=== VALLEY OF THE BANDICOOTS UPDATE #15 ===
Tuesday, 30 September, 2003 (circulation: 101)
===============
'VALLEY OF THE BANDICOOTS UPDATE' is an occasional email newsletter for people who are interested in the 'Valley of the Bandicoots' project in Aldgate Valley, South Australia. To subscribe, send an email saying 'subscribe VOB UPDATE' (or 'unsubscribe') to David Mussared, mussared@emailmedia.com.au (phone: 8388-5608).
===============
CONTENTS:
===============
1. BANDICOOT SIGHTINGS: ADLGATE PRIMARY SCHOOL & KYLE ROAD
(keep your eyes open - they seem to be on the move)
2. HELP US COUNT THE BANDICOOTS: WE NEED VOLUNTEERS FOR FOUR EVENINGS
(bandicoot 'live trapping' survey - Mon-Thurs, November 3-6)
3. $30,000 GRANT FOR 'VALLEY OF THE BANDICOOTS PHASE 2' IN 2004
(thanks to the Onkaparinga Catchment Water Management Board)
4. 1,000 TREES & SHRUBS IN THE GROUND, THANKS TO GREEN CORPS
(Cambridge Road is being transformed)
5. ALDGATE VALLEY LANDCARE GROUP A.G.M. - WHAT HAPPENED?
(a quick report on what happened at the AGM)
6. AN EXPERT TALKS ABOUT BANDICOOTS IN MYLOR: OCTOBER 25
(expert presentation on Southern Brown Bandicoots)
7. THREE WORKING BEES IN OCTOBER: CEMETERY BUSH, RESERVE & MYLOR PARKLANDS
(Sunday, October 5; Saturday, October 11; & Saturday October 18)
8. ROD DAVIES' NEW WEBSITE FOR ALDGATE VALLEY PLANTS
(what's green in your valley?)
9. SNAKE AWARENESS FORUM AT MT BARKER
(what's hissing in your valley?)
=================================================================
1. BANDICOOT SIGHTINGS: ADLGATE PRIMARY SCHOOL & KYLE ROAD
(keep your eyes open - they seem to be on the move)
_________________________________________________________________
A BANDICOOT GOES TO SCHOOL... - by Cherilyn Maley
"On my way home last Thursday 18th September around 10pm a little creature ran across the road in front of the car. It ran from the cemetery over to the Aldgate primary school, on Oxford Road before the Cambridge Road turn off coming from Strathalbyn Road." "I believe it was a bandicoot. It had brownish fur, a thin tail and conical nose. Rather than the front legs moving independantly left right, left right, they moved together in more of a hopping movement but still quite quickly."
"Hopefully these characteristics are those of the bandicoot and they are alive and well in this area."
POSTSCRIPT: At the Warrawong Open Day on September 7, Mark Fagan and David Mussared spoke to a former resident Cambridge Road, who clearly recalls that there were bandicoots living in the Cemetery Bush more than 20 years ago.
-----
BANDICOOT ON KYLE ROAD - spotted by Green Corps
One of the Green Corps team - Michael - also reported seeing a bandicoot while he was working with the team on Kyle Road last week (Thursday, September 25). The Green Corps team reported very extensive signs of bandicoot activity along the short stretch of Kyle Road they have been working on.
Several weeks ago, Green Corps also found signs of possible bandicoot activity on Blackwood Lane - discovering some animal 'runs' or 'tunnels' in the vegetation. This observation adds to reports of possible bandicoot diggings from two of the properties adjoining Blackwood Lane.
-----
BANDICOOTS EVERYWHERE... - they are on the move
The bandicoots seem to have been on the move over the past month. As well as the reports above, there have been several other reports by residents of bandicoots sighted near Stephens Road and Kyle Road - including one spotted by Griff Weste on Aldgate Valley Road. We have also had a second-hand report of another bandicoot on Shanks Road (near the Aldgate Valley Reserve).
And (at last report) the injured bandicoot from Stephens Road which was cared for by Alison Saunders has been successfully returned to the bush, and seems to be thriving.
=================================================================
2. HELP US COUNT THE BANDICOOTS: WE NEED VOLUNTEERS FOR FOUR EVENINGS
(bandicoot 'live trapping' survey - Mon-Thurs, November 3-6)
_________________________________________________________________
Warrawong Sanctuary and Earth Sanctuaries Ltd have offered to help the Aldgate Valley Landcare Group conduct a bandicoot 'live-trapping' survey along the 'Valley of the Bandicoots' corridor. Bruce Jackson from Warrawong will be leading the survey, providing the expertise and equipment. However, we will need volunteers for four nights (probably from about 6pm-11pm) to help us check the traps and record the information.
We need volunteers for:
- Monday, November 3 (6pm-11pm)
- Tuesday, November 4 (6pm-11pm)
- Wednesday, November 5 (6pm-11pm)
- Thursday, November 6 (6pm-11pm)
The aim of the survey is to determine (as best we can) where the bandicoots are currently active along the Valley of the Bandicoots corridor, and possibly estimate how many of them there are. This will allow us to come back in future years to check whether or not we are making a difference.
