Well our friend the echidna is proving a little elusive (and perhaps we need to try earlier and/or later in the day), but the beauty of the eastern track is really worth seeing for yourself.
If you stay on the main track, it will take you over to parkland at the back of Darien Street and there's even a fork just over half way, so on the way back you can end up at Dawn Road, at the western end of FCD or back where you started at the eastern end of FCD.
We'll keep trying to capture a picture for you, but if you go for a walk along this track, don't forget your camera!!
Happy wanderings.
TrinaMcL
Monday 3 December 2007
Wednesday 28 November 2007
Locals share news of rare sighting
WHEN Alison G and her friend were walking west along one of the Reserve’s tracks yesterday, you can imagine their surprise when they came across a bundle of spikes that turned out to be an echidna.
The Dawn Road Reserve is teeming with wildlife, but these shy creatures are rarely seen, certainly not around suburban areas.
I’m in my late 40s and I’ve only seen one live echidna not in captivity ... on a remote road in southern NSW on our honeymoon 21 years ago!!
Echidnas are monotremes – that is they mammals that lay eggs which the female raises in a pouch.
There is only one other monotreme in nature, the also shy platypus (rumoured to frolic along the banks of Albany Creek in a section that runs through Bridgeman Downs).
Echidnas are sometimes referred to as spiny ant-eaters and, indeed, ants and termites are a favourite fare.
Not a problem! The Dawn Road Reserve has no shortage of either, as many residents already know. (Although, as our teenage daughter observed this morning, we haven’t seen as many black ants around the house this year, so perhaps our echidna and his/her family are performing a useful service.)
According to the excellent NSW Parks and Wildlife Service website, in Australia’s northern, hotter regions, echidnas are lighter than their southern cousins and have slightly less hair under their quills (spines).
In our warmer climate, the site says, they will tend to feed during the cooler early mornings and evenings and sleep during the hotter parts of the day.
Alison and her friend saw our echidna about 100m in along the east-west track off the south-eastern end of FCD.
I’ll be heading out with Alison and my camera soon to see if we can see/photograph our echidna in action. If you decide to do likewise, don’t try to approach or pick up these shy little critters or you might come off worse for wear.
The Queensland Museum’s excellent guide Wildlife of Greater Brisbane notes that the echidna’s spiky quills can be up to 18mm wide and 130mm in length while young females and males have a sharp spur on the inside of each ankle!
By the way, after not seeing any wallabies around much recently, I happened upon one grazing late at night on the north-eastern edge of the Reserve near our place a week or so ago. Of course, as soon as it heard my car approaching, it shot off back into the safety of the bush.
When we first moved to the estate in 2000 - and there were fewer neighbours or fences - the wallabies would traverse our front yards freely late at night and leave little calling cards.
But they became pretty scarce around the same time that we had some dingoes wandering around our end of the Reserve (which the Brisbane and Pine Rivers councils trapped). We assumed they'd fallen prey to the wild dogs.
It was rather reassuring to the see one - possibly a black-striped wallaby - back grazing on the dewy grass verge. If you're eagle-eyed, you might see their smallish, elongated scats (droppings) here and there.
So, if you're walking in the Reserve during the daytime and hear a sudden scramble, you'll have probably disturbed a resting wallaby. Then again, it's always worth looking up, because it could equally be a spectacularly patterned lace monitor (there is at least one pair in our neck of the Reserve). They can shimmy up a 30m tree in nothing flat but they are magnificent creatures.
Happy wandering.
TrinaMcL
The Dawn Road Reserve is teeming with wildlife, but these shy creatures are rarely seen, certainly not around suburban areas.
I’m in my late 40s and I’ve only seen one live echidna not in captivity ... on a remote road in southern NSW on our honeymoon 21 years ago!!
Echidnas are monotremes – that is they mammals that lay eggs which the female raises in a pouch.
There is only one other monotreme in nature, the also shy platypus (rumoured to frolic along the banks of Albany Creek in a section that runs through Bridgeman Downs).
Echidnas are sometimes referred to as spiny ant-eaters and, indeed, ants and termites are a favourite fare.
Not a problem! The Dawn Road Reserve has no shortage of either, as many residents already know. (Although, as our teenage daughter observed this morning, we haven’t seen as many black ants around the house this year, so perhaps our echidna and his/her family are performing a useful service.)
