Gamba Grass fires in the Top End

[Bill Stent <>]

Here are the two photos that Denise was referring to in her message this
morning.

Michael standing next to what was once woodland but now is almost completely
Gamba Grass

Gamba grass fire


-----Original Message-----
From: Denise Goodfellow
Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2016 9:45 AM
To: birding-aus
Cc: David Robertson
Subject: Gamba Grass fires in the Top End


Good morning all

A couple of Kunwinjku rangers in western Arnhem Land have told me that Gamba
grass, a species imported from Africa for cattle pasture,  is out of control
in that country.

This weed is out of control between Darwin and Katherine and Daly River,
including, I'm told by rangers, Litchfield Park, and now it seems Arnhem
Land and probably parts of Kakadu. It is present at many of the Gouldian
Finch spots I know.

Apart from having devastating environmental consequences this grass goes up
like a bomb when it burns. Take note of the photo below.

So please take care when birding in the Top End to stay away from bad
infestations of this weed.

Denise Lawungkurr  Goodfellow
PO Box 71
Darwin River, NT, Australia 0841
043 8650 835

PhD candidate, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW.

Founding Member: Ecotourism Australia
Nominated by Earthfoot for Condé Nast's International  Ecotourism Award,
2004.

With every introduction of a plant or animal that goes feral this continent
becomes a little less unique, a little less Australian.

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