Resources
Weed of the Month: Khaki Weed (Alternanthera pungens)
I hate Khaki Weed, I really do, so much so that at one stage I had it almost eliminated from the footpaths of the small village I live in and despite my slackness over the past couple of years numbers are still low and just the other week had to spray the footpath... read more
Plant of the Month: What’s in a name? Hard Quandong
(Elaeocarpus obovatus) Also known as Blueberry Ash, Whitewood, Grey Carabeen, Freckled Oliveberry and Grey Carrobeen, despite the plethora of names it is not related to the other Quandongs (Santalum spp.), Ashes (Mountain Ash, Red Ash, Claret Ash, Himalayan Ash) or... read more
Weed of the Month: Coolatai grass Hyparrhenia hirta
Regional Priority Weed Objective – ASSET PROTECTION An invasive drought, fire and herbicide tolerant tussock forming perennial grass. It is found in all Australian states and territories. The main infestations on the East coast were south-eastern Queensland,... read more
Bird species feature: Regent Honeyeater
It’s been a big year for the Regent Honeyeater, and the captive bred birds released in the Hunter region this year are doing well and settling into a life in the wild, a significant step in protecting this critically endangered species. It’s the work of... read more
Plant of the Month: Choccie Lily
Mmmm Chocolate (Lilies!) One of the most anticipated Spring arrivals in woodland and forest areas in this area is the blooming of the Chocolate Lilies (Dichopogon fimbriatus) not only for the attractive purple flowers but also for the chocolate scent they have. While... read more
Bar-tailed Godwit
This species, listed as a Critically Endangered Shorebird of Australia, has been recorded flying 11,000kms across the globe non-stop! So when they reach the mudflats of our estuaries, they need lots of good food sources such as molluscs, worms and aquatic insects, and... read more
PlantNET Search – Find your local plants
I’m giving away trade secrets here but apart from identifying plants one of our common requests is for species lists of what grows in an area, or what is suitable to plant in an area. Some areas we know quite well and will be able to give a reasonable list just off... read more
Reptile of the Month: Eastern Bearded dragon, Pogona barbata
What a wonderful sign of spring! This little fella was sunning himself on the road- As I stopped to move him along out of harms way, he puffed out his beard and expanded his body by inhaling air, making him seem larger than life. I was respectfully warned and kept my... read more
Plant of the month: Antarctic Beech, Nothofagus moorei
Every now and then I get the opportunity to wander through the cool, dark, damp Antarctic Beech forests of the high country up in the Barrington Tops. The Antarctic Beech rainforests are a Gondawanan relic showing little similarity to the surrounding Snow Gum and... read more
The impact of cats in Australia
A recent research article by the Threatened Species Recovery Hub really woke me up to the devastating effect that cats (feral and pet cats) have on our native biodiversity.
read more
The Fern Creek Gully Landcare Squirrel Glider Documentary
Toby Davidson’s wonderful documentary on our Squirrel Glider project and the great team and the great supporters that made it happen.
read more
Grasses quiz
Can you identify these common weedy grasses that were presented at Tilligerry Landcare workshop recently? Once you’ve had your guess, scroll down for the answers! v v v v v v v v v v v Answers: Red Natal from Africa Whiskey Grass from the USA Erharta from... read more
Plant of the Month: Johnson’s Grevillea (Grevillea johnsonii).
Apart from my Landcare work I get a few other projects in from time to time, at the end of last week I was out in the Goulburn River National Park trying to track down a lost population of Fairy Bells (Homoranthus darwinioides)*, we didn’t manage to find that... read more
Bird Species Feature: Spotted Pardalote
Everyone loves a Spotted Pardalote! This tiny bird of 10cm long is distinguished by its white spots, mostly found fluttering around in eucalypt forests and woodlands but occurs in parks and gardens with well-established eucalypt canopy. I have also seen them feeding... read more
Work Health and Safety Resources
Yeah, I know, WHS can be pretty tedious and while you may be operating safely in your farm, work or Landcare activities if something were to happen and someone were to get injured then without documented procedures and risk assessments you could be liable to expensive... read more
Bird species feature: Little Lorikeet
A small bird at 16 – 19cm, 40g, it is easy to tell why they are named ‘little’ when side by side with a Rainbow Lorikeet. They make up for their size in their constant chattering calls and large flocks. This species is listed as vulnerable in NSW, found mostly... read more
Tools, Tricks and Tips: Nursery Cheats
Ok, I have a confession, despite enjoying working in nurseries I really hate pricking out and potting up seedlings. Yeah, I know, it is the main point of working in a nursery, but it is just so tedious and time consuming so if I can find any way of doing it quicker I... read more
Video: Axe Restoration with Paul
How I restore axes, you may do it differently but this works for me. Of course the golden rule with restorations of this type, as little as possible, as much as necessary.... read more
Plant of the Month: Magenta Lilly Pilly
(Syzygium paniculatum). Katuba (Kattang), Daguba (Cadigal). March is a great time for fans of bushfood, Kurrajongs, Sandpaper Fig and the Magenta Lilly Pilly all ripening. This year was a good season for the Lilly Pilly here in the Upper Hunter and while I didn’t get... read more
Shorebird Count
We are now in the window for the winter shorebird count which is mid-May to mid-August, with the ideal date being July 1. We encourage you all to get out there and survey your local shorebird areas but please be sure to comply with State/Territory guidelines and... read more
