Happy new year everyone. Hope you are enjoying some refreshing summer walks on the mountain this week after all the rain. Following our report in the last FoMM newsletter regarding Peacock Spiders on Mt Majura, and in anticipation of the upcoming spider walk this Friday, I thought I would share this brilliant Youtube video of Peacock Spiders with you. Nature is amazing.
See you on the mountain.
Jo Lynch
FoMM Secretary
FoMM activities and news:
Spiders at Night – Friday 8 January, at 8:30pm
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. The walk will last about 2 hours.
Where: Mt Majura nature reserve in Hackett (further details provided upon booking).
Bring and wear: Hand torches or a head torch, ideally a torch that can be focused is more effective at locating spiders. Enclosed shoes (not sandals) so that creepy crawlies don’t get too close to you, and a gold coin donation to help with conservation work
Bookings essential – please book by the evening of Thursday 7 January. Contact ph. 0408 429 214 or this email.
One of the many spiders you can see on Mt Majura (Photo I. Gordon)
Ant Walk – Sunday 14 February, 4pm – 5:30pm
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.
Where: Helms Place Mt Majura nature park entrance (near junction of Rivett and Richards Streets)
Information : Ph. 0408 429 214 or this email
Bring and wear: a magnifying lens, 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.
Jack Jumpers use their impressive jaws to catch and hold prey and a sting to defend themselves and their nest (Photo A. Narendra).
TAMS Scribbly Gum Newsletter 2015
Read all about what other ParkCare groups have achieved over the last year in this latest bumper issue of the annual ParkCare and Landcare magazine here
