Koalas!

On our last Working Bee, Sunday the 6th Of June, some of us where lucky enough to see a new arrival to the Reserve, a Koala! According to long time resident and member of Friends of Upper Sweetwater, the last koala in the reserve was seen 25 years ago and sadly was killed by a dog attack.
So of course some information on Koalas seemed necessary.

                                                        Photo Courtesy of M.Elsworth

The koalas closest living relative is the wombat!
They are only found on the East Coast of Australia, are herbivores and eat 200-500g of leaves each day. Koalas from different regions eat the leaves from different gum trees. In Frankston they feed on our local Narrow Leafed Peppermint and Manna gums. Eucalyptus leaves are fibrous and low in nutrition. The koala has a specialised adaptation to cope with this by having a low metabolic rate, which allows the food to be retained in the digestive system for a long period of time which maximises the amount of energy to be extracted. Koalas also sleep between 18-22 hours each day to conserve energy.
As it is colder in Southern Australia, our koala`s fur is longer, shaggier, darker. They are also considerably larger than koalas up North. Males are distinguished by their brown scent gland in the centre of their chest, which they rub on tree trunks to deter other males. Males live for up to 10 years depending if their is enough habitat for them to disperse to.
Females start breeding from 3-4 years of age, live for about 12 years and may produce 5-6 offspring in her lifetime.
Koalas are highly territorial and individual members maintain their own `home range', which consists of home range trees and food trees. These trees provide the koala with food, shelter and places to socialise, which supports the koala for life. Home ranges of individual koalas overlap with their neighbour where social interaction occurs. After a koala has died, other koalas will not move into the empty home range for about a year, during which time scent markings and scratches of the old owner disappear.
When a young koala becomes sexually mature, it must leave the mother`s home range and find a territory of it`s own. The young koalas aim is to find another breeding group to join.

Placing roads or houses between a koalas home range can cut the koala off from adequate food and shelter and risk injury or death from dogs, cars and disease. Because of the overlapping structure of the koalas home range it can not simply move along to the next patch as the trees next door already belong to someone else and cannot support another koala. We can help koalas by keeping our dogs on leads in our Reserves, lock the dogs up at night when the koalas are active and plant Manna and peppermint gums in our gardens.

FUN FACT: Koalas are the only animal (like humans) that have individual fingerprints!

Tawny Frogmouths!

We are lucky enough to have 2 new residents in our Reserve and we are receiving lots of enquiries about them so a post on Tawny Frogmouths is required.

                                               Photo courtesy of Rhonda kennedy


Tawny Frogmouths are related to the owl but the closest relative is actually the Nightjar.
They are native throughout Australia and Tasmania (except far West Queensland and central Northern Terrritory).
As locals will have noticed the Tawny`s perch on low branches during the day and are camouflaged as part of the tree, often choosing a broken part of a tree branch. Pairs sit together with their bodies touching and partner for life. They will usually stay in the same territory for a decade or more.

Tawny Frogmouths are carniverous, their diet consisting of large nocturnal insects, moths, spiders, worms, slugs,snails, small mammals (mice), reptiles and frogs.

As Tawny Frogmouths have adapted to live in close proximity to humans they are at risk of exposure to pesticides and insecticides. Rodent poisons remain in the system of the target animal and can be fatal to the Tawny that eats them. They are also killed on roads during feeding as they fly in front of vehicles when chasing insects illuminated by the headlights.

We feel very lucky to having them choose our Reserve to live in.

Clean Up Australia Day

Photo courtesy of A. McNicol-Smith

FOUS participated in Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday the 6^th of March. We had a great turnout of 10 people and we collected 7 bags of rubbish in the 2 hours. Half of these bags included recyclables of predominantly glass bottles. Clothing, 2 plastic chairs, a motorbike part, a huge piece of carpet and building materials were also collected.  It was a great effort by the group and what turned out to be great weather and an enjoyable day. A huge Thank You to the team!

3rd OF MAY WORKING BEE

We had glorious Autumn weather for our Sunday Working Bee, we worked at the Heathland Track removing Bone Seed, Pittosporum and Sallow Wattle. All producers of copious amount of seeds, so it felt good removing them!.

 Our group was joined by a Pacific Black Duck who flew onto the bridge to get a closer look at us, (named Sand Castle by our 3 year old helper) and as we were finishing up a young kookaburra came over and practised his laugh for us. It was a rewarding morning and thanks to all who came to help out.  

