Bush Heritage News
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BUSH In this issue HERITAGE 3 The red-capped robin thrives 4 Around your reserves 6 Saving the red-finned blue-eye 7 Fighting fire at Ethabuka NEWS 8 Doug Humann signs off Summer 2011 · www.bushheritage.org.au Introducing your John Colahan Griffin Reserve In central Victoria, a group of friends and family met to commemorate a nature and animal lover – and to witness the beautiful legacy he has left behind. Fiona Rutkay reports. A crossroad in the tiny town of Stuart As the group entered the property, “The birdsong was melodious Mill, Victoria, (population 241) might kilometres of wind farms, agricultural seem an unlikely place for eight people land and canola crop gave way to and noisy in that marvellous from as far and wide as New Zealand, beautiful woodland. raucous way… we had birds Ballarat and Melbourne to meet. But on After two years of discussions and – cockatoos and galahs – October 16, a convoy of vehicles lined meticulous planning, the family had up near the central Victorian town on finally found just the right way to honour flying overhead.” their way to a unique and special place the wishes of the man that brought them – Bush Heritage’s newest property, the together: 96 hectares of precious habitat Above: Bush Heritage Reserve Manager John Colahan Griffin Reserve. for Australian wildlife was now protected Jeroen van Veen at the John Colahan Griffin The group had gathered to honour the forever in his memory. Nature Reserve, Vic. Photograph by Matthew Newton life of John Colahan Griffin – their father, “It was just terrific for us to see the uncle and friend – and to experience the reserve,” says John’s daughter Sally. gift he had given to the reserve’s wildlife and to future generations of Australians. Continued on page 2 “It was a joyous occasion, with good “In our family house, animals like birds people, memories and conversation. and possums were as commonplace The birdsong was melodious and as the visitors,” remembers Sally. noisy in that marvellous raucous way… “When Dad was growing up, he had a we had birds – cockatoos and galahs – relationship with nature without being flying overhead.” conscious of it as we might be. He swam As they walked through the big stands all year round in the St Kilda Sea Baths of box and stringybark eucalypts, and and had a large overgrown garden full of heathy forest, reserve manager Jeroen birds and pets. Sometimes he witnessed van Veen pointed out yam daisies and people being cruel to animals and would rare spider orchids. always challenge the perpetrator.” “The property is in excellent condition,” John wove these events into morality says Jeroen, “and the vegetation under tales for his children, so it came as no the trees is very healthy”. This vegetation surprise to Sally, Michael and Ric, that provides plenty of shelter for diamond their father wanted to leave part of his firetails, hooded robins and other estate to animals and nature. The gift woodland birds that are declining that John left in his Will was so generous dramatically throughout the region. that it allowed not only for the purchase The reserve can also serve as a resting of the land, but will also contribute to spot for the nationally endangered swift its ongoing management. parrot as it migrates up north from “We were very happy about the decision Tasmania every year. because we share his love of all those “This property connects other sections things,” says Sally. “Certainly it’s an of bush to make this important landscape example for the rest of us to think more robust – it provides corridors of along those lines – to leave money to habitat for wildlife to move through.” causes that wouldn’t get the funding says Jeroen. The reserve is just the start any other way.” of a plan to protect the remaining bush in It was up to the children to decide where the grassy box woodlands area by buying the money should go. “We chose Bush more properties, revegetating land and Heritage,” says Sally, “because they are working with the local community. very ambitious and they have a specific Top: Protected forever thanks to the lasting legacy John’s children are delighted that their plan. They’re active and not prepared of John Colahan Griffin father’s gift will have such far-reaching to watch from the sidelines. I know my Photograph by Matthew Newton effects, not just for the wildlife on the father would have approved of that.” Above: The nationally endangered swift parrot reserve, but for wildlife all over the region. While visiting the reserve, the Griffin uses the reserve as a resting point on its annual Throughout his life John loved animals family found a position for the