoff Barrett at DEC. It to a depth of 300 mm using a purpose- with four tines set at 0.6 m intervals to rip provides an opportunity to regularly built narrow spade. This reduced soil the soil to a depth of 300 mm. A front-end assess what is occurring within the compaction in unripped areas and loader carefully distributed the topsoil over bushland, particularly birds, and if allowed the tubestock and tree guard the pre-ripped area. A 1.5 m wide posi- any infestations of weeds have been stakes to be easily installed. track bobcat, supplemented by shovels, overlooked. was used to spread the topsoil uniformly to Soaking rains, ripping the soil and follow- We are now meeting weekly instead a depth of 50–100 mm. up watering (at least monthly between of monthly. For more information October 2012 and April 2013) is expected Forty-nine volunteers from the Friends contact Leonie on 0439 921 298 or to result in a high plant survival rate of Ken Hurst Park, WA Native Orchid [email protected]. and very good germination of the seed Study and Conservation Group, Emerson contained in the topsoil. Stewart Consulting, Southern Metropolitan Regional Council and the Bullcreek Scout For more information contact Eddy Group planted about 1,300 dryland plants on 9310 2936 or 0428 345 231 or in the prepared areas. [email protected].

Bushland News Issue 83 — Spring 2012 www.dec.wa.gov.au 9 Spring 2012

Opera house traps threaten rakali By Karen Bettink

Baited opera house style traps and fyke nets are used to catch marron and yabbies in our waterways, farm dams and commercial marron farms. Tragically our native rakali are part of the bycatch.

Rakali or native water rat (Hydromys chrysogaster) is WA’s only freshwater aquatic mammal and one of only a small set of top order natural predators in freshwater ecosystems in Australia.

Threats Rakali are protected nationally and are listed as ‘priority 4’ in WA. Local extinctions and substantial declines of rakali in south-west WA are attributed to drought, salinisation, habitat loss and degradation. Natural predators include snakes, birds of prey and large fish. However, the most significant threats are from introduced species and A rakali found drowned in an illegally set opera house trap near Thompson Bridge, Roleystone on the human activity, including the use of opera Canning River in 2011. Photo – Paul Mutton house traps designed to capture yabbies and marron. another report of a mortality of this type in May. They have also documented rakali As the name suggests, opera house traps drownings in opera house traps set legally resemble the form of the Sydney Opera on a private farm dam in Gulgong, NSW. House. They generally have two opposite funnelled rings for entrances which allow Finding a solution animals to enter but not exit the trap. The APC has been lobbying for a ban on Bycatch of these traps around Australia the sale of opera house traps in Victoria in include platypus, water rats and freshwater response to growing community concern turtles. Marron and yabbies form part of about the problem of trap bycatch. The Rakali (Hydromys chrysogaster) is WA’s only aquatic the rakali’s natural diet. Rakali are lured into APC is encouraging responsible retailers freshwater mammal. Photo – Karen Bettink the traps by their caught prey but drown in to discontinue the sale of opera house several minutes. traps and to market safer alternatives such The Department of Fisheries releases information on legal drop net use prior to In south-west WA, rakali deaths in these as lift/hoop nets. As a minimum, retailers the recreational marron fishing season in traps go largely unreported and unrecorded are encouraged to place warning tags on January/February each year. but are likely to be a common occurrence. all opera house traps. However, the APC A trap was removed last year from the recognises no state or territory is likely The use of illegal traps set in public Canning River in Roleystone containing a to consider a ban on these traps until waterways can be reported to the drowned rakali, with an older deceased stakeholders are sure a viable option that is Department of Fisheries on 1800 815 507. animal nearby. Anecdotal reports and ‘bycatch safe’ is available. Rakali sightings and deaths can be drowned animals in traps and fyke nets reported to Keith Morris at DEC on Legalities have been retrieved from wetlands and 9405 5159 or [email protected]. waterways from to Northcliffe in In WA, opera house traps and fyke nets the south. Not only are rakali victims of traps are still sold but generally without any More information illegally set in waterways – in 2008 and 2009 warnings or information on regulations. It is Australian Platypus Conservancy www. approximately 20 oblong (long-necked) currently illegal to use these traps in public facebook.com/pages/Australian-Platypus- tortoises were found drowned in traps in waterways, and while they may be legally Conservancy-Official/225816770830721. Loch McNess, Yanchep National Park. used on private property there is still the risk to rakali and freshwater turtles. Using Department of Fisheries www.fish. This year, the Australian Platypus entrance rings less than 40 mm diameter, wa.gov.au/About-Us/Contact-Us/Pages/ Conservancy (APC) in Victoria reported or a wire/plastic grid over larger rings to Fish-Watch.aspx. two dead rakali found in an opera house exclude rakali and turtles, are short-term Karen Bettink on 9423 2904 or trap in Wodonga in April, followed by solutions. Drop nets are a safer alternative. [email protected].