                                               Photo Courtesy of R.Dill

Horny Cone Bush very thorny!

Isopogon Ceratophyllus:

Found in coastal Healthland areas (like Upper Sweetwater Reserve) and grows in moist, well drained, sandy soil.
It is a slow growing shrub and has very thorny, hard leaves which branch off into segments of three and are antler shaped. Hence the name Ceratophyllus meaning antler leaved.
The Horny Cone bush flowers in Spring, followed by the seed pods and can take many years to flower and produce seed.
Look out for it, as it is quite a sight!.

                                           Photo courtesy of R.Kennedy

12th April Working Bee

We worked under the Cherry Belarts this Working Bee, removing Panic Veldt Grass and yes it makes one panic seeing how much they seed and spread, ?hence the name. This weedy grass was removed from the Green Hood Orchid patch along the main path of Upper Sweetwater Reserve, this reduces competition for the Orchids and ensures no spraying of the grassy weeds and accidental poisoning of the Green Hoods.
Thanks to all who attended!

Clover Glycine: Glycine Iatrobeana

Is a small perennial herb with leaves that look similar to the common Clover.

It`s low growing and initially spreads horizontally then the ends grow erect/ upwards. The leaves are round and group into 3 leaflets (similar to clover). 

The flowers are purple to pink, pea like and up to 6mm long. 

The seed pods are 15-25 mm long, covered in short hairs. The pods contain 3-5 ovoid seeds. 

 Flowers: Sept to Nov/Dec.

Habitat: Found across South Eastern Australia in Grasslands and Grassy Woodlands. Vulnerable in Upper Sweetwater Reserve.

Threats:

·       Weed invasion

·       Clover Glycine is palatable to native and introduced grazing animals

·       Regular burning in Late Spring/ Early Summer

National Tree Planting Day

Friends Of Upper Sweetwater will not be holding a National Tree Planting Day this year, however Frankston City Council will be holding an event at Lloyd Park, Langwarrin. See flyer below for details.

Sunday 1st June Working Bee

It seemed we removed more rubbish from the Reserve today than weeds, however we did remove the usual culprit, Sallow wattle (see previous posts on why we remove this tree), blackberries and weedy grasses from the orchid patches. Yes!, the Nodding Greenhood Orchids and Mosquito Orchids are back and we were lucky enough to see them in flower.
The Sweet Wattle is also currently in flower which makes them stand out in Upper Sweetwater Reserve so a post on the Sweet Wattle seemed timely.

Sweet Wattle:   Acacia Suaveolens

Sweet Wattle draws its name from the small clumps of flowers that occur during Autumn and early Spring, that produce a sweet scent. The flowers and seed pods provide a food source for a variety of birds.  In Upper Sweetwater the shrubs are easily identifiable at the moment as they are currently in flower and are dotted throughout the Reserve.

Sweet Wattle can be planted in the home garden in groups or as an accent plant, (seedlings can be purchased from Frankston Indigenous Nursery). Grown in Full sun or Partial shade and can tolerate moderately salty winds. It reaches a Height of 1-2 m. Maintenance is relatively easy, if required selective pruning encourages more vigorous leaf growth. Plant some to attract birds to your garden and to delight in their sweet fragrance.



Reference: `Indigenous Plants Of The Sandbelt' by R.Scott et al, 2002

 

4th May Working Bee

Weed: Sallow Wattle (Acacia Longifolia)

Photo credit: Sydney Golden Wattle / John Tann / CC BY 2.0


As we removed loads of Sallow Wattles from the reserve last working bee, I thought a post about these woody weeds would be apt!

Sallow Wattle is indigenous in forest and woodlands of East Gippsland and NSW, however populations around Melbourne, central and Northern Vic show invasive attributes.

Habitat: Grows in partial shade to full sun, tolerating a wide range of soil types, flowers in late
winter - spring.

Invasive Traits: Sallow Wattle increases soil fertility which can affect the growth of some indigenous species, they shade out groundflora species, crowd out shrubs and severly impede overstorey regeneration.

Reproduces by seed, which are dispersed by birds and ants.

Control: Seedlings and smaller plants can be hand pulled, be sure to remove the roots as they can reshoot. Older mature plants do not usually reshoot, so they can be ringbarked or cut down, remove and bag any semi ripe or ripe fruit first.
There are many wattles broadly similar to Acacia Longifolia varieties, becoming familiar with the leaves, flowers and pods is crucial before removing.

