Plains wandering and rocky rambling An occasional newsletter for supporters and members of the Friends of Terrick Terrick National Park Inc. The 2013 committee Jill Millsom (Convener) Keith Stockwell (Secretary) Fred Belli (Treasurer) Mark Tscharke (Parks Victoria Ranger) Beau Kent Ian Mellier Russell Shawcross Jenny Spence Helen Stevens Graeme Stevens Friends of Terrick Terrick National Park is incorporated in Victoria; Australian Business Number 251 663 376 06 Contact details Secretary: [email protected]11 Hillview Avenue MOAMA 2731 Phone: (03) 5480 9254 Contributions for this newsletter should be forwarded to the editor, Keith Stockwell, at the above address, preferably by email (e.g. as an MS Word document or jpeg). The views and opinions expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the Victorian Government, Parks Victoria or any of its rangers. Date of “open weekend” 4pm Friday 4th October 2013 to 2pm Sunday 6th October 2013 In this issue • New display boards • Naturally Loddon: a wonderland in Spring Festival • Program for Open Weekend • Northern Plains CMN report • Loddon Plains Landcare report • Member discovers new plant species • Friends of Kooyoora weekend Open weekend: it’s on again! For several years now, the Friends of Terrick Terrick National Park Inc. have held an “open weekend” in the national park on the first weekend of October. And this year is no exception. Once again, activities are to be based on the Davies Homestead site, Kow Swamp Road, in a grassland section of the park. The gates are to be opened by 3pm and free camping sites will be available. Planned activities include sheep shearing demonstrations, coach tours to various parts of the park, a display of indigenous plants, bird watching, grassland walks, forest walks, working bees, evening presentations, an astronomy session and a display of artwork by local primary school pupils. Keynote presenter is bird photographer Ian Bartels. Audrey Dickins will give a presentation about attractions of the Gunbower area. Terricks ranger Mark Tscharke will recall highlights and low points of a visit to Diamantine National Park in search of Plains-wanderer. There is to be an astronomy session on the Saturday night ($3 per head). Bendigo naturalist Matt Comer will lead walks in the forest and on grasslands. For those wishing to assist Parks Victoria, there will be working bees, e.g. to remove unwanted fencing and to carry out some tasks in the day picnic area. For the past two years, coach tours and most outdoor activities were cancelled owing to heavy rain and boggy roads. Hopefully this year will be a case of “third time lucky”! BELOW: LITTLE BUTTON QUAIL ON TERRICKS GRASSLAND (David Ong) September 2013 Number 12
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Plains wandering and rocky rambling !
An occasional newsletter for supporters and members
of the Friends of Terrick Terrick National Park Inc.
Victorian Government, Parks Victoria or any of its rangers.
Date of “open weekend”
4pm Friday 4th October 2013 to 2pm Sunday 6th October 2013
In this issue • New display boards
• Naturally Loddon: a
wonderland in Spring Festival
• Program for Open Weekend
• Northern Plains CMN report
• Loddon Plains Landcare report
• Member discovers new plant
species
• Friends of Kooyoora weekend
Open weekend: it’s on again! For several years now, the Friends of Terrick Terrick National Park Inc. have held
an “open weekend” in the national park on the first weekend of October.
And this year is no exception. Once again, activities are to be based on the Davies
Homestead site, Kow Swamp Road, in a grassland section of the park.
The gates are to be opened by 3pm and free camping sites will be available.
Planned activities include sheep shearing demonstrations, coach tours to various
parts of the park, a display of indigenous plants, bird watching, grassland walks,
forest walks, working bees, evening presentations, an astronomy session and a
display of artwork by local primary school pupils.
Keynote presenter is bird photographer Ian Bartels.
Audrey Dickins will give a presentation about attractions of the Gunbower area.
Terricks ranger Mark Tscharke will recall highlights and low points of a visit to
Diamantine National Park in search of Plains-wanderer. There is to be an
astronomy session on the Saturday night ($3 per head).
Bendigo naturalist Matt Comer will lead walks in the forest and on grasslands.
