Land for Wildlife News

Newsletter of the Land for Wildlife Scheme Tasmania

Volume 15: August 2007Contact details:Land for Wildlife CoordinatorPh: (03) 6233 6427, Fax: (03) 6223 8603Post: PO Box 44, Hobart 7001Email: Iona.Mitchell@dpiw.tas.gov.au ISSN 1442-942X

The Land for Wildlife Scheme in Tasmania is delivered through The Department of PrimaryIndustries and Water in partnership with Wildcare Inc.

Marsh harrier chicks safe in their ground nest - evenwhen they occur in crops to be harvested (see page 3)

Photo: Peter Tonelli

Contents

From the Coordinator - Iona Mitchell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Grow Native . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Land for wildlife - ‘Harriers in the harvest’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Soil, microbes and organic matter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Elisha’s Tears (Leycesteria formosa) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Garden Birds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

The Ballard of Laurel Glabella - That Troublesome Minx . . . 9

The Land for Wildlife Scheme needs your Help!!!!!!. . . . . . 10

Members’ Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

LFW Vision, Mission and Goals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Page 2 Land for Wildlife News, Vol. 15, August 2007

From the CoordinatorWelcome to the fifteenth edition of the Land for Wildlifenewsletter. The deadline for the next edition for this year is23 November 2007 - I welcome any contributions,notification of events or activities, or suggestions you maylike to make.

The number of properties registered in the Land for Wildlifescheme often fluctuates as properties are sold or sub-divided. Generally new owners are keen to maintain theproperty registration and become members, however thereare others who do not wish to do so, or never respond toletters written. Currently there are 620 properties registeredin Tasmania and interest in joining the scheme continues -quite an achievement when you consider that there is noactive promotion of the scheme. Since the last newsletterthere has been 38 new property registrations - a warmwelcome to the new members. A key influence for peoplelearning about the scheme is from seeing the Land forWildlife signs. Indeed, many new members are absolutelydelighted to receive their sign. I enjoy the visits toproperties I make and having the opportunity of seeingbeautiful areas of native bush, meeting new members andhearing their plans or the changes that have occurred. Forme it is a valuable experience and I learn more and moreeach time. I feel very fortunate to be involved with peoplewho have made (and continue to do so) such a strongcommitment to protecting our valuable wildlife species andhabitats. The scheme continues to be strongly supported bythe volunteer assessors who are extremely giving of theirtime and knowledge - their support is greatly appreciated.

Well what is in this edition of the newsletter ……. Sarahhas recently returned from a trip overseas and shares someinteresting observations she noted about the types of birdspecies present in gardens, particularly in the United States.Generally for many of the gardens there was a dominance ofnative bird species rather than introduced species as oftenoccurs here. This may be due to a number of factors, butwhat people plant in their garden has a significant influenceon the types of bird species that visit.

Peter Tonelli has studied the Marsh Harrier bird species formany years. One of his nesting study sites is in the middle ofa barley crop, however the LFW owners give the nest awide berth when harvesting. Peter tells an interesting storyabout this nest site and includes some beautiful photos ofmarsh harrier adult and chicks. LFWer Rick Calitz recounts

his plight with a native parasitic vine, which unfortunatelyfor him has decided to grow on the Blackwoods he isgrowing for future sawlogs.

The Understorey Network have two revegetating plantingdays coming up which you may like to participate in, one isalong the banks of the Coal River and the other on BrunyIsland. They are also looking for growers for the scheme toassist in growing native plants for other landholders, schoolor community projects.

We hope to provide in future newsletters articles aboutvarious weed species, particularly garden escapees. In thisedition, Andrew Crane describes Elisha’s Tears, an exoticfrom Himalaya, which has escaped from gardens and isspreading into wet forests and gullies. Gorse is listed as aWeed of National Significance (WoNS) and nationallythere is a push to seriously attempt to control or eradicateit. In collaboration with the National Gorse Task ForceCoordinator we are seeking your assistance to gain anestimate of where Gorse occurs in LFW properties inTasmania and the extent of infestation. This may well helpto place LFWers in a better position to seek assistance withits removal and control.

The Tasmanian Landcare association is holding its 2007Community Landcare Conference on 21st and 22ndOctober at Ross. The title of the conference is “Getting tothe heart of the matter” and features field days, best practisecase studies, practical activities on the Macquarie River,participatory sessions and a future forum. The conferenceincludes concurrent sessions on Best Practice Landcare,Managing Natural Resources and Managing the People.You are invited to attend to participate, find out what’shappening around Tasmania and have your say.

Unfortunately I did not alert you to previous lectures, butthe third lecture in a series of public lectures on the DevilFacial Tumour Disease will be held in Hobart, Launcestonand Burnie. The title of the lecture is ‘Insurance strategiesand wild management’ and will provide an overview of theDevil Facial Tumour Disease program to date and whatefforts are being made to save the Tasmanian devil.

As always, I hope you enjoy the content of this newsletterand welcome any comments or contributions you may wishto make.

Grow NativeAre you interested in growing native plants for yourown property or for other properties? Then join TheUnderstorey Network and participate in the Grower’sScheme. You don’t need to have a green thumb orexpertise in identifying native plants - in facts it’s agreat way to find out more about Tassie’s native plants.Our method of growing plants from seed is easy tofollow, compact for small backyards and doesn’t requirea shadehouse.

