Welcome to the November 2014 edition of the FoMM newsletter. The wildflowers this Spring have been delightful and were definitely on show during the recent Wildflower Walk on the mountain. And the Rare Plant Survey highlighted how precious Mount Majura is and how little we know about it. However, it takes much effort to look after this special place and only a handful of volunteers have been attending our working bees recently (and usually the same people!). So we need your help! Even if you can only join us for one working bee a year, for only one hour, every little bit helps! And you are guaranteed to learn a bit more about Mount Majura at the same time.
See you on the mountain.
Jo Lynch
FoMM Secretary
Local plant ecologist Michael Doherty leading the Wildflower Walk – October 2014 (J. Lynch)
FoMM activities and news:
Working Bee @ The Majura Horse Paddock – Sunday 16 November, 9am – 12pm
Join us for a working bee at the Majura Horse Paddock and help control herbaceous weeds in the endangered Yellow Box Red Gum Grassy Woodland by hand-weeding around seedlings and sensitive areas and spraying in others.
Where: Meet at the FoMM noticeboard at the lower Hackett water reservoir, off Helms Place.
Bring and wear: Sun protection, sturdy shoes, long sleeves and pants, and garden gloves if you have them. We’ll provide tools.
Enquiries: Ph. 6247 7515 or email secretary@majura.org
Yellow Box Red Gum Grassy Woodland at the Majura Horse Paddock (Photo: W.Pix)
Bird Walk – Sunday 9 November, 8am – 10am
Accompany bird enthusiast Peter Miller for an early morning stroll and see, listen to and learn about Mt Majura’s birds that nest, fledge and sing in spring. The grassy woodlands and open forests of Mt Majura provide habitat to a wide range of resident and visiting birds from the majestic Wedge-tailed Eagle to the tiny Weebill. There have been confirmed sightings of 112 different bird species in the nature reserve (Canberra Ornithologists Group) including some rare and endangered species such as the Glossy Black Cockatoo.
Where: Meet at the nature park entrance Mackenzie Street roughly opposite Grayson St, Hackett.
Bring and wear: sun protection, sturdy shoes, binoculars, if you have them and a gold coin for a species list and pocket guide.
Inquiries: secretary@majura.org or ph. 6248 8955
Click here for more information
Glossy Black Cockatoo on Mt Majura. (T. Henshaw).
FoMM Annual General Meeting – Wednesday 26 November, 7.30 pm to 9.00 pm at ACT Sportshouse, 100 Maitland St, Hackett.
Please join the Friends of Mount Majura for their Annual General Meeting. We would like to take the opportunity to review FoMM’s activities over the last year, to discuss FoMM’s plans for the next year and to formally elect a committee. If you are interested, we wholeheartedly invite you to consider joining the FoMM committee and to contribute in any way you see fit. We will also have a talk and a discussion on the topic of ParkCare and Kangaroos.
Rare Plant Survey success!
The FoMM Rare Plant Survey held a few weeks ago was a roaring success. Led by Dr. Michael Mulvaney from ACT Conservation, Planning and Research we found many new locations of rare plants such as the Three-flowered Styphelia (Styphelia triflora) and the Twining Fringe Lily (Thysanotus patersonii). Stay tuned for more results once they are confirmed!
Volunteers searching for rare plants on Mount Majura – October 2014 (J. Lynch)
Other items of interest:
ParkCare and Landcare Christmas Party – 9 December 5.30pm to 7.00pm at the Himalayan Cedar Forest, National Arboretum
All group members, including children, are welcome to attend. A kids area will be set up with craft and some bush creatures. Drinks and nibbles will be served. People are welcome to stay longer if they wish as a BBQ is available at the site. The Arboretum grounds are open until 8:30 pm. RSVP by 5th December to communityprograms@act.gov.au
Vegwatch Information Sessions – Spring 2014
You are invited to participate in an information session on the Vegwatch monitoring program on one of the following dates in November 2014, and particularly the one at The Fair on Friday 21 November, which will be held at the same time as the Fridays # The Fair working bee. These information sessions will demonstrate how the Vegwatch program can be used to establish standardised monitoring of vegetation condition across the region, using the Vegwatch Manual, and how we can become involved along with other groups.
Saturday 15 November, 9.30am at Jerrabomberra Wetlands, Dairy Flat Road, Fyshwick, or
Sunday 16 November, 8.30am at Cooleman Ridge, Darrell Place, Chapman; or
Friday 21 November, 9.30am, at Mount Majura, Corner of Tay and Ian Nichols Streets, Watson.
Bring: paper, pen or pencil, camera, water, nibbles for morning tea, and light lunch.
Wear: hat, sunblock, and stout shoes
Contact: Please provide name and phone number to Linda Beveridge at projects@molonglocatchment.org.au or phone 6262 5551, 6299 2119 or mobile 0437 298 711
