Banksia Bulletin

autumn 2021

John Eichler receives Bayside’s 2021 Environment Award Working bee updated Bayside Community Nursery now open From the Mayor In this issue

Welcome to the Autumn edition I had the pleasure recently of Special features Other articles of Banksia Bulletin. joining 23 environmental groups at It is wonderful to be out and about the Bayside Environmental Groups’ in Bayside, seeing familiar faces and Listening Forum. PLANTS OF BAYSIDE 4 enjoying our natural environment The idea to hold this event came once again. from Caroline Lawton, President of ATTRACTING 4 A huge ‘welcome back’ to the the Beaumaris Conservation Society, BAY ROAD HEATHLAND Bayside Community Nursery, where who had the brilliant idea to bring all SANCTUARY 5 a fantastic gala event was held on the environmental groups together to Saturday 27 March to mark the share their priorities with Council. BAYSIDE COMMUNITY opening of the 2021 season. Over the course of the morning, we NURSERY IS OPEN 12 It has been nearly 18 months since listened to representatives from each IN MY GARDEN the nursery has been open to the group as they presented many ideas. 6 AUTUMN BIRD COUNT 13 public. Thank you to all the volunteers These ranged from introducing a who have been busy in the preceding program to plant replacement Banksia WHAT ARE THE BUSHLAND months preparing our indigenous integrifolia trees on the coast to ways AND NURSERY CREWS plant stock for sale. Joining me at the we could better protect and expand role in protecting and enhancing UP TO? 14 opening were Cr Hanna El Mouallem Bayside’s tree canopy. Many groups our local environment. We heard MCRP BEACH PATROL 3193 15 and Cr Fiona Stitfold. I’m looking shared ideas about how to best recruit, about some of the challenges we face forward to planting the Eucalyptus train and retain volunteers. such as maintaining Ricketts Point WATER – THE LIFEBLOOD OF viminalus I purchased at Fairway Aged Council listened as environmental as it continues to grow in popularity LIFE ON EARTH 16 Care as part of a planning regulation, volunteers spoke passionately about as a destination for visitors from far PEAS IN A POD? very soon. how their groups play an important and wide. 8 HOW TO PUT ECOSYSTEMS Thank you to my Councillor BACK TOGETHER WITH colleagues who also attended including A POLE 17 Cr Clarke Martin, Cr Alex Del Porto, CONGRATULATIONS Cr Fiona Stitfold and Cr Jo Samuel-King. VOLUNTEER GROUPS 18 JOHN EICHLER who helped organise the event and BAYSIDE 2021 Thank you also to the Council Officers for showing their interest in listening ENVIRONMENT AWARD to our community by joining the conversation on a Sunday morning. WINNER Council is considering the ideas 10 that were presented and looks forward to progressing some of these in the near future.

Cr Laurence Evans Mayor Laurence Evans OAM speaks to the crowd at the Bayside Mayor Environmental Groups’ Listening Forum. Bayside City Council

Australian Emerald ( australiae) by Pauline Reynolds Australian Painted Lady ( kershawi) by David Cook (Creative Commons)

