The Big Wet Continues:
The season of Larneuk – nesting birds has just finished. Its description starts with Bleak mists, freezing winds and rain. Well, for the second year in a row this was true until the last two weeks when it has been just so beautiful – sunny and warm at last. And masses of wonderful rain, continuing to fall. Read the article by Leigh on what the water has meant for her. One not so good result has been that the strong winds are still bringing down so many trees, stressed from the drought and now in waterlogged soft soil.
As at 25 August, Bellfield Reservoir is at 90% full, Lake Lonsdale is 100%, Wartook is 94%, Moora Moora is 90%. Even Rocklands is 66% up from 3% last year. Overall in the Grampians Wimmera Mallee water storages are now at 70% compared to 18.5% last year, 18.7 the year before that and 5.7 in 2009. Wonderful! There’s a useful chart at www.gwmwater.org.au .
Once again, Spring presents as an extremely busy time with all the Threatened Species activities which are our major way of volunteering in the Park. The contribution of lay enthusiasts to the body of knowledge about plants and animals is invaluable. Plus it is so enjoyable to get out into different areas of the Park and learn from each other.
Then there’s the Grampians Wildflower Show at the end of September. This is not actually a FOGG activity, but it would not survive without FOGG involvement. The HG community is very grateful for your support. We really would love some more volunteers in all areas, setting up on Tuesday and Wednesday, flower guides inside and out, on the door, helping with children’s activities, helping with the shop, and serving teas. Contact Mandy on 5356 4646 or email For more info see:
www.grampianswildflowershow.org.au .