The survey results will also be provided to the Recovery Team for the Southern Brown Bandicoot in the Mt Lofty Ranges, as part of its wider data collection about bandicoots in the Adelaide Hills.
Please send an email in reply to this newsletter, indicating which night(s) you will be available to help (or contact David Mussared, 8388-5608, mussared@emailmedia.com.au ).
=================================================================
3. $30,000 GRANT FOR 'VALLEY OF THE BANDICOOTS PHASE 2' IN 2004
(thanks to the Onkaparinga Catchment Water Management Board)
_________________________________________________________________
The Aldgate Valley Landcare Group has been offered a further $35,000 in grants and donations for 'Phase 2' of the 'Valley of the Bandicoots' project - which will carry it to the end of 2004.
The $35,000 will be made up of a $30,000 grant from the Onkaparinga Catchment Water Management Board (under its 'Major On-Ground Works' program), and another $5,000 donation from local business Email Media.
The new funding will add to some $35,000 - and a major Green Corps project - which has supported 'Valley of the Bandicoots' in 2003 (earlier this year the Aldgate Valley Landcare Group received a $30,000 grant from the Australian Government Envirofund to begin the VOB project, and $5,000 from Email Media).
The new 'Phase 2' funding for Valley of the Bandicoot will bring some changes - including taking a more integrated approach (looking at water quality and catchment issues as well as wildlife).
For full details of the new grant, including how the money will be spent, please email me at: mussared@emailmedia.com.au (& I will email you a copy of our funding application).
=================================================================
4. 1,000 TREES & SHRUBS IN THE GROUND, THANKS TO GREEN CORPS
(Cambridge Road is being transformed)
_________________________________________________________________
The Green Corps team has planted about 1,000 trees and shrubs along Cambridge Road - including on Judith Rose's property - over the past month. 'Valley of the Bandicoots' project officer Mark Fagan says that about 9,000 more trees and understory plants have been propagated, but that most will not be ready for planting until next autumn. All are indigenous native species grown from locally collected seed.
Residents who have requested trees and shrubs for planting on their properties as part of the Valley of the Bandicoots project will begin to receive them in autumn, when the bulk of the existing tubestock is ready for planting.
The new funding (see previous) will allow further large-scale propagation and planting of local native species throughout 2004 and beyond.
WORK BEGINS ON KYLE ROAD
-------
Both the Green Corps team and a 'bushcare' consultant organised through the Adelaide Hills Council have been working recently on bush rehabilitation projects on the Kyle Road end of the 'Valley of the Bandicoots'.
Green Corps has been working on the section of the Road Reserve between Sam and Glenyce's Ronan's property and Elspeth Young and Mike Hodder's property.
The consultant has been working further along the reserve toward Mylor, chiefly removing and ring-barking pines in a sensitive gully area of the Kyle Road Reserve, not far from the Stone Reserve.
=================================================================
5. ALDGATE VALLEY LANDCARE GROUP A.G.M. - WHAT HAPPENED?
(a quick report on what happened at the AGM)
_________________________________________________________________
The Aldgate Valley Landcare Group (AVLG) Inc. - the community group which coordinates the Valley of the Bandicoots Project - held its Annual General Meeting for 2003 in the Aldgate Valley Community Hall on September 17.
Former AVLG chair Ed Douglas, who stepped down at the meeting after three years as chair, said the past 12 months had been an "extraordinary year" for the landcare group, and that the group was now "in excellent hands for further developments this year and in the future".
"For those of you who were not at the AGM you will see that there is a new group of staff in the office except for Deane Kowald who remains Treasurer," Ed said. Following the AGM, the new AVLG office holders (who will also make up the management committee for the 'Valley of the Bandicoots') are:
- David Mussared (chair)
- Griff Weste (vice-chair)
- Alison Saunders (secretary)
- Deane Kowald (treasurer)
- Elspeth Young (ordinary member)
- Chris Duigan (ordinary member)
The new committee again extends its thanks to the retiring office holders - Ed Douglas, Graeme Jones and Bet Witton - for their considerable efforts.
Copies of the minutes of the 2003 AGM are available from Ed Douglas and/or Bet Witton (email: Ed.Douglas@unisa.edu.au ).
=================================================================
6. EXPERT TO TALK ABOUT BANDICOOTS IN MYLOR: OCTOBER 25
(expert presentation on Southern Brown Bandicoots)
_________________________________________________________________
The Mylor Parklands Bushcare Group will present a talk in Mylor next month by South Australian bandicoot expert Nerissa Haby.
