Small white camouflaged moth by Ian Gordon
Join Ian Gordon a macro-photography enthusiast with a sharp eye and keen interest in tiny creatures. Try to decode camouflage and train your eyes to locate small creatures – orb weaving spiders, lady bugs, parasitic wasps, caterpillars, plant hoppers…… What will you spot?
It is wonderful to be aware of the diverse range of creatures, large and small which live in a healthy Yellow Box woodland. Ian’s interest stems from Macro photography. When he finds an unusual bug he goes online to identify and research it. He says that he is not an ‘expert’ but that he does have a keen interest. Recently he has noticed activity in the insect world and that the bugs are starting to stir. He spotted a lot of small orb weaving spiders, a few lady beetles and small parasitic wasps, and even a couple of caterpillars and a plant hopper.
Any age welcome – it really boils down to interest in looking for and finding miniature and often disguised and camouflaged arthropods.
Magnifying glasses/hand lenses, not necessary but really depends on the individual’s eye sight.
Please wear sun protection and covered shoes and bring a gold coin donation.
Bookings essential!
Rosy Hyacinth Orchid, Dipodium roseum (S. Bittinger)
Mount Majura is home to a number of rare and endangered plant species. What are they and where are they? Join experts on Sunday 18 October to find out and learn how to register them on Canberra Nature Map. Information from surveying the presence and abundance of rare species will guide the management of the reserve.
When: Sunday, 18 October, 2pm to 4pm
Where: Meet at the nature reserve entrance Mackenzie St close to Grayson St, Hackett; view this map.
Bring: Sun protection, sturdy shoes, drinking water and a camera or iPhone. Please bring your Rare Plant Survey kit if you have one from previous surveys.
Get ready to register your first plant: Download this Canberra Nature Map App on your iPhone.
Inquiries: secretary@majura.org
Late Mauve Doubletail, Diuris dendrobioides (M. Doherty)
About Canberra Nature Map
Canberra Nature Map is a repository for park care groups, volunteers and members of the public to report sightings of rare and endangered plant species and any of the many treasures that Canberra’s nature parks are home to.
Canberra Nature Map provides readily accessible and up to date spatial data of uncommon and endangered plant species. This information enables a precautionary approach to be taken towards the management and protection of critical habitat within our reserves.
Canberra Nature Map was founded by Aaron Clausen, a mountain biker who accidentally rode through a patch of critically endangered Canberra spider orchids and became entranced by their beauty and fragility.
With your help, we aim to:
- Accurately map rare plants and maintain records for future generations;
- Improve public education and awareness of the plant diversity and the significance of Canberra’s Nature Park;
- Influence development decisions and protect Canberra’s treasures by providing critical species location data to Government.
Hoary Sunrays 2015
Join local plant ecologist Michael Doherty for a wildflower ramble in the nature reserve behind the Watson Fair on Sunday 25 October and enjoy a spring Floriade on the mountain.
This delightful walk will highlight different species found in grassland, woodland and open forest.
Please bring good walking shoes, water, sun protection, and a hand lens/magnifying glass if you have one.
A new flora list is available for a donation
Enjoy an informative evening spider walk in Mt Majura Nature reserve, Hackett.
Join Ian Gordon a macro-photography enthusiast with a sharp eye and keen interest in small creatures. Many fascinating spiders are active at night in warm weather. Use your torch to spot their eye-shine – how many will you find?
Bring: a good torch, wear enclosed shoes (not sandals), and a gold coin donation to help with conservation work
Numbers limited. Bookings essential.
This fascinating evening spider walk is with Ian Gordon, a knowledgeable macro photographer with infectious enthusiasm.
Ian has lead two very successful walks recently, and is able to lead another nocturnal spider walk in early January.
Bring hand torches or head torches. Torches which can be focused are more effective at locating spiders. Wear covered shoes so that creepy crawlies don’t get too close to you.
Bookings essential: please book by the evening of Thursday 7th January.
Jack Jumpers use their impressive jaws to catch and hold prey and a sting to defend themselves and their nest (Photo A. Narendra).
Join ANU ant specialist Ajay Narendra to learn amazing things about jack-jumpers and other ants that live on Mount Majura.
Ants are fascinating, beautiful and fun to watch. Some ants have a painful sting, and others only bite. Some ants are coloured, or scented, or hairy. Some pretend to be spiders, a few have excellent eyesight, and one species can jump!
Kids accompanied by adults are especially welcome.
Bring a magnifying lens, wear sun protection and covered shoes. Please bring a gold coin donation.
It is important to notify us if you are allergic to ants or bee stings.
Scarlet robin by David Cook
Walk through the woodlands with bird enthusiast Peter Miller to spot, observe, listen to, identify and learn about the amazing variety of birds on Mt Majura.
Please Bring:
- Binoculars
- Walking boots
- Water
- Gold Coin donation for a bird list
Old hollow bearing trees at the Majura paddock such as this Brittle gum provide habitat for nesting birds and for mammals.
Enjoy a winter walk through Mount Majura’s beautiful woodlands and forests. Learn to identify local trees, see where they occur and find out how they survive fire and drought. Local ecologist Michael Doherty will lead this medium grade informative walk along the Casuarina Trail. Walk up to the snow gums then back down to the Black Cypress forest.
Bring: Sturdy shoes, water, warm clothes, and a gold coin donation for a tree guide.
Spotted pardalote : from Canberrabirds.org.au
Walk through the woodlands in early spring with bird enthusiast Peter Miller to spot, observe, listen to, identify and learn about birds of Mount Majura Expect to see a variety of early spring migrants, possibly even early breeders-cuckoos, gerygones, honeyeaters.
Bring binoculars, walking boots, water, and a Gold Coin donation for a bird list.
Early nancy
Enjoy Mount Majura’s Spring Floriade at this delightful walk with local plant ecologist Michael Doherty and learn about the different species found in the grassy woodlands and open forests of the nature reserve.
Please bring :
- good walking shoes
- water
- sun protection
- camera and a hand lens / magnifying glass if you have one.
A new flora list will be available for a donation.
