Reefcare Report: Tubestock Planting and ACF Visit
We had a great turn up on this overcast cool to cold August morning with 13 of us ready to make great improvements to Long Reef. This number included 3 visitors from Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) – Holly, Alessandro & Len - who came along as a special event put on by Northern Beaches branch of ACF to do a morning of bush regeneration.
Alex and Josh worked on Turkey Rhubarb on the top south western slope whilst the rest of us went along to most western section, other side of the gully to plant about 20 tube stock on this steep area, which took all morning, due to the terraces that needed to be made to help the plants stable in the ground and attract water into the well from further above the plant.
Julie taught a new person, Len, the basics of Asparagus Fern removal on the top paddock, he was a willing pupil.
Alex and Josh found a huge stick insect, the Margin-winged Stick Insect (Ctenomorpha marginipennis); it had to be over 20cm long.
Jeanette brought along a large tray with 5 different sorts of cakes, which were well received – with even two magpies wanting to get into the tray for dessert, quite determined they were.
Reefcare at morning tea
It was certainly a great day for birdlife with firstly Brad receiving a large photograph of an osprey with a fish, which had been taken by one of our local photographers, then we had a conspiracy of ravens making sure with their calling that we knew they were there – over a dozen of them, a flock of welcome swallows and some osprey. Jeanette and Misima who are bird enthusiasts were really in their element today!
After morning tea, Julie and Len went back to removing asparagus fern. Julie told us, ‘I checked the 4 Asparagus ' ponytails' that I had set and sprayed with glyphosate at our July work bees (left). They were looking nicely dead (right) - but I will review them in September.’
Alex and Josh worked on removing more Turkey Rhubarb before moving onto another area and working on the non-native pigs face and burr medic. The rest of us worked in various areas around the bottom of the site focusing on Burr Medic. We finished up about 5 to 12 as rain was just starting to move into our area and no point getting really wet for the sake of a few minutes.
Misima found a Torpedo Bug (Siphanta acuta), commonly refered to as a leaf bug. We also found an Earthstar, which is part of the Geastraceae Family, and a Cinnabar fungus which is part of the Genus Trametes.
It was a great morning with so much being accomplished and it was a very happy and chatty group that departed after farewelling each other until next time!
Written by Lisa Calder
