The Newline Paddock is an interesting case. It has always been unpleasantly weedy after good rain. Such growth might contribute to its birdiness, certainly for the finches (double-bars and D firetails) that first drew it to birdwatching attention circa 1994. Stock were probably responsible for the state of the vegetation as it was one of the holding paddocks for the now-gone abattoirs. Does Defence have any role? I thought it was ACT land in the category of not-to-be-developed by reason of the airport flight path, but I may be wrong. Didn’t the ACT fell the box-thorn and put in the experimental enclosure? An ACT ranger used to occupy the house up at the stock-yards. Is not the stock-grazing permit still in force? I thought that had been tendered out as part of the ACT’s veg-reduction program, but again I may be wrong.
From: martin butterfield [
Sent: Tuesday, 12 April 2011 7:04 PM
To: COG List
Subject: [canberrabirds] The good, the bad and the ugly
I rode along the Molonglo from NGA toNewline Paddock today. The good was:
- some young darters in a nest near Duntroon; and
- at least 3 and perhaps 4, Brown Treecreepers in Newline.
Some (variable quality) images of these are at http://franmart.blogspot.com/2011/04/darters-and-brown-treecreepers.html
The bad was the level of weed infestation in Newline. Thousands of thistles, nightshades, hawthorns and pyracantha. Also Paddymelons the size of soccer balls! The Defence Environment officer needs to do something - letting the sheep back might be a good idea - as it is currently a disaster. The bad also includes the willow clearing along Jerrabombera Creek, where kites and Spoonbills have nested. How long before the contractors do their stuff on the South bank of the Molonglo?
This is undoubtedly also ugly, but not as bad as the current situation at Norgrove Park.
Martin
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