TSLS To-do

The six-year Threatened Species Last Stand on the Coal Point Peninsula project (TSLS) is on the last leg, with the project completion date of 30/6/18. There are some activities that are already completed, still quite a few activities to be enjoyed and of course there will be some that keep on going on after the TSLS project finishes.

The Summer survey was completed on 22/1/18 by the adventuresome avian expert Tom Clarke. 

Young Dollarbird waiting patiently
for parents to return (Tom Clarke)

Tom’s consistency and commitment to the project has been commendable, as are his reports all 23 of them! There is final report to come which will be looking at any trends and summarising the information collected over the past six years. If you are avian-orientated and would like to continue with any of the surveys please contact the CPPA, Tom is keen to share his process.

The Summer Survey Highlights included:

• The uncommon record of White-throated Needletails, at least 14 individuals could be accounted for travelling directly overhead and not too far above the canopy. These birds appeared to be following the ridge from Stansfield Reserve to Carey Bay as they passed by. It is interesting to note that this species was also recorded at this site in April 2017; that would have been right at the end of the previous season before they headed back to Northern Asia.
• Some indications of breeding success were noted with two separate sightings of juvenile Dollarbird and a Grey Butcherbird family group consisting of two adults and a very dependent fledgling at Stansfield Reserve. Grey Butcherbirds have nested in the Stansfield (non-burn) area several times over the course of the surveys. Both juvenile Dollarbirds were found sitting quietly with no hint (you cannot mistake their calls) of parent birds at all. Perhaps they were taking it easy in the heat also.
• The most widely recorded species for these surveys were Rainbow Lorikeets, Noisy Miner and Grey Butcherbird. They were recorded at every survey site and this is hardly surprising of course. Over the last five years, 22 rounds of formal surveys have been completed and the dominance of these birds is strongly confirmed on every occasion. With regards the honeyeaters, it is almost a complete shut-out for the smaller less-aggressive birds.

For the complete Summer Survey visit The Animals in our Bigger Backyard page on the CPPA website.

Another tick on the TSLS to-do list has been for the professional bush regeneration support provided by LMCC’s Natural Areas crew. 

Over the summer they have spent four days building on the success of the April 2016 burn at Stansfield Reserve, targeting woody weeds such as Ochna- Mickey Mouse plant, a garden escape, that has survived and thrived. The team of four also spent four days at Hampton Street Link focussed on the ‘heavy lifting’ of Lantana removal and Cassia control (another garden escape). This work is preparing the ground for the National Tree Day planting that is planned for May 20th to reinstate the rainforest remnants and kickstart the recovery of the ground covers.

The support of the LMCC Natural Areas Team has been greatly appreciated, their willingness to share their knowledge and their enthusiasm for undertaking the physically demanding work has helped the local landcare group to keep their spirits and enjoyment of bushland activities high.

A fun-filled five months is ahead with projects on the go including the mega mural on the Hunter Water Reservoir, an Awesome Art & Craft show and Plant-pack purchases.

The mega-mural: 

Enthusiastic street artists have already begun preparing the surface of the reservoir and Hunter Local Land Services recently awarded the CPPA a grant to cover the Youth Week mural completion celebration on 17/4/18. Throughout February we’ll be lining up the local schools, and community artists to sort out how the space can be used. 
In March it will be cans in hand to put the artwork out there. A mural webpagehas been set up which lists the local plants and animals that can be emblazoned upon the water tank walls. If you’re keen to pick a subject and practice your style there’s quite a few to choose from. A facebook page is being set up by Graffiti Dan, the street artist mentor overseeing the mural.

The Art and Craft show 

For the traditional artists The Awesome Art and Craft Show planning has begun. If you are a local artisan and would like the opportunity to showcase your art or craft please contact Barbara Lawrenson at artandcraftcppa@gmail.com or 0409 839 428. As this event will be celebrating the completion of the TSLS project any works of art-craft that relate to the flora and fauna of the area would be most appreciated. There is a webpage where details of the event will be housed.

Plants-a-Plenty Purchases

Do you have a spot in your garden that needs filling? Would you like a plant that is perfect for our area and the local wildlife? Would you like to support the local landcare project after the grant has finished? If you answered yes to any of these questions read on.

A selection of local plants are being grown by Hunter Indigenous Plants for locals to purchase at 3 plants for $10. Funds raised will go towards supporting the weekly landcaring projects. They’ll be ready for pick up at the Art and Craft Show. Orders and payment are needed by 30/4/18. Orders can be lodged online or with the hard copy order form available at the members morning tea and in the March Chronicle.

• Feathery fields of swaying swathes : Kangaroo Grass , Plume Grass , Blady Grass
• Edges and Hedges: Tussock grass ,Spiny Mat Rush, Sweet Pittosporum   
• Berry Abundant borders: Hairy Clerodendrum, Coffee Bush  , Blue flax Lily
• Quick Covering Climbers: Wong Wonga vine , Dusky Coral Pea , Climbing Guinea flower , Old Man's Beard, Purple Twinning Pea
• Gracias-plants you can sit on and mow: Scurvy Weed, Kidney Weed ,Weeping meadow grass