Hand weeding horehound (W.Pix)
Friends of Mt Majura will be hosting a Post Election Day Working Party to remove pesky horehound at an old stock camp.
When: Sunday, 19 May from 1 pm to about 4 pm; give as much time as you like.
Where: “Sheep camp south” at the Mt Majura ridge; click on this map to view the location of the sheep camp (red marker) and access routes (green lines).
How to get there
(1) From the nature park entrance Mackenzie Street (roughly opposite Grayson Street) walk in east direction along the maintenance road (Blue Metal Road); at the saddle turn right, pass the upper Hackett water reservoir and walk uphill in a southwest direction to access the stock camp.
(2) From the nature reserve entrance Kellaway Street car park turn left then walk uphill (southeast) on the fire trail named Hancock road; pass the transmission power line easement after about 500m and continue walking uphill close to the saddle; turn left and walk the trail uphill in a northeast direction to access the stock camp.
The walks will take about 20 to 30 minutes from both nature park entrances.
Bring: Sun protection, sturdy shoes, drinking water, and gloves if you have them.
Enjoy: Great views over Canberra and Majura Valley.
Inquiries: projects@majura.org
Horehound is a common weed often found at old stock camps (photo W.Pix).
Horehound is a common perennial weed often found at old stock camps that have nutrient-enriched soils.
Sheep camp south. The approximately 5 ha area is one of several stock camps located on the Mt Majura – Mt Ainslie ridgeline. Four years ago, FoMM member Jochen began work to remove weeds (horehound, Saffron and other thistles, Hirschfeldia or Mustard weed, Verbascum, St John’s Wort, Serrated tussock and more).
What is a stock camp? a site where sheep or cattle prefer to visit, such as a resting site, and nutrient-enrich the soil with their excreta; nutrients from a larger grazed area concentrate at the stock camp which favours the growth of nutrient loving herbs such as horehound and thistles.
Why on the ridgeline? there is a breeze in summer and due to temperature inversion in winter, the ridges can be warmer compared to the bottom of the mountain slopes.
Clever sheep!
Whether they enjoy a view, I don’t know.