Reference: Bushland Invaders of South East Australia by Adam Muyt 2001

6th April Working Bee

There was a terrific turnout to last Sundays Working Bee. The Coreas were in flower and the orchids were starting to come up, the weather perfect. We welcomed some new volunteers to our group and found honeycomb from an old beehive (no Bees!) which enthralled the kids.The men removed Sallow Wattle saplings from the area near the Sycamore Rd entrance to the Reserve, whilst the rest of us removed Pittosprum and Sallow Wattle seedlings along the paths.

Thanks to all that attended.

Clean Up Australia Day Working Bee

Thanks to all that turned up to Upper Sweetwater Reserve for Clean Up Australia Day! We combined the day with our usual Working Bee and were glad to see that there was not too much rubbish found. We ended up with only half a bag of rubbish!. That says a lot about our local community and the people that use the Reserve. Thanks to all that helped out on the day.

Clean Up Australia Day

Sunday the 2nd of March is `Clean Up Australia Day'

Friends of Upper Sweetwater will be hosting a clean up in Upper Sweetwater Reserve, which coincides with our usual monthly Working Bee.

Start time 10am, finishing by 12. Meet at the Lawson Ave entrance by the bridge.

Be sun smart, bring gloves and wear sturdy shoes.

In Flower: Milkmaids

Burchardia umbellata

This little member of the Lily family flowers from Sep - Dec, dying back during the hotter summer months before resprouting from underground tubers.

Weed: Arum Lily

Native to Southern Africa, it is a perennial herb that grows to about 1.5m high with stout stalks and large fleshy, arrowhead shaped leaves. The flower contains a yellow spike enclosed by a white funnel-like spathe with a stiff point. Flowers from winter to summer.

Photo credit: Arum lily, Zantedeschia aethiopica, Araceae / Andreas Kay / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Reproduction is by both rhizome and by seed. The seeds are held in succulent berries and are mainly dispersed by birds, but also running water and foxes can play a role. This weed can also be introduced into new areas of bushland by dumping of garden waste. It is now a widespread weed of damp areas and bushland. Control of the Arum Lily is by hand removal of the whole plant including the tuberous rhizomes. Small daughter rhizomes can dislodge as the larger rhizomes are removed, if not recovered the daughter rhizomes will produce new plants. In large areas of infestation the top growth of the Lily can be continually slashed to exhaust the rhizome. This needs to be done as the leaves emerge and may take years, the success relies on preventing the plant photosynthesising and replenishing the rhizome. Application of herbicide is effective between June and September and follow up will be required for a number of years. In wet areas, herbicide should be applied before water levels rise or once it has fallen.

We missed bird week!

But here is one you might have been swooped by lately if you're unlucky, find out why:

The Australian Magpie is one of Australia's most widespread and recognisable bird species, they are black and white but the plumage pattern varies. The nape, upper tail and shoulder are white in males and grey in females. Groups of up to 24 birds live year round in territories that are actively defended by all group members. The group depends on this territory for food, roosting and nesting requirements. Magpies walk along the ground searching for insects and larvae.


Photo credit: Portrait of a Magpie / raider of gin / CC BY 2.0

Although quite tame, during breeding season (late August to early October) some individuals become aggressive towards intruders, including humans who venture too close to nesting sites. The nest is constructed in the outer branches of a tree, up to 15m above the ground and made up of sticks and twigs, with the inside bowl lined with grass and hair. The Magpie has a complex musical, warbling call which is one of the most familiar Australian bird sounds. The pitch may vary up to over 4 octaves and mimic over 35 other species, including native birds, horses and dogs. Magpies living in close proximity to humans have even been known to mimic human speech. Pairs of magpies take up loud musical carolling to advertise and defend their territory.

Thanks to Rhonda for the info!

First Post!

Hello and welcome to the Friends of Upper Sweetwater blog.

This space will be used for members to keep up to date, learn more about the flora and fauna of our reserve and for important record keeping of work done and species encountered (both good and bad).

It will hopefully also provide an insight of what we do to anyone interested, and maybe even entice some of you down to have a look for yourselves or help out at a working bee!

The group meets on the first Sunday of each month from 10am at the Lawson Ave entrance, and usually finishes by midday.

(Note: This month we will be having our working bee on Sunday 10th November)

If you have any questions or would like to let us know you're coming please email Rhonda at uppersweetwater@gmail.com