Friends of the Box-Ironbark Forests

Starting on the Old Drummond Road, we’ll take a route centred on Nener Track. This short, pretty track is the site of abundant populations of two rare plants—Round-leaf Flat Pea and Fryerstown Grevillea. The route will give walkers a chance to look at three areas burned respectively in 2008, 2009 and 2012. That’s not as depressing as it sounds, because recovery has been startling, and the comparisons are revealing. It’s a moderately short route, but it’s pretty hilly around there, so there’ll be the odd rise and fall. About 5-6 kms. Bernard Slattery 0499 624 160

As mentioned in a previous post Geoff Park will be our guest speaker at the FOBIF AGM on 12 August in the Senior Citizens Centre, Mechanics Lane at 7.30. 

Woodland birds in central Victoria – historical observations, current status and future prospects

Woodland birds are an iconic and special element of the box-ironbark forests and woodlands of central Victoria. The impacts of European settlement, from gold-mining to agricultural intensification, have contributed to a steady decline in species diversity and populations. This decline is now being exacerbated by the clear and present effects of climate change.

 Geoff’s talk will span some historical perspectives on what are now locally extinct or rare woodland bird species, discuss what we think we know about the current situation and consider options and possibilities for future conservation efforts.

Flame Robin (adult male), Rise and Shine Bushland Reserve, 26th June 2024 (Geoff Park,  Natural Newstead)

There are several vacancies on the FOBIF committee and we are encouraging interested people to consider joining. There is a link for nomination forms and more information  here.

It’s all over the place. It’s quite attractive too…but what is it?

If you’ve ever asked that question, as we have, the answer is at hand, in the latest edition of Wombat Forestcare’s wonderful newsletter. In a typically informative article, ‘What is that orange stuff?’ John Walter gives us the answer:

On the Fryers Ridge. What is that orange stuff?

‘While it is often thought to be a lichen, it is actually a green alga belonging to the genus Trentepohlia.’ And he naturally follows up with: ‘I can hear the clamour of voices asking, “Why is it orange if it is a green alga?” The orange colour is the result of large quantities of carotenoids which mask the green of the chlorophyll.’ If you want to know more, you can find the newsletter here.

As usual the newsletter is packed with useful info: an enthralling article about native bees, and a distressing account of Vicforests continuing depredations in the Wombat.

Essential reading.

Local bird expert and photographer, Geoff Park will be the guest speaker at this year’s FOBIF Annual General Meeting on August 12. Most of our readers will be familiar with his website, Natural Newstead which he set up in 2010. It has since become one of the top 100 birding sites in the world, a mine of information with brilliant photos and consistently astute observations.

There will be a short formal AGM at 7.30 followed by Geoff’s talk. Supper will be provided and everyone is welcome.

If you wish to nominate for the FOBIF committee the form can be found here. Lynette Amaterstein who has been the FOBIF treasurer for many years will not be standing again. So if you would like to become our next treasurer consider standing for the committee. Lynette is happy to help a new person in this role for as long as necessary. There will be also be several other committee vacancies. Feel free to contact Marie Jones (0407 977 731), Bernard Slattery (0499624160) or Lynette (0409330069) if you would like more information about being on the committee. 

The AGM will be held in the Senior Citizens Centre, Mechanics Lane, Castlemaine (next to the library).