January 10 : Annual Ptilotus erubescens (Hairy- tails) Survey. Once again we had very pleasant weather with which to start the year’s activities. This year we handled the counting of flower heads differently, with individuals keeping their own tallies for each area. This worked far better than the old system. But we still need to sharpen the understanding of the boundaries of the areas. That said, we have now got many years of fairly reliable data which can be used to measure grazing impacts in the area. We still need someone to wrestle the data into a short article.
The total number (2566) was well down on last year’s very high number (5696), but still healthy. Numbers fluctuate yearly, ranging from only 181 at our first count in 1997 to a high of 6,152 in 2004. Consistent with previous counts, the benefits of excluding grazers was very evident. It was clear in the unprotected zones that many flowers had been eaten. The whole area was dry, dry, despite the rain round the New Year. The survey was followed by a members’ meeting which mainly discussed the Red Gum Walk.
February 8: Wimmera Catchment Management Authority’s World Wetlands Day. Unfortunately, we don’t have a report from any of our members on this day but because these days have proved in the past to be very relevant to the broader Grampians picture I have copied some of the report from their newsletter.
Understanding how west Wimmera wetlands work through wet and dry cycles and following a few simple management rules were key messages to emerge from Alive in the Dry activities at Edenhope in early February. Wimmera CMA chief executive Marc Thompson said maintaining natural drainage systems, protecting vegetation and avoiding disturbance of wetland soil were fundamental in keeping the unique landscape healthy.
“What we all heard at Edenhope was that wetlands were tough and resilient and could adapt to climate change, especially freshwater meadows, the most common wetland in the region”, he said.
A presentation by ecologist and guest speaker Rhonda Butcher was also a highlight. “Rhonda explained that with the return of water, these wetlands would explode into life. But in dry conditions, the wetlands still played an important role.
More information: www.wcma.vic.gov.au
March 5 Threatened Species Group activity near Woohlpooer Southern Pipewort Survey (Eriocaulon australasicum) . As feared, lack of rainfall caused this activity to be cancelled.
March 8 Survey to check the number of a little known rare Grampians plant – Grampians Monotoca (Monotoca billawinica).
Only 6 members attended this event on the Sunday of the Labour Day weekend. It is good to report that the number of Grampians Monotoca plants have greatly increased since the original survey conducted in February – April 1989. In collecting plant samples plus fresh plant material for taxa purposes over 100 plants were observed compared with the 10 or so plants located in this heath area in 1989. Under normal circumstances this would be a great result. The two Prickly Broom-Heath (Monotoca scoparia) located in the 1989 survey were found but in a very stressed condition.
However, all of the Grampians Monotoca plants in this heath area are very heavily drought and heat stressed with the older plants worst affected (all displaying burnt tangerine colour). The younger plants have some green foliage still holding on. It was observed that all the flower buds were in a dormant state and have failed to develop so that their male or female status could not be determined,
When the season improves and better rain falls I hope to have another look to ascertain as to how many of the species have survived. It must also be noted that the Prickly Tea Tree is in a similar condition and their leaf structure / pattern can be confused with that of the Grampians Monotoca.
Stan
March 21 : Grampians Pincushion-lily Survey (Borya mirabilis) TSG Unfortunately this activity was cancelled due to lack of numbers.
March 22 – 28 Wimmera Frog Monitoring. This activity is happening as the newsletter is being put together so it is too early to include a report. However again I would like to quote from the Wimmera CMA The Researchers monitoring the distribution of frogs across the Wimmera hope to continue to turn up ‘surprises’ after recording the call of a species previously unknown in the region. Analysts sifting through audio data from a November Finding Frog Census identified the call of a Peron’s tree frog and hope a March census this year produces similar results. Investigations revealed the sound of the frog call, described as ‘a wicked laugh’, along Burnt Creek and the Wimmera River in the Laharum district.(i.e. just outside the Park, Ed.) Wimmera community education coordinator Bronwyn Bant:
“While this frog’s range is considered to extend across the Murray Darling Basin, it has never been recognised, in various publications, as a Wimmera resident. This augurs well for our next Wimmera frog census between March 22 and 28. This important discovery might not have happened without the involvement of census volunteers.”
Records previously showed the Wimmera to be home to 13 species of frog including the ‘endangered’ Growling grass frog and Bibron’s toadlet and ‘vulnerable’ Southern toadlet.
Ms Bant said monitors had crossed their fingers the March census would also reveal the call of the rare growling grass frog.
Coordinators are also planning census weeks from August 22 to 28 and November 1 to 7.
Wimmera Catchment Management Authority’s Wimmera Waterwatch team coordinates the census to establish the distribution of frogs, which the scientific community recognises as environmental-health indicators. You can contact Wimmera CMA on 5382 1544 or via www.wcma.vic.gov.au
Several of our members are assisting with Grampfire, a project monitoring changes in our streams to learn more about the recovery process after a major fire.