Bird Species Feature: Red Wattlebird
Another of our unique woodland birds is the Red Wattlebird. As featured in our Woodland Bird chart they have a very loud call, are quite large birds at 35cm long, and acquired their name by the red ’wattle’ appendage on either side of their neck. Being one of the... read more
Good plant: Bad plant
I had a question the other day about how to tell the difference between an African Olive (Olea europea ssp cuspidata) and Mock Olive (Notelaea microcarpa), having spent quite a bit of time killing the former and trying not to kill the latter I work with the following... read more
Plant of the Month: Greenhood Orchid (Pterostylis nutans)
During winter and spring, these low green orchids, endemic to Eastern Australia, emerge from the ground in great numbers in moist, protected forest environments. The flowers “nod” or lean forwards strongly and occur singly on a stem arising from a rosette... read more
Tubestock Planting Demo
In this video, we discuss the tips and tricks for planting tubestock and seeing them survive and... read more
Blue Faced Honeyeater
You may have noticed the change in birds in your backyard or neighbourhood with the change in seasons and flowering plants. I have noticed many honeyeaters out searching for and enjoying nectar plants such as banksia and grevilia. This Blue-faced Honeyeater is a... read more
When To Apply Herbicides
Time the application of herbicides to achieve maximum effectiveness. The right time to apply systemic poisons is when water and sugars are being rapidly moved (translocated) around the plant (usually spring and summer). Herbicides are likely to be less effective on... read more
Plant of the Month: Forest Red Gum
Plant of the Month: Forest Red Gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis) Munumba (Worimi) Buringoa (D’harawal) A magnificent tall tree to 50 metres, the Forest Red Gum is found along the east coast of Australia from Gippsland in Victoria to Papua New Guinea. In the Hunter... read more
Blue grass vs Red Grass ID
Plant Recognition Notes: Blue Grass-Red Grass Blue Grasses (Dichanthium sericium, Dichanthium setosum): Clumping Grass to 1m, common in the Mid and Upper Hunter, often bluish, “hairy “skirt” on the nodes, spikelets come out from a central position (digitate).... read more
Plants of the Box Gum Grassy Woodlands
This vegetation community is listed as an Ecologically Endangered Community because of the flora and fauna this community supports, including the species of White Box, Yellow Box, and Blakely’s Gum.
read more
Birds of the Box Gum Grassy Woodlands
Box Gum Grassy Woodlands are a feature of Eastern Australian landscapes. Look at and listen to birds from this environment.
read more
New App: Birdata
Did you know birds are a key indicator for biodiversity health in the landscape? How healthy is your patch?
read more
Emerging Weed: Groundsel Bush
Groundsel bush is reputed to be poisonous to livestock although it seldom causes a problem because they rarely eat enough. However, livestock will lose condition rapidly if forced to graze it.
read more
Reflection: Weeds Conference
Weeds continue to be a big problem for NSW- What are the strategies, research and new products being developed? Are we effectively putting the ‘We’ in weeds across tenure?
read more
A Plant Nerd Answers: Processionary Caterpillar
The caterpillars nest in, on, or at the base of various trees leaving them to bury themselves in the ground and pupate.
read more
How Tea Bags Can Measure Soil Health
The Tea Bag Index (TBI), first published in 2013, can be used as a method of comparing the rates of decomposition of organic matter in soil.
read more
A Plant Nerd Answers: How to ID a Gum Tree
One of the first things we look at when identifying a Eucalypt (or close relative Angophora or Corymbia) is the bark, is it smooth? Rough, Stringy, Hard? Soft?
read more
Spotted-tailed Quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) captured on camera!
Landcare volunteers assisted with the setup of wildlife cameras at Hunter River Reserve in Greta and captured a spotted quoll!
read more
Work Health and Safety Forms
To meet your legal obligations, you should be keeping safety records for each working bee or field day that your group takes part in. HRLN has developed a WHS Risk assessment form and Daily diary with WHS checklist for your group to download and use.
read more
Book Review: A Little Book of Latin for Gardeners
We’ve all been there, reading a botanical name and wondering both how to pronounce it and what the strange words actually mean.
read more
Daily Diary & WHS Checklist for Landcare Groups
Download this diary and checklist template.
read more
Biodiversity Conservation Trust
What is the Biodiversity Conservation Trust all about and how can Landcarers benefit?
read more
Tubestock Planting Guide
This planting guide is drawn from internet sources and personal experience in Landcare.
read more
Gumnuts of the Upper Hunter
Bark types and gumnuts (or “fruit”) are a handy way of determining which group a Eucalypt belongs to.
read more
Eucalypt Bark Types
Just as their fruits (gumnuts) can help us figure out which Eucalypt is which so can their bark, these are some commonly seen in the Upper Hunter.
read more
Goodness, Gracious Great Balls of… umm… Seed.
Seed balls are a fairly simple way of getting seed into an area to germinate after a good rain event.
read more
A non-chemical approach to weed control – A Sweet End to Weeds
A non-chemical approach to weed control A Sweet end to Weeds Sugar has the potential to control annual weeds according to recent research trials conducted by researchers from Charles Sturt University. Trials on a private property “Windermere”, and a travelling stock... read more