For an annual individual membership fee of $27.50,you can receive a grower’s kit, consisting of forestrytubes, native plant potting soil and seed to grow 250plants.

If you don’t require all the plants for your own propertyyou may like to grow plants for another landholder, orfor a project. This Spring the Understorey Networkneeds growers for several Natural ResourceManagement projects, landcare groups and farmers.

Becoming an Understorey Network Grower is asatisfying and easy way to help increase biodiversity inyour area plus create your own carbon credits.

Join now, to be in time for the Spring growingseason.Email: secretary@understorey-network.org.au for amembership form and a grower’s registration form.Or phone: The Understorey Network Coordinator on(03) 62344286

Land for Wildlife News, Vol. 15, August 2007 Page 3

Polygamy is rife on the north westcoast, at least in the croppingpaddocks of Moriarty LFWmembersShane and Sharni Radford. Over theyears Shane has developed anuncanny knack of observing MarshHarrier (Circus approximans) activityover his emerging crops - convertinghis observations into positivenesting records.

The Radford’s recognise that havingthese slow patrolling raptors is anasset reducing unwanted verminsuch as rats, rabbits, feral cats(kittens) around their farm buildingsand production crops. Interestinglythe Harriers seem to avoid some ofour small native mammals like theEastern Barred Bandicoot (Paramelesgunnii) probably because of theparasitic lice that live on theanimals?

The well managed Radford propertyat Moriarty, which has anundulating easterly aspect, makes itan ideal choice for any selfrespecting migratory Marsh Harrierto take up seasonal residence andraise ground nest of between 2-4chicks. In fact some territorial malemanages to attract more than onefemale to distribute his geneticmaterial!

Twice in the last 6 years (Nov - Feb.nesting season) he has raised duel

nests within the same paddockboundary, a recent nesting recordwere only 5 meters apart withmaturing chicks traversing betweeneither nest site sharing food deliveryby combined parent birds.

The valued cooperative workdemonstrated by the Radford family,who with others in the extendedfamily share adjoining properties inan ideal agricultural area in theMersey Valley, will form an

Land for wildlife - ‘Harriers in the harvest.’By Peter Tonelli

LFW (N/W) assessor - Peter Tonellirecords vital banding information fromground nesting Marsh Harriers as part ofhis ongoing demographic project under statelicences for the Australian Bird and BatBanding Scheme - Birds Australia.

(Photo: Peter Tonelli)

A section of barley that previouslycontained two separate nesting MarshHarriers with a connecting ‘corridor’ hasbeen pre flagged and averted during harvestensuring ongoing brood survival.

(Photo: Peter Tonelli)

Adult female Marsh Harrier (around 5 yo)of breeding age. (Photo: Peter Tonelli)

Shane Radford avoids two Marsh Harrier nests located in a barley crop ‘set aside’ at theright of the picture. (Photo: Peter Tonelli)

Page 4 Land for Wildlife News, Vol. 15, August 2007

Three ‘happy’ Marsh Harrier chicks. (Photo: Peter Tonelli)

important precinct when ‘symbiotic’relationships between ‘farmer andbird’ are to be studied in the nearfuture as part of a Utas ZoologicalHonours project.

As the majority of these aerialhunters migrate to the southern andeastern seaboard of the mainland, aquestion arises - do they return tosections of Tasmania that they arefamiliar with which assures nestsecurity, food availability and goodhunting conditions?

Shane and Sharni’s LFW property isindicating exciting data towards thispossibility and any Marsh Harrierwho is fortunate enough to choosetheir property as a perfect nest areais a lucky bird indeed!

Have you ever thought about the complex, fascinatingand dynamic processes and interactions that occur at andunder the surface of soils? There are many and variedplayers in the physical, chemical and biological processesthat occur beyond what we see, or perhaps realise. Theproductivity and biodiversity of our landscapes arestrongly dependent on soils – they take a long, long timeto form, but can be so readily and quickly destroyed, lostor made non-productive. The science of soils isextraordinary vast and is a continuing area and focus ofresearch. In the last newsletter I presented an article onacid sulphate soils – which sparked some interest andfeedback. Here I hope to cover a snap shot of someaspects of soils to make you think of what goes on in thesoils which occur in your Land for Wildlife property, inyour backyard, or in the vegetable patch. Greaterattention needs to be made to the protection andconservation of soils to ensure their long term viabilityand productivity.

We know soil as being the outer, loose material layer ofthe earth’s surface. It differs from the underlying bedrockphysically, chemically and biologically yet it is from theweathering of the bedrock that the mineral componentof soils is derived. Thus the type of soil varies accordingto the type of rock from which it was derived.

Soil is composed of five major components: minerals,water, air, organic matter and living organisms. Thedegree by which the proportion of each of thesecomponents makes up the soil composition is responsiblefor variation in soil type from one area to another. Inrelatively undisturbed sites, the amount of minerals andorganic matter is relatively fixed at a single site, howeverthe proportion of air and water, which forms almost halfof the soil volume (referred to as the pore space), canfluctuate. The mineral fraction derived from the

disintegration and decomposition of rocks generallyforms less than half the soil volume. The organic mattercontent can vary, usually contributing 3 to 6 percent ofthe soil volume. However, the smallest fraction made upof living organisms, which include bacteria, fungi, algaeand protozoa, constitutes the most vital and dynamiccomponent of soils. It is the living biological componentof soils which is responsible for the biochemical reactionsthat break down organic matter, release and recyclenutrients and minerals so essential for soil fertility andproductivity.

