Spring Keeps Springing

Two more lovelies...

A clutch of Donkey Orchids

and a Blue Grass Lily

both spotted today amongst the Watsonia being poisoned. Goes to show it pays to use the 'Tongs of Death' over blanket spraying.

Spring is Sprunging

And here's some pictures...(click for bigger)

Lavender Grevillea

Brown Thornbill (?)

Gorse Bitter Pea

Running Postman

Myrtle Wattle

Pink-Eyed Susans

Nodding Greenhoods

Dumping today, gone tomorrow

From this...

To this...

Thanks to John from Team Dingo for removing the wreck and scrap metal fencing material dumped by some delightful people down the old quarry road (and in the bush itself!) on Mt Mag. This area can now be sealed off and allowed to regenerate. A general cleanup followed and the remaining rubbish, tyres etc will be gone shortly. The access road was then blocked by recycling some pine posts (also dumped) and setting them across the entrance ways and down the track itself. All this added to the last working bee where some Watsonia, Gorse (the only infestation on the property) and Soursobs were poisoned will see this area transformed over the next few seasons.

Bush Regenerators 1 Illegal Dumpers/Trailbikers 0

Grant Application Successful!

Today we received news from the Native Vegetation Council that the SEB grant application for funding over the next three years has been successful and that $191,500 has been offered to the Prospect Hill Bushland Group. The Agreement will be reviewed by the group over the next two weeks and a response forwarded to the NVC. This is great news and a resounding slap on the back for all the hard work by private landowners committed to improving and preserving the biodiversity of their local natural environment.

In particular the Prospect Hill Bushland Group would like to thank Anthony our tireless Bush Management Advisor from the Department of Environment & Heritage, Tony from the Goolwa to Wellington Local Action Planning Association and Danielle C for their resolute support and work on behalf of the group.

The Prospect Hill Bushland Group is in business!

Biggest Grass Tree you eva' did see...

Well perhaps not but it's up there and they're just starting to flower...

So sayeth the Grass Tree Girls

See you at Jemima & Craig's on the 22nd for this year's Watsonia wasting...

Greenhoods Galore!

Wet wet wet and the darlin' little winter orchids are pooping up all over the place. From the two loners spotted near Mt Mag Rd a few weeks ago we now have multiple sightings all over the place. And they're coming out...

From this...

To they're coming out...

Common they may be, beautiful they definitely are.

One for the Fungi Man

It's wet! (although never too wet). But wet & winter = fungi. Here's an odd one for Mr Fungus to have a squizz at and see what he thinks [well I've never seen this one before]

Arum Lillies RIP & more!

A big thanks to the death and destruction team who fronted at Jenni's for what was literally a glorious day of follow-thru Arum Lily slicin' and a'swabbin'. We covered a fair patch of land and combined with the previous blackberry spraying and clearing the area is really starting to take shape. Pics to follow [hint hint to those that took some. I just saw the green mist and failed to take any]

Caterpillar in great numbers attacking Cape broom near Ti Tree Road in late June!

Many thanks to all who came for the weed-up at Andrew & Justin's yesterday. We attacked the hillside in a flanking manoeuvre with vast numbers of Broom falling before our pulling might - and we were attacking up hill. Imagine the dent we'll be able to make should fortune favour us with the NVC SEB grant. Herewith some pictures taken by Tim of interesting fungi found in the liberated territory and a 5th column caterpillar found merrily munching its way through Broom leaves. Tim is trying to identify it lest we be able to enlist it as a biological weapon in future campaigns...

Coral-like fungus


Classic fairytale fungus


Stout minaret fungus


Attack!




The Victorious


The Surprised & Pointing Aimlessly

Grant Meeting a Great Meeting

A short note to say a big thanks to Anthony, Danielle and Tony for making time to come and talk to us about grants and share some hot food and room temperature wine (thanks Ant!) at the Claredon Inn last Thursday. A robust discussion was had and the group is looking forward to the possibility of some focussed long-term funding under the new Native Vegetation Council SEB Grant scheme. Lots of work ahead to make the deadline and we're all looking forward to a celebratory second dinner in due course!

Rescheduled Weeding Day

Due to the cancellation of Andrew & Justin's weeding day on Sunday May 30th due to inclement weather (hey at least it was raining!) this coming Sunday's event will be rescheduled. Google calendar will be updated shortly and hopefully not send multiple emails like the last time. Paul & Sugina's weeding day will be slotted in later in the festivities.

May Weed day at Lyndall's!

Sunday May 2nd saw the weed warriors at Lyndall's where a sweep was done on the Broom (if you know what I mean). In attendance also was Anthoy from the DEH who pitched in and shared the knowledge love on all manner of invasive species including non-green ones. Here are a few pics from Lyndall;