BushcareJANUARY 2013 news Bushcare Christmas Party 2012 A great day on the Hawkesbury River for our Bushcare and Nursery volunteers.

Notes from the Top End A personal account of the Australian Wildlife Conservancy. Wareemba teams attack the Arundo Making progress thanks to dedicated teamwork. Jumping What to do if you come into contact with them. Bushfire Important things to consider for summer.

+ Staff reports ı Volunteer reports ı Bushcare training ı Office matters ı Diary dates and events

Newsletter managed by Hornsby Shire Council Natural Resources Branch

For more information visit hornsby.nsw.gov.au/bushcare BUSHCARE NEWS Fagan Park Eco Garden Tanya Mein, Eco Garden Officer

The Fagan Park Eco Garden started staff, pick up brochures or read the garden or offsite as part of our Satellite out as a community endeavour in interpretive signs. The Eco Garden is Seeds and Seedlings program. 2000 with the additional support of an excellent example of gardening and We are looking forward to providing the then Northern Waste sustainability where we include fruit the community with more events in Board and Hornsby Shire Council. and vegetable growing, water 2013 as well as joining forces with The last couple of years have seen conservation, native , native the staff and volunteers at the renewed efforts under the direction bees and waste reduction. The Eco Pennant Hills Community Nursery of the Council Waste Education and Garden continues to be used for the so please keep your ears open for Parks teams. Council’s waste initiatives such as those activities. ‘Compost Revolution’ and the school We have increased community based ‘Ready Set Grow’ program. contact and education through free workshops, kids activities and open The Eco Garden wouldn’t be the days, with an emphasis on waste and success it is without the ongoing hard sustainability issues. Our focus is on work of our volunteers both past and providing a relaxed and informative present. We have individuals, families environment where visitors can and groups as well as school and wander through the garden, chat to community group visits. We certainly welcome new volunteers both in the

Contact Details Hornsby Shire Bushcare Earthwise Cottage 28 Britannia St, Pennant Hills General Bushcare enquiries E: [email protected] Mail: PO BOX 37 Hornsby NSW 1630 Bushcare Survey needs your input Environmental Scientist – Bushcare You can help shape the future of Hornsby Council Bushcare. Leanne Johnston and Meron Wilson 9847 6362 Have your say and give us your suggestions for improving the Bushcare program. All Bushcare volunteers will soon receive a survey and your Coordinator Community participation would be greatly appreciated. We will be sending you an Programs email with a link to an online survey. If you receive your Bushcare News in Danielle Sutton 9847 6360 the post you will receive a paper survey in the mail. Nursery and guided bushwalk It will only take a few minutes to complete but will give us really useful information information to help us design a better program. Please fill out just one Incident and hazard reporting survey and email or mail back to us by the 31st January 2013. Thanks in 9847 4848 advance for your support!

2 JANUARY 2013 Welcoming new volunteers and Hellos & farewells farewell to others. Louise Rowsten New retires from Bushcare volunteers Every Monday morning for the past 14 A big welcome is extended to Paula years Louise could be found in the bush Ellis (Rosemead and Manor Road), at New Farm Road, West Pennant Hills. Cecilia Wong (Stanley Road), She was one of the original volunteers David Swain (Roselea), Mary at the site, working with the late Janne O’Byrne (Magnolia), Terry and Aaron Hourigan under the supervision of Semple (Fearnley Park) who have Sheila Woods. successfully completed their probationary training this year and Louise is a sociable person, having are now fully fledged volunteers. grown up with lots of brothers and sisters, and a good cook. Her fellow There are another twenty one Loiuse Rowsten volunteers Tony, Jacky and Sandy, volunteers who have attended and their Trainer Jane, particularly Bushcode, or completed their three enjoyed sharing these qualities with her over morning tea breaks. months on site with a Trainer, but not both. We look forward to them Louise was a keen bushwalker, and wore out the bottoms of her feet joining the registered volunteer team exploring the great outdoors. She has now decided to hand in her bushcare next year! pouch to spend more time in her garden and with her grandchildren. Group members are very sorry to see her go, and hope she will stop by often on her walks. They are pleased to be able to say that at the time of her leaving, the site is totally weed free (and should remain so until the next good drop of rain!)