Soils are made up of particles ranging from stones andgravel exceeding 2.0 mm, grades of sand from coarse tovery fine (2.0 - 0.05 mm), silt (0.05 – 0.002 mm) andclay particles less than 0.002 mm. The texture of soil islargely based on the percentage content of sand, silt andclay within the soil and is described according to thedominant fraction, such as silty clay or sandy clay forexample. The particle composition of soils also influenceaeration, water retention and nutrient cycling throughthe effect on the pore volume and surface area of the soilparticles and hence density of the microfaunapopulation. On a weight basis for example fine sandysoils have fewer particles and much reduced overallsurface area compared to pure clay where the number ofparticles can be approximately 200,000 times greaterwith an approximate 90,000 times greater surface area –a surface area which can equate to hectare units ofmeasurement per gram.

How soils are formed.The process of soil formation and change occurs overvast scales of time and space from millions of years ago todaily, or less and is linked to processes occurring atlandscape scales related to geology, climate, developmentof landforms, water movement, vegetation and fauna.

Soil, microbes and organic matterSoil, microbes and organic matter

Soil formation begins with the weathering of bedrock orparent material with the rate of weathering and leachingof the soil profile as it develops influenced by the amountof rainfall or snow and evaporation. The rate of organicmatter accumulation also influences soil formation asdoes temperature, which influences the rate of chemicalreactions and biological activity. Location within thelandscape can also affect soil formation with depositionmore likely to occur within valley floors while hill slopesare more prone to erosion. Similarly water movementand drainage will vary according to steepness, flat areasmay become waterlogged for variable periods of time.

There is also the process of physical and chemicalweathering which leads to the formation of clayminerals. Physical processes include fire, freezing andheating by the sun which lead to expansion andfracturing of rock material. Chemical weathering isdriven by the production of carbonic and organic acidsby microorganisms which cause the dissolution of rockinto smaller particles. Physical processes leading to thefracturing of rock and the penetration by plant rootsfurther assist the dissolution process as these chemicalsubstances are transported deeper by percolating water.Thus the soil progressively increases in depth asweathering proceeds leading to the succession andgrowth of ground covers, shrubs and trees.

Clays are a rich source of minerals essential to plants andsoil fauna. They have a sheet-like lattice structure andare strongly chemically bonded and typically negativelycharged, hence their impermeable and strongly cohesivenature and ability to shrink and swell according to watercontent. Clay minerals contain silicon, oxygen, andaluminium in addition to iron, magnesium, potassium,calcium, sodium and other elements. Disaggregation, orthe breaking up of clay ‘sheets’ by plant roots, soil faunaor physical disruption (e.g. digging, ploughing) andincorporation of organic matter can greatly increase thefertility of soils and availability of nutrients.Incorporation of organic matter also greatly influencesthe physical properties of soil, such as the texture, orfriability of soils, improved water retention capacity,better plant nutrition and ease of cultivation.

Soil fertility and the role of microorganismsSources of organic matter to the soil include leaf litter,twigs, branches, plant roots, living and dead organisms.Organic matter on the surface of the soil is decomposedby invertebrate species such as centipedes, millipedes,beetles, nematodes, slaters, insect larvae, burrowingcrayfish, earthworms as well as bacteria and fungi – manyof these species are important food sources for higherorganisms, such as lizards, frogs and bandicoots.Burrowing invertebrates incorporate organic matter intothe soil which is then broken down by the soilmicrofauna, largely through bacterial activity. Freshorganic matter is readily broken down with thesubsequent release of nutrients (e.g. nitrogen andphosphorus) which are readily available to plants, inaddition to being utilised by other soil bacteria and fungi.

The components of organic matter, such as sugars,starches and proteins, which are readily broken down arereferred to as the labile fraction. However, more complexcompounds resistant to microbial action, the non-labilefraction, are formed and may persist unaltered in soils fora considerable period of time (years +). Such resistantcompounds are referred to collectively as humus.

Humus is a complex mixture of organic elements derivedfrom the cellular constituents of soil microorganisms thathave resisted decomposition and also from resistant plantmaterial, it also has a high carbon content. Humus isdifficult to describe chemically because of its differentforms but generally it decomposes slowly and can have along residence time in soils. Humus is an important andvital component of soils and plays a significant role insoil structure, water retention, aeration and drainage.Humus helps to loosen clayey soils and in doing so,increases the pore space which promotes drainage andaeration. However, in sandy soils, humus binds the sandgrains together thus reducing pore size and increaseswater retention capacity.

Microorganisms are not only important in thedegradation of organic matter but they also generateorganic matter. Organotrophic bacteria degrade andrecycle organic and inorganic matter while autotrophicbacteria produce new organic matter from carbondioxide. The biogeochemical reactions thatmicroorganisms are involved with can often be the keymechanism for regenerating elements needed by otherorganisms, especially plants. In soils, the areaimmediately around roots, known as the rhizosphere, isgenerally the region of greatest microbial numbers andactivity. The excretion of biochemical compounds byroots, such as sugars, amino acids and vitamins forms afood source utilised by bacteria and fungi therebypromoting their growth and numbers in this region of thesoil. Subsequent death of these organisms leads to thechemical constituents of their organic matter being actedupon by living bacteria and fungi and hence mineralsand nutrients can once again become available tosupport the growth of new organisms and so recyclingoccurs.