L-R: Alison Murnane, Jason Hall, Michael Norris, Attracting Michael Ruyg, Cr Jo Samuel-King MBBS, Helen Water Ribbon (Triglochin procera) Williams and Sue Forster. Photo by Annie Dennis. Plants of butterflies Bayside Butterflies are a welcome addition Bay Road Words and photo by Aaron Hurrell, to any garden and are easily Citywide Bushland Crew attracted with a few simple design principles. Heathland Water Ribbon Put out a dish of damp sand and a flat The Water Ribbon (Triglochin procera) is a variable and rock for butterflies to bask in the morning robust, formed, perennial plant with a thick woody sun. Provide sheltered and shady positions rhizome and cylindrical tubers that can handle being throughout the garden that let them retreat Sanctuary fully aquatic or live an amphibious lifestyle. during the heat of the day. Butterflies prefer The leaves are erect, or float on the water, usually flat flowers, such as daisies, that are easy to between 0.1-3.5m long and 5-40mm wide with dark February working bee land on to extract nectar. They are attracted green colouring on the top surface and the bottom surface paler in colour to a yellowish green. to a range of coloured flowers, in particular A recent Bay Road Heathland The flowers of the Water Ribbon are found densely blue, yellow and red. Sanctuary working bee on Saturday 27 packed on a 6-51cm long spike but shorter if found February attracted a great turnout of Look for the icon on pages 28-60 growing in permanent water, roughly numbering volunteers from the Friends group. between 52 to 320 small greenish flowers. The flower in Live Bayside, Plant Bayside publication This unscheduled working bee made spikes can either be standing erect or falling over. for plants that provide food and shelter for up for the previously scheduled activity, The Water Ribbon requires freshwater up to 2m deep butterflies. which was cancelled due to the snap or irregular flood areas in full sun and semi-shade. lockdown in February. Source: Bull, Marilyn (1991) Flora of Melbourne: A guide to the You can purchase some of these plants from Friends enjoyed an impromptu visit indigenous plants of the greater Melbourne area Carlton Vic: Hyland the Bayside Community Nursery, which is from Councillor Jo Samuel-King MBBS Bay Road Heathland Sanctuary Friends group removing bracken on House Publishing now open for sales (see page 12 for more). who dropped by for a quick chat and Saturday 27 February. Photos by Sue Forster. to help with bracken removal.

4 Banksia Bulletin | Autumn 2021 Banksia Bulletin | Autumn 2021 5 In my garden

Story and photos by Pauline Reynolds Here, I share recent sightings from my garden.

This spectacular Wandering Ringtail Damselfly Austrolestes( leda) was spotted on 11 February 2021, in the same week I also saw an Australian Emerald Dragonfly (Hemicordulia australiae) on 6 February 2021 (inset and on the cover). Both were warm days and these magnificent creatures were photographed enjoying the late afternoon sun. You will notice too they are both sitting on indigenous plants – Austral Storksbill (Pelargonium australe) and Knobby Club- sedge (Ficinia nodosa) respectively.

Wandering Ringtail Damselfly (Austrolestes leda)

6 Banksia Bulletin | Autumn 2021 Banksia Bulletin | Autumn 2021 7 Propagating from seed has advantages from a conservation point of view. Seedlings provide genetic diversity, whereas cutting-grown plants are clones and have genes identical to the parent. Often, seedlings are also more resilient when planted out, as they have stronger or better-structured root systems.

‘pea pods’ forming on the Pale Wedge PeaIt atwas Long very Hollow exciting this to year.find some I’m curious as to why our Gompholobium has set seed, apparently

we had a wetter season and the plant wasn’tfor the strugglingfirst time, thisto survive year. Is as it itbecause normally does? Or is that only part of the explanation? I have watered the Long Hollow Gompholobium to ensure its Unripe pods of Pale Wedge Pea (Gompholobium huegelii) January 2021. survival over several previous summers. Photo by Rob Saunders. But it didn’t set any seed then. Another possibility is that there may be more or different pollinators around locally than in previous years. Nectar

a range of different . There areproducing many native flowers pollinators such as peas and attracttheir Pale Wedge Pea (Gompholobium huegelii) – a locally rare indigenous wildflower. Photo by Rob Saunders. abundance tends to change from one season to the next, for reasons that are not fully understood. Certain characteristics of the pollinator are critical with bush peas. A long tongue is useful for the to reach the hidden nectaries of pea