For those wishing to assist Parks Victoria, there will be working bees, e.g. to
remove unwanted fencing and to carry out some tasks in the day picnic area.
For the past two years, coach tours and most outdoor activities were cancelled
owing to heavy rain and boggy roads. Hopefully this year will be a case of “third
time lucky”!
BELOW: LITTLE BUTTON QUAIL ON TERRICKS GRASSLAND (David Ong)
! September 2013 Number 12
“Open Weekend” program
FRIDAY 4th October 2013
2.30pm: Site preparation
3.30 approx: Gates open. Wildflower display in machinery shed. Posters and art work in machinery shed.
5.00: Working bee: weeding around plants at Davies homestead site.
6.00: Dinner break
7.00: Official welcome: Jill Millsom.
7.05: Terrick Terrick National Park Ranger’s Report: Mark Tscharke
7.30: Attractions of the Gunbower district: Audrey Dickins
8.00: “Terradome in the Mallee”: Bernie Fox
9.00: Night spotlighting survey (if conditions are suitable)
SATURDAY 5th October All day: Plant and poster displays in machinery shed
7.20am: Early morning birding session in Terricks Forest
9.00am: Sheep Shearing demonstration: Russell Shawcross
9.30am: Working Bee at Terrick Terrick East to remove old fencing wire and to lay/check tiles
9.30am: Coach tour and nature walk to Mitiamo Rock and the Mitiamo Cemetery area (with Matt Comer)
10.00: (Wet weather only) Native birds of the Terricks area: Keith Stockwell
11.00: Morning tea
11.15: Coach tour to Reigel Rock with Matt Comer
12.30: Lunch break
1.15pm: Working bee in the picnic ground (day visitors’ area)
1.15pm: Coach tour to, and nature walk in, The Meadows (road conditions permitting) with Matt Comer
1.15: (Wet weather only) Barmah-Millewa Redgum Wetlands: Keith Stockwell
2.00: (Wet weather only) stand-by presentation
3.15pm: Afternoon tea
3.45pm: Grasslands botanical walk (native grasses) with Matt Comer.
3.45: (Wet weather only) “A visit to Diamantina National Park” (instead of 7.30)
5.30: Dinner break
7.00pm: Annual General Meeting
7.30pm: ”A Visit to Diamantina National Park”: Mark Tscharke
8.15pm: Photographing birds in the wild: Ian Bartels (to start earlier or later if necessary)
9.15pm: Astronomy Session: with members of the Bendigo District Astronomical Society ($3 per head)
SUNDAY 6th October
All morning: Plant and poster displays in machinery shed
8.30am: Coach tour to Rogers Track dam 10.15am: Morning tea
10.30am: Coach tour to places of historic interest in/near the Park
12.30pm: Lunch
1.30pm: End of activities. Dismantling of displays, signs, etc
BASE: Davies Homestead, Mitiamo-Kow Swamp Road (south of Jungaburra Road) Terrick Terrick (VicRoads Map
30 F3) Note: Mitiamo-Kow Swamp Road, which runs roughly parallel to Bendigo Creek, is not labelled in VicRoads
Directory 7. GPS: 36º 05’ 55”S; 144º 17’ 02”E
!"#$"%&#'()*%+),-'.%Over the past year or so, very few Plains-wanderers have been observed during grassland surveys within Terrick Terrick
National Park. In general, the biomass has been too thick to meet the needs of Plains-wanderer and some other grassland animals.
Mark Antos, Environmental Scientist-Fauna of Parks Victoria advises that:
• Over 400 km of transects have now been formally surveyed;
• Over 1,000 faunal records, representing 1,574 individual animals have been collected;
• Over 250 birds of 5 different species have been caught and banded;
• 1,452 habitat assessment plots have been completed at 484 different sites.
Nine different grassland paddocks are now being surveyed on a regular basis along established grids. It is proposed to
expand this in future.
Page 2
Above: NEW INFORMATION BOARDS HAVE BEEN PREPARED FOR ERECTION AT TERRICKS Artwork by Marlene Thomas.