migration to Tasmania and they were always part of his life. plaque that will commemorate John. Photograph by Chriz Tzsaros He was especially fond of birds – when The plaque will stand between some he found one wounded, he’d put it into trees overlooking a natural amphitheatre a cage to recover. When a bird needed of red stringybarks and a waterhole, A lasting legacy extra warmth and protection, he’d place where family and friends gathered to Every gift, no matter how small it in a box and bring it into the house. remember John. Sally imagines it’s a or large, will make a real difference spot her father would have liked very to the Australian bush. If you would much. “He’d put his chair there, and like information on making a lasting love to just sit and think and enjoy.” “We chose Bush Heritage legacy, contact Annie Mayo on ( ) because they are very Bush Heritage Australia gratefully acknowledges 03 8610 9139 or ambitious and they have a the Estate of John Colahan Griffin for this very [email protected] specific plan. They’re active generous gift. and not prepared to watch from the sidelines.” 2 Bush Heritage News | Summer 2011 Left: The red-capped robin, a sign of a healthy ecosystem, repaired by Bush Heritage supporters Photograph by Rob Drummond Below: Ecologist Sandy Gilmore at Boolcoomatta Reserve, SA · Photograph by Bron Willis Being a highly visible male red-capped says Sandy. “As well as population Bobbin’ robin in the Australian bush can have its increases, we have also found that many drawbacks. Male robins have been known bird species have colonised Boolcoomatta to turn their backs on observers in a or been recorded for the first time such robins somewhat comic attempt to disappear. as the brown songlark, grey fantail and He may turn his back on you if you’re While the red-capped robin is not red-capped robin.” trying to watch him, but as Lucy Ashley identified as a threatened species in The results are also good news for Bush discovered, the red-capped robin has Australia, it is declining in New South Heritage supporters – since birds are plenty to tell about how well you’re Wales, Victoria and South Australia. present in just about every ecosystem looking after his home. It is one of many insect-feeding bird and almost every level of the food chain, If you’re lucky enough to spot one perched species that have suffered greatly due they can tell us a lot about how an on a stump or a branch near the ground, to land clearing and habitat destruction. ecosystem and its various elements are you’ll see why the red-capped robin is In the 250 years since Europeans arrived performing. The increasing number and known as one of the busiest birds in the in Australia, 26 of our 850 native bird size of bird populations at Boolcoomatta Australian bush. Stand a moment and species or sub-species have been driven is a good indicator that our management watch this tiny creature flicking its wings to extinction. By 2000, one in five native practices are working – and it’s all made and tail feathers while it combs the ground birds was listed as threatened. possible by the ongoing support of the for food, but don’t look away for long or But thanks to Bush Heritage supporters, Bush Heritage community. it will be off. Catching unwary insects it’s a different story for many of the Back at Boolcoomatta, the red-capped for dinner is important stuff – and these other bird species at Boolcoomatta robin has one more fascinating trick diminutive robins are masters of the chase. Reserve in South Australia. Between up its sleeve. While it sometimes catches prey airborne, 2006 and 2010 we recorded population The male bird’s red plumage is the result the red-capped robin mostly forages for increases of 235% for the white-winged of the presence of two pigments, which food on the ground. It cocks its head to fairy wren, 395% for the rufous fieldwren, the bird can’t manufacture himself and one side, quickly lifting one wing and then 655% for the redthroat, 165% for the can only get from his food. Several recent the other, and shuffling its feet about chestnut-crowned babbler and 109% studies suggest that the redness of the in the leaf litter. This is the red-capped for the chirruping wedgebill. male’s plumage is therefore a good robin’s inventive way of flushing out prey The results are a welcome reward for indicator of the health of its habitat. – or perhaps it’s just doing its zumba. Bush Heritage ecologist Sandy Gilmore Yet another way that the very red, The red-capped robin gets its name from and his team of volunteers, who have red-capped robin is able to show you the spectacular plumage adorning the together carried out five bird surveys how well you’re looking after his home.