Farewell Clive and June Moller

Clive and June officially have worked on their site since 1997, supported by a succession of Trainers starting with Sheila Woods and ending with Brendan Gulson. Now, eighteen years later, they have decided to hand in their tools. They have successfully regenerated a patch of Peppermint-Angophora open forest outside their home, where the land slopes down to Terrys Creek, and now look forward to watching the native birds and enjoy the fruits of their labour. They will try not to look at the groundcover weeds that lurk just beyond the site boundaries, and would Clive and June Moller (front left to right) cheer anyone who took them on.

hornsby.nsw.gov.au/bushcare 3 BUSHCARE NEWS Wareemba teams Ann Brown attack the Arundo

he Wareemba and Wareemba/Tyas bushcare sites jointly cover around 1.5 hectares along (mostly) the T western bank of Larool Creek, which links with Waitara Creek and the Berowra Valley National Park. Over the past 10 years the combined groups have largely eradicated the usual exotic weeds that had overtaken the creek bank and surrounding bushland. However once that hard work was done we were faced with tackling an enormous stand of Arundo donax or Giant Reed. Arundo is a member of the grass family, with canes up to six metres in height and capable of growing ten centimeters a day. The removal process is, as you can Wareemba before grant work imagine, a daunting task for a group of nine volunteers, most of us now at that ‘certain age’. Barbara Tyas was lucky to be made aware of, and we subsequently saw in the Advocate, twenty five Landcare Grants to be made available to community groups for special projects. We then discussed with our trainer, Jane Gye, our suitability for such a grant and after downloading and completing the application on-line we put together a brief PowerPoint presentation. We selected a dozen photographs highlighting the Arundo problem and ‘showcasing’ the restoration work in the sites, the spectacular waterfall and one of our neighbourhood picnics. Wareemba after grant work The Council Community Nursery came to the party with a commitment of 300 tubestock to aid in the restoration. Subsequently Landcare provided us with a $2,000 grant, which enabled us to employ contractors. The funds would cover us for about 48 hours of labour so, to eke our funds out and make the most of the money, we elected to work a schedule of one day a week with the contractors. Each Friday between 9.00am and 2.30pm the contractor fired up the saws and we volunteers began to haul giant fronds uphill from the creek to the road, where they were cut and bundled ready for removal. Over the coming weeks we amassed some 300 plus bundles lining the roadside. Thankfully the council also donated a truck for the removal. With such dedicated teamwork and effort we actually managed to surpass the estimated area able to be removed. There is still a lot of work to do beyond our boundaries and perhaps another grant will enable us to pursue this to link our creek walk to the nearby remnant Blue Gum forest and Volunteer working at Wareemba further improve habitat along the corridor for birds and other wildlife.

4 JANUARY 2013 Over the past 10 years the combined groups have largely Wareemba creek with Arundo eradicated the usual exotic weeds Wareemba creek without Arundo that had overtaken the creek bank and surrounding bushland.

Your stories and news items are always very welcome. Visit us on the web hornsby.nsw.gov.au/bushcare

hornsby.nsw.gov.au/bushcare 5 BUSHCARE NEWS Trad Bash @ Terrys Creek

n Saturday 10 November grasses and shrubs, right down to the it would release excess nutrients into Hornsby Bushcare Chain of Ponds that trainer Brendan the soil. Sonny asked me how many Ovolunteers and neighbours Gulson and I created a few years ago. I bags I needed. “Is ten too many?” I gathered at Lucinda Coates’ Terrys couldn’t believe how much there asked. Luckily he left me 40. The Creek Bushcare site to remove an suddenly was. I enthusiastically team filled a total of 36 from the site infestation of Trad (Tradescantia started work with my new Bushcare (Sonny collected them all the fluminensis) that had spread from a trainer Adam, but realised we needed following Monday)! fill pile into the bushland. a helping hand to get rid of the Trad. “Irene planted native tube-stock into We needed a working bee. The Terrys Creek valley lies at the the bare patches: mainly small shrubs, southern tip of Hornsby Shire. The “My cunning method was to tempt sedges and other plants that will build narrow corridor of bush along the Bushcare volunteers with a light lunch a more suitable habitat for small birds creek boasts one of the few and a yummy afternoon tea, then arm than Trad, and loads of native grasses. Endangered Ecological Communities them with weed bags and let them I have had good success in the past of Blue Gum High Forest in the Shire loose on the Trad. with bird sightings in my Bushcare site among its mix of soil and vegetation and my garden: Superb Blue Wrens, “It worked beautifully. Some turned up types, and supports an amazing variety White-throated Scrub Wrens, a Rose early to partake of delicious (if I do say of wildlife. A number of passionate Robin and, most recently, a pair of so myself!) salads but there was no Bushcare groups work along its Eastern Spinebills. It can only get lingering; others headed straight down length, and once in a while one will better, with more suitable plants. to the site, armed to the teeth with call for a working bee. This time it was tools, weed bags and attitude. “Everyone had a great time. I really Lucinda. She takes up the story. Everyone worked very hard for three recommend, if you have never “My site was in desperate need of hours or so and I was amazed at attended (or organised) a Bushcare help. For over a year I had not been the results. working bee before: just do it! It’s able to maintain the weeding regime great for a temporary change of Bush “Hornsby Bushcare staff gave me required. During this time Trad (mainly) regeneration routine, you get to meet Special Dispensation to bag the Trad had re-invaded areas that had been and work with local and other – I didn’t want to compost it on site as cleared and planted with native Bushcare site volunteers, check out different sites and maybe get some extra help at yours at a later stage. Depending on the time of day, there might be on offer some scrummy lunch or delicious morning or afternoon tea. It’s also an excellent social event and the host, of course, gets a huge helping hand for their Bushcare site! “My heartfelt thanks go to Noel and Rae, Margot, Simon, Irene, Judy, trainer Adam and my next door neighbour Ken (who thinned out some excess giant bamboo grass at my request, for fire preparedness). Also thanks to Sonny, Ross and all the Bushcare team for the plants, afternoon tea, tools and support.” If you would like ideas on how to organise a working bee for your site, contact the Environmental Scientist – Bushcare by emailing: Trad Free [email protected]