According to the excellent NSW Parks and Wildlife Service website, in Australia’s northern, hotter regions, echidnas are lighter than their southern cousins and have slightly less hair under their quills (spines).
In our warmer climate, the site says, they will tend to feed during the cooler early mornings and evenings and sleep during the hotter parts of the day.
Alison and her friend saw our echidna about 100m in along the east-west track off the south-eastern end of FCD.
I’ll be heading out with Alison and my camera soon to see if we can see/photograph our echidna in action. If you decide to do likewise, don’t try to approach or pick up these shy little critters or you might come off worse for wear.
The Queensland Museum’s excellent guide Wildlife of Greater Brisbane notes that the echidna’s spiky quills can be up to 18mm wide and 130mm in length while young females and males have a sharp spur on the inside of each ankle!
By the way, after not seeing any wallabies around much recently, I happened upon one grazing late at night on the north-eastern edge of the Reserve near our place a week or so ago. Of course, as soon as it heard my car approaching, it shot off back into the safety of the bush.
When we first moved to the estate in 2000 - and there were fewer neighbours or fences - the wallabies would traverse our front yards freely late at night and leave little calling cards.
But they became pretty scarce around the same time that we had some dingoes wandering around our end of the Reserve (which the Brisbane and Pine Rivers councils trapped). We assumed they'd fallen prey to the wild dogs.
It was rather reassuring to the see one - possibly a black-striped wallaby - back grazing on the dewy grass verge. If you're eagle-eyed, you might see their smallish, elongated scats (droppings) here and there.
So, if you're walking in the Reserve during the daytime and hear a sudden scramble, you'll have probably disturbed a resting wallaby. Then again, it's always worth looking up, because it could equally be a spectacularly patterned lace monitor (there is at least one pair in our neck of the Reserve). They can shimmy up a 30m tree in nothing flat but they are magnificent creatures.
Happy wandering.
TrinaMcL
Friday 16 November 2007
Are you ready if there’s a fire?
IMPORTANT UPDATE (October 2013): Since this blog was written
about the fire risk in our district way back in 2007, there have been
significant, national changes to policies, procedures and safety advice,
largely due to research, forensic evaluations and a royal commission conducted
after Victoria’s tragic February 2009 Black Saturday bushfires. Also, many of
the links in this blog have expired, so please follow this link to see the latest information and links on my new blog. Please make sure your
household is bushfire prepared and stay safe.
IN late September, the Pine Rivers Shire Council organised a well-attended community meeting at the south-western end of Fred Campbell Drive to address fire safety issues. Representatives from the metropolitan fire brigade (Queensland Fire and Rescue Service) and our bush fire brigade (Rural Fire Service) were on hand to provide expert advice, suggestions and answers to plenty of questions from the audience.
Residents heard a range of handy tips that related to:
- long-term fire precautions (including making our properties safe and the PRSC’s patchwork approach to periodic hazard-reduction/regeneration burns throughout the Dawn Road Reserve)
- preparing our homes ahead of the peak bushfire season in spring and early summer (including a handy pre-summer checklist which is accessible online)
- making the decision well ahead of time whether you will
- stay and defend your home (incl. list of equipment to keep with your evacuation kit)
- or go – and go early – to ensure a safe evacuation - what to do as the fire approaches, when it arrives, after it passes and if you are caught in your car
- understanding how fire-fighting resources are deployed, especially in a major fire event.
One of the most valuable suggestions made at the meeting was for residents to access a free service where local fire officers will assess your home and its surrounds for fire safety. To book a free Operation Safe Home inspection, call 1300 369 003 or go online.
Most importantly, all agencies wanted residents to remember that if they find themselves in a bushfire emergency – or see a fire burning – to call 000, rather than the nearest metropolitan or bush fire brigade station, and tell them you are calling about a fire. Other important advice included to call early, give your exact location, advise the best access to the area, what you can see and your name and contact details.
Finally, the law in Queensland stipulates that the ultimate decision to evacuate will fall to either the Queensland Police Service or the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service. They will make that decision based on how well your property/neighbourhood is prepared, how fierce/dangerous the conditions are and what resources are available to assist property owners fight the fire. Residents are obliged to observe their instructions, which will be issued with their personal safety in mind.
