Newsletter 300 Nov 2020
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- Written by Neville Bartlett
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Friends of Chiltern Mt Pilot NP Newsletter #300 November 2020
Dear Friends,
An excellent last working field day for the year. Mick Webster led a group that went to Grasslands block and planted 30 acacia seedlings (A. aspera, A. pycnantha and A. paradoxa) around two of the dams, then had a leisurely morning tea with Chiltern Bakery bun admiring the view from the hill top.
Planting of Acacias and the effect of the exclusion fence – photos: Mick Webster
Today's other working group weeded the Bitter Cryptandra (Cryptandra amara) site where the plants are protected from grazing with tree guards. We then moved to Bartley's Block for morning tea with Chiltern Bakery bun. After that we cleared a section of the Tuan Walking Track. The track has been difficult to find so a search party re-traced it and then it was cleared using rakes and a leaf blower. The track is now easy to find after debris has been removed. Caper Spurge were removed and the Wallaby Grass seedlings (planted in October) were watered.
Cryptandra weeding and Tuan Track (before and after) – photos: Neville Bartlett
After lunch, Mick led a team of 3 to the Wheel Cactus infestation along Old Coach Rd and removed every flower and bud we could find, to hopefully prevent any seeding this year.
Careful handling of Wheel Cactus - photos: Mick Webster
Mayflies – Eileen Collins
Mayflies are uncommon insects belonging to the order Ephemeroptera. As the order suggests they are indeed ephemeral, living just a day or so. During their brief life they do not feed, their sole purpose is to mate.
This they do in flight after which the female deposits hundreds of eggs on the surface of clear running water.
The life cycle begins again as the eggs sink to the bottom of the stream where they hatch.
The nymphs feed upon algae and detritus and progress through many moults to maturity, emerging as adult Mayflies in spring.
This one is a species of Atalophlebidae, family Leptophlebiidae.
Mayfly Atalophlebidae sp. – photo: Neil Blair
Further reading and photographs can be found at : https://www.brisbaneinsects.com/pchew_brisbane/Mayfly.htm.
Chiltern Recreation Reserve mural project – Neville Bartlett
Local artist Kirrily Anderson has been commissioned by DELWP to produce a mural at the sports reserve at Chiltern.
The mural has been completed and now has an interpretative sign erected. It is a very impressive piece of work.
The mural and the nearby sign – photos: Neville Bartlett
The site is well worth a visit. The QR code on the sign takes one to a website where more information can be found:
Two other signs will be placed at the north-bound (Ironbark) and south-bound (Chiltern Park) wayside stops on the Hume Highway near Chiltern and each will have the same QR code link as the main mural.
An official launch is planned for early 2021 depending on COVID-19 restrictions.
Friends 2021 Calendar – Neville Bartlett
The first print run for the calendar has sold out quickly. Everyone who has already ordered or purchased calendars can expect them soon if they have not already received them. The next batch will be available within three weeks in plenty of time for Christmas. An order form is provided below.
Ranger’s Report
November has seen the park rapidly drying but there is still an abundance of flowering plants, birds are still nesting and insects are prolific.
Our crews have completed pre fire season clearing of tracks but windy conditions will mean it will require follow up. Slashing of grass is completed at most areas.
Spraying of St Johns Wort at grasslands block and Rutherglen NCR have been completed.
The viewing platform at Yeddonba will remain closed until further notice whilst we source funding and contractors to repair the structure.
Dumping of rubbish continues to be an issue and there are a few vehicles still be removed from the park.
Ranger Hannah has commenced a secondment in another role with Parks Victoria for the next 12 months and our long-term Field Services staff, Russell Pritchard, has also elected to retire next month.
Recruitment for replacement of these roles will commence once they are approved.
The frogmouth fledged 2 young 100 metres from my house.
Frogmouth at nest – photo: Brian Pritchard
Friends AGM
This year, we are having the AGM via email/telephone. The poll is being conducted by Secretary/Treasurer, Tony Murnane (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
The annual report of activity, the financial report and the minutes of the 2019 AGM have been sent out to members who were financial for 2019-20 and the current year. The following nominations for office-bearers and the committee were received:
President: Neville Bartlett
Vice-president: Simon Bennett
Secretary/Public Officer: Tony Murnane
Treasurer: Tony Murnane
Newsletter Editor: Neville Bartlett
Webmaster: Tony Marsh
Committee: Eileen Collins
Committee: Mick Webster
Committee: Helen Carse
Committee: Jennifer Davidson
Committee: Bill Boulton
Committee: John Hawker
Committee: Peter Gotham.