6 JANUARY 2013 Jumping Ants If you spend any time working in the bush over summer, chances are you will come into contact with a jumping or ten. The experience is likely to be a painful one.

his is because Jumping Ants 60cm diameter mound of belong to the Australian finely granular gravel. If the itching and pain is native stinging ant , T Jumping Ants are carnivores and persistent, ask a pharmacist for advice . The genus is broadly scavengers. They collect nectar and about antihistamines. subdivided into bull ants, also known other juices, as well as as bulldog or soldier ants of which The more serious reactions are prey, which are carried back to the nest. the red and black species (Myrmecia generalised allergic reactions, the most They sting their victims with venom that pyriformis) is a good example, and severe of which is anaphylaxis. is similar to stings of wasps, bees, and the jumping bull ants such as the Jumping Ants are responsible for about fire ants. Their venom is one of the Jack Jumper Ants (Myrmecia pilosula) 90 per cent of anaphylaxis in Australia, most powerful in the world. and Common Jumping Ants (Jumper Ants in Tasmania). Anaphylaxis Jumping Ants are proven hunters; even (Myrmecia nigrocincta). Bull ants can is a life-threatening allergic reaction in wasps are hunted and devoured. be large, around 15mm to 25mm which the person often gets a rash, long, whereas Jack Jumper and As with many species of bull ants, feels their throat tighten, and Common Jumping Ants are generally Jumping Ants are usually solitary when experiences swelling of the lips and 10mm to 15mm long and often they forage, though they live in colonies face and difficulty breathing. If there is display jerky, jumping movements like most ants, and only workers evidence of an anaphylactic reaction forage. They are highly territorial, and immediate medical treatment is needed. Shared characteristics include large fights among Jumping Ants from eyes, long, slender mandibles and a If you have previously had a serious different, and even the same, colonies potent venom-loaded sting. They have allergic or anaphylactic reaction to an are not uncommon. superior vision, and can track and even ant sting you should carry adrenaline follow intruders from a distance of one The Sting while working on a Bushcare site. Let metre. Many species of bull ants have your Bushcare Trainer know if you have Bull and Jumping Ants will attack bright red or orange colours on the been diagnosed with allergies or if you intruders of any size that come too head or abdomen. Jack Jumper and are carrying medication. close to their nest, and will follow or Jumping Ants can be told apart by the even chase them a good distance. Wearing the recommended PPE (long all black body and yellow jaws of the The ants deliver painful stings by trousers, closed shoes, long sleeves Jack Jumpers and the orange and black gripping the intruder with their and gloves) will reduce the intensity of bodies of the Common Jumping Ants, mandibles (jaws), curling their ant sting – though they can still bite but geographically Jack Jumpers are abdomen to reveal the sting and through clothing. It is good practice to more likely to be found in the southern injecting the victim with venom. mark Jumping Ant nests on Bushcare mainland states including Tasmania, Often multiple stings are delivered. sites so they can be avoided. If you while Common Jumping Ants are more come across an ant nest please let common from Victoria to north Jumping Ants are aggressive and the your Bushcare Trainer know. Hopefully . North of the harbour the stings they deliver, like those of bees before you get stung. most common species is the Common and wasps, are very painful. Local Jumping Ant. swelling is very common, lasting a few Information sources: days at a time. An ice pack or Tristram Thomas; Bush Regenerator: All up there are about 90 species of commercially available spray may be North Sydney Council Myrmecia ants in Australia with nine used to relieve the swelling and pain Professor Simon Brown: HYPERLINK species recorded in Sydney. There may (Rapaid is provided in Hornsby “http://www.allergy.org.au/content/ be more as yet undiscovered. Bushcare First Aid kits). Alternatively, if view/12/111/”Australian Ant Venom Jumping Ants live in urban areas, Bracken () is Allergy Study (AAVAS) forests, woodland and heath. Their nearby – and it usually is - rub frond sap Australian Museum: Martyn Robinson nests are usually underground and can on the sting site (new unfurling fronds pers. comment; and website: extend several metres. Small entrances are best). Relief should occur within australianmuseum.net.au are inconspicuously hidden under a fifteen minutes. Image: rock, or may be formed from a 20 to www.brisbaneinsects.com