The rate of water movement downwards through soilscan cause leaching of valuable soluble ions, such asnitrate, calcium and potassium, transporting them deeperinto the soils potentially beyond the reach of plant rootsand into the ground water table. The raising of theground water table, and hence transport of water back upthrough soils will carry these soluble ions returning themto near, or beyond the soil surface.

Variations in soil pH (acidity or alkalinity of soils)greatly influences the release or availability of mineralsand nutrients. For example acid soils can greatly reducethe availability of nitrogen and hence plants may showsigns of nitrogen deficiency.

The nitrogen cycle in soils is complex and various formsof nitrogen exist from those immobilised and bound as

Land for Wildlife News, Vol. 15, August 2007 Page 5

Page 6 Land for Wildlife News, Vol. 15, August 2007

organic nitrogen, to inorganic forms which can bemineralised resulting in ammonium and nitrate tonitrogen forms incorporated into clay minerals.Mineralisation of nitrogen involves a number of complexreactions undertaken by various different types ofbacteria. Phosphorus is essential for both plants andanimals and deficiencies can limit growth andproductivity. Similarly, the phosphorus cycle in soil iscomplex and the available forms occur within a verynarrow pH range of 6.0-7.0. Soil bacteria have asignificant demand for phosphorus and hence it canreadily be utilised by these organisms and can reduce theamount available for plant growth.

A key component of soil organic matter is carbon, whichplays a valuable role in the productivity and health ofsoils. It is necessary to ensure a balance between theaddition of organic matter (vegetation, roots, deadanimals) and loss (e.g due to decay, burning orharvesting). Fire can have a significant effect on nutrientcycling and decomposition of organic matter and variesaccording to the intensity (heat) of the fire. Intenselyhot fires can result in sterilisation of the soil, often tosome depth, which can eliminate a significantcomponent of the soil fauna responsible fordecomposition of organic matter – in fact, much of thesource of organic matter may be lost.

Land clearance and agricultural production have lead toa decline in soil organic matter often by significantlevels. Loss of soil organic matter is attributed to anumber of interacting factors and includes declining soilstructure (e.g. compaction), change in moisture content,reduced input of organic matter, loss from erosion, andaltered biological activity. The greater fraction howeveris due to extraction of carbon, minerals and nutrientsfollowing removal of vegetation, harvesting of crops orremoval of livestock.

Loss of soil organic matter can lead to land degradationand reduced productivity and can significantly impact onthe health and functioning of ecosystems. In agriculturalproduction systems, this can have significant economicimpacts. However, the addition of organic matter cangreatly restore and improve the productivity andcondition of degraded soils – but the addition of toomuch organic matter may exceed the physical, biologicaland chemical capacity of soils to decompose it. Anotherimportant consideration in increasing, or maintainingsoil organic matter content is the improved waterretention capacity of soils, this can have significantimplications for improved water efficiency and use. Thisis of importance in relation to water conservation, whichis increasingly becoming a significant issue nationally,and indeed globally. Australia is a dry continent andincreasing demands on water extractions to sustainagricultural production can impact on sustainable landuse.

The continued drain of organic matter reserves withinsoils under intensive production needs to be mitigated bymanagement practices that attempt to maintain some

degree of balance between losses and inputs. In a recentarticle in ECOS it was suggested that the huge volume oforganic wastes generated in urban environments could betreated and recycled for use in agricultural productionrather than being sent to landfills. This could benefit theenvironment by reducing the continuing trend of use ofartificial fertilisers and chemicals to control weeds, pestsand maintain productivity – activities detrimental to theenvironment. Various management options to reduce thedecline of soil organic matter content include pasturefallowing, crop rotations using a mixture of legumes andfertiliser application, no or minimal tillage, non burningof crop stubble, application of manures or recycledorganic matter and retention of grasslands and trees onmarginal land. On a smaller scale, many of us recyclehousehold wastes in compost heaps and know the benefitof this when added to soils, especially in vegetablegardens.

Vegetation cover and plant litter not only contributesources of organic matter, but importantly provideprotection of soils from wind or water erosion. Extremeevents such as heavy rainfalls or wind storms can causesignificant loss of soil from sparsely vegetated or bareground as a consequence of erosion. This has beendemonstrated by the dust storms that have blown acrossMelbourne or the erosion of soil from the slopes ofdrought stricken parts of the Midlands following heavyrainfalls in June. In severe cases of high winds andtorrential rainfall, significant losses of soil, along withcrops or other vegetation, can occur as happened in thestorms that lashed NSW in early June of this year.

Soils are an essential component of our landscapes.Organic matter is an important component for thecontinued productivity and fertility of soils. The soilfauna, particularly bacteria and fungi are influenced bythe soil environment yet they dramatically influence andalter the composition, productivity and fertility of soils.Bacteria and fungi are a vital and essential component ofsoils and the benefits and effects of their activities are farreaching.

Iona Mitchell

Sources:Alexander, M. (1977). Introduction to soil microbiology(2nd Edition). John Wiley & Sons, Toronto.