insect can part their petals and trip theirflowers. spring-loaded But only an stamens,appropriately-sized dusting Peas the insect with pollen to transport to successful pollinators for Gompholobium in a wouldanother be flower. larger It than seems those likely for thatthe more Over the years, John Eichler has Blood-tipped Resin Bee photographed at Long Hollow by John Eichler. photographedcommon ‘eggs aand number bacon’ of flowers. different pod? native bees at Long Hollow, including several from the Lasioglossum family By Rob Saunders Most of Bayside’s indigenous peas The local Purple Coral Pea hard to miss. Our Pale Wedge Pea one or two seedlings have emerged (Social Burrowing Bees) and a couple Friends of Long Hollow Heathland are small shrubs with bright ‘eggs and (Hardenbergia violacea) is a strong (Gompholobium huegelii) tends to be after some of Bayside’s ecological of different Megachilids (solitary Resin and Rare Plants Group climber with eye-catching sprays of a low, scrambling shrub. It has tiny burns in recent years, we know of Bees and Leafcutter Bees). Research Eight local from the genera Aotus, leaves in groups of three, but relatively fewer than 10 plants scattered around in Tasmania suggests the native Bossiaeabacon’ coloured, Daviesia flowers., Dillwynia, Platylobium The popular Running Postman (Kennedia just four reserves – Long Hollow, Megachilids can be important pollinators and Pultenaea prostratamauve, pink) is anda ground lime greencover flowers.with bright our other bush peas, they are single- Gramatan Avenue, Balcombe Park and for Gompholobium huegelii. Another in shades of yellow and reddish brown. coloured,large (2cm) with flowers. a lovely Unlike soft, anypale of George Street. Even Golden Spray all have (Viminaria flowers that juncea come), a Indigo (Indigofera australis) has very lemon hue (above left). Propagation of the Gompholobium pollination, Rudie Kuiter, has also red flowers. And the adaptable Austral For a long time, I have been concerned has not been easy either. Bayside toldfield menaturalist the Megachilids who specialises are abundant in orchid Three other local pea species are more Bayside has one other indigenous about losing the Pale Wedge Pea Community Nursery has grown a this year. Perhaps they are producing distinctive,taller upright being shrub, varied has insimilar their flowers.growth memberpretty sprays of the of pea pink family, or mauve but it flowers. is from Bayside’s reserves, as it is only few trays of cuttings, but until this an unusually fertile year for our present in very low numbers. While year no seed had ever been collected. Gompholobium?

form and flower colour. as hard to find as the other peas are

8 Banksia Bulletin | Autumn 2021 Banksia Bulletin | Autumn 2021 9 Black Rock naturalist John Eichler is a • a handful of records of species that are logs, and its documented insect species regular contributor to Banksia Bulletin, rare in Victoria; and now number over 266. known to readers for his extraordinary • a few species that appear to represent For the past 40 years, John has been an new state records*.’ active contributor to surveys with the Field and fauna, particularly marine life, insects Naturalists Club of Victoria. His skills have andphoto-documentation birds. of local fungi, flora planthopper or fungus bug that has been On 26 January 2021, John was the acknowledgedOne example of as John’s one of rare only finds four is national a rather than formal study, although in worthy recipient of Bayside Council’s records of a new genus in the family hisbeen professional honed through career this he field was experience a town 2021 Day Environment Award Achilidae. planner. He is unusual in the breadth of for an Individual. The award recognises Another recent discovery is a rare his interests, understanding how to take a his ‘outstanding community service to the moth, Philobota chrysopotama, that had photo that illuminates the key identifying not been recorded in Victoria since the features of almost any living subject. type collection was made in Hampton Due to his reputation for discovering Baysideenvironment and his through many hisfeatured identification articles in in 1890. new species and new examples of rare theand Banksia photography Bulletin of ’.flora and fauna within At George Street Reserve, John recently species, John is now highly regarded by Mayor Laurence Evans OAM and Councillor Alex del Porto presented the in Bayside before — Clerid Beetle (Opilo as an amateur. When he gave a talk on variipesidentified), Longicorn three beetles Beetle that ( Phacodeshe hadn’t seen rareprofessionals plants in 2019,in fields senior that hestaff entered at the Awards Ceremony at Sandringham Yacht obscurus), and Honeybrown Beetle Royal Botanic Gardens and the Victorian Club.award John and toldflowers their at audience: the Australia Day (Ecnolagria grandis). Government’s Senior Botanist from the Department of Land, Water, Environment and Planning joined the conversation. He is probably Bayside’s foremost John Eichler’s trained eye misses very little and his camera equipment is simple. authority on all matters fungal, Even at night, he works without a tripod,

having conducted regular surveys get a shot right. His gift to Bayside is that herelying shares on his a flash vision and through years of exquisite practice to in the reserves since 2003. photos that are a joy to view.