hornsby.nsw.gov.au/bushcare 7 BUSHCARE NEWS Bushcare Christmas Party 2012

he 2012 Bushcare Christmas Party was held on the Hawkesbury on a lovely Hawkesbury Cruise catamaran on Saturday 1 December. We’d like to thank the crew for their great service, particularly the kids, Madison and Alex. T The day was a huge success with over 100 Bushcare and Nursery volunteers attending. It was a difficult choice between battered dory and chips and vegetable quiche and salad but all who attended managed to make a decision. Incidentally both options were delicious! Justin provided the commentary on the interesting history of the river and its people. There was ample opportunity for people to talk and watch as the boat passed by the islands. The crew also opened the bar after lunch for volunteers to purchase beer, wine or other drinks. Some of our volunteers looked very relaxed sharing a drink with their bushcare buddies. Many were grateful for the air-conditioning in the cabin; others preferred the gentle cool breeze on the deck. Many volunteers were sun smart and brought along hats and umbrellas to provide some relief from the hot sun. There was a lot of bushcare hats on display on the day but the stand out was Lucinda. Lucinda’s hat was very festive, decorated with Christmas baubles, candy canes etc. That leads me to wonder if we could have a Christmas bonnet/hat competition next year!

Having it on a ferry was a great Achievements of the Natural idea as it allowed all the Resource Branch volunteers to mix together and talk to others that we probably After lunch Di Campbell, Hornsby Council’s Manager-Natural wouldn’t have met if the party Resources, spoke about some of the Natural Resource had been held in a hall Branch achievements. Did you know that 187 hectares of somewhere. There was a bushland is actively being restored by Council, this includes much more relaxed the 68 hectares that bushcare volunteers regenerate. The atmosphere which made the Hornsby Community Nursery produced over 52,000 plants official part of the day less and dispatched over 32,000 for the year. “official”. We were also able to Other Council achievements include the development of the talk to the trainers more easily online Native Tree database to facilitate tree identification. To in relaxed surroundings. find out more about how to identify 40 of our native trees The food was also pretty good go to http://www.hornsby.nsw.gov.au/services/trees/ and the staff running the indigenous-trees. Other projects include the Estuarine ferry were first Class and Wetland and Migratory Bird Survey, Hornsby Heritage Step very helpful. restoration, bushfire mitigation of Woodcourt Fire Trail and the completion of the Habitat Connectivity grant. The Congratulations all round and I habitat connectivity grant included the regeneration of hope that you are able to give 9.3 hectares public and private bushland. The project it another go next year. included 281 participants including private landholders. The team also reviewed the draft Hornsby Local Tony Rees, Francis Green Bushcare Environment Plan and Development Control Plan. The team Group, Cherrybrook were also responsible for achieving over $1million of grant funds this year.

Tony Rees in the striped shirt Lian and Roselea volunteers 8 JANUARY 2013 BUSHCARE SPECIAL Bushcare Christmas Party 2012

