Bushcare Hewitts Creek

Crossing the Flanagans   A crossing of waterways is not for the faint of heart, but tomorrow its the Flanagans for some of us. Ok, we did in the Castor Oils 3 weeks ago but this time we're taking on the small stuff;  Morning Glory , Turkey Rhubarb , Fennel  and  Bidens .  The bank is steep in places so good grip footwear will help. While we're at it we may run into 2 local families, the Wagtails & the Moorhens who both appear to have bred along the creek this Spring. Other options will include:  the usual post-sunny Sunday clean up,  removal of regrowth  Morning Glory   & Asparagus around our plantings plus some water for  those plantings. cutting off dead poisoned Asparagus branches to clear space for plantings to come 2024 So Much Happening We will have two groups in Manifest Destiny cutting back Cassia (& painting if its dry) plus continuing our "nesting" behaviour to reduce our woodpile. Another intrepid group with seca...

 Bridge down, Ditch dry, Weeds growing, Weather dry.  Hewitts Creek site again (8.30 start) with quite a few tasks waiting: Secateurists come ready to snip Stephania japonica from our shrubs & small trees. Its a native vine temporarily "invading". Common name is Snake Vine No.2. The No.2 is my name for it because we also have Snake Vine No. 1 on site ( Hibbertia scandens )  We need at least 5 snippers along the creek bend, in Manifest Destiny & Andrew's Amnesia . Bridge Doctors Morning Glory and Snake Vine 2 are prospering between the red flowering Melaleucas on the east side of the cycleway. Asparagus fern is getting away along the south side of The Mound. Madeira vine & Coral tree regrowth are off again by the creek in  Manifest Destiny . Watering of recent plantings from both the creeks  is needed given lack of moisture over last 10 days. We have buckets at both creeks. Too many Tuckeroos in some small areas so culling required. I counted ...

 Work hungry Bushcare gang  Here's the list: Woodlands Ck - regrowth most weeds but especially  Honeysuckle WARC zone edge south of forest - Crofton , Thistles , Purpletop, Honeysuckle WARC zone under forest - covert extraction of Formosa  Lilies .......We need you Alan!! Blady Grass  slope - Polygala , Lantana (just in  Blady Grass ), Purpletop , Blackberry Take down "lean to" Deer protections but leave timber nearby.   Fix  Myoporum defence Fence beside cycleway Ditch - dig out Asparagus along south bank Andrews Amnesia - cut/pull native vine/s off smaller native shrubs/trees Manifest Destiny - cut/pull native vine/s off smaller natives & ground covers.  Plant my bag of ground covers in bare areas in near creek 2024 Found Heaps There is work for choppers, serious weeders & even some repair work: The Old Forest has work for a couple of perspicacious weeders. I counted 8 different weeds between the bridge & the dirt track...

New Frontier or Two  Returning to Flanagans Creek . Our advice is to let the sprayed Asparagus wither on the plant for a further time so work inside the 3 coupes back of the beach will be limited to regrowth Morning glory &  Asparagus +  Turkey Rhubarb   where its showing. And general clean-up if needed. Alycia has encouraged us to start work up the creek where feasible: there's a large Castor Oil plant up by the bridge & some invasive vines along the north bank. Won't really know what we're up against until we have a close look. I'll bring extra bags again and if the rain holds off a few litres of water will be happily taken in by our plantings.  Castor Oil plant 2024 Actions on offer include: the Stonecrop spot Honeysuckle flowering east of cycleway Lilies & Cassia just south of Woodlands Ck Cutting up a fallen dead Banksia near Condons Cnr Wading into the Cassia etc east side of Manifest Destiny Ditch edges 2023 Jobs  Conditions are good ...

Yet Another Change of Plan It has been deemed best to avoid the sprayed Asparagus at Flanagans for another week by which time the impact should be more widespread & visible. So it's back to Hewitts tomorrow where the shade will be welcome if the 30 degrees forecast eventuates.  Most of our effort will be in Manifest Destiny where more watering will be needed & the full panoply of weeds await. Cape Ivy & Rhubarb are widespread & easy to get while still small but there's also Madeira ,  Crofton ,  Cassia ,  Privet &  Honeysuckle for all.  We might also terminate the careers of 3 big Privets, currently in flower. A weed & watering patrol to  Woodlands Ck  will also be rewarded with heaps of  Honeysuckle coming to greet them. Bird nerd news: a Rufous/Nankeen Night Heron in the Casuarinas at the Hewitts Ck bend on Thursday. 2nd sighting in 12 years.  2024 More to do We have some more to do in the SE corner and it...

 Sale of the Sanctuary A big yellow sign has gone up at the top of the Stony Rd rise, seeking expressions of interest In the purchase of 2 Panmills Dr lots...... & 20 Amy St, a tiny 320sq m house block (yet to be WCC approved), the wagging tail of the 7000sq m along the west edge of our Bushcare site stretching back to McCauleys Beach Estate. The future has arrived! Most of the work will be in Manifest Destiny / Lisa's Site: chopping Cassia & Asparagus along the ditch (if not wet/flooded) Cardboard contributors can spread their wares near the creek, having removed Madeira first Honeysuckle , Privet ,  Cassia on  Lisa's Site Watering newest plants if no rain tonight Jane Gower may lead a Briza Grass bag & exterminate unit in the Blady Grass area .  You will also find Formosa Lilies emerging. As a general rule, please DO NOT CUT any more LANTANA at Hewitts until we lift the restriction. The Sale of the Sanctuary has involved massive clearing of habitat to...

Daylight Saving takes us back to 8.30 am start.  If you don't have a better offer  Take inspiration from this week in previous years. 2023 A Cool Holiday Weeding will be west of the cycleway beyond the Blady Grass & yes, there be Lilies sprouting.    If we have some saw equipped choppers there is more cutting & painting to be done in Manifest Destiny .  Our Bowerbird has moved his bower; still on the edge of Manifest Destiny but with a better view & drainage. 2022 Jobs on three sites   1. Woodlands Creek edge Japanese honeysuckle - see picture above (bag it) Turkey Rhubarb Cassia Coolatai (bag the seeds) - more of this grass is up the stony road 2. Andrew's site Privet Japanese honeysuckle (bag it) Morning glory  Crofton weed   Cassia    3. Manifest destiny Two large privets Two African Olives Also some Turkey Rhubarb in the Old forest, west side of the cycleway for the first 50m after the bridge. 2021 This week ...