Chifley Chronicle #12

Dwarf Narcissus

Two weekends ago we did the first survey for Superb Lyrebird display mounds on our intensive study area at Tidbinbilla. Despite the rain it was a very successful day with 11 volunteers turning up to scramble and stumble through the dense. As the morning wore on we had to push our way through increasingly saturated vegetation. We were attempting to locate active display mounds.

Ten of the eleven participants in the 2006 Tidbinbilla lyrebird mound search

In theory we were running up and down the slopes in teams of three searching a 10m wide area. We were using hand held GPS units supposedly to guide us accurately along some predetermined transects. It was difficult and that is hardly a strong enough word to describe the situation, but as I say, it was difficult to keep on track. Shortly after we got going on the job, with three teams advancing up the ridge and gully systems on the eastern side of our study plot, it started to rain. From then on rain showers persisted and became more and more frequent until we eventually gave up a little short of our intended survey objective. By this time, however, we were running very late against our scheduled timing and decided to call it a day. Most of us heading down towards the visitors Centre to enjoy a pre-arranged barbecue. Thankfully, by the time we got to the barbecue area the rain had eased.

Superb Lyrebird display mound 14B.
The white rectangle is a label that is intended to identify this picture.
Not a successful method!

In all we calculate that the area we had surveyed amounted to about XX hectares in which we found 26 mounds. Not bad for a start and we certainly now have some suggested improvements for the survey procedures the next time we do this sort of thing.

Cutting down the old wooden fence with chainsaw

Old hardwood fence and concrete posts removed

New fence at the end of day two

Finished fence day three

The garden fence on the outside of my block was removed and replaced with a colourbond fence earlier this week. A great improvement on the 40 year old wooden fence that was not going to last very much longer.
About a week ago the large Claret Ash in the back garden sprouted numerous male flowers at the shoot tips. I have managed to do a bit of work on my three rows of raspberries. They have been neglected badly over the last few years mainly from lack of time and certainly because of watering restrictions in Canberra brought about by the lack of sufficient water storage for the city and the prolonged period of less than expected rainfall that has plagued us over the past few years. A vigorous weeding of the raspberry rows and some shifting of canes to fill in the more serious gaps together with a generous dose of cow and sheep manure should do the trick!
Parrots have continued to frequent the feeder. Up to 4 pairs of King Parrots have been regular daily visitors along with a small group of Crimson Rosella which have sometimes recently engaged in courtship displays. I continue to have an occasional visit by a pair of Gang-gang. One day this week I was invaded by Noisy Miners and a few Indian Myna are certainly still in the area despite often being less obvious of late. The male Blackbird is seen most days skulking about in the back garden. The band of Superb Fairy Wrens visit most days and I suspect the resident pair of Pied Currawongs might be going to use the same nest site in the tall eucalypt at the bottom of the garden that was used last year. Recently the Magpies have been carolling more often. Spring is not far off.

Flowering Claret Ash

Female King Parrot in the Claret Ash