6. Watson Avenue, Hornsby The Watson Avenue site was a mess of weeds when the Awards Shellens moved into their place in 1991. They decided they wanted to improve the quality of bushland next to their Special Achievement Awards property, and approached Council for help. A kind staff member came out and helped label the trees and plants. The Special Achievement Awards were for groups who have been working on their bushcare sites for over 20 years. In October 1992 Jim and Mary joined the program and set to work, under the expert hands of Tein McDonald. Their site 1. Observatory Park, Beecroft was, and still is, dauntingly steep, so they focused at first The Observatory Park Bushcare on the bits that could be easily reached, removing large group started in May 1988 swathes of Bamboo, Privet and Camphor laurel. when bush regeneration was in its infancy. Golden Trowel Award John Noble, who many know as Chilworth Reserve Bushcare group is awarded the a driving force in the community, prestigious Golden Trowel this year for and who sadly died last year, „„ was one of the original Implementing good bush regeneration practices and members. Other original principles on site „„ members Sheila Woods and Successful regeneration of a very large bushcare area „„ Ron Leslie are still going strong. Ron Leslie Longstanding persistence and dedication 2. Abuklea Road, Epping „„Being a cohesive In February 1991 Jean Miller organised her husband Charlie community group and some neighbours to carry out the primary clearing of that supports privet and lantana. She then started popping across the each other road for a few hours, on a regular basis. After about five If you would like to visit years of this Charlie decided to get involved. He got serious Chilworth Reserve, they about it. He studied Bush Regeneration at TAFE and applied will be hosting the his new found knowledge and ability to the site. Bushcare Site Tour 3. Chilworth, Beecroft for 2013. Chilworth Reserve Bushcare group Chilworth was one of the pioneer Bushcare groups that helped Council get involved managing the bushland under Nursery Awards its control. According to Council records it started in June Mark Greaves was awarded the nursery award. Mark’s 1991 at the request of local resident John Noble. enthusiasm for the nursery is almost unsurpassed. He 4. Rosemead Road, Hornsby volunteers at the nursery as often as he can, and is also a The group started work in 1989 under the umbrella of the keen assistant in extra curricula seed collecting expeditions. Hornsby Conservation Group, members of which were He has put in countless hours on expeditions to collect a keen bushwalkers and protectors of bushland. They officially wide variety of key species that the nursery produces. joined the Bushcare program in May 1992. Mark’s passion is matched by an advanced level of 5. Currawong, Berowra Heights understanding of the science behind the nursery’s bank of The Currawong site started in July 1992 when two local stored seed. This is clearly demonstrated through his mothers put an advertisement in the local paper asking for participation in the seed preparation component of work at help to restore the natural vegetation. The weed-choked site the nursery. was also being used as a rubbish dump. Mark is continually looking for ways to improve the Rae and Noel Rosten were among the thirty or so who management of the stored seed bank that is so essential to responded, and they are there still. Other early starters the nursery’s operation. His contribution is highly included Jim Hatfield, who retired a few years ago. Jim was appreciated and valued. also a member of the local fire brigade and was very helpful Congratulations to all. in getting ecological burns happening. Tony Rees in the striped shirt

hornsby.nsw.gov.au/bushcare 9 BUSHCARE NEWS Bushfire

f the 30,000 hectares of develop and undertake an annual bushland within Hornsby hazard reduction program which aims OShire over half is managed to reduce the threat to life, property by the National Parks and Wildlife and the environment. The committee Service, 17 percent by Council, and a also takes on an educational role, small proportion is managed by the and is continually developing its Department of Primary Industries FireWise program. (Catchments and Lands). The rest is Many residents have moved to mostly privately owned. Hornsby Shire specifically because of Hornsby Shire Council is responsible the bushland setting. This proximity to for approximately 49 kilometres of the bush provides residents with many interface with public and private assets aesthetic and recreational (including approximately 5,000 opportunities; it also increases the risk dwellings). Assets located directly of bushfire impacts to life, property along this interface are generally the and the environment. most at risk to bushfire impacts. What can private Council is a local authority under the landholders do? Rural Fires Act, and a member of the Private landholders need to prepare for Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Bushfire bushfire. All residents near the Management Committee along with bushland interface should have the Rural Fire Service (RFS), NSW Fire completed a Bush Fire Survival Plan. 3. What will your triggers be to act? Brigade and the public land managers. 4. What will your back-up plan be? The Plan template has been developed The committee is guided by the by the RFS to help residents decide You can download a copy of a Bush Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Bushfire Risk what is the best plan for family and Fire Survival Plan from www.rfs.nsw. Management Plan which sets out pets well before bush fire threatens. gov.au/dsp_content.cfm?cat_id=4073 initiatives for fire management and These decisions include: &gclid=CMqhsqWHubMCFchdpQodI seeks to develop a coordinated and 1. How will you prepare? UwA2Q strategic approach within the Hornsby and Ku-ring-gai Local Government 2. Will you Leave Early or will you To receive a hard copy phone areas. Under this plan, local authorities Stay and Defend? Hornsby Rural Fire District: 9883 2000

10 JANUARY 2013 Prepare Yourself

Preparation is not just about your house and having a plan. It is also about considering your physical, mental and emotional preparedness. A bush fire can be terrifying. If you have any doubts about your ability to cope, you should plan to leave early.

PREPARE YOUR PROPERTY A well prepared home is more likely to survive a bush fire. Even if your plan is to leave early, the more you prepare your home, the more likely it will be to survive bush fire or ember attack. A well prepared home can make it possible to defend. No one wants residents and/or fire fighters risking lives. A well prepared home is less likely to put your neighbours’ homes at risk. A well prepared home will give you more protection if a fire threatens suddenly and you cannot leave and have to take shelter. For more information: NSW RFS www.rfs.nsw.gov.au https://www.facebook.com/HK.RFS Phone: 9883 2000 FIRE AND RESCUE NSW http://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/page.php?id=751