10 Bushland News Issue 83 — Spring 2012 www.dec.wa.gov.au bushlandnews groupprofile

Friends of Porteous Park By Mike Norman

After a series of five fires lit by vandals in as many years, and subsequent weed invasion, the bushland of Porteous Park was going to ruin. Following a letter drop to surrounding streets, an unincorporated friends group was formed in 2002 to restore the bushland. A decade later, most of the same volunteers are still involved. Porteous Park in Sorrento is a sizable remnant of banksia woodland of vegetation type Cottesloe Complex – Central and South containing more than 100 species of flowering plant. Initially, the Friends identified and targeted three aggressive weeds; perennial veldt grass (Ehrharta calycina), Geraldton Not all hard work – Mike (left) and some members of the Friends of Porteous Park enjoying morning carnation weed (Euphorbia terracina) and tea. Photo – Mike Norman Pelargonium capitatum. The concept of zero tolerance weeding was adopted, that has been received from DEC and is, removal of those weed species over the City of Joondalup respectively. the entire park before seed shed. Manual These grants are currently being removal methods were used by the Friends used to target the complete removal (herbicide use is not permitted) and the of Cape tulip (Moraea flaccida) and City of Joondalup sprayed the grasses using Gladiolus caryophyllaceus. Relatively grass-selective herbicides. Of these, veldt small grants such as these have been grass is still somewhat of a problem due very effective in achieving bushland to incomplete coverage of the spraying restoration objectives. in some years. The Friends now manually Planting of local provenance seedlings remove any missed veldt grass a month or supplied by the City of Joondalup has two after spraying. been used to infill degraded areas. The number of weed species removed has However, the focus on zero tolerance increased to 22. Much of the work is done weeding has seen a large amount in July and August prior to seed set to of natural regeneration occur to the avoid the need to bag the weeds, thereby point that most of the bushland is increasing weeding efficiency. Bulbous now in good condition. weed species are bagged. Special tools have been designed and manufactured to More work is needed over the assist with the efficient manual removal next few years to bring remaining of weed species, especially those with aggressive weed species down to bulbs. Given that the ground is quite hard very low levels. Will we be able to and stony in places, the weeds cannot be eliminate them entirely? Time will tell! quickly removed using a standard hand While working in Porteous Park David (left) and Kara with bulbous weeds gladiolus trowel. we are often joined by Carnaby’s and Cape tulip following only two hours work in August 2012 using our specifically designed ‘super Community weeding and planting cockatoos feeding in parrot bush trowel’. Photo – Mike Norman events are held at least once a month (Dryandra sessilis) only a few metres during winter and spring. Our work is away. This year we have seen at least one augmented by the use of grant-funded fledgling being fed by its mother. Sadly, Our website www.porteouspark.org.au specialist contractors under Friends Group cockatoo numbers are down on what features photos of the flora and fauna of Coordinator supervision. In 2012, another they were just five years ago. Preserving Porteous Park. For more information on Environmental Community Grant of $3,850 our local bushland can only help this activities contact Mike on 0438 710 527 and a Special Purpose Grant of $2,000 threatened species. or [email protected].

Bushland News Issue 83 — Spring 2012 www.dec.wa.gov.au 11 Spring 2012 Resources New publications Website watch Recent research

An Introduction to Coastal Gardens brochure 2012 Great Cocky Count survey Ooi M K J (2010) Delayed encourages residents living close to beach dunes report. Visit www.birdlife.org.au. emergence and post-fire to plant local native gardens. This will assist with recruitment success: effects of Perth Green Events View the reducing weed invasion from gardens into the dune seasonal germination, fire season calendar to see what events are vegetation and also support native fauna. Download and dormancy type. Australian coming up or list your own. Visit at www.stirling.wa.gov.au/Resident/Sustainability- Journal of Botany 58(4): www.perthgreenevents.com/. and-environment/Sustainability/Gardening at home/ 248−256. Gardening at home information/Growing plants - Weed Society of WA has Rayner K, Chambers B, Johnson Coastal Gardens.pdf updated their website. Visit B, Morris K D and Mills H R www.wswa.org.au/. Buchanan R (2009) Restoring natural areas in (2012) Spatial and dietary Australia. New South Wales Government. Covers Caring for our Country review requirements of the chuditch mapping, describing and assessing vegetation, report. Visit www.nrm.gov.au/about/ (Dasyurus geoffroii) in a semiarid resilience, project management and techniques for caring/review/index.html. climatic zone. Australian managing weeds, fire and responding to climate WetlandCare Australia is a national Mammology 34(1): 59−67. change. $44. not-for-profit, non-government Hopper S D (1994) Kangaroo Paws and Catspaws – science-based organisation, dedicated a natural history and field guide. DEC. RRP $24.95. to supporting the community in on- Available to all readers at the special discounted price ground action to repair wetlands. The of $4.95 per copy! This field guide is still a definitive website provides resources for staff, Are your details correct? text on these world- researchers and the general public. famous WA plants. Visit www.wetlandcare.com.au/. Please check your mailing details and let us know if we How do you identify Coastal Research is a web portal to need to change anything by the species? Why national, regional and local research phoning us on 9423 2914. have so many species on Australian coasts. It has short, evolved? How do If you’d prefer to receive this acronym-free research summaries, newsletter electronically, send they respond to fire? links to freely available data, metadata What pollinates an email entitled ‘email me’ to and research under Creative Commons [email protected]. them? How do you licence. TERN will manage the website. grow and hybridise Visit www.coastalresearch.csiro.au/. them? 20120317-09-1600 bushlandnews Printed on 100% recycled, totally chlorine free (TCF) paper using vegetable-based inks.

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