The Bushcare Newsletter of Mosman Council
International day of Biodiversity
Mosman and North Sydney Councils held a joint walk from Mosman Bay to Cremorne Point, showcasing the work of volunteers to improve their local bushland. We began at Reid Park, one of Mosman’s longest running Bushcare sites. The supervisor, James, pointed out some features of the site including the Cabbage Tree Palm fronds which were used by Aborigines to build humpies, and the fibrous bark used for string and the shoot cooked and eaten. Early settlers also used the palms to make hats, though the resulting
industry severely impacted their numbers and distribution. The group continued up the hill to the Millet Road Bushcare site which was once heavily degraded by the dumping of construction waste. The volunteers have helped maintain the site, transforming it from an eyesore to a bush garden. James gave the walkers a taste of some bush food: Native Sarsaparilla (Smilax glyciphylla). The leaves can be sucked for a sweet and bitter taste. At this point one of our walkers
Winter 2013
What’s in this issue: International day of Biodiversity ........................ 1 Fauna Sighting .................. 2 National Tree Day
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Earth Day .......................... 3 Bushcare Bulletins ............ 3 Curlew Camp Bushcare ... 4 Weed Watch
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chimed in with a bit of local history about Harnett Falls. As a girl she swam in the water hole and remembered the iron rings where the whalers would moor their dinghies and the initials they had carved into the rocks. Sadly these are no longer present. We then wandered on towards Cremorne Point where Rachel from North Sydney took over. She explained the various ways residents, through their Adopt-aPlot program, have been able to revitalise their foreshore. At one point Rachel stopped us to listen out for a whipbird that lives in the area. It was a rare treat when the male whipbird popped up onto a log, but did not sit still long enough for a photo. This bird is very elusive though its iconic call is often heard.
Fauna Sighting
I was watering some recently planted plants at Reid Park last week and the sound of water rattling the dried leaves upon parched earth attracted a Jacky Lizard in a scamper towards me and the falling water. The lizard found a curled leaf full of water and ravenously started drinking. It was so thirsty that I could see its little Tongue lapping away. Cute eh! –Michael Schultz, 2013 Jacky Lizards (Amphibolurus muricatus) are a species of lizard from the Dragon family, AGAMIDAE. They occur along the southeast coast of Australia. They are characterised by the yellow mouth lining. Their scales are pale grey to brown with a series of dark blotches running along their back. They have five crests; one ventral crest along their nape and spine, one pair running parallel to the first and another pair of crests along their flank. On average, they can grow to about 22cm. Jacky lizards are primarily insectivorous preferring live prey. Like many reptiles, the sex of Jacky Lizard hatchlings is determined by the temperature of the nest. Females lay up to eight eggs in sheltered sandy soil. An individual typically has a life span of four years, which is short for a lizard. Like most Dragons, the Jacky Lizards use some very human mannerisms for communication and courtship. They can be observed to nod, wave and even do push ups. Their tail can be raised, curled and flicked to provide additional signals. They have also been observed getting into physical fights, though not often. They can even run on their hind legs if they build up enough speed.
Photo: Brenton Van
National Tree Day Sunday, 28th July from 9:30am
National Tree Day is just around the corner. As always, young and old are invited to come along and celebrate our native ‘backyard’ with a sausage sizzle and some tree planting. This year Mosman Council is joined by Taronga Zoo in hosting the event at Little Ashton Park. We want to help reintroduce the community to a national treasure: their local patches
of bushland. On the day, visitors will be able to see what plants they can use to bring wildlife, like the Superb Fairy Wren, into their backyards. Better still, they will be able to come back in years to come and see how their contribution on the day has helped transform the area. Those interested should register through the Mosman Events website. For more information, contact the Bushcare Officer on 9978 4038.
Bushcare Hints: Make sure to wear warm clothing in the winter months. Long-sleeved clothing can also prevent scratches, cuts, bites and stings.
Earth Day Biodiversity Bushwalk
In honour of Earth Day, the Bushcare Officer took a group of locals on a bushwalk around our southern headlands. We started at Taronga Zoo wharf and walked into the National Park at Bradley’s Head, working our way around Chowder Head to Clifton Gardens.