Useful fire safety websites
Much of the detail discussed at the September 23 meeting is available online at various helpful websites that are listed below. Here you will find especially useful information, including what items to have on hand if you are caught in a fire – or decide to stay and defend your home. They’re certainly worth considering well before you find yourself in that position.
Pine Rivers Shire Council’s Bushfire management page
Bushfire prepared communities
Make a bushfire plan
Preparing your property
Protect your property against fire
Protect yourself
Immediate threat
Go early
OR
Stay and defend
Essential equipment
Maintaining smoke alarms
Blazer’s fire safety tips for kids
Blazer’s tips for parents
Trina McL
Reserve’s red blush a worrying sign
THOSE residents who live near or enjoy the bushland adjacent to the south-eastern end of Fred Campbell Drive will have noticed the explosion this year of the distinctive Mickey Mouse Plant (Ochna serrulata). Last year there seemed to be barely more than a smattering of these bright red-tipped bushes with their green berries that turn black as they mature.
The trouble is that our birdlife just loves those berries. They dutifully eat and spread their seeds when they poop elsewhere ... so now the bushland that stretches out eastwards towards Bridgeman Downs is riddled with Ochna growing up to 3-4m in height and, in places, quite densely clumped.The really bad news is that it’s not at all easy to eradicate, according to experts.
(You can read lots about Ochna serrulata online, thanks to the Brisbane Rainforest Action and Information Network.)
Pine Rivers Shire Council has contracted a specialist weed control firm, Technigro, to treat a portion of the Dawn Road Reserve’s Ochna infestation, primarily along each side of the new fire trails.PRSC’s supevisor, natural areas, Kat Smith said the council is starting its weed-control program along the fire trails and then working its way further in over time.
One initial benefit of this will be weed management along the fire breaks to improve access and reduce fuel load.
Technigro’s technical officer, natural areas and mosquito division, Steve Milner toured the trails earlier this week as two technicians from his company began what could be four weeks or more of work treating the infestation to the council’s specifications.
Initially Technigro's task is limited to treating the fire trails themselves and a 10m buffer on either side.
“Over the coming weeks, we’ll be treating the Ochna with a combination of diesel and the herbicide called Starane 200, which we will mostly apply as a stem spray as part of a technique known as basal barking,” Mr Milner explained.“Sometimes we will need to use the cut-and -swab method instead. We will also do a follow-up foliar spray to kill off any stragglers.’’
He said the addition of diesel to the herbicide helped the plants draw in the treatment to their circulation systems more efficiently.
“Because we use diesel, residents may notice a ‘fuel’ smell initially,’’ Mr Milner explained, “but the diesel itself evaporates pretty quickly and poses no danger at all.’’
“Because we use diesel, residents may notice a ‘fuel’ smell initially,’’ Mr Milner explained, “but the diesel itself evaporates pretty quickly and poses no danger at all.’’
He gave a reassurance that the treatment would not cause harm to surrounding plants, nor would it wash off and into the creek.
However, the Technigro team did say the mixture is likely to take three or four weeks before it begins to affect the particularly hardy Mickey Mouse Plants that have been treated. The initial symptoms will be discolouration and wilting of the leaves.Ironically, because the plants are now flowering and producing fruit, the effects of the treatment may take a little longer to appear.
Nevertheless, Mr Milner said, treatment is best done while the plants are growing in the warmer spring/summer months rather than during their dormant periods in the cooler weather. For example, the same treatment applied in the winter months could take up to six months to take effect.
Any unripe seeds will still be drawing nutrients from the main body of the plant, so they will be affected if the plant is treated.
However, Mr Milner confirmed any ripe (black) seed still on treated plants will no longer be accessing nutrients from the plants so, while the herbicide will not pose any threat to birdlife who might eat the ripe berries, the seeds inside the berries will still be viable – i.e., able to reproduce new plants wherever they fall or are deposited.What is especially worrying for those of us interested in the Dawn Road Reserve, is that local, interstate and international horticultural experts agree Ochna is terribly invasive.
The Technigro team members treating the Dawn Road Reserve described Ochna as a “very tough, aggressive, persistent, adaptable pest that will out-compete native vegetation for space, water, light nutrients and its seeds will even germinate in deep shade”.Take a walk down the fire trail that heads due east from the end of Fred Campbell Drive and you can see for yourself just how fast and far this pest has spread. It has even out-done the lantana!
