Category: 2023 Autumn Newsletter

2023 Autumn Newsletter

FROM THE EDITORS
Welcome to 2023, late summer! And a cold summer it has been after all the wintry rain. Native plants are feeling the subsequent dryness though, with some small correas and bushes dying – if they haven’t already died from too much rain. A different experience We have had a magnificent season for spiders, including Golden Orb Weavers – it’s difficult walking through our bushland, even on paths! Red-necked Wallabies, Stumpy Tails, the odd big fat snake, a “plague” of mosquito-eating Dragonflies, and a wonderful array of birds, including the Buff-banded Rail, Sacred Kingfishers (no Bitterns yet), Sitellas, Rainbow bee-eaters …. and a pair of Collared Sparrowhawks raising their 2 noisy young near the house, among the others.

Our only activity for March is Clean-up Day, which is a lot of fun even if it is doing something really helpful. We’d love to see you there. Happy nature-spotting … Read the rest

Where the Slime Mould Creeps: Sarah Lloyd OAM Fourth Edition

NEW BOOK OF INTEREST:

Where the slime mould creeps introduces the fascinating world of myxomycetes, the acellular slime moulds. It describes their intriguing life cycle and important ecological roles as decomposers, nutrient recyclers and food for numerous invertebrates. It reveals their exquisite evocative forms through microscope and camera, along with time lapse images that capture the dramatic changes in colour and shape as the fruiting bodies mature. The past ten years has seen a burgeoning interest in slime moulds, with photographers, students and other enthusiasts captivated by their singular beauty. With more people looking, we now know how ubiquitous and common they are. This popular and informative book—now in its fourth edition—is a lavishly illustrated photographic guide to their identification, and an account of a passion for slime moulds that has led to the discovery of a wealth of species living in a tall wet eucalypt forest in central north … Read the rest

Grampians Peak Trail hike December 2022

Clive and Catherine decided to end 2022 walking the Grampians Peak Trail (GPT) from north to south. Here’s their diary with their photos.

Along the way we found water tanks at all campsites and some intermediate water tanks as marked on the map. This meant that we rarely had to collect water from creeks, but we took sterilising tablets just in case. Six of the camps had shelters which provided shade and a place to sit and cook and socialise. The other 5 camp sites had a communal area with tables but no shade. (This information is all provided on the Grampians Peak Trail maps).
We did find the suggested walking times were inconsistent. Map times differed from the signs on the ground; and the times on the signs did not always tally with the time already done. Causing some confusion at times. Everyone walks at a different pace, carrying … Read the rest

2023 FOGG Calendar

2023 FOGG Calendar

Most events are held on the 2nd Saturday of the month. There are some months that the 2nd Saturday is

not suitable due to public holiday long weekends or the availability of the presenter. The ac/vity might

be on a Friday or the 3rd Saturday. Please check the dates below and put them into your calendar.

11th February Welcome back Lunch at Zumsteins from 1130am Work on 2023 program and depending on weather a walk to Fish Falls or short walk around historical site
5th March Sunday Clean up Australia Day TBA
4th April Friday or April Saturday Astronomy – Night with Gil Hopkins Look & learn—the stars
13th May Saturday Australian Indigenous Art with ben Gunn Educational talk on Indigenous Rock Art of Australia
17th June Saturday Traditional Burning Damien Scurrie Talk on traditional burning.
7th July Friday OR 8th July Saturday Evening Talk/Dinner Parks Update
… Read the rest