‘I started keeping natural history records *John Eichler uses both iNaturalist and when I moved to Bayside over 40 years ago. records in Victoria. Ricketts Point the Atlas of Living Australia websites My initial focus was marine life and fungi foreshoreThe Clerid and Beetle Balcombe has only Park five Reserve other for data to support species identification. and in more recent years that focus has have also yielded insects with no previous His Bayside photos can be viewed on the shifted to insects, spiders and the like. After Bayside records: an unusual Margin- iNaturalist website. buying a digital camera almost 15 years winged Stick Insect (Ctenomorpha ago, it became easier to document and marginipennis) at Ricketts Point and share those observations. a Bee Fly in the genus Aleucosia at Until recently I spent a lot of time visiting Balcombe Park. bushland throughout Victoria and beyond. Beyond Bayside, John has added four That changed in 2020 for two reasons. new plant species to Victoria’s botanical Firstly, there was a series of COVID-related record and discovered the threatened lockdowns and, secondly, Sue Forster, fungus known as Tea-tree Fingers convenor of the Bay Road Heathland (Hypocreopsis amplectens) as well as three CONGRATULATIONS Sanctuary (BRHS) Friends group, asked me to assist in documenting invertebrates there. Bayside’s foremost authority on all I have been visiting BRHS on a mattersof its five fungal, known having sites. Heconducted is probably regular semi-regular basis for a year now and surveys in the reserves since 2003. documenting the species seen there. I have John is equally at home down at the followed a similar but less regular routine beach, documenting marine invertebrates Congratulations to another at other local bushland reserves (George such as shrimps and sea slugs, seastars, Friend, Derek Jones, on being Street Reserve, Gramatan Avenue Reserve, molluscs and corals. Many of these have recognised at this year’s Tulip Street Pond, Balcombe Park, Long been included in the publication Algae Australia Day Awards as Hollow Heathland). and Marine Invertebrates of Ricketts Point Bayside’s Senior Citizen of John Eichler This enforced local focus has revealed Marine Sanctuary. the Year. Derek founded the several surprises. These include: John’s photos are particularly valuable BAYSIDE 2021 ENVIRONMENT AWARD WINNER Friends of Bayside Roads group • the richness of life forms present, many for what they reveal about ecosystem of which were new to me – a total of over complexity. Thanks to his careful in 2017, which now has 45 Story by Sue Forster | Photo by Pauline Reynolds 570 species at BRHS; observations, we have a photographic members collecting litter along • the ability to consistently find new species record of 78 species of fungi found in Bay local roads. You can read more on each visit; Road Heathland Sanctuary. We also know about Derek’s work in Council’s • numerous, apparently new, records for that there are still four species of skink Let’s Talk Bayside magazine. Bayside; and the Marbled Gecko living among its

10 Banksia Bulletin | Autumn 2021 Banksia Bulletin | Autumn 2021 11 Autumn bird count Join the Birds in Backyards – a BirdLife Australia program – survey this autumn and document who is visiting your garden.

