Rice Grass Update.

In 2002 Dorset N.R.M. and community members reduced the infested area of rice grass in Trent Water from 3 ha. to 3² meters. Back then, it was possible for community members to assist with the work, but 20 years on and with considerable changes in how governments operate, an eradication plan is more difficult. The accompanying map shows the recent outbreaks since the last spraying in 2018. We were lucky that Anne Witherden, Ian Cameron and Ann Scott were able to kayak to two of the bigger patches to help identify and photograph them. Since then, it has taken 9 months to get some action.

(Click on the map for a clearer view)

 

Recently, N.R.M. North arranged with Sue Jennings to spray the rice grass in January. Sue has been in charge of Rice Grass eradication with the Circular Head Landcare Group. Her group now monitors and controls rice-grass over 123 km of coastline.

Permits are required from both Parks and Crown Lands Property services to get the job done and our group which is now also a Landcare Group, will help facilitate these. We are putting a call out for someone with an aluminium dinghy and outboard or even a couple of kayaks to help Ross and Sue and me scope the Trent Water at the end of November. [exact date known soon] Other community members have promised help as well.

If left untreated, this invasive grass has the potential to spread rapidly. It can limit access for boating, swimming, recreation and fishing; it invades native seagrass and saltmarsh and has the potential to prevent shorebirds from nesting and feeding. It has become one of Tasmania’s most troublesome aquatic weeds and in next to no time, it could return to that 3ha.

Have a chat with me if you’re able to be part of this.

Terns and Hoodies at Scamander. [from Pam]

The exciting news about the fairy terns choosing to nest at the mouth of the Scamander River has, I’m afraid, ended in tears with the flock abandoning their nests just shortly before hatching. The rivermouth is steadily moving North and every day we lose a few metres of nesting area to wind and tide-driven water flow. The good news is that they appear to have moved up to Blanche’s Beach near St Helens Point. Let’s hope they succeed there. PWS were very helpful erecting a fence to protect them but that, too, succumbed to Nature’s ways. For once we can’t blame people!

Meanwhile, the hoodie pair that I was observing nesting in the middle of the noisy tern colony also left their nest and I am still looking for any sign of chicks that might have hatched. The pair of adults is still there so hopefully they will have another go if that attempt fails.  Let’s hope for successful fledging. They can try up to 7 times which is just as well with summer crowds on the way and who knows what weather! No wonder they are a threatened and Vulnerable species.

Wildflowers on the Jervis Link.

A couple of months ago, John Davey noticed a great display of wildflowers growing on the side of the road on the Jervis Link out of Bridport. The Dorset Coastal Working Group asked Dorset Council to consider a revision of its mowing strategy there and as a result John and Jay met with an officer from the Works and Infrastructure section of the Dorset Council. Before that though, they counted and photographed 50 [yes 50!] different species. We have made a suggestion to Council that we have a go at caring for that section of the road. Watch this space.

Lou Brooker