Voting is now open and due by Saturday 28th November 2020: The ‘AGM’ day. Results will be reported back to members. The AGM results will then be formally reported to Consumer Affairs Victoria as required for all registered organisations.
Around the Park – Neville Bartlett
The Eastern Rosellas (Platycercus eximius) nest featured in last month’s newsletter continued with all chicks fledging.
Rainfall For October: 89 mm. Total for 2020 year-to-date: 712 mm. In 2019 we had 369 mm up to the end of October. The average annual rainfall for Chiltern is 689 mm.
NEXT MEETING – SUNDAY 6 th DECEMBER 2020
This will be our Christmas gathering where we can celebrate making it through the year and look forward to 2021.
Meet at the picnic area at Chiltern Valley No 1 Dam at 4:00pm (AEDT). Please bring a chair, some food that can be shared, and what you would like to drink.
Contacts for the day: Neville – 0412 399 239.
Friends 2021 Calendar – Order Form
NOTE: Copies can be ordered at the Chiltern Post Office.
The 2021 calendars cost $20 each plus postage/packaging if you need to have them posted.
Postage + packaging costs:
1 calendar: $8.95 + $2.25 = $11.20. Total cost: $31.20.
2 calendars: $12.20 + $2.25 = $14.45. Total cost: $54.45.
3 calendars: $15.35 + $2.25 = $17.60. Total cost: $77.60.
Postage is now a flat rate countrywide.
Please forward your order and payment to Tony Murnane (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.):
Friends of Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park,
69 Conness Street, Chiltern Vic 3683.
A limited number will be printed.
Name:.................................................................................................. Telephone:..........................................
Email:.................................................................................................. Receipt required: Yes / No
Address:…………………………………………………………………………………... Postcode: ……....
If you wish to use electronic payment the details are:
Acc Name: Friends of Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park
Bank: WAW Credit Union Co-operative Ltd (Cuscal Limited)
BSB number: 803070
Acc number: 81167
Please add your surname to the transaction.
Please advise Tony (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) when you have made the payment to help us keep track of payments.
Newsletter 301 Dec 2020
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- Written by Neville Bartlett
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Friends of Chiltern Mt Pilot NP Newsletter #301 December 2020
Dear Friends,
2020 has been a year that has taught us not to take some things for granted. The group has been affected by the various COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions, but the members who live in or near Chiltern have done a great job of attending to tasks such as tracking Regent Honeyeaters, that were located just before a lockdown, and tackling some important weeds. Thank you very much!
When COVID-19 restrictions were eased, we have been able to get some weeding done at Bartley’s Block, as well as some plantings there and on the Grasslands Block. The higher rainfall this year has resulted in spectacular growth at the Grasslands Block in particular. Some of the dams within the Park have been filled but others did not.
Our traditional Christmas gathering was held at Chiltern Valley No 1 Dam in cool conditions. A large group took the opportunity to go for a walk around the neighbouring block that is a piece of crown land managed by DELWP. A plant of Honey Locust was discovered there, and Eileen has written an informative article about it (see below).
Some members have been using a map of the Park that featured many errors. They reported that track names on their map did not match the names on signs. Other members suggested that they obtain a copy of “Bush Biking @ Chiltern” from the Chiltern Information Centre.
Honey Locust - Gleditsia triacanthos - Eileen Collins
Fortunately, this weedy tree species was found adjacent to the park on Crown Land growing in unfavourable conditions for spread. Pleasingly, there was just a single plant which appeared to be quite young. This weed has the capability to regrow from any rootlets left in the soil. Bearing in mind this survival trick, it has been carefully dealt with. Thanks Mick.
Honey Locust belongs to the Fabaceae family. It is a declared noxious weed in New South Wales but not in Victoria.
A native of central America, it was introduced to Australia in the 1880's as a fodder plant, by William Macarthur of Camden NSW. Thriving along waterways and bearing vicious thorns, it forms dense thickets and becomes a haven for pest animal species such as foxes. The seed pods are sickle shaped, dark brown and up to 30cms in length. The seeds are surrounded with sweet pulp and are eaten by stock and spread in dung.
This plant is a survivor but hopefully never in our area! That said, it is sold in nurseries!
Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) – photos: Mick Webster
Granny Moth / Old Lady Moth - Dasypodia selenophera – Eileen Collins
This moth is commonly found in spring and summer resting during the day in sheds, under eaves and in caves.
Brian Pritchard's photo has captured its features beautifully.
