Hello Dear Field Natters,

We have had a pretty successful year haven’t we? And already we have leaders for three outings next year. [March, April and May] We will probably have a rest in January, so we need a suggestion and a leader for February. Sometimes it’s just enough to be in nature with friends, so you don’t need to be an expert to lead an outing. Please let me know if you can help.

See you Saturday for some Christmas cheer.  Lou.

DECEMBER 14TH OUTING  –  BRIDPORT STROLL – WITH MIKE DOUGLAS

An easy 3km walk in the foreshore precinct looking at trees, rocks, history etc. Remember Mike was unwell last time we scheduled this.  Lunch  will be at Murphy’s Beach.

Meet 10am at the bottom section of the car park opposite the Bridport Cafe, near the CWA and abutting the Village Green.

There will be a barbeque at my place [20 Edward Street] at the end of the walk, which will be early afternoon. If you are barbequing, suggest light lunch and meat and salad to share.

Leader: Mike Douglas 6356 1243

 

REPORT OF MT. ARTHUR OUTING.

Thanks Pam.

Here is the report

 

XANTHORRHOEA  AT WATERHOUSE

(Click all the photos for a great view)

The Xanthorrhoea at Waterhouse, true to expectations, put on a fantastic display just nine months after that very hot February bushfire. Some of the flower spikes reached over two metres in height and the place was abuzz with pollinating insects. I counted six different flies, bees, wasps, beetles in the time I was there. In case you missed the flowering, there’s a picture attached, but Jeff Jennings has posted a fantastic video taken by drone on his personal YouTube channel.

PIPERS RIVER BOARDWALK

I recently attended a working bee organised by the East Tamar Landcare Group. On a 1/2 hectare of remnant riparian bush alongside the Pipers River, the group has built a boardwalk through blackwood, dogwood, silver wattle and bursaria to a platform by the edge of the river. One of the more interesting trees is the Native Olive which seems to be quite resilient, surviving a couple of recent floods. It’s a credit to the Group who received grants for the project and have plans for an extension of the track.

WEEDING NORTHEAST PARK

Ross and Myles had a go at removing thistles and foxgloves and cut the berries from a holly bush on the last working bee at Northeast Park.  Ahead of them, the group has its sights set on a large patch of arum lilies.

Another note on weeds….. the Dorset Council is about to release a Draft Weed Management Plan and Jay, John and I were asked to provide some informal feedback on it. It is about to be released for public comment.