Reminder about Chilean Needle Grass Workshop

Posted on 26 October, 2011 by fobif

The Tarrengower Cactus Control Committee is hosting a workshop to help people identify and control the Chilean Needle Grass weed this Sunday 30 October from 10.30am – 12.30pm. More information can be found here.

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Last walk for 2011

Posted on 23 October, 2011 by fobif

Doug Ralph led the last FOBIF walk for the year on 16 October. The walk began at the Garfield Water Wheel and followed the water race to Quartz Hill along Sailers Gully. This water race supplied the Water Wheel. Along the way Doug explained the mining and early settlement history of the area.

Walkers with Doug at a mining tunnel. Photo by John Ellis

Doug explaining the significance of an old stone ruin. Photo by John Ellis

The walks have been very successful this year with over 50 people attending both the March walk along the Loddon and the May walk to Muckleford Gorge. The average attendance for other walks was about 25. We are in the process of planning the 2012 program and are keen to hear from anyone who might like to lead a walk. Contact Bronwyn Silver on 5475 1089 or Julie Hurley on 5472 5082 if you are interested. The new walks’ program will be posted on this website in February next year with the first walk taking place on 18 March 2012.

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Out and about in the Muckleford Forest

Posted on 21 October, 2011 by fobif

I always find that the call of the Peaceful Dove is enticing, but it can be a hard bird to actually locate. The call seems to move about and getting a fix can be hard. When you do, the view is worth it of a beautiful dove.

Peaceful Dove. Photo by Damian Kelly, October 2011

With a distinctive call, but tiny size, Weebills are a hard bird to see as they zip about in the foliage. A lucky shot the other morning brought this little beauty into closer focus. Easily confused with thornbills, their distinguishing features include the wee bill (unlike the thorn of the others) and its distinctive call.

Webill. Photo by Damian Kelly, October 2011

White-browed Woodswallows are very common in the forests at the moment. Early the other morning I stopped in the forest near Newstead and the air was alive with bird calls – hundreds of this agile woodswallow were all about – in the trees, along the ground and circling high above the tree-tops. A remarkable sight. These two stopped briefly for me to get a better view.

Whitebrowed Woodswallows. Photo by Damian Kelly, October 2011

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Spider Mites do their thing

Posted on 20 October, 2011 by fobif

Gorse-controlling spider mites were released near the Loddon Prison about 15 years ago. The mite has spread far and wide and is having a big effect on gorse in some areas. You can find more about these mites on this DPI site.

Spider mites eating gorse on land near the Loddon prison. Photo by Doug Ralph, October 2011

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New blog on Muckleford Forest

Posted on 19 October, 2011 by fobif

Chris Johnson has started a new blog on Muckleford Forest. It contains up-to-date information on this season’s past and forthcoming DSE burns in that area. Chris made the following observations about last Friday’s burn:

I was dismayed to see that the extent of the burnt area was more like 80-90% coverage rather than a max of 50% which I understand is what is expected in Zone 3. Some living trees had been burnt out at the base and had fallen. I noted the thin layer of ash and a low level of fuel in the ground litter and ground covers opposite on the unburnt side.

Fallen tree following last Friday's burn in Muckleford Forest

To view the site click here.

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