It is a beautifully marked moth featuring a black and blue eyespot on each wing. It has a wingspan of up to seven centimetres.
The caterpillar of this moth feeds on Acacia sp. including Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha) and Silver Wattle (Acacia dealbata). However it feeds at night, resting in the day by lying along the stems of its food plant.
Because of this habit it is rarely noticed. It pupates in a woven cocoon which it attaches to the foliage.
Another species of this moth Speiredonia spectans has the same common name, but is found further north in Queensland with its range extending to southern New South Wales. This species features eyespots on both upper wings. So it may pay to look closely at the wings of any moths found in our area.
There is a challenge for anyone with an interest in moths!
Friends’ 2021 Calendar – Neville Bartlett
The Friends’ 2021 calendar has sold out. Thank you to everyone who made a purchase.
Calendars sold so quickly that we had to have a second print run that has also sold out.
This result was due largely to the efforts of Emma and Matt Williams at the Chiltern Post Office who took orders and made sales on behalf of the Friends group. Thank you, Emma and Matt, for such an outstanding effort at one of busiest times of the year for your business.
Thank you also to Secretary/Treasurer, Tony Murnane, for managing the orders and distribution of the calendars.
Ranger’s Report
COVID work restrictions and staff vacancies at the moment are limiting our ability for a timely response to some issues in the park. Our current priorities are ensuring visitor safety and delivery of core services to keep our parks Safe, Open and Clean.
We expect current ranger vacancies will be filled early next year. In the park, preparation works for the fire season are complete, but track clearing will be an ongoing task. Hopefully, the weather will help see a quiet fire season.
A successful program has seen a number of pigs trapped and destroyed in the Pilot Section of the park. Fox control works have also been completed at Chiltern Valley No 2. Rangers will be patrolling over the holiday period with the expected increase in visitor numbers.
We are currently engaging contractors to progress the repairs to the boardwalk at Yeddonba.
Friends AGM
Thank you to everyone who ‘voted’. All of the reports were accepted along with the nominations for the office-bearers and committee.
President: Neville Bartlett
Vice-president: Simon Bennett
Secretary/Public Officer: Tony Murnane
Treasurer: Tony Murnane
Newsletter Editor: Neville Bartlett
Webmaster: Tony Marsh
Committee: Eileen Collins, Helen Carse, Jennifer Davidson, Mick Webster, Bill Boulton, John Hawker
and Peter Gotham.
We look forward to having a more traditional AGM in 2021.
Rainfall For November: 25 mm. Total for 2020 year-to-date: 737 mm. In 2019 we had 429 mm up to the end of October. The average annual rainfall for Chiltern is 689 mm.
NEXT MEETING – SUNDAY 7thFEBRUARY 2021
The activity for the day will depend on the weather forecast and any COVID-19 restrictions that apply.
An announcement will be made on the Wednesday beforehand.
Meet at the Chiltern Post Office at 09:00am.
Contact for the day: Neville – 0412 399 239.
We wish everyone all the best for the festive season and look forward to a productive year in 2021.
2021 Friends Calendars For Sale
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- Written by Tony Marsh
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- Category: Latest News
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2021 Friends of Chiltern Calendars
Calendars are now available and selling quickly!
Click here for a preview in pdf format
NOTE: Copies can be purchased at the Chiltern Post Office.
Friends 2021 Calendar – Order FormThe 2021 calendars cost $20 each plus postage/packaging if you need to have them posted. Delivery in the local area can be arranged.Postage + packaging costs:
1 calendar: $8.95 + $2.25 = $11.20. Total cost: $31.20.
2 calendars: $12.20 + $2.25 = $14.45. Total cost: $54.45.
3 calendars: $15.35 + $2.25 = $17.60. Total cost: $77.60.
Postage is now a flat rate countrywide.Please forward your order and payment to Tony Murnane (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.):
Friends of Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park,
69 Conness Street, Chiltern Vic 3683.
Name:.................................................................................................. Telephone:..........................................
Email:..........................................................................................
Receipt required: Yes / NoAddress:…………………………………………………………………... Postcode: ……....If you wish to use electronic payment the details are:
Acc Name: Friends of Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park
Bank: WAW Credit Union Co-operative Ltd (Cuscal Limited)
BSB number: 803070
Acc number: 81167
Please add your surname to the transaction.
Please advise Tony (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) when you have made the payment to help us keep track of payments.
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Neville R. Bartlett
18 Barton Drive
Baranduda Victoria 3691 Australia
Tel: +61 (0)4 1239 9239
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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