By Birds in Backyards Why do these surveys? What else can I record? Your surveys are used There are a few important interactions To do a Birds in Backyards survey, by to track the health you can share with us if you see them. spend 20 minutes in one spot where of our urban birds, and to monitor the Keep an eye out for: you can view birds – your backyard, impactBirdLife Australia of our gardens, outdoor spaces • Breeding behaviours – If you see local park, school, or other favourite and even our own behaviours on bird a bird carrying nesting materials, outdoor place. populations. We can learn a lot from sitting on a nest or feeding chicks, Simply count how many you see of Birds in Backyards surveys, like how let us know. Select the option each bird species using that space and different types of gardens can attract under ‘Breeding Activity’ that Bayside Community tell us about what the outdoor space is different types of birds, and which best matches your observation like. features birds may be avoiding or are (Remember to keep your distance Then to enter your survey data, negatively affected by. In 2021 your though from birds who are breeding. register your free Birdata account, read We don’t want to disturb any nests. Nursery now open the instructions for the web or app or Be sure to limit your observations watch the video. If you download Statesurveys of Australia’swill also be Birds used Report.in the very first and don’t get close enough to scare the Birdata app you can take your UrbanImportantly, Bird Index your for surveys BirdLife contribute Australia’s a bird off its nest.). By Pauline Reynolds (), Honey Pots smartphone or tablet outside with you to the on-ground conservation work we • Aggressive interactions – Let us (Acrotriche serrulata) and several others. Prices list to do your count. undertake with our volunteers, branches know if you have observed any Bayside Community Nursery and partners – from local planting and species initiate interactions with is stocked with beautiful plants ready for Community Nursery has offered Forestry tubes $2.55 What if I don’t know much habitat improvement projects up to other birds and whether this public sales every Saturday from 10am- specialtyThis is theplants first and year the the species Bayside about birds? national advocacy and campaigns. We interaction could be classed as 12pm and Thursdays from 10am-1pm. will change each year depending on 150ml pots $7.65 If you are unsure where or how to start, also use the survey data in seminars and aggressive – you can do this in the Forestry tubes cost just $2.55 and this successful propagation or availability Rocket pots $30.60 workshops conducted by staff, or for year a table of ‘specialty plants’ will be of seeds or cuttings. thing about birds only that you love to our projects such as the Powerful Owl Species Interactions’ option. on sale for $12.50. The purpose of introducing specialist Specialty pots (150ml) $12.50 seeor even them, feel then like fear you not! don’t The know Birdata the firstweb Project. Read about how the surveys you • ‘SightingHave you Details’ seen any tab birds using feeding the ‘Specific on The specialty plants are some of the plants is to emphasise how challenging portal and app automatically gives you do in your gardens are helping in our the native plants in your garden? If so less common species growing in Bayside these species can be to propagate and Payment is by card only. a list of 30 birds from your region to get here. – who was dining on what? – you can that they may require extra attention and It’s very exciting to be opening you started. tell us in the notes section when you post-fire conservation work propagate and temperamental to grow. a longer growing time in the nursery. again and we looking forward How often should I survey? record the species you have observed and are often the most difficult to There will be a small number of Silky We would also be interested in buyers’ to seeing the healthy plants on What if I only have super common Each quarter, BirdLife Australia launches under ‘Sighting Details’. Hibbertia sericea), feedback to know if they thrive in their way to local gardens in or introduced birds? a seasonal survey. The autumn survey • Have any birds been dabbling in some Common Flat-pea (Platylobium people’s gardens and in what conditions Bayside and elsewhere. That is really useful! We want to know period runs throughout March and Oscar-worthy acting? Tell us about obtusangulumGuinea-flower), ( Common Heath they do best. about the birds you don’t see just as April – but you can still submit surveys the weird and wonderful things your much as the ones you do. So, if your at any time. You can do as many surveys backyard birds have been up to using list is only small, all introduced birds as you like, as often as you like! Some the notes section in the ‘Sighting or full of birds you don’t think are people like to just participate once a Details’ tabs. Bayside Community Nursery is located at 319 Reserve Road Cheltenham. very ‘exciting’, that is still important quarter (or four times a year) in our Call 9583 8408 or visit the website for more. information for us. All surveys are seasonal surveys, while others like to Check out the survey instructions page important so please give it a go. count their birds more frequently. for more info and FAQs.

12 Banksia Bulletin | Autumn 2021 Banksia Bulletin | Autumn 2021 13 What are the Bushland and Nursery Crews up to?

By Jo Hurse Bushland and Nursery Ops Supervisor

On behalf of the Bushland and Nursery Crews we’d like to send all our volunteers a very warm “welcome back”!