Reporting threatened species

f you think you have found a or call 131 555. This is also where Formal data bases such as the Atlas of significant or threatened species, you should report possible NSW Wildlife are very helpful when Ipopulation or community please Aboriginal sites. Please cc bushcare conducting environmental be sure to report it to the Office of when you make a report to the OEH. assessments, and when documenting Environment and Heritage (OEH) via base line data to facilitate monitoring their web site www.environment. Records provided to National Parks are programs. It also allows site checks on nsw.gov.au/wildlifeatlas/about. catalogued and verified, and distributed flora and fauna to be undertaken. htm#contribute. to local government and other stake holders. Accurate, reliable and current If you are not sure of the information is vital to ensure the significance of the species, or are effective management of natural curious about what is going on in Past newsletters can bushland areas and cultural sites, which your back yard, check out the be viewed in colour are vulnerable to a wide range of threats website – it is user friendly and full on Council’s website such as feral animals, pollution, disease, of interesting information. hornsby.nsw.gov.au/bushcare climate change and development.

hornsby.nsw.gov.au/bushcare 11 BUSHCARE NEWS

Emily Mowat, Chilworth Bushcare writes about Notes from the her 6 month internship with the Australian Top End Wildlife Conservancy

Hi Sheila and team! animals, including Northern Brown 28-42 degrees every day!) and hiking. bandicoots which had never before Mornington seems to have an endless Sorry for my extremely late reply, been captured on Mornington. number of gorges and waterholes, and internet access has been very limited, being larger in size than the ACT you especially at Wongalara sanctuary in Aside from trapping for the surveys, could easily spend years there and still the NT. Before that I was at we have also done trapping aimed at not see all of it! Mornington sanctuary in the central endangered species. One weekend Kimberley for 3 months, and prior to we camped at a gorge on Mornington There are lots of new plants to learn that I was in the Tanami desert on and put out cage traps for Northern up in the top end, but I have eventually for a month. It Quolls. We caught about 15, and got to gotten to know a lot of them. At has been amazing seeing such remote learn how to handle them. I was also Wongalara the other intern and I took parts of the country. involved in the annual finch census, in our own survey teams for a week so which all staff and about 10 volunteers we had to quickly learn all the plant Most of the work I have been involved survey waterholes for finches every species in order to do vegetation with is part of the annual morning for a week. Quite a few surveys at our sites! There are a few surveys at each of the sanctuaries. people spotted Gouldian finches, and weeds up here that are really bad, This involved trapping for small there were large numbers of several mostly notably Passiflora foetida, mammals and reptiles nearly every other finch species around too Parkinsonia and Callitropis (rubber week for 5 months. On Mondays we (Crimson, double-barred, long-tailed & bush). The land management staff drive to our sites (the furthest a day’s pictorella mannikins). There are many spray them whenever they are found, drive away), dig holes for pitfall traps, other amazing birds around and I am but as the properties are so big the then dig trenches for a drift fence – a getting quite into birdwatching! weeds can often take hold before lot of digging! We leave the site open anyone notices. Passiflora in particular for 3 days and check the traps for On weekends we have been on quite is now out of control, as every wet animals every morning and afternoon. a few adventures such as going season it spreads further down the We have caught lots of interesting canoeing in gorges, swimming in rivers as they flood. waterholes (it has been between One great thing about the Top End is that there has been a lot less land clearing than down south – a lot of pastoral land is savannah vegetation which has fairly sparse trees, meaning it was already suited to cattle without the need for much clearing. Australian Wildife Conservancy is slowly taking cattle off large areas of the sanctuaries, which will be great for both the plants and the wildlife, but unfortunately they can’t yet get rid of cattle completely because the land is managed under a pastoral lease. Hopefully that will change one day, as it is incredible how much damage the cattle do in terms of erosion. I’d love to hear the latest from the bush and how things are going for you. Cheers Emily Northern Quoll

12 JANUARY 2013 Most of the work I have been involved with is part of the annual biodiversity surveys at each of the sanctuaries.

Weed’s Network

Did you know that there are more introduced plant species (27,500) than native plants (24,000) in Australia? And how many of them are or have the potential to become environmental weeds? Around ten per cent of them have become ‘naturalised’ or ‘established’, meaning they now grow by themselves and thrive in the wild. Find out more about weeds and what to do with them by logging on to www.weedsnetwork.com an impressive free public weed information site managed by Dr David Low, PhD in Scientific Communication (ANU 2003) and Master of Environmental Science (Monash 1992). Dr Low has joined forces with like minded boffins from Australia and beyond to “foster ways to better understand weeds so they become a resource we can use with environment and future generations in mind”. The Weed’s Network describes itself as “passionate about a sustainable, viable and creative future in our relationship with weeds”. The Network aims to provide evidence-based information for innovative ways of thinking about, engaging with and managing weeds sustainably. You can subscribe to the weekly Weed News Digest to keep in touch with the latest research, or just tap into the comprehensive on-line library to find out more about that pesky plant growing on your bushcare site.

