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Flying Fur !!! The Secrets of Microbats -Postponed from 21April to later date

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This talk has had to be postponed to a later date – various permits and equipment required will not be available until later, and Dr Cole has also had to make changes to his scedule.  Watch this space for a new date.
Elusive secrets about the life of bats will be revealed by Dr Roger Coles from the School of Earth, Environmental and Biological Sciences at QUT.

The life of these animals is cryptic and shrouded in mystery. They are the only mammals capable of true flight – a shared ability that has evolved completely differently from birds.
 
Dr Coles will explain the prowess of ‘microbats’ at flying, navigating and catching prey in the dark using a precision, radar-like method called echolocation. He will demonstrate how the local forest bats do it and in real time, by tuning in to bats flying around the MCCG Cottage during the talk with the use of fancy electronics and colourful computer screens. As we cannot normally see or hear these small creatures hunting in the dark, some of their secrets can be revealed by using electronic ‘bat detectors’ and night vision scopes to make their sensory world audible and visible to us. Methods used to catch bats will be demonstrated as well.

When: TBA

Where: MCCG Cottage at Gold Creek Reservoir
Organiser: Dale Borgelt
Contact: [email protected] or ph: 3374 1035

Bushcare

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Thanks to the passion of our volunteers and the unwavering support of Habitat Brisbane, the MCCG is proud to dig in and get our hands dirty for a few hours each month to protect our local waterways. It’s what we’re all about!

These activities help to retain the abundant landscapes that are the hallmark of our catchment.

The creekside areas and parklands West of Kenmore may seem peaceful and quiet, but when you look deeper there is an amazing amount of hidden activity in and around our waterways that we need to protect!

PROOF: Our catchment boasted a 11 platypus sightings in 2016!

And, although they’re
elusive, we’ve seen koalas in Mt Coot-tha Forest, Gap Creek Reserve, Deerhurst Road and Haven Road.

Our creeks are teeming with marine life that most people aren’t even aware of … 

… and our most visible residents are some of the most beautiful birds in Queensland! In the small (1000m x 60m) space of Deerhurst Park in Brookfield alone, we’ve spotted 58 different bird species!

We simply must protect this. Which means putting in a bit of effort. We invite you to join us.

It’s really not so hard. It’s not a big commitment.

Each month, the good people of our catchment donate just a couple of hours to help pull out a few weeds, plant some natives and keep a check on our replanted zones. It’s rewarding because we see a difference from month to month. And it’s an opportunity for downtime, enjoying the company of people from a variety of backgrounds who share a concern about preserving the vistas we all currently love and enjoy. 

 

We have 12 sites. If you can spare some time and there is an area that suits or interests you, please check with the nominated Section Leader. They can confirm the precise location and activities for that particular site. And they’re waiting to hear from YOU!

Click here to see a map of our working bee sites

Click here to see dates for working bees

Working bees at a glance

Section Area Section Leader Contact
2 Lower Moggill Creek:3rd Sunday Judy Petroeschevsky 3378 3348
  We meet at Fortrose Street Kenmore (Lower Moggill) on the third Sunday of each month. We start at 7.30am during the hotter months and 8.30am during cooler months, for around 3 hours. We plant trees, weed and maintain existing sections. Morning tea and tree resources are supplied courtesy of the MCCG and Brisbane City Council/Habitat Brisbane.
More info: https://www.facebook.com/groups/fortrosestreetcatchmentgroup/
3 Huntington: Last Sunday,starting 8.30am Jim Pope 3374 4181
  Note: If there is a flood we may send out an SOS for volunteers to rescue any damaged plantings.
4 Showgrounds: always the last Sunday, starting at 8.30am

 Damien Egan 3378 5199
5 Haven Road

 Richard Woodhead 3374 4691
6 Upper Brookfield Kate McVicar 3374 1471
 
We don’t have formal working bees. We are a small group and generally we wander down individually to the site whenever we can. Give Kate a call if you’d like to pitch in! 
8 Wonga Creek: 3rd Sunday John Crowley 3374 0723
  Starting time is generally 08.30am and we will advise the location by email.
9 Upper Gold Creek: 3rd Sunday, starting 8.30am Gordon Grigg 3374 1737
  2016 was our 20th year! But we need more people if we’re going to retain the natural appeal of Gold Creek. Please read Gordon’s letter for more info.
 
