everyone invited - 4th April @ DELWP Wodonga Office. see link for details & RSVP Glen J.

Join in a free Statewide Video Conference on 'Native Bees, Wasps & Ants' between 9.45 - 12.15 pm followed by lunch then a short but special afternoon workshop to 2.45 pm lead by Karen Retra to provide more detail on the: Wild Pollinator Count (ID, methods and tools) & Overview the range of on-line W...

March 17

BEECHWORTH FESTIVAL OF CHANGE // BEECHWORTH VICTORIA An event that may be of interest to Landcarers WHAT: Build skills, build networks to create positive social and environmental change. The Festival is a community-driven not-for-profit volunteer-run initiative. WHEN: 1-4 April 2019 WHERE: Beechworth, Victoria. You can access the full program including session and presenter notes on the festival website: www.beechworthfestivalofchange.com.au @BeechworthFestivalOfChange

March 13

Merle the smallest possum in the world! Dan the bush walker resting on the staircase track up to Mt Bogong when he spotted a mouse looking very unwell beside him. On closer inspection Dan decided it didn’t quite look like a mouse so he took it to the Mt Beauty Wildlife Shelter where the tiny creature was transported by Merle (hence little poss’s name) down to the Kiewa Vet Clinic and then on to to me at Staghorn Wildlife Shelter. First thought to be a baby Mountain Pygmy Possum with some advice from Erin Whitford at Myrtelford Wildlife Shelter it was revealed that little Merle was actually a full grown (at a whopping 8 grams) rarely seen Australian Little Pygmy Possum. The smallest possum in Australia, they mostly inhabit the forests of Tasmania with populations on the mainland barely recorded. Merle was very flat and weak but soon revived with the specialist diet recommended by Healesville Santuary. After 10 days rest and recovery in care Merle was back to full strength and as quick as lightning. We need very specialised enclosures for these tiny animals, they can escape from the smallest opening. It was time for release and it had to be exactly back to where Merle came from as such a tiny creature would quickly become food for a predator. It was quite a drive through thunderstorms and bush tracks and I was grateful to have Jake 4 wheel driving us to the location. Well worth the effort to see Merle disappear instantly. She knew exactly where she was going. The story of Merle is a great illustration of how so many people had input into Merle’s rescue, transport, rehabilitation and release. This very special possum the weight of a teaspoon of sugar is back in the wild, hopefully to breed, all thanks to many people having the will to play a part in wildlife rescue. Thanks everybody!

March 05

Last night Dr Nicki Munro (from CSU and Beechworth Landcare) gave a fascinating presentation on restoring entire ecosystems to pre-European states by creating large fenced reserves. With a PhD under her belt and work experience at two Australian reserves (Arid Recovery in SA and Mulligans Flat in the ACT), she’s concluded that fenced reserves (and islands) are the only way to eradicate foxes, rabbits, cats and other introduced pests and give native animals, particularly endangered or threatened species, a chance to really thrive. Her dream is for a reserve in the Chiltern-Mt Pilot area. In the mean time Parklands Albury Wodonga and G4W will be hosting a range of feral animal management events, focusing on rabbits, foxes, cats and Indian mynahs. They’re a threat to our habitat gardens; foxes and cats kill native wildlife, rabbits eat native plants. Please keep an eye on our events calendar for further details and share the word! Special thanks to Wodonga Urban Landcare Network for hosting Nicki's presentation at their general meeting.

February 28

Good work!

🐦🐝 🛁 DIY Bird baths 🐦🐝🛁 Some of the bird baths made at today's Gardens 4 Wildlife - Albury Wodonga workshop at Parklands Albury Wodonga. The workshop was led by Anne Stelling from Wodonga Urban Landcare Network. Anne says the baths can support local birds and other native wildlife who have struggled in the summer heat. "A lot of places where there would normally be water in the bush is long gone... I am sure lots of people would have noticed birds and other native wildlife hanging around their gardens if they have any water at all." Anne said you can make a basic concrete and sand bird bath for about $10 but you can also use items around your home to hold water for native animals. “Trays from pot plants, old containers… anything that is shallow that can hold water in it - Just put a rock or stick in there so things can use it to get in and out of the water,” she said.

February 22

More good kooka news...

Lucky Kookaburra End of January 2019, Lee was driving on the Kiewa Valley Highway close to Baranduda, when he seen the car in front had gone over a bird he could not avoid going over him too, turning around another car went over him, he was able to pick the juvenile Kookaburra up without a struggle and taken him to the after hours vet (River Country Animal Emergency Centre in Moorefield Park Drive West Wodonga). The vets called me the next morning the Kooka was concussed and muscle damage to one wing, 3 weeks in care and Kooka was ready to go home. I met Lee and his beautiful family Arlie, Amarni and Rivarr today and we released the Kooka back to his home, one happy Kooka.

February 21

Please like this page. Jo does a great job and the kookaburra is just fine!

Kookaburra caught in fence November 2018 got a phone call from Jenny in Baranduda she had found a kookaburra caught in fence they cut the barbs so kooka was not hanging anymore, he was very lucky only minor injuries antibiotics and anti inflammatory given. Jenny told me it was one of the adults who lived in her gum that had chicks down a hollow we had him back with family in a week where Jenny reported he was back helping feed the chicks. Not all birds caught in barb wire are this lucky.

February 15

Check out the Albury Wodonga Field Naturalists latest newsletter which is full of reports of the great outings they have to locations in our district. Also you may want to consider a membership - full details in the newsletter http://friendsofchiltern.org.au/images/awfieldnats/AWFNNewsletter134Spring2018.pdf

friendsofchiltern.org.au

February 11

Former Botanic Gardens curator warns about impacts of climate change

February 01

Ringtail Possums are ready to go! After being inside and out of the heat wave for 10+ days, the 18 Ringtail Possums we rescued are ready to go! Look at this little guy sticking his nose through the cage frame. About 7 have been released to date, with the majority going out later this week. Thanks to everyone who brought Rose petals for food supply, it was very much appreciated.

January 31