Brock, T. D. and Madigan, M. T. (1991). Biology ofMicroorganisms (6th Edition).Prentice-Hall Inc., Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.

Leeper, G. W. (1967). Introduction to soil science (4thEdition). Melbourne University Press, CambridgeUniversity Press.

McKenzie, N., Jacquier, D., Isbell, R. and Brown, K.(2004). Australian Soils and Landscapes: An illustratedcompendium. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood,Australia.

Porteous, J. and Davidson, S. (2007). Saving the life offarmland soils. Ecos, Vol. 134, p: 22 – 27.

Land for Wildlife News, Vol. 15, August 2007 Page 7

This popular garden ornamental is now a declared weed,making it illegal for this plant to be sold, traded orplanted in Tasmania. Unfortunately, this native of theHimalayas has successfully escaped from gardens and isspreading into wet forests and gullies in surroundingbushland across the state. Large thickets of Elisha’s Tearsare already established on Mt Wellington, in gullies inthe Channel area, in northeast Tasmania, and on theWest Coast. Over time, its invasiveness has the potentialto displace many wet gully and riverbank species.

DescriptionElisha’s Tears will grow more than 2m high, with hollowcanes arising from the base of the plant. The leaves arein pairs along the stem, green in colour, toothed andgenerally less that 15 cm long. The flowers, which appearin pendulous clusters at the end of branches in latespring and summer, consist of deep red bractssurrounding delicate cream flowers. These produceberries that ripen to a dark purple. Birds eat the berriesand this way the seeds are dispersed into surroundingbush, where they germinate and thrive.

What can you do about Elisha’s Tears?Attack the source. Remove it from gardens andbushland. If you have this plant in your garden, removeit and replace it with a non weedy species. Encourageothers with this garden plant to do the same. Suitablereplacement plants include:

Waratah (Telopea truncata)Native Pepper (Tasmannia lanceolata)Grevillea (Grevillea australis)Christmas Bush (Prostanthera lasianthos)Lancewood (Phebalium squameum).

Control methodsHand-pulling of seedlings is effective when the plantsare young and is best done when the soil is moist.

Dig out larger plants, removing the root crown and asmuch of the larger roots as possible.

Cut and poison: Cutting the stems and applying anappropriate herbicide is ineffective unless the plant is cut

ELISHA’S TEARS (Leycesteria formosa) - Andrew Crane

Drooping seed head of Elisha’s tears (Leycesteria formosa)(Drawing by Rae Glazik)

at the base. It is far better to expose the crown as muchas possible to use the Drill and poison approach. Clearsoil from the root crown and drill holes (about 10 cmapart) into it, then fill the holes with herbicide, takingcare to keep the holes as clear of dirt as possible.

Following removal, allow the bush to regeneratenaturally. Follow up work is always required, and beingbird dispersed, the key to its local control lies inremoving nearby parent plants.

For more information, please contact Andrew Crane,Southern Region Weed Management Officer, DPIW on 62333650 or email: andrew.crane@dpiw.tas.gov.au

One of the interesting aspects of travelling is observingthe flora and fauna of another country. While there islittle chance of getting a deep understanding of theecology in a one or two week stay, observing birds andhow they interact with the local biota makes one viewone’s own environment in a slightly different light.

The bird fauna in the Northern Hemisphere is verydifferent to Australia’s. A few families, such as ravensand doves, are cosmopolitan, but most species, eventhose with familiar names like wrens and robins, are fromdifferent families, the similar names reflecting only a

Garden Birds by Sarah Lloyd

superficial similarity in appearance. And unlikeTasmania that has only one native finch, the BeautifulFiretail, there are many chunky-billed seed eaters in thenorthern hemisphere including the familiar housesparrow, a variety of other colourful sparrows and finchesand related birds including towhees and juncos.

Another striking thing is that the gardens are notdominated by introduced birds as they are in Australia,but most, even those that are highly manicured, have arange of native species.

Page 8 Land for Wildlife News, Vol. 15, August 2007

The situation in Australia is very different. Thoughwelcome at the time of their introductions CommonStarlings, House Sparrows and European Blackbirds havehad an adverse impact on many native species and areconsidered pests in most areas. The clearing of largetracts of native vegetation and the planting of hedgerowsconcurrent with their introduction into Tasmania

Hairy woodpecker (Photo: Sarah Lloyd)

Spotted towhee (Photo: Sarah Lloyd)

Red-breasted nuthatch (Photo: Sarah Lloyd)

Claremont is a suburb of Los Angeles about a 2 or 3hours drive (depending on the seemingly endless streamsof traffic) east of the city centre. It used to be desert, butbecause of the diversion of the Colorado River, residentscan hose their cars to wash them and well clipped lawnsare kept bright green despite the current drought. There’snot a log in sight; even fallen leaves are vacuumed! Analien environment, one might think, for attracting anybut the most adaptable birds. But after just a short walkaround a few blocks I saw an impressive array of species:Black Phoebes resemble Grey Fantails in size, shape andhabit yet they are from a different family (TyrantFlycatchers) restricted to north, central and southAmerica; mockingbirds, aptly named for their ability toimitate are also found in the Americas; and severaldifferent species of delightful little hummingbirds flitaround the bell-shaped flowers of some of the gardenplants.