hornsby.nsw.gov.au/bushcare 13 BUSHCARE NEWS Little Lorikeet Glossopsitta pusilla

he Little Lorikeet is an Paperbarks, they also feed on increasingly rare species of Mistletoes – both flower and fruits. This T bird that inhabits the Hornsby nomadic lifestyle has been highlighted Shire Council area. A tiny parrot it locally with good flowering across the weighs around 40g and is Hornsby Shire of Blackbutts approximately 16cm in length. It has (Eucalyptus pilularis) attracting small a relatively short tail and its wings flocks of Little Lorikeets. appear short and angular when in Little Lorikeets tend to nest in smooth flight if you can manage to capture barked Gum Trees with a hollow a glimpse of this high speed flier as opening width of just 3cm preferably. it weaves and twists between the They breed in the cooler months tree tops. Little Lorikeet between May and September. Photo courtesy of Birdlife Australia When feeding it often associates The major threats to Little Lorikeets are noisily with other Lorikeets particularly loss of breeding sites and food Musk and Rainbow, but its higher pitch resources from ongoing land clearing call always gives its presence away. particularly of mature hollow bearing The call can be described as a high- Sign-on trees. As such the Little Lorikeet is pitched, insect-like screech zit-zit. listed as Vulnerable under the NSW Little Lorikeets are blossom nomads in Threatened Species Conservation Sheets that they move around following the Act 1995. nectar trail of flowering Eucalypts and Just a reminder to the Group Leaders to submit you ‘sign-on sheets’ to your Trainer. If you don’t Winner of the Photo have a Trainer at present give us a call on 9847 6362. Competition We need to report on the number of volunteer hours for Council’s Annual Report to the Community, This year we did things a little differently. the State of the Environment We held the photo competition in Report and to safeguard funding October, Hornsby Shire Council’s for the bushcare program. bushcare month. The photos were on Last year our reported hours display at the Earthwise Cottage and on dropped dramatically by 5,000. Council’s facebook. This was the first There are various reasons for the time people outside of bushcare were decrease, including wet weather, eligible to vote. but a big contributor to the decline The winner was Ted Angelo, in hours was not receiving the Flannel Flowers. sign-on sheets. We also had a new category, Before Ted Angelo & Danielle Please be sure to document all and After Bushcare Site Photo. hours so we can accurately Barry Tomkinson from Short Street won demonstrate volunteer this section. commitment to bushcare. If you Thank you to everyone who entered want the sheets returned for your the competition. records just tick the box at the end of the page. Many thanks for your The photos were on display at the cooperation and a gold star to Wallarobba Art Centre in Hornsby in those that are already diligent in November. The popular photos will be submitting the sheets. on display throughout the year in local libraries.

14 JANUARY 2013 Please note you need to book Glossopsitta pusilla into most events, and numbers are limited. If you don’t book Diary dates the event may be cancelled.