For Steve Milner, who has more than 20 years of weed-management experience, and his technicians, this particular infestation of Ochna serrulata is the worst they have ever seen.
It seems our weather conditions this year have been perfect for the Mickey Mouse Plant.
Trina McL
(Thanks to Steve Milner for the use of close-up images of Ochna serrulata).
Good news
IN the past few weeks, the Pine Rivers Shire Council has brought in a contractor who has been chipping the periodic piles of combustible materials that were left along the recently forged fire trails.
With some 3km of fire trails criss-crossing the Dawn Road Reserve, this clean-up took a while and the work certainly was dusty but the resultant reduction in potential kindling piled up near trees should help keep any flames lower to the ground.
For those unfamiliar with fires in bushland, experts say that keeping flames out of the canopy helps prevent ground fires becoming much fiercer firestorms that can spit fireballs randomly from the leading edge of the fire front, sometimes up to hundreds of metres from the main fire.
This happened spectacularly in Canberra a few years ago, leading to the deaths of four residents and the loss of more than 500 homes across several suburbs.
Trina McL
With some 3km of fire trails criss-crossing the Dawn Road Reserve, this clean-up took a while and the work certainly was dusty but the resultant reduction in potential kindling piled up near trees should help keep any flames lower to the ground.
For those unfamiliar with fires in bushland, experts say that keeping flames out of the canopy helps prevent ground fires becoming much fiercer firestorms that can spit fireballs randomly from the leading edge of the fire front, sometimes up to hundreds of metres from the main fire.
This happened spectacularly in Canberra a few years ago, leading to the deaths of four residents and the loss of more than 500 homes across several suburbs.
Trina McL
Saturday 22 September 2007
Concern about fire risk along new trails
SOME time ago now, authorities began clearing fire access trails in sections of the Dawn Road Reserve, but to the surprise of residents, the felled material was cleared but left piled along the trails and, in some places, at the rear of properties.
The drying piles of felled trees, broken branches and dead leaves present a potential fire risk and may even encourage ground fires to catch higher up and help flames travel into the canopy. If this happens, the fire will rage faster and further.
The 2003 Canberra fires show that when wildfires catch in a canopy, storm-like intensity can see embers and even fireballs rain down hundreds of metres away as the fire front becomes more powerful, a condition known as a fire storm.
With this in mind, some local residents have spoken to several council representatives but, as yet, no action has been taken to remove or reduce the flammable material. It is now peak fire season and those living near to the reserve are anxious that something is done before a risk becomes a reality.
The very large equipment used for the clearing task also left depressions in the ground around the edge of the reserve, adjacent to people's houses. These depressions are filling with water after the few rain showers we have had but the concern is that stagnant pools of water that take days to dry up will increase the likelihood of mosquitoes and the often debilitating diseases they carry.
Saturday 8 September 2007
Event: Bushfire Prepared Communities Street Meeting
Hi again
An important date claimer for those living near the Dawn Road Reserve and Mahaca Park, particularly in and around the Albany Parkside Estate (viz., Fred Campbell Drive, Jessie Court, Jullyann Street, McConachie Court, Malvern Road and Windemere Road).
The Pine Rivers Shire Council and the Queensland Fire & Rescue Service will hold a special local gathering on Sunday, September 23, 2007, from 9-11am at the corner of Malvern Road and Fred Campbell Drive (in the clearing opposite the T-junction).
BYO chair, hat, sunscreen and umbrella!
TrinaMcL
An important date claimer for those living near the Dawn Road Reserve and Mahaca Park, particularly in and around the Albany Parkside Estate (viz., Fred Campbell Drive, Jessie Court, Jullyann Street, McConachie Court, Malvern Road and Windemere Road).
The Pine Rivers Shire Council and the Queensland Fire & Rescue Service will hold a special local gathering on Sunday, September 23, 2007, from 9-11am at the corner of Malvern Road and Fred Campbell Drive (in the clearing opposite the T-junction).
BYO chair, hat, sunscreen and umbrella!
TrinaMcL
Welcome
Hi to all the folk living in the Albany Parkside Estate in Albany Creek, Brisbane, Australia (and also to any interested residents from the nearby Woodlands and Country Club estates).
