Kingfi shers Part

Marian and Penny preparing The Green Space garden beds for the growing season. BACK PAGE:

Job’s done, time to relax! Helen and Suzie taking a break in the squatters chairs at The Green Space.

C O N T E N T S

• From the Editor -

Page 2 • Our weekly programs return - Pages 3, 4 & 5 • Bush Relatives -

Pages 6-7 • Tales from Mt Whitfi eld - Part 1 - Pages 8-9 • Those little black beetles - Page 10 • Cairns Botanic

Gardens fungi report 2022 update - Page 11 • Volunteer Comments -

Page 12 • The Vegie Patch -

Page 12 • New year, new life -

Page 13 • Kingfi shers Part 2 -

Pages 14-15 • Feathered Friends -

Page 15 • World Wetland

Day celebrations at

Cattana Wetlands -

Page 16 • Did You Know - Page 16 • Cairns Botanic

Gardens update -

Page 17 • The world beneath our feet - Part 7 Springtails - Pages 18-19

Editor - Volunteers Supervisor, Louisa Grandy Proof readers - Michelle Walkden Volunteers Jennifer H. Muir, Sandy Long Contributors - volunteers: Tom Collis, Janice Pichon, Dr David Rentz AM, Graeme Masterman, Jennifer H. Muir, John Peter, Mikey (Hidetoshi Kudo) and Charles Clarke.

From the Editor

Welcome back! We’ve had another unusual start to the year with the suspension of our weekly programs in February but March saw us all return and happy to be back together again, even if it was in very hot conditions! The following pages provide an insight to what our vollies have been up to. Thank you to our volunteer writers who have once again submitted some very interesting articles. Have you ever wondered what instigated Mt Whitfi eld’s Arrow tracks? Janice Pichon’s article ‘Tales of Mt Whitfi eld’, provides an intriguing look at “The beacon of green that overlooks the northern suburbs of Cairns city...”. Dr David Rentz answers all your questions about the infl ux of those little black beetles during February and March. Graeme Masterman is always camera ready to capture his nature observations. This time he has written a lovely story to go with his ‘snaps’ about a Willie Wagtail family. Curator Charles Clarke gives an update on the Botanic Gardens, and BirdLife area coordinator Mikey Kudo writes about Wetlands Day celebrated at the Cattana Wetlands. Tom Collis, and Jenn and Barry Muir continue to provide their invaluable information (keep an eye out for the ‘Email News’ for their nature ‘titbits’ too). With the popularity of The Green Space, volunteer’s support offi cer Sarah Gosling has started ‘The Vegie Patch’ column to help you have success at home. Lastly, if you have any ideas for our quarterly magazine, give me a call.

Late start to the year in hot conditions

Jabirus Cattana Wetlands

Our volunteers were happy to reconnect after a longer than usual time apart, even if the conditions were much hotter than usual. The Cattana Wetland Jabirus spent their morning weeding in the Sedge Swamp, while the Cairns Botanic Gardens’ Down ‘n’ Dirty volunteers cleaned up the Bamboo Collection. And of course, it’s not all about the work, a chance to connect and have a chat over a cuppa or cold drink is a part of the volunteering experience.

Frank and Jabirus weeding in the Sedge Swamp site.

Dawn adding to Jabirus’ wildlife corridor plantings.

Down ‘n’ Dirty Botanic Gardens

Maureen, Christopher, Anne and Sandy enjoying a cuppa and chat.

Egrets Russell St reveg site

Egret’s Russell St revegetation site in Edge Hill is growing well. This dedicated small group added a further 80 native plants to the site at their fi rst catch up of the year.

Darryl

Sandpipers City gardens

Hiromi

Jill

Sandpipers spent their return morning at a new location, providing weeding support in the shady Munro Martin Parklands.

Chris

The Green Space Jess Mitchell Park

Marian planting corn.

The Green Space is once again open to volunteers on Wednesdays 9.30am-3.30pm and Friday afternoons 1.30-3.30pm. The gardens were well maintained during suspension ready for volunteers to plant and weed.