New information boards Ranger Mark Tscharke, committee member Beau Kent and others recently updated information for the Park’s display
boards. Marlene Thomas of DEPI laid the information out using a design template preferred by Parks Victoria. The new
information boards will replace those at Mitiamo and in the picnic area of Terrick Terrick National Park. A third
information board is to be erected at the Davies homestead site on a framework constructed by Pyramid Hill Men’s Shed.
A grant was obtained to cover the cost of the information boards. We thank all those who have assisted with this project. Fox baiting Another round of fox baiting was recently carried out in the Park at the same time as fox baiting in the Northern
Plains CMN area. However, fox numbers remain high.
Creek Paddock slashed
200 acres of Creek Paddock has been slashed. This is to be followed-up with grazing.
Pasture quality is currently poor and sheep, especially lambs, are struggling and in need of extra nutrients.
Offer to sell land A financial institution wishes to divest itself of land it owns (as a result of another institution failing) in the old
Terricks township. No buildings remain at the site of the Terricks township. A plaque marks the location.
Dividing fences On-site meetings about fencing have been held with landholders of properties adjoining the length of Bendigo
Creek recently added to the Park. It is hoped that funding will be forthcoming to allow the erection of fences
between private and public land. It is hoped that fence lines will be to the mutual benefit of landholders and Parks.
Logical arrangements will hopefully allow lineal access alongside the creek by management vehicles (e.g. for Box
Thorn and weed control). If and when fences are erected, their upkeep will fall upon landholders, so logical fencing
alignments will reduce maintenance costs.
Assessing grass cover density
A portable hand-held vegetation-structure device has been purchased. It should save time and overcome the use of golf balls that are currently used to evaluate bio-mass (and a grassland’s suitability for Plains-wanderers).
Replacement signage
New signage has been obtained to replace signage that has been vandalised. Unfortunately graffiti has already appeared on some of the replaced signs.
Gates Two gates have been erected in the fence of Orchard Paddock. Orchard paddock adjoins the Davies homestead
site. The gates will allow Orchard Paddock to be used as a camping area during the open weekend. Branches have
been placed along a water pipeline to alleviate the danger of it being damaged by vehicles or tent pegs. Four
Acacia oswaldii seedlings have been detected in the paddock and are protected by fallen branches.
Grassland burns A number of burns on some of the Park’s grassland areas. To reduce biomass and help control exotic grasses, some
weed-control burns have been carried out on some low-quality, weedy paddocks. Sometimes ecological burns are
conducted on cooler, windless days to create a chequerboard of burnt and unburnt areas. Hopefully the burns should help
improve habitat for some grassland animals that have been adversely impacted upon by a thick, high biomass cover. It
may take over a year after a burn for conditions to be suitable to meet the needs of the fauna and flora the Park was
$250,000 greenhouse offset for Terrick Terrick?At a Friends of Terrick Terrick National Park dinner meeting in March, DSE spokesperson Peter Morison announced that DSE has
received an offer to revegetate a degraded section of Terrick Terrick National Park as a greenhouse gas offset. The area concerned was
cropped before being purchased for inclusion in the park. Subject to the approval of Parks Victoria and traditional owners, if the funding
is forthcoming, the work is to carried out by contractors at no cost to either DSE or Parks Victoria. DSE will offer assistance with ground
preparation and will liaise with stakeholders before the final area to be rehabilitated is finalised.
Such a grant would enable about 150 hectares of weed-infested land in
the north-east of the Park to be revegetated. Originally, the paddocks
contained Buloke but, today, very few remain. Peter suggested that the work
be undertaken on Ferris, Reigal and White Gate grassland paddocks.
Paddocks which support the endangered Plains-wanderer will not be
affected. Nor will taller trees and shrubs be planted close to known Plains-
wanderer habitat lest a haven be created for predators such as foxes and
cats.
Members of the Friends group gave an in-principle support to the plan
but expressed concerns about including White Gate paddock.
