Launched!

Posted on 30 April, 2018 by fobif

Close to 100 people turned up on Saturday morning to see Castlemaine Field Naturalists’ president George Broadway launch FOBIF’s Wattles of the Mount Alexander Region.

The guide was produced as a tribute to Ern Perkins, for many decades the leading figure in field naturalist studies in this region. George spoke briefly about Ern’s career since the two had been science students together at Melbourne University in the 1950s, before launching the book, which incorporates many of the notes on the Acacia species produced by Ern in innumerable guides and newsletters.

In introducing the event, FOBIF President Marie Jones paid tribute to past leaders, like Ern, and like FOBIF founding president Doug Ralph, who have made major contributions to the living tradition of engagement with the environment in this region.

The wattle guide is available from Stonemans Bookroom, the Castlemaine Visitor Information Centre, the Book Wolf in Maldon and the Guildford General Store. It can also be ordered directly from this site.

Thanks to John Ellis for the photos. Click to enlarge.

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Reminder: Wattle book launch next Saturday

Posted on 23 April, 2018 by fobif

Our latest FOBIF publication, Wattles of the Mount Alexander Shire, will be launched next Saturday morning, 28 April in the Phee Broadway Theatre Foyer at 11 am.  You can find all the details here.

If you can’t make the launch, the book will be available from Stoneman’s Bookroom from 28 April. You will also be able to buy it online from the FOBIF website. Cost is $10.

Here are a some sample pages on Golden Wattle:

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Launch of ‘Wattles of the Mount Alexander Region’

Posted on 16 April, 2018 by fobif

Acacia, known in Australia as wattle, is the largest genus of plants in the country — nearly 1000 species! Its brilliant flowers transform winter and spring landscapes. Our sporting teams wear its green and gold colours. Sprigs of wattle flowers adorn our patriotic events. The Golden Wattle is our national floral emblem …

But how many wattle species can the average citizen name and recognise?

Our new 112 page wattle guide helps the beginner to make a start. In plain language, and generously illustrated, it presents twenty one species which flourish in the Mount Alexander region of central Victoria. And a general introduction explains different features of wattles, helping in identification and appreciation of these tenacious and beautiful plants.

The book is published by Friends of the Box-Ironbark Forests in association with Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club and Connecting Country. The authors are Bernard Slattery, Ern Perkins and Bronwyn Silver.

George Broadway (President, Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club) will launch the book in the Phee Broadway Theatre Foyer, Mechanics Lane, Castlemaine, on Saturday 28 April 2018 from 11 am.

Everyone is welcome, refreshments will be served and copies of the book will be available for sale.  Cost is $10.

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Hardy walkers enjoy FOBIF walk

Posted on 16 April, 2018 by fobif

Despite intermittent showers 18 walkers enjoyed a day visiting Browns Gully and the surrounding area last Sunday, ably led by Ron Wescott. Such a good turnout shows the popularity and value of these walks.

Recently the bush had been looking a bit tired and drab in the hot and dry weather but the damper conditions brought out the colours of the bush beautifully and gave it a rejuvenated look. The area of Candlebarks beside the gully looked especially good.

We also visited some of the nearby stone chimneys including one used by Charlie Sanger during his wanderings.

Di Davies sent us these comments:

Photo by Di Daves

Very little was flowering but fungi had begun to emerge and lichens were displaying beautiful forms on damp stumps, dripping trunks and other substrates.

The photo (left) shows Variable Sword-sedge Lepidosperma laterale growing on the side of the track. This interesting sedge, with its large basal tuft of leaves, was found growing on drier, upper slopes. It has insignificant flowers so is not often noticed or appreciated. This hardy and drought tolerant plant is well worth considering as a garden specimen. 

Thanks Ron for a great walk.

 

 

 

Dom Lavie sent us the three photos above. Click to enlarge.

The next walk is in Poverty Gully on May 20. There was some confusion as to whether this was going ahead due to the missing lines in the printed sheet mailed out but it definitely is and all the details are on the website.

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New local book on bird walks

Posted on 9 April, 2018 by fobif

Ever wanted to go on a walk in our local bush with plenty of birds to observe along the way? Damian Kelly’s new publication, Castlemaine bird walks: a guide to walks and birds in the Castlemaine district, will give you lots of ideas about where to go.

This comprehensive 202 page book has 4 to 5 pages on over 40 walks. Each description covers birds you might come across, a site description, and text and a map of the walk itself. Informative photos of birds and the local landscape are on most pages.

 

There are also useful sections on topics such as how to identify birds, bird watching – tricks of the trade, and birds of the Castlemaine region.

A companion website to the book allows for information sharing and updates. 

Castlemaine Bird Walks will be an invaluable resource for locals and visitors to our area who want to explore our bushlands and observe and identify birds.

The Wettenhall Environment Trust provided a grant to help with publication costs. 

The book is available at Stonemans Bookshop in Castlemaine or directly through the website. The cost is $20.

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