Unlike in Australia where bird feeders are rarelyencouraged because they attract aggressive honeyeatersthat chase away smaller birds, in North America feedersare a common feature of many gardens. While adependency on feeders may develop (they are thought tohave changed migration patterns of some species andwith natural habitats disappearing, have helped toprevent declines of others), they provide supplementaryfood that can be especially important when recentlyreturned migrants experience unseasonal weather.

A wonderful array of birds visited the feeders in NewHampshire where I stayed for two weeks. The suetfeeders attracted two species of woodpecker and twospecies of nuthatch; grain attracted American Goldfinch,Purple and House Finches, Mourning Doves and threedifferent sparrow species. Larger birds like CommonGrackle and Red-winged Blackbirds occasionally causedthe other birds to flee, but generally they stayed a shorttime and were far less tolerant of the close approach ofhumans than most of the smaller birds.

Land for Wildlife News, Vol. 15, August 2007 Page 9

created an ideal “European” environment and they seemto have fared better here than on mainland Australia.The tendency of country dwellers to prefer cottagegardens with northern hemisphere plants furtherencourages non native birds often at the expense ofnative ones.

House Sparrows, for example, can dominate certainareas. Although primarily seed eaters, they areopportunistic feeders and will take invertebrates, fruitand nectar. They mainly forage on the ground or in lowunderstorey vegetation, but will also take insects fromthe air. They therefore fill the foraging niche of birdssuch as thornbills, fairy-wrens and robins.

Nevertheless, Australian gardens, whether in town orcountry, have the potential to be important havens fornative birds and other fauna especially as so muchnatural habitat is being cleared and fragmented.

The main requirement for attracting native birds is avariety of plants native to the local area in the sameapproximate proportions as healthy native bush.

A garden that is structurally complex with manydifferent layers of vegetation can provide shelter, foodand nesting sites for a range of bird species. For instance,fairy wrens feed in open areas but they also like areaswith dense understorey vegetation, such as saggs ornative iris, where they can forage for invertebrates andshelter from inclement weather and predators. Logs androcks provide birds with places to perch and the coolshady microhabitats underneath are perfect dwellingplaces for invertebrates and frogs.

Tasmania has relatively few plants that produce largequantities of nectar, and mainland grevilleas, banksiasand callistemons with colourful blooms and prolongedflowering periods are often planted to attract birds. Butthese planting are so often regretted. They do attractlarge pugnacious wattlebirds and New HollandHoneyeaters, but smaller species such as EasternSpinebills, thornbills, and fairy wrens don’t stand achance with these aggressive birds around.

The Ballad of Laurel Glabella - That Troublesome MinxI ventured into my back garden, and what did I see?

This ravishing of my melanoxylons, my beaut little treesBy a slender leafless thread-like trembling little vine

Killing those beautiful blackwoods of mine!

What were these parasites that were taking overLike those horrible weeds, gorse and twitch and clover,

Why did they so tightly wrapThemselves round my trees, feeding on their sap?

Iona from Land for Wildlife called a DPIW consultantAnd at last we ID’d it, we were so exultant,

Cassytha glabella is the name of this hated little epiphyteI’ll have to pull it off and hope it doesn’t put up too much of a fight!

Why did it choose to attackMy beautiful blackwoods? I’m taken aback!

I’ll get ready to slash and chop and churn, and turnThose slender dodder-laurels into food for the mighty earthworm.

So if you chance to see this slender little pestTwining round your trees - it’s the end of your rest,

‘Cause you’ll have to hack at them with might and main,Come snow, sleet, hail, tempest, wind and rain!

By RICK CALITZ of Glenlusk ©

Dodder: tremble or nod, owing tofrailty; slender leafless threadliketwining, feeble, inept

Laurel: Bay tree, and/or poeticdistinction, “rest on them”

Ed. Note: The slender dodder-laurel(Cassytha glabella) is a nativeparasitic vine which grows as anepiphyte. Rick has it growingunfortunately on his belovedblackwoods - what other specieshave you observed it growing on?Let the LFW Coordinator know.

Slender dodder-laurel (Cassytha glabella)growing on blackwood

(Photo: Richard Cearns)

Dense tangle of the epiphytic slenderdodder-laurel vine.

(Photo: Richard Cearns)

Dictionary Definitions:

Page 10 Land for Wildlife News, Vol. 15, August 2007

The Tasmanian Land for Wildlife Scheme withsupport from the National Gorse Task Force isundertaking an exciting new initiative statewide,which relates to every Land for Wildlife property.

To better manage the ever growing number ofregistered properties (620 and counting!!!) we wouldlike to know who has Gorse or other environmentalweeds, within their LFW properties. Gorse iswidespread throughout the state and can be found inmany areas we protect for natural values. Gorse is amajor threat to natural areas and not only displacesour unique flora but along with the native plants thenative animals go too. Leaving Gorse for 'habitat'really is ecologically irresponsible. Gorse will spread,taking with it the values within the natural areas youhold dear and protect. The longer you leave it theharder and more expensive Gorse is to control.Where you believe that Gorse does provide habitatthere are many solutions, including revegetation(staggered over time if necessary) and the provisionof structures like logs and branches. The Gorse mustgo!