Background
This community forum has been set up after a successful and enthusiastic community consultation run this afternoon (September 8, 2007) at the Albany Hills State School by Maris Teske and Laura Emmison from the Pine Rivers Shire Council. A similar session was held on Wednesday evening, September 5.
At today's session, our local councillor (Cr Mike Charlton-Division 4) was present along with around 25 residents who contributed, questioned and shared ideas for the future public use of the Dawn Road Reserve.
Everyone seemed keen to see positive choices made for Dawn Road Reserve and to build a greater sense of community. In short, we're ready to enjoy and protect the reserve and make friends amongst our neighbours.
Some historical and factual information about the reserve already exists online (at http://www.prsc.qld.gov.au/c/prsc?a=da&did=1343537&pid=1187672896&sid=).
If you missed either of the local community feedback sessions you can still give feedback to the council's planners via an online survey (at http://www.prsc.qld.gov.au/c/prsc?a=da&did=1343537&pid=1186021988&sid=).
This forum
The idea of this forum is for us all to share news, ideas, local stories, photographs or short videos taken in and around the reserve as well as concerns and useful insights we might have.
It is being moderated on a voluntary basis by a local resident but it is for all of us to contribute.
Your moderator will ensure the usual rules of good taste, fairness and legal constraints are observed - so please steer clear of defamatory, discriminatory or uncouth or offensive submissions because they won't see the light of day (we don't have a legal fighting fund, folks).
As with all community forums, constructive suggestions are more than welcome, along with stories, images, quick entries and notices of relevant public meetings relating to the reserve and our estate, etc.
Your moderator strongly urges you to speak your mind on issues of concern, but please stick to discussing the issues and refrain from accusing or targeting other individuals (i.e., play the ball, not the man to borrow a sporting analogy).
This forum will operate while the management plan for the Dawn Road Reserve is being developed and refined by the Pine Rivers Shire Council (or whatever it might be called after March 2008 if we amalgamate), so others outside of our immediate community may find it useful to drop by this public blog from time to time.
If it proves a success, then this forum will continue on for residents to use once the implementation phase has come and gone.
Your moderator
(TrinaMcL)
Background
This community forum has been set up after a successful and enthusiastic community consultation run this afternoon (September 8, 2007) at the Albany Hills State School by Maris Teske and Laura Emmison from the Pine Rivers Shire Council. A similar session was held on Wednesday evening, September 5.At today's session, our local councillor (Cr Mike Charlton-Division 4) was present along with around 25 residents who contributed, questioned and shared ideas for the future public use of the Dawn Road Reserve.
Everyone seemed keen to see positive choices made for Dawn Road Reserve and to build a greater sense of community. In short, we're ready to enjoy and protect the reserve and make friends amongst our neighbours.
Some historical and factual information about the reserve already exists online (at http://www.prsc.qld.gov.au/c/prsc?a=da&did=1343537&pid=1187672896&sid=).
If you missed either of the local community feedback sessions you can still give feedback to the council's planners via an online survey (at http://www.prsc.qld.gov.au/c/prsc?a=da&did=1343537&pid=1186021988&sid=).
This forum
The idea of this forum is for us all to share news, ideas, local stories, photographs or short videos taken in and around the reserve as well as concerns and useful insights we might have.
It is being moderated on a voluntary basis by a local resident but it is for all of us to contribute.
Your moderator will ensure the usual rules of good taste, fairness and legal constraints are observed - so please steer clear of defamatory, discriminatory or uncouth or offensive submissions because they won't see the light of day (we don't have a legal fighting fund, folks).
As with all community forums, constructive suggestions are more than welcome, along with stories, images, quick entries and notices of relevant public meetings relating to the reserve and our estate, etc.
Your moderator strongly urges you to speak your mind on issues of concern, but please stick to discussing the issues and refrain from accusing or targeting other individuals (i.e., play the ball, not the man to borrow a sporting analogy).
This forum will operate while the management plan for the Dawn Road Reserve is being developed and refined by the Pine Rivers Shire Council (or whatever it might be called after March 2008 if we amalgamate), so others outside of our immediate community may find it useful to drop by this public blog from time to time.
If it proves a success, then this forum will continue on for residents to use once the implementation phase has come and gone.
Your moderator
(TrinaMcL)
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