Eco Garden Basic workshop For more information, go to An introductory session on Eco www.hornsby.nsw.gov.au, call Compost and Worm Gardening techniques such as 9847 6832 or email bushland@ Farming Workshop permaculture, no dig gardening, hornsby.nsw.gov.au Come to a fun and free composting companion planting, crop rotation and When? Saturday 23 March 2013 and worm farming information much more! Time? 1:00pm – 3:00pm session to get the dirt on how to Free for Hornsby Shire residents. Where? Hornsby Council’s create one for your home. Bookings essential, spaces are limited Community Nursery, When? Sunday 24 February 2013 call 9847 4856. 28 Britannia St, Time? 10:00am – 12:30pm When? Saturday 16 March 2013 Pennant Hills Where? Eco Garden Gazebo, Time? 10:00am – 12:30pm Eco Garden, Fagan Park Pools to Ponds Site Visit Where: Eco Garden Gazebo, Visit a demonstration site with Peter Book: Free for Hornsby Shire Eco Garden, Fagan Park residents. Bookings Clark, from Ku-ring-gai Council, to learn essential, spaces are Bird Walk and Talk about converting your unused backyard limited call 9847 4856 Discover some of the wide variety of pool into a beautiful wildlife haven. birds that live in the Wisemans ferry When? Sunday 24 March 2013 area. We will visit a variety of Time? 10:00am – 11:30pm vegetation types to see how birds Book: 9424 0179 or inhabit different niches and see the [email protected] great variety of bird species we have in the Hornsby Shire. Botanical Photography When? Saturday 16 March 2013 Workshop Time? 7:30am – 12.30pm This is a practical workshop, be sure to Where? Earthwise Cottage, bring along a camera with macro 28 Britannia Street, capabilities. John will talk briefly about Pennant Hills composition and using the available Presenters: Ross Rapmund and light to get the most out of your Sonny Armstrong photographs. Be prepared to take lots Book: 9847 6832 or bushland@ of photos. Bookings essential. hornsby.nsw.gov.au When? Wednesday 10 April 2013 Time? 9:00am – 1:00pm Native Plant Giveaways Where? Ku-ring-gai Wild Flower Ratepayers from the following suburbs Garden Snake and Reptile Talk only are invited to pickup four free Presenter: John Martyn When? Saturday 2 March 2013 native plants on production of a rates Book: Phone Ku-ring-gai Time? 1:30pm – 3:30pm notice: Beecroft, Carlingford, Castle 9424 0179 Where? location given upon Hill, Cheltenham, Epping, Eastwood, booking Glenhaven, Pennant Hills, North Native Plant Giveaways Presenter: Philip Topham Epping and West Pennant Hills. Ratepayers from the following Book: Phone Ku-ring-gai Limited stock available on the day. suburbs only are invited to pickup four Bushcare on 9424 0179 free native plants on production of a rates notice: Asquith, Berowra, Compost and Worm Berowra Heights, Brooklyn, Cowan, Farming Workshop Dangar Island, Hornsby, Hornsby Come to a fun and free composting Heights, Mt Colah, Mount Kuring-gai. and worm farming information Limited stock available on the day. session to get the dirt on how to For more information, go to create one for your home. www.hornsby.nsw.gov.au, call Free for Hornsby Shire residents. 9847 6832 or email bushland@ Bookings essential, spaces are limited hornsby.nsw.gov.au call 9847 4856. When? Saturday 4 May 2013 When? Friday 8 March 2013 Time? 1:00pm – 3:00pm Time? 9:30am – 11:30am Where? Hornsby Council’s Where? Wallarobba Garden (behind Community Nursery, Willow Park), Edgeworth 28 Britannia St, David Ave, Hornsby Pennant Hills

hornsby.nsw.gov.au/bushcare 15 BUSHCARE NEWS

First Aid Kits for Bushcarers Tube Pot As part of our duty of care to our Tick remover. Returns volunteers we make sure you are Luckily our sites are provided with basic First Aid equipment. relatively tick free, Please return to the Trainers carry a kit with them whenever but some volunteers community nursery they attend a site. Group Leaders of experience strong any tube pots you may groups that meet outside Trainer visits reaction to bites. If have lying around at are also supplied with a kit. Single family this is you, let your Trainerknow. home or at your bushcare site. groups that work on sites next to their Antiseptic itch relief spray packs or The nursery has nearly run out of homes are expected to use their single use cream pouches. Very tube pots after not having to personal kits if they have one. welcome if bitten by something that purchase new tube pots for over Current kits are supplied by Uneedit. isn’t put off by the insect repellent (don’t 3 years due to the high return rate They are packaged in a soft green zip forget Bracken fronds also soothe). of recycled tube pots. fastened pouch, and contain a pre- Ice packs. Single use application for You can drop return tube pots in selected assortment of bandages and relief of sprains and strong reactions to person, or place them in the after accessories considered useful for most insect bites. first aid situations. The kits include a list hours chute at the nursery gate. Compression bandage. Specifically for of contents. Some of these, such as Thanks!! that rare but unwelcome encounter eye washes, have a limited shelf life and with a venomous snake or spider. need to be replaced regularly. The First Aid contact for each group is As well as the standard kit we provide asked to take responsibility for Group First Aid contacts are also asked a few extras that are often welcome registering use of any of the pouch’s to get out of date items replaced. This on site. contents, and for reporting the incident can be done via the Trainer, or when Insect repellent spray pack. Keeps to Safehold (9847 4848). If the Trainer is doing a Bushcode Refresher. If you mosquitoes and to a lesser extent present, and their pouch’s contents don’t have a Trainer, you can contact the leeches at bay. used, they will report it. Bushcare office on 9847 6362.

PLEASE CONTRIBUTE TO THIS NEWSLETTER Almost every week there is You can send your stories or letters to the Editor in for the next a free guided walk through a

edition by 1 MARCH 2013 part of the Hornsby Shire

Fax: 9847 6362 Mail: PO Box 37, Hornsby 1630 bushland. Brochures at

or Email: [email protected] libraries and Council offices.

This newsletter has been compiled by the Natural Resources Branch and Bushcare volunteers.

POSTAGE PAID Hornsby NSW AUST 1630 THE BUSHLAND SHIRE If not claimed within 7 days please return to PO Box 37 Hornsby NSW 1630

Hornsby Shire Council Bushcare Newsletter | january 2013