So, what can we do? Firstly in the big scheme of things, 'Wecan't help you manage what we can't measure.' We need toknow which LFW properties have Gorse and we need anaccurate picture of it. It will also be beneficial to know if youdo not have Gorse on your property. I have joined forces withthe National Gorse Task Force who have provided a proformato collect information regarding the Gorse within your LFWproperty. The proforma will ensure that the Gorse mappingundertaken meets The National Mapping Standard. If we allfollow the same method it will be possible to create a GISrecord of Gorse infestations within our LFW properties acrossthe state. Send in the location of your Gorse and we willprovide some practical advice for controlling the Gorse.

Some of you may not need any assistance with Gorse control.But for the majority of us it can be a daunting project,requiring advice, inspiration and sometimes cash. Once wehave a complete picture of the extent to which LFWproperties have Gorse we will be in a much better position to

seek investment for its control. Investment sources such as theRegional NRM Committee’s, Envirofund or LocalGovernment favour strategic approaches to weedmanagement. You are very unlikely to get 'funding' for weedcontrol works unless there will be a real outcome. Treatinggorse once is not an outcome and a waste of money. We wouldlike to help you plan for the permanent eradication of Gorsefrom your LFW properties.

Included with this newsletter is a proforma I invite you to useto map any Gorse you may have on your LFW property. Youdon't need a GPS to map Gorse, you can draw the location ona topographic map. From an accurate sketch I can translate thelocation of the infestation into our GIS system. If you have adigital camera please take a few photos and email them to Ionaat iona.mitchell@dpiw.tas.gov.au or return them with theproforma in the mail.

For more information on Gorse control you can download TheGorse Best Practice Manual and see the The National Gorse

Strategy at (http://www.weeds.org.au/WoNS/gorse/)

The implementation of the National Gorse Strategyis facilitated by Dean Vincent, The Weeds ofNational Significance Coordinator, for Gorse, whoworks with The National Gorse Task Force. TheNational Gorse Coordinator is funded by theAustralian Government and hosted by theDepartment of Primary Industries and Water.Contact details for Dean are;

Dean.Vincent@dpiw.tas.gov.au13 St Johns AvenueNew Town 7008Mobile: 0429 960 738Office: 03 6233 3197Fax: 03 6228 5123

Visit: www.weeds.org.au/WoNS/gorsewww.dpiw.tas.gov.au

Iona Mitchell and Dean Vincent(National Gorse Coordinator).

The Land for Wildlife Scheme needs your Help!!!!!!

Patch of dead gorse following spraying (Photo: Dean Vincent)

Flowering sprig of gorse (Photo: Sandy Leighton)

Land for Wildlife News, Vol. 15, August 2007 Page 11

MEMBERS’ PMEMBERS’ PAGEAGEMeet and greet at Glen Lusk and Poimena Reserve - a chance to visit other LFW properties

Would you like to visit two neighbouring LFW properties at Glen Lusk to meet other LFWers in the area? Rick Calitzwould like to share his experience with the dodder-laurel problem he has and to invite people to have a wander throughhis bushland. Afterwards you’re invited to visit the Poimena Reserve at Austins Ferry where Bob Holderness-Roddam willtalk about the value of the reserve and the rehabilitation work that has been done in the reserve. You will be interested inthe project to create rocky islands planted out to understorey species as habitat for lizards, insects and eastern barredbandicoots in the reserve. BBQ facilities are available if you would like to meet and have a chat over lunch (BYO). Atentative date and start time of Saturday 8th September 10.30 -ish has been proposed - the day after Threatened SpeciesDay. If you are interested let me know by Friday 31st August so we can organise. The person who will act as the contactfor this is Iona Mitchell, ph: 6233 6427 or email: iona.mitchell@dpiw.tas.gov.au.

Understorey Network EventsPlanting on a Colebrook farm.Help plant out the banks of the Coal River on a largegrazing property at Colebrook. There will be a willow treebonfire in the evening to warmup.Date: Saturday 25th August 2007, 2 pm to early evening.

Replanting at ‘Murrayfields’, Bruny IslandHelp plant out natives, grown by the Understory Networkon this stunning property on North Bruny Island.Date: Friday 5th October 2007, 11 am to 3 pm.Please RSVP or for more information on:secretary@understorey-network.org.au orphone (03) 6234 4286.

University of TasmaniaLecture series on the

Tasmanian Devil DiseaseIn partnership with the State Government and the DevilFacial Tumour Disease Program, the University ispresenting a series of evening public lectures in 2007 inHobart, Launceston and Burnie on the Devil Facial TumourDisease. The aim is to provide comprehensive updates onthe state of knowledge of the fatal and infectious diseasethat is threatening the Tasmanian devil, and what is beingdone to save the species in the wild. The third lecture inthe series of public lectures is titled ‘Insurance strategies andwild management’. The titles of the talks to be presentedare:

Introduction and overview.

What are we doing to save the devil? Wild management atForestier Peninsula and the potential of offshore islands.

Details of venue, dates and presenters are:

Hobart: Tues 11 September 6 pm at Stanley BurburyTheatre, University of Tasmania (Sandy Bay).Professor Hamish McCallumDr Menna Jones

Launceston: Wed 12 September 6 pm at Queen VictoriaMuseum and Art Gallery, Inveresk TheatreDr Steven Smith.Dr Menna Jones:

Burnie: Thurs 13 September 7 pm atBurnie Civic Centre, BurnieDr Steven SmithProfessor Hamish McCallum

For more information call 6233 2006. You may like to lookup the new ‘Save the Tasmanian Devil’ web site atwww.tassiedevil.com.au, which provides updates andhistorical record of progress with the disease, measuresimplemented, or proposed, to save this species and regularon-line newsletter.