The Friends stressed that any work should allow for ongoing weed and
pest management. In particular, oxalis may prove difficult to control. Ranger
Mark Tscharke pointed out that Parks Victoria does not have the resources
to undertake ongoing weed control and maintenance of the restoration.
The question arose as to whether depleted plant species should be
planted or whether an attempt should be made to recreate the original
vegetation mix. Recognising that global warming is occurring, another
possibility would be to plant native species capable of surviving in a hotter,
drier climate.
Wildlife corridorsNorthern Plains Conservation Management Network ranger Ben Thomas
also attended the meeting. Ben announced that he is working with
landholders to establish corridors of trees to link the woodlands in Terrick
Terrick National Park with Bullock Creek to the west and Bendigo Creek to
the east. The wildlife corridors are aimed at enabling existing Grey-crowned
Babbler colonies to interbreed, thereby enhancing their genetic diversity.
Exclusion plotsPhD candidate Nathan Wong announced that grant money has been
obtained for the erection of exclusion plots on the indigenous grasslands
section of the Park to help determine the impact of kangaroos and sheep.
The fence design was criticised as not being sufficiently robust and
modifications were recommended. Peter Morison pointed out that the
animals suspected of causing the most damage are not always the main
culprits. In Nardoo Hills (Wedderburn area) for example, 20 metre by 40
metre rabbit-proof and kangaroo-proof exclusion plats were constructed.
They revealed that it was actually rabbits rather than kangaroos or
wallabies which caused by far the most damage to shrubs and young trees.
Remnant vegetation fencingIn April, work began fencing some areas of remnant trees on private land
near Terrick Terrick National Park. Much natural regeneration of Buloke
has occurred in the area over the past few months, and the fencing will help
protect the regeneration from grazing by stock. The fencing is being funded
by the Northern Plains CMN and is being erected by farmers who are
receiving drought relief funding.
QuailDuring the current drought, Stubble Quail numbers have crashed in
northern Victoria. The numbers of other quail species has also fallen. The
few remaining quail appear to be concentrated in just a few spots. Those
who tried to stop this year’s quail hunting season were unsuccessful. In a
healthy landscape there would be little impact from hunting on the
population of these birds but drought and habitat loss have imposed a great
stress. It is feared that shooters may eliminate any quail which remain in
the area. It is also feared that, unable to find quail, shooters may kill
Plains-wanderers instead.
Open daysThis spring, when the grasslands are in full bloom, DSE hopes to run
plant tours in the national park. Furthermore, on the weekend after the AFL
grand final, the Friends group intends to have a working bee plus
interpretive field trips. Watch local area papers for details.
Newsletter # 48 of the Echuca & District Branch, Bird Observation & Conservation AustraliaPresident: Peter Allan (03) 5484 1576 Vice President: Bev CurtisSecretary and newsletter editor: Keith Stockwell (03) 5480 9254 Assistant Secretary: Michele DixonConservation Officer: Dallas Wyatt Treasurer: Michele DixonAuditor: John Land Mail address: 11 Hillview Ave MOAMA 2731
would like to be included on the mailing list to receive the
group’s quarterly newsletter.
The committee of the group is as follows:
Andy McGillivray (President),
Bill McGillivray (Vice-President),
Beau Kent (Secretary-Treasurer),
Andrew Bail, Fred Belli, Faye Bail, Audrey Dickins,
John Dickins, Drew Gailey, Peter Morrison, Michelle Miller, Jenny Spence and Mark Woods
Well known entomologist Fabian Douglas will feature as the guest speaker at the next CMN meeting. Fabian will speak about 4 species of threatened sun moths found on the Northern Plains and the unique Grassland Froghopper.
Also at the meeting you will hear an update on the 2012 Fox Baiting Program and other CMN projects for 2012.
5 Submit your grant application by midnight Friday
13th September 2013.