WHEN: 2pm, Saturday 25 October
WHERE: Mylor Senior Citizens Hall (corner Strathalbyn & Cross Roads)
Nerissa Haby has considerable up-to-date, hands-on knowledge about the ecology and habits of Southern Brown Bandicoots in the Adelaide Hills. Until recently, she was the project officer for the Recovery Team for the Southern Brown Bandicoot in the Mt Lofty Ranges, and (among other things) she conducted trial trapping surveys.
There will also be a short presentation by Mark Fagan or David Mussared about the 'Valley of Bandicoots' project.
Afternoon tea will be provided. All are welcome to attend.
Gold Coin Donation please
=================================================================
7. THREE WORKING BEES IN OCTOBER: CEMETERY BUSH, RESERVE & MYLOR PARKLANDS
(Sunday, October 5; Saturday, October 11; & Saturday October 18)
_________________________________________________________________
There will be three working bees in October associated with the 'Valley of the Bandicoots' project:
-----------------
Sunday, 5th October, Stirling Cemetery (meet at back entrance to Cemetery on Cambridge Road, Aldgate) 10am-12noon
Following the success of last month's Working Bee in the Stirling Cemetery Bush, we will try it again this month. Last time we targeted coastal wattle, watsonia, broom, blackberry and some other environmental weeds adjacent to Cambridge Road. We will continue with minimum-disturbance weeding in the same area this time.
Please note that this working bee will be instead of the usual 'first Sunday of the month' working bee which we normally hold in the Aldgate Valley Reserve. Bring old clothes and gloves.
CONTACT: Griff Weste, 8339-3804 (email: geoweste@ozemail.com.au )
-----------------
Saturday, 11th October, Mylor Parklands near Mylor Tennis Courts 1.30pm-4.30pm
The Mylor Parklands Bushcare Group will have a working bee to hand dig Watsonia amongst the native between the ETSA substation and the Tennis Courts (no weed wands this time).
All are welcome. Please bring small and/or full size hand forks.
Contact: Joslyn van der Moolen (email: joslyn@senet.com.au ).
-----------------
Saturday, 18th October, Aldgate Valley Reserve (corner of Shanks Road & Aldgate Valley Road) 10am-12noon
The Aldgate Valley Landcare Group will hold a working bee in the Aldgate Valley Reserve. It is likely we will be planting some of the trees and shrubs which we have been growing over the past few months at this working bee, as well as the usual activities.
Bring old clothes and gloves.
CONTACT: Ed Douglas, 8339-2737 (email: Ed.Douglas@unisa.edu.au ).
=================================================================
8. ROD DAVIES' NEW WEBSITE FOR ALDGATE VALLEY PLANTS
(what's green in your valley?)
_________________________________________________________________
Cambridge Road resident Rod Davies has create a new website, titled: 'Native Plants for the Aldgate Valley'. Rod's website - which you can find at: http://www.geocities.com/aldgatevalley - is an easy-to-use guide which includes information about many of the plants we are now propagating from local seed for the Valley of the Bandicoots project.
The 'Native Plants for the Aldgate Valley' website includes photographs of many local trees, shrubs and flowers, as well as descriptions of them, and other information. It will be invaluable for helping residents identify what they have growing on their own properties, and also to get some idea of what the small tubestock we will be providing will look like as they grow.
Rod has asked for people to have a look at his new website, and to "let me know what you think". He says he would like to have any errors pointed out, and that he would welcome any appropriate additions to the site. "There are some species that I don't have photos for so if anyone can provide photos that would be appreciated," Rod says. "They don't have to be in digital form as I have a scanner."
Contact: Rod Davies (email: rodney.davies@adelaide.edu.au ).
REMINDER: 'The Valley of the Bandicoots' also has a website, compiled voluntarily by Mark Jasiunas from University of SA and John Wills from the Mt Lofty Ranges Animal and Plant Control Board. It can be viewed at: http://www.communitywebs.org/BandicootValley
=================================================================
9. SNAKE AWARENESS FORUM AT MT BARKER
(what's hissing in your valley?)
_________________________________________________________________
SNAKE AWARENESS FORUM
WHEN: 7pm-9pm, 3rd November 2003
WHERE: 54 Wellington Rd, Mt Barker (signs will be on the Main Road)
Presented by, the Mt Pleasant Natural Resource Centre, in conjunction with Geoff Coombe and Fauna Rescue.
We'll be asking for a gold coin donation, of which proceeds go to Fauna Rescue Registrations are essential. To register, phone: 8568-1907 (or email:mpnrc@bigpond.com ).
(item submitted by Glenn Williams, Adelaide Hills Council).
===============
If you know someone else you think would like to get this 'Valley of the Bandicoots' newsletter, please forward it to them and invite them to subscribe. For more information about the 'Valley of the Bandicoots', visit: http://www.communitywebs.org/BandicootValley
===============
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Email Media
PO Box 212
ALDGATE SA 5154
08-8388-5608 (fax: 08-8388-5372)
adverts@emailmedia.com.au
http://www.nrmjobs.com.au
http://www.hacjobs.com.au