2007 Community LandcareConference

“Getting to the Heart of the Matter"21st and 22nd October, Ross, Tasmania.

Keynote speakers include Tasmanian Cynthia Dunbabinwho will be looking at farmers sense of place and from themainland, Peter Andrews (seen on Australian Story)talking about his success with Natural Sequence Farming.The conference also features field days, best practise casestudies, practical activities on the Macquarie River,participatory sessions and a future forum. Come along,participate, find out whats happening around Tasmania andhave your say.

Sunday 21 October (Start and finish Ross 9.30 am - 4.00 pm)Field Day 1 - Southern Midlands- Drought proofing farms - how is it being done?- Sustainable landcare groups - what’s their secret?- Raining fish in the midlands - see what’s happening with

this composting site.Field Day 2 - Northern Midlands- Why is Northern Midlands a hotspot?- How do you control weeds in covenanted forest on

private land?- Peter Andrews discusses Natural Sequence Farming.Special Evening Event Sunday 21 October 4.30 pm - 11.30pm, Ross Town Hall.- Tasmanian Landcare Awards ‘Celebrating the Landcare

Movement’. Live bush dance music, fabulous buffetdinner.

- Special guest: Minister David Llewellyn- Host: Mr Daryl Peebles.Monday 22 October (7.35 am registration, 8.33 Opening -4.00 pm close)Conference, includes concurrent sessions- Best Practice Landcare- Managing Natural Resources- Managing the people.For further information or to download the conferencebrochure and registration form go towww.taslandcare.org.au/resources.html, or contact JodieEpper (Executive Officer, Tasmanian Landcare AssociationInc.) Ph: 6234 7117, Mb: 0419 529 807, or email:jodie.epper@taslandcare.org.au

Page 12 Land for Wildlife News, Vol. 15, August 2007

Land for WildlifeContactsLFW State CoordinatorIona MitchellPrivate Property Conservation ProgramDPIWPh: (03) 6233 6427Fax: (03) 6223 8603Email: Iona.Mitchell@dpiw.tas.gov.au

Thinking of selling, or have recently sold your property?

Please let the LFW Coordinator know so that we can collect the sign or register with the new owner.Transfer of registration does not occur with change of ownership and the new owners are invited tojoin the scheme. The Land for Wildlife sign(s) allocated for display on land which is registered in thescheme remain the property of the Department of Primary Industries and Water.

Please contact the authors before reproducing material from this newsletter.The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the policies of the Land for Wildlife Program or the Department of Primary Industries andWater.

If undelivered return to:Land for WildlifePO Box 44, Hobart, Tas 7001Phone: (03) 6233 6427Fax: (03) 6223 8603Email: Iona.Mitchell@dpiw.tas.gov.au

Land for Wildlife Program: Vision, Mission and Goals1. Vision• Land owners and land managers integrate the principles and practices of nature conservation into overall land

management.

2. MissionLand for Wildlife encourages and facilitates voluntary nature conservation by:

• building on existing community networks;• sharing information and learning;• supporting and recognising land owners and managers; and• having nature conservation principles put into practice on unreserved land.

3. GoalsLong term and medium term

1. Nature Conservation principles are applied and practices are integrated with overall land management.2. Land for Wildlife contributes to ecologically, economically and socially sustainable property management.3. Land for Wildlife contributes to a healthy and diverse ecosystem.4. Information is gathered and shared, learning about managing for nature conservation on unreserved land is facilitated.

Immediate5. Existing community networks are involved and expanded.6. There is broad community participation in Land for Wildlife.7. Adequate resources are provided to the Land for Wildlife program.8. Land owners and land managers are given support and their voluntary contributions to nature conservation on

unreserved land are recognised.9. The numbers of land owners and land managers participating in Land for Wildlife increase.10.There are adequate distribution of and connections between native habitats managed for nature conservation to ensure

viability of populations of native plants and animals.11.A comprehensive, integrated database of information is established, maintained and is accessible.

Source: Land for Wildlife (Tasmania) Implementation Plan 1998

Events (refer to Members Page (page 11) for details)

UNDERSTOREY NETWORK EVENTSAugust 25 Planting out the banks of the Coal River on a

Colebrook Farm.October 5 Replanting at ‘Murrayfields’, North Bruny Island.University of Tasmania - Lecture series on the Tasmanian Devil DiseaseLecture 3 - ‘Insurance strategies and wild management’.September 11 Hobart: 6 pm, Stanley Burbury Theatre, University of

Tasmania (Sandy Bay)September 12 Launceston: 6 pm, Queen Victoria Museum & Art

Gallery, Inveresk Theatre.September 13 Burnie: 7 pm, Burnie Civic Centre, Burnie.October 21 Tasmanian Community Landcare Conference Field Day

(Southern or Northern Midlands), 9.30 am - 4.00 pm,Ross, Tasmania.

October 22 Tasmanian Community Landcare Conference ‘Gettingto the heart of the matter’, 8.33 am - 4.00 pm,Ross, Tasmania.