day circuit breaker lockdown in mid- February,Despite alla slight seems hiccup to be withgetting the back five- to COVID-normal. The volunteers were sorely missed for much of 2020 so here’s hoping 2021 is more to our liking. Here’s a quick update on what’s coming up and what the crew has been up to. Julie and Jim have worked tirelessly through propagation season and George Street Heathland Sanctuary, dominated by Tea Tree and weeds before burn, 2006. Photo by Pauline Reynolds. needless to say have had great success so the nursery is looking full to the brim. They had great pleasure in welcoming back the volunteers at the end of 2020. MCRP The nursery opened for sales every Thursday from 10am to 1pm and Saturdays from 10am to 12pm starting 27 March. Beach Patrol The bushland crews that work predominantly on the foreshore – Andy, Aaron and Connor – have spent many weeks over summer pruning and 3193 tackling grassy weeds. This is quite unseasonal for summer but attributed to all the fantastic rain we had. Over the Story and photos by Elizabeth Jensen their own gloves, buckets and some picker- last year, the foreshore has been busier President Marine Care Ricketts Point uppers. They also kept a tally of the items than ever so they have done extremely they collected, which we then collated. well working along all the paths, ramps, Beach Patrol 3193 has returned It was a beautiful mild day and staircases etc, trying to get them all after a long period of inactivity due to within an hour we had collected 40kg safely pruned. George Street Heathland Sanctuary, heath species in full bloom, COVID-19 restrictions. of rubbish. As usual, our major items two years post burn, 2008. Photo by Pauline Reynolds. The preparation for the controlled We had a wonderful turnout in collected continued to be plastic pieces, ecological burn at George Street Reserve cans and bottles. has commenced. The preparation for the controlled this site that indicate the regeneration March 2020. The crew plans to burn 4,000 square ecological burn at Donald MacDonald will be successful. For example, in FebruaryBeach Patrol for our 3193 first is beach run by clean Marine since carelessly discarded cigarette butts the Sanctuary playing about 200 metres the understorey there are patches of Care Ricketts Point with President Beth consideringIt was disappointing smoking is to banned find 839 on offshore. square metre site will be the largest Lepidosperma concavum and some Jensen organising the events. the foreshore of Ricketts Point Marine Leptospermummetres of the 2006 laevigatum wildfire in site, the where patchReserve of isLeptospermum nearly finished. laevigatum The 4,000 isolated Bossiaea cinerea. Twenty-four people made up of Sanctuary. Saturday of every month starting at fire swept through a thick stand of we have ever burnt. We believe that regulars and a number of children There were also a number of face 11amBeach at thePatrol Beaumaris 3193 meets Yacht on Club. the first weeding that resulted in the spectacular Leptospermum laevigatum has invaded CityWide Bushland team who has worked helped to clean around the Beaumaris masks, disposable food containers and New members are always welcome. regenerationreserve. Post-fire of the there Heathland. was much Now, hand relentlesslyI would like to toprepare specifically the burn thank sites. the All Life Saving Club and foreshore area. even a child’s scooter. Check out our website and join our after 15 years, the heath needs a formed a dense canopy that is taking of the crew look forward to working with To meet Beach Patrol Australia’s However, the highlight of the clean-up Facebook page to stay up-to-date with controlled burn. overthe heath the site. and, There with arethe someabsence plants of fire, at our wonderful volunteers again in 2021. COVID-19 regulations everyone brought was spotting a pod of dolphins visiting our activities.

