Weeds and Bushcare News

Deanei Forest Bushcare Biodiversity Workshop

May 31, 2006

by Chris Dewhurst – Bushcare Team Leader – Blue Mountains City Council

The first Bushcare biodiversity workshop was held in Springwood’s Deanei forest on Saturday May 20 2006. The workshop’s aim was to introduce the skills of biodiversity monitoring to Bushcare volunteers in a field based environment. We hope to increase the depth of knowledge Bushcare volunteers have about their reserves, increasing their appreciation and motivation to continue their stewardship.

Flora concepts

The participants were introduced to field based identification techniques using the five main trees of Springwood. The group was walked around the reserve by facilitators and shown how to use common plant field guides whilst developing observation concepts based on a plants scent, bark, and form. Other concepts of geology and ecology were also introduced.


Eric Mahony (BMCC) explains the key features of Pittosporum revolutum

Fauna concepts

The group was shown how to use binoculars most effectively and other basics of bird watching. Skills of observing fauna often relate to revealing the clues they leave behind – their tracks, scats, nests and hollows. These can be used to build a picture of what inhabits your local reserve and can help guide your observations. The group also set up "hair tubes" which are used to indicate the presence of small mammals. These will be collected by the group and the results published in the Gecko.


Carol Probets leads the bird watching walk

Spotlighting

After a meal in the Council amenities room the remaining participants re-convened to try their hand at spotlighting the bush after dark. Special spotlights containing red filters were used, and clear paths into and out of the reserve were determined. The walk didn't yield a great deal, with only a feral cat and ring tail possum high in a tree revealing themselves to us.

More workshops are planned so get involved.

We will be running more biodiversity workshops in the future, and all existing volunteers are welcome to attend. Simply use the feedback form on this site or call Chris Dewhurst on 4780 5528.

The dates are:

17 June 2006 Megalong Valley
22 July 2006 Mt Wilson

The workshop will generally run from about 1pm to 9pm on each day. The evening session is optional and changes may occur with adequate notice given to participants prior to the day.

Acknowledgement

This workshop could not have gone ahead without the collaborated effort of staff from Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment Management Authority (Lithgow), Blue Mountains City Council “City Solutions’ and “BM City Services” groups and the expertise of Carol Probets.

Gallery


Toula and Pat closely examine an Allocasurina needle


Karen, Deidre and Pat marvel at the home of a Golden Orb spider


The ridgetop forest in Deanei Reserve