11 McKay Brook: 1st Saturday, starting at 2pm
                      3rd Sunday, starting 8.30am		 Bryan Hacker 3374 1468
  Times and locations are subject to change so please check the website or give Bryan a call the week before to confirm. Refreshments are provided.
12 Gap Creek: 4th Sunday Michael Humphreys 3374 1467
  Occasionally we change the date so please check with Mike before the day!
  Upper Brookfield: starting at 7.00am  Phil Bird  [email protected]
  Our mission is to clear weeds and replace them with native plants from the riparian zone of the upper reaches of Moggill Creek near Galvin Road.

Connect to your Catchment Day Out

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Location: New Farm Park (next to the Powerhouse)
Type: Event
Organiser: Brisbane Catchments Network (BCN)
Contact:

The Connect to Your Catchment event is part of Connect to Your Creek Week (9-17 April).

For more info visit the SEQ Catchments website. 

Things that go BUMP in the night … Seminar 20 April

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The Brisbane Biodiversity Seminar series provides members of Land for Wildlife, Habitat Brisbane, Environment Centre and Creek Catchment groups an opportunity to hear speakers present on environmental topics while enjoying supper and a cup of tea with like-minded people from across Brisbane.  
 

This is the second free seminar for 2016. Presenters are Scott O’Keeffe (Urban Bushstone Curlew Research),  Frank Box (Northern Glider Network) and Sarah Bell (Natural Environment & Sustainability Branch, BCC).  They will discuss community initiatives, research and management strategies for managing Gliders, Bush-Stone Curlews and feral fox throughout Brisbane. 

Bookings essential. Please RSVP to Amanda Maggs:
    Email: [email protected]
    Phone: (07) 3178 6767 or  Mobile/Text: 0408 712 461

Have your Say by 26 April – Weed & Pest Animal Management

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The QLD State Government is inviting property owners and other affected parties to provide feedback on the future management of weed and pest animals throughout Queensland.

Your feedback will inform the Queensland Weed and Pest Animal Strategy 2016-20 in preparation for the Biosecurity Act 2014 (the Act) commencing on 1 July 2016.

To have your say, visit the website or call the Department of Agriculture & Fisheries on 13 25 23 to provide a written submission.

Consultation will run until COB on 26th April.

VOLUNTEER NOW! Help the Richmond Birdwing! Field work – April to early May

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The Richmond Birdwing Conservation Network together with Wildlife Qld are currently recruiting volunteers to help with field data collection of Dutchman’s Pipe (Aristolochia elegans) locations around South East Queensland.

Dutchman’s Pipe is an introduced plant from South America, which is toxic and fatal to the larvae of the Richmond birdwing butterfly that ingests its leaves. It is commonly found in gardens, bushland and along waterways.


The data collected will be used for the creation of GIS maps and their analysis will reveal the areas in which Dutchman’s Pipe overlaps with important wildlife corridors. This information will assist in the development of a Targeted Eradication Plan, enabling the RBCN to focus its efforts in removing Dutchman’s Pipe from key threatening locations.

There are some personal benefits to reap from this volunteering work which include:

  • ​Development of skills including recording GPS coordinates, datum and precision
  • Helping to conserve the Richmond Birdwing butterfly!

      If you would like to lodge an expression of interest to volunteer, please email Meegan Hardaker at: [email protected] or phone: (07) 3221 0194(07) 3221 0194. 
          The following pictures of Dutchman’s Pipe vine are courtesy of Phil Moran:

                           

    • Landcare for Singles Speed Planting – 19 March

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    It’s not strictly speed dating but it sure has some parallells!
    Single Brisbanites are invited to this free event at St Lucia Esplanade Park starting at 8am.
    There will be a native speed planting followed by lunch with like minded folk and live music! 
    For details check out the Landcare for Singles website.
    Alternatively, if you can volunteer contact Apani Wood at Brisbane Catchments: [email protected]