14 Banksia Bulletin | Autumn 2021 Banksia Bulletin | Autumn 2021 15 Water How to put ecosystems – the lifeblood of life on Earth back together with a pole By Gio Fitzpatrick By Elizabeth Walsh having also cleared away excess growth when they are away. Sheridan has been Committee member Elsternwick Park Convenor Friends of Native Wildlife Inc. from the other set of bowls which most concerned at the lack of available Association caused silting of the shallow one. They water around Melbourne for wildlife and Water for wildlife has become even have been joined by Sheridan who has is now doing something positive in her Mistletoe is the ecological Robin Hood – more critical as the world is warming local area. stealing from the rich trees and giving to rapidly with more frequent heatwaves the poor soil. and violent weather conditions such as kindly filled in for Rosa and George In a healthy woodland containing stronger winds and ocean/foreshore mistletoes, it is quite possible that one in events. every three birds you see and hear are The coastal path in Bayside has a only there because of these important number of shallow to medium depth parasitic plants. pottery water bowls placed under taps It’s incredible to realise that when along the coastal clifftop walking path researchers removed mistletoe from from Beaumaris to Brighton. woodlands to test its importance in the ecosystem, one-third of the birds provide a drink and sometimes a bath disappeared over the following three forThey birds, are reptiles specifically and insects. designed Although to years. dogs use them too, we would prefer Along with the obvious attraction owners sought the few metal bowls for of nectar, fruit and dense structure, pets that are popping up rather than mistletoes drop an abundance of our pottery wildlife bowls as the smell nutritionally-enriched leaf litter which of dogs is a deterrent to many small has been found to support over 1,000 . extra per square metre The water bowls were made by an effects of that! art group and students from Berendale underNo other the host plant tree. supports Imagine biodiversity the flow-on Brighton bowls south water bowl. School.amazing Council potter, setChris, them members in concrete, of a local quite like a mistletoe and yet people still however one or two bowls have been almost never plant it. removed due to alterations to the clifftop How you can help I’m hoping that bush regenerators path. There are a few simple steps you can take to help, particularly during will soon realise that our work is not FoNW Inc have been assisted by long- extreme heat events and every day when the weather reaches into the high even nearly done until mistletoe is back term helpers Sueli, Denis, Pat and Sue 20s and 30s. in the system. Probably the strongest 1. In your garden or a local park provide a shallow bowl of water, indication that we’re not yet harnessing who have joined in more recent years. preferably heavy such as pottery (a pottery planter base would the power of mistletoe is the realisation alongA recent with callAnne, for Heather help in theand Brighton Marza be suitable) and 300cm wide. that I’m single-handedly running the area initiated an immediate response 2. Fill with fresh water regularly and flush out at least once a week largest mistletoe restoration project in from Rosa and George who have taken to to discourage mosquito larvae. 3. Use pebbles, a rock or branch to allow small insects or skinks to access These constraints ended up fostering such as Wire-leaved Mistletoe (Amyema vitelline). It’s an honour to be able to to the south of the Brighton Baths. the edge either from within or without. aAustralia rather unsophisticated with zero funding. innovation that preissii), can be squirted directly onto a help their cause and a reminder that the fillingThe thetaps bowls over oneon the set green of bowls lawn have just 4. Place in a shady area to lessen water evaporation. now brings mistletoe restoration into branch by a small hose connected to a pursuit to understand and care for our been discontinued recently. There is a 5. Place near a grassy tussock or shrub where wildlife can perch or hide the hands of anyone with dramatically hand-powered air pump. Such methods new south-east water drinking fountain safely from predators. lowered cost, time and risk – planting have allowed thousands of mistletoes kinds. 6. Regularly clean the bowl with an old kitchen brush or similar. mistletoe with a pole! localThree patch of Bayside’shas wider four benefits mistletoe of many dogs but unsuitable for wildlife, so 7. Keep pet cats in cat runs or inside as they are the worst predators Species such as Creeping Mistletoe ground to be planted without expensive species – Amyema preissii, Amyema nearby, which is fine for people and of suburban wildlife and could stake out the bird bath. (Muellerina eucalyptoides), whose cherrythat stretch pickers up orto fivearborists. metres above the pendula and Amyema quandang – were containers to transfer water to the FoNW Inc. is planning future water provision across Bayside to ensure seeds have a long sticky ‘tail’, can be BirdLife Australia has also adopted locally extinct before this project began, wildlifeour volunteers water bowls. now bring water-filled survival of wildlife within our municipality. All ideas and initiatives are dangled from the pole and transferred this method for its Regent Honeyeater and all are now beginning to make a Rosa and George have taken to this welcome by contacting us at [email protected] recovery work involving the Long- modest revival. Who knows what other responsibility with heart and gusto, stick’ motion while those without a ‘tail’, Dendrophthoe long-lost wildlife might follow them back? to a receiving branch with a ‘flick and flowered Mistletoe (

16 Banksia Bulletin | Autumn 2021 Banksia Bulletin | Autumn 2021 17 Volunteer Groups Friends Groups

Friends of Balcombe Park Friends of Ricketts Point Landside Convenor: Ian O’Loughlin Convenor: Sue Raverty Mobile: 0412 432 618 Email: [email protected] Phone: (03) 9589 2103 Email: [email protected]