As we walked around the headland the various features of the area and how they contributed to the variation in vegetation communities were pointed out. It was interesting to see how something as simple as which direction a slope faces creates a contrast in species assemblage within the Sydney Sandstone Gully Forest. We noted changes, not just in vegetation, but in microclimate where an area of rainforest vegetation noticeably reduced the ambient temperature. Some fauna made an appearance: an Eastern Water Dragon was spotted and the Red Crowned Toadlet, a threatened species, was heard. The birdlife was less cooperative than usual but a few sightings were still made. One thing that became very apparent was how lucky we are to have such a beautiful patch of bush so close to the city. As we walked we had postcard views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. One thing that we learnt was that Bradley’s Head was not named after our famous Bushcare sisters, but after William Bradley an officer and cartographer in the Royal Navy who helped survey the harbour for military fortifications in 1788.
Quarterly Meeting
Bushcare Bulletins
The next Bushcare quarterly meeting will be on Wednesday 17th July at Harnett Room, Mosman Civic Centre. Come share the progress of your sites and any ideas you may have about moving forward. There will be tea, coffee and light refreshments served. Meeting starts at 6pm. Call the Bushcare Officer on 9978 4038 to RSVP or 0419 784 088.
Natalie
Natalie is looking forward to returning from maternaty leave on Monday, 29th of July.
There has been a noticible reduction in the rabbit population around the treatment areas.
She will be returning part time, working Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Feral Animal Program Rabbits are an environmental pest. Mosman Council has been undertaking control activities along with neighbouring land managers.
Bushcare Hints: Weeds can propagate from more than just seed. Weeds like Lantana and Morning Glory can send out roots from vegetation touching the ground. Such material should be taken off site or ‘rafted’.
Introducing: Curlew Camp Bushcare
Dates Diary for the July 17, 2013 Bushcare Quaterly meeting 6 pm - 7:30pm July 28, 2013 National Tree Day 9:30 am - 12:30 0m September 8, 2013 Bushcare Major Day Out
On the 2nd of February three volunteers braved the inclement weather to start a new Bushcare group at Curlew Camp Rd. As the rain blew in across Little Sirius Cove, the volunteers arrived oneby-one, each brimming with energy and enthusiasm. We grabbed our tools and got stuck in. As we progressed through the site during the first half of the morning we focused on a few weeds to become familiar with their different forms, how they spread and the best way to treat
Weed Watch
them. This gave us the opportunity to look at the two strongest pairs of native/exotic look-alikes: Commelina/Tradescantia and Microlaena/Ehrharta. We have made additional sweeps of the site and planted a range of shrubs and groundcovers to reduce erosion and attract small birds. We have had a lot of wet weather which has helped the plantings to take hold. Progress has been good and we are now moving into a new area. Fortunately the weather has been kind
September 14, 2013 ‘Immersing Art and Nature’ Guided Bushwalk Bookings: Bushcare Officer 9978 4038 or email: bushcare@mosman. nsw.gov.au Online: www.mosman.nsw. gov.au/events to us, giving us sun for the last few meetings. The group continues to meet on the first Saturday of every month. New faces are always welcome!
Hairy Indian Mallow (Albutilon grandifolium) – This up and coming weed is starting to make an appearance in Mosman. Like most floral invaders it began as a garden plant but has since escaped into our bushland. This one is a potential threat because it produces a lot of seed and can grow to shelter out smaller shrubs. While not actually a mallow, it is a close cousin with strong similarities in the flowers and fruit. It is actually a ‘lantern flower’. Originally from South America, it typically pops up in disturbed areas and riparian zones. It is a small shrub that can grow to 2 metres in height with stems covered in long fine hairs. The leaves are as large as an open hand and heart shaped. The leaf margines are finely toothed. In winterspring it produces yellow flowers about the size of a 50 cent coin. The seed pod is much like that of Paddy’s Lucerne (Sida rhombifolia), a round pod made up of numerous segments each containing seed. Plants can be pulled out by hand though larger specimens should be cut and painted. Any sighting please report to Bushcare Officer on 9978 4038 or by email bushcare@mosman.nsw.gov.au