Fauna:

Four Rakali (native water rat) have been seen along the boardwalk.  There have been big pods of dolphin around in both the lakes and the straits, the seal hasn’t been spotted for a few weeks, though the occasional Rakali carcase indicates it is still around. Rabbit numbers are reduced but there are still plenty around.

Birds: a flock of 30 Brown Headed Honeyeater have been seen, also a Royal Spoonbill on the boardwalk.  Also seen was the Australasian Darter (snake bird).  At the corner of ninth two Pacific Herons (White Necked Heron) flew over, but I was unable to photograph them. On this morning’s walk I saw a swamp Harrier try and fail to take a Coot.

Rob Wright

 

                   

WORKING BEE 14th June at The Corner
a near perfect sunny winter morning for twelve Landcarers to get out there and get dirty. Holes were dug, guards laid out , plants distributed then planted and guarded and , finally, watered in.  Now pray for gently rain to give them a good start.

 

WORKING BEE.

"SENSATIONAL!" thats how Rob felt about Tuesdays Working Bee.  Thirteen dedicated landcare members turned up to help tidy up the Plot and the Run.  Well done everyone.  No photos sorrry I was unable to be there this time.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE OF EAST GIPPSLAND LANDCARE NETWORK I. To act as an umbrella organisation to provide a regional voice on Landcare issues in East Gippsland. II. To enhance the natural environment through the fostering of sustainable resource management. III. To raise awareness of and promote community involvement in Landcare issues and projects. IV. To be a recipient of funding for Landcare projects. V. To undertake community education activities which promote these purposes

Flora

Not a lot to report, the season continues very dry.  The correa have just started to flower but that is all. There have been quite a few losses due to the lack of rain.

Fauna:

Shorter days mean that the evening walk is in the dark. There are plenty of Kangaroos and rabbits still about.  A large Seal was seen among the moored boats, plenty of Nankeen Night Heron to be seen fishing.  The Wright garden has been visited by two Painted Button Quail.  King Parrots, Gang Gangs, and Currawongs have arrived early this year.  Keep an eye open for Robins arriving soon.  A Yellow Rump Thornbill was reported by Graham Bailey.  From January1 to the end of March 101 bird species had been seen on the Island (earlier than usual). Pelicans are still absent.

 

EASTER WEEKEND

 

Did you enjoy the long weekend?  Although not a Landcare "doo" I would like to mention: 

The combined Garage Sale and Koala Fundraiser was a great success. Thanks to all who participated, Helen and Jenifer who organised, and the folk who cooked sausages and the Garden Club who put on morning tea. Great to see the bike carts back in business too.  Lovely.

                                        

 





From the EGLN newsletter:
Rabbits! Next K5 Virus Release
While things are pretty quiet at the moment, waiting for the rabbit kittens to grow, we can prepare for the next RHDV K5 release. By early April things should be good. Low feed availability is in our favour but some flies and mosquitoes would be good to carry the virus. The Lake King release site from late last year seems to have worked well. The involved farmer has said that despite the lack of dead rabbits being found after release of the virus, he has not had to use Pindone as a follow up due to lack of rabbits (and lots of flies and smells from the warrens). As hoped, it would appear the virus travelled with the wind along the lakeside population and reached Tambo Bluff where some deaths due to K5 have been reported (but no samples obtained to confirm).
For the next release, Rob Irvine has enough FREE vials of the virus on hand to conduct a release program over several large sites. If any Landcare group or land-holder is interested Rob can help. Criteria: medium to high concentration of rabbits with likelihood of virus being able to spread to neighbouring areas, land-holder prepared to do spotlight counts over 1 week to gauge numbers, run free feed bait stations over at least a week to gauge uptake/amounts, collect any dead rabbits and take liver sample (or freeze animal for Rob to take sample), and then monitor numbers over the next few weeks. Rob is happy to visit Groups to discuss rabbit control in their patch. Contact Rob if interested by email lower-tambo-landcare@bigpond.com . There is hope.