Friends of Bay Road Heathland Sanctuary Friends of Table Rock Editorial Policy Convenor: Sue Forster Convenor: Ken Rendell The purpose of publishing the Banksia Phone: 0431 688 606 Email: [email protected] Phone: (03) 9589 4452 Bulletin is to circulate information, report on events, and to profile relevant environmental Friends of Bayside Roads Friends of Elster Creek issues important to our community. Contact: Derek Jones Convenor: Karen Jone The Bulletin is also published to support the Phone: 0417 360 747 Email: [email protected] Phone: 9525 3102 Email: [email protected] network of people involved in enjoying and Meeting point: Elwood Canal, Glen Huntly Road Bridge protecting our local environment. Friends of Beaumaris Reserve Bayside City Council encourages people from Convenor: Chris Sutton our local community groups to submit articles Phone: 0438 327 924 Email: [email protected] Environment Groups of interest, share experiences and news about any upcoming events. All articles are Friends of Brighton Dunes reviewed prior to publication and Council Bayside Earth Sciences Society Inc. Convenor: Jenny Talbot reserves the right to omit or edit submissions. President: Murray Orr Phone: 0499 592 233 Email: [email protected] Acknowledgements Website: www.beaumarisfossils.org Thank you to all the people who have Friends of Cheltenham Park contributed to this issue of Banksia Bulletin. Convenor: Valerie Tyers Beaumaris Conservation Society Inc Disclaimer Phone: (03) 9588 0107 Email: [email protected] President: Caroline Lawton The views expressed in the Banksia Bulletin Contact: PO Box 7016, Beaumaris 3193 are not necessarily those of Bayside City Friends of Donald MacDonald Reserve Email: [email protected] Council nor its representatives. Convenor: Kim Croker Website: www.bcs.asn.au Phone: (03) 9589 2443 Email: [email protected] Editor Damien Van Trier Black Rock and Sandringham Conservation Manager Open Space, Friends of George Street Reserve The Victorian Junior Landcare and Association Inc Recreation and Wellbeing Convenors: Pauline Reynolds & Val Tarrant President: Craig Brunnen Phone: (03) 9598 6368 Email: [email protected] Biodiversity Grants are now open Content Coordinator Phone: 0488 303 887 Email: [email protected] Amy Weir Secretary: John Neve Friends of Gramatan Avenue Heathland for schools, kindergartens, childcare Biodiversity and Conservation Phone: 0479 196 260 Email: [email protected] Convenor: Ken Rendell Planning Officer Phone: (03) 9589 4452 centres, Scouts, Girl Guides and youth Please send articles and photos to Elsternwick Park Association [email protected] President: Natalie Davey Friends of Long Hollow Heathland groups to secure funding from the Copy deadlines Phone: 0425 718 423 Email: [email protected] Convenor: Rob Saunders Winter 2021 Department of Environment, Land, Friday 21 May 2021 Phone: (03) 9515 3383 Email: [email protected] Marine Care Ricketts Point Inc President: Elizabeth Jensen Banksia Bulletin is published quarterly by Friends of Merindah Park & Urban Forest Water and Planning to engage young Phone: 0419 354 998 Email: [email protected] Bayside City Council to service people Convenor: John de Cruz Douglas Website: www.marinecare.org.au interested in enjoying and protecting the Phone: 0417 386 408 Email: [email protected] people in outdoor, hands-on, on- local environment. Sandringham Foreshore Association If you would like to be added to the Friends of Mother Stock Areas President: Dr Vicki Karalis ground projects and environmental Banksia Bulletin mailing list, please contact Convenors: Pauline Reynolds and Rob Saunders Email: [email protected] Bayside City Council on 9599 4444 or Phone: (03) 9598 6368 Email: [email protected] Website: sandringhamforeshore.tumblr.com learning activities. email: [email protected] Phone: (03) 9515 3383 Email: [email protected] Please indicate whether you would prefer to receive your Banksia Bulletin Friends of Native Wildlife View the guidelines. by email or via post. Convenors: Anne Jessel & Elizabeth Walsh School Groups Corporate Centre Phone: 0412 545 441 Email: [email protected] PO Box 27 Royal Avenue St Leonard’s College Conservation Group Applications close 30 April 2021. Website: www.bayfonw.org.au Sandringham VIC 3191 Contact: Simon Daniels Telephone: 9599 4444 Friend of Picnic Point Sandringham Phone: (03) 9909 9300 Email: [email protected] www.bayside.vic.gov.au Convenor: Terry Reynolds [email protected] Phone: (03) 9598 2978 Email: [email protected] Hours of business 8.30am–5pm Friends of Ricketts Point Monday–Friday Convenor: Diana Pearce (except public holidays) Phone: 0448 573 256 Email: [email protected]

18 Banksia Bulletin | Autumn 2021 Banksia Bulletin | Autumn 2021 19 Do you want to know more about Bayside and the Banksia Bulletin? Please refer to our website www.bayside.vic.gov.au

Nankeen Kestrel Photo by John Eichler