1
LPLN News
What’s on…
14 November
Salisbury West & Mt Korong Farming for Sustainable Soils dinner 7pm Bridgewater Hotel, Bridgewater 29 November
Secrets to Successful Groups Training 10am-3pm Department of Sustainability and Environment, Bendigo 19 December
Communities for Nature Small Grants Round - Closes
Issue 3. November 2012
Photo 2012-2013 LPLN Committee of Management
Left to right from back: Fred Belli, Laurie Maxted, Chris Rothacker, Andy Hay,
Anthony Gallacher (Facilitator), Jean McClymont, Michael Moore, Ian Penny. Absent: Bill Twigg.
hoto: Mal Brown
Northern Plains CMN joins the LPLN
The Northern Plains Conservation Management Network (NPCMN) is the newest group to become a member of the Loddon Plains Landcare Network.
The NPCMN works with communities, government agencies and non-government organisations within the regional landscape to protect, enhance and promote grassland and woodland ecosystems. This is done through recognising and supporting a workable balance between biodiversity conservation and sustainable farming. The network administers and promotes the implementation of land management techniques such as pest plant and animal control, fencing and revegetation with the aim of increasing
habitat quality and extent.
The NPCMN focal ecological communities are the nationally critically endangered Natural Grasslands of the
Murray Valley Plains and the nationally endangered Buloke
Woodland of the Riverina and Murray-Darling Depression Bioregions.
"We are very much looking forward to forging a strong and inspired partnership with the LPLN into the future to help secure and manage our remaining native flora and fauna."
Beau Kent, NPCMN Facilitator
Contributions invited
If you have some interesting information about Terrick
Terrick National Park that you think might be suitable for
inclusion in this newsletter, please feel free to contact
newsletter editor Keith Stockwell.
Page 7
Landcare Bus Trip The Loddon Plains Landcare Network offers a bus trip in
September, showcasing some of the works of Landcare in
the Loddon Plains Landcare Network area.
The bus trip will explore the efforts of Landcare in the
Network area including Bridgewater, Inglewood, Salisbury
West and surrounds.
Saturday 21 September
10am-4.30pm
Departs from the Comfort Station,
Main St, Bridgewater on Loddon
This is a free event. Lunch is to be provided. Places are
limited so bookings are essential.
RSVP by 17 September to facilitator Anthony Gallacher,
Membership application/renewal form If you wish to renew your membership or become a member of the Friends of Terrick Terrick National Park Incorporated, please fill in this form, and mail it along with a not-negotiable cheque for $10 (payable to “Friends of Terrick Terrick National Park”) to: The Secretary, Friends of Terrick Terrick National Park Inc., 11 Hillview Avenue MOAMA NSW 2731
Subscription rate: $10 per person. Please print clearly (especially important for your email address). Those who paid a membership fee after 1st July 2013 need not renew until October 2014.
NOTICE of ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The annual general meeting of the Friends of Terrick Terrick National Park Inc. is to be held on Saturday 5th October 2013 in the machinery shed, Davies homestead site, Kow Swamp Road TERRICK TERRICK, commencing
at 7pm.
All committee positions are to be declared vacant. Nominations are now open for the following positions:
Convener, Deputy Convener, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer and other Committee Members.
Please advise the Secretary prior to the open weekend if you would like an emailed copy of our annual report.
A limited number of printed copies will be available at the time of the Annual general Meeting.
Agenda: Reports (Convener, Secretary, Treasurer/Financial Statements, Contact Ranger) and election of office
bearers for 2013-14.
FRIENDS OF TERRICK TERRICK NATIONAL PARK INC.
NOMINATION FORM
Name of person being nominated: ______________________________________________
Circle position/s the person is being nominated for:
Convener Deputy Convener Secretary Assistant Secretary Treasurer Committee Member
Mover (must be a financial member): _____________________________________________
Seconder (must be a financial member): __________________________________________
Acceptance of nomination/s (signature of nominee): _________________________________
Nominations (with the name of the mover and seconder, and agreed to by the nominee) should be forwarded
(e.g. in person, by mail or email) to the Secretary, Friends of TTNP Inc, 11 Hillview Avenue MOAMA 2731 as soon
as possible. If prior to the Annual General Meeting (AGM) no nomination is received for a position, nominations
can be made from the floor during the AGM provided, however, that the nominated person agrees to accept the