Biodiversity
ENVIRONMENTAL GRANT 2020-21 (DISTRICT COUNCIL OF MOUNT BARKER)
Biodiversity: minimum disturbance project (area 4) - Tuesday October 12th 2021
Area 4: Between 3rd hole, 8th green, & 9th hole
This project was developed to preserve remnant vegetation and promote the natural regeneration of indigenous plants. The work will reduce the weed threat and increase the resilience of a patch of almost intact grassy understorey with the best display of spring wildflowers found on the Golf Course.
In 2020, the Club adopted a Biodiversity Plan to assist the conservation of 18 sites of remnant native vegetation found here at the course. The sites have been surveyed and allocated into areas ranging from low to high levels of remnant vegetation. The areas with high levels of remnant vegetation, such as area 4, are the ones we have prioritised as they are the easiest to maintain. As work continues on our Biodiversity plan, areas of lower levels of remnant vegetation will be targeted. In area 4, the ground-cover is compromised by an infestation of spring-flowering Harlequin Flower (Sparaxis bulbulifera) and later by the exotic grass Sweet Vernal (Anthoxantum odoratum). These weeds compete with and will eventually replace the many existing indigenous native lilies, orchids, low flowering herbs and perennial grasses.
Back2Bush provided 5 professional bushcarers on 12/10/21 to work in Patch 4 for a total of 24 hours digging to remove white flowering Sparaxis plants with bulbs. Flowering Sweet meadow grass/ Vernal was cut and swabbed after the heads were removed and bagged as well. All debris was taken off site. Where possible some spot spraying was done in the weedier boundary sections. The path and fairway mowing edge were carefully spot sprayed. The team also started to remove flowering heads throughout the Patch to prevent seed set. The work was painstaking to avoid damage to a large variety of flowering native lilies and orchids. A photo-monitoring point - PMP P4, EGC-01 - was set up for before and after photos and several informal shots of the workers. In addition, two regular Club volunteers (Carlsa Carter and Val Nairn) worked for a total of 7 hours and Chris Button (head of the Grounds Committee) also attended.
Thanks go to Back2Bush for providing additional time on the Sweet Vernal work as the project was not fully funded by the Council Grant.
Biodiversity: minimum disturbance project (area 4) - Tuesday October 12th 2021
Area 4: Between 3rd hole, 8th green, & 9th hole
This project was developed to preserve remnant vegetation and promote the natural regeneration of indigenous plants. The work will reduce the weed threat and increase the resilience of a patch of almost intact grassy understorey with the best display of spring wildflowers found on the Golf Course.
In 2020, the Club adopted a Biodiversity Plan to assist the conservation of 18 sites of remnant native vegetation found here at the course. The sites have been surveyed and allocated into areas ranging from low to high levels of remnant vegetation. The areas with high levels of remnant vegetation, such as area 4, are the ones we have prioritised as they are the easiest to maintain. As work continues on our Biodiversity plan, areas of lower levels of remnant vegetation will be targeted. In area 4, the ground-cover is compromised by an infestation of spring-flowering Harlequin Flower (Sparaxis bulbulifera) and later by the exotic grass Sweet Vernal (Anthoxantum odoratum). These weeds compete with and will eventually replace the many existing indigenous native lilies, orchids, low flowering herbs and perennial grasses.
Back2Bush provided 5 professional bushcarers on 12/10/21 to work in Patch 4 for a total of 24 hours digging to remove white flowering Sparaxis plants with bulbs. Flowering Sweet meadow grass/ Vernal was cut and swabbed after the heads were removed and bagged as well. All debris was taken off site. Where possible some spot spraying was done in the weedier boundary sections. The path and fairway mowing edge were carefully spot sprayed. The team also started to remove flowering heads throughout the Patch to prevent seed set. The work was painstaking to avoid damage to a large variety of flowering native lilies and orchids. A photo-monitoring point - PMP P4, EGC-01 - was set up for before and after photos and several informal shots of the workers. In addition, two regular Club volunteers (Carlsa Carter and Val Nairn) worked for a total of 7 hours and Chris Button (head of the Grounds Committee) also attended.
Thanks go to Back2Bush for providing additional time on the Sweet Vernal work as the project was not fully funded by the Council Grant.
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Before
After
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Planting day - Tuesday June 1st 2021
Biodiversity plan - areas 2A, 5, 6
An enthusiastic contingent of members and friends met at the clubhouse armed with buckets, trowel, hammers and gardening gloves.
Under instruction from Carlsa Carter, the group planted approximately 200 seedlings grown by Trees for Life including Sheoaks, Melaleucas, Acacias and Eucalypts.
A thankyou BBQ followed the planting which was enjoyed by all.
The day was well organised as the majority of planning and work was done in the weeks prior:
The Tuesday group volunteers pre-dug planting holes and adding fertiliser to the bottom of each hole.
Carlsa placed stakes of different colours representing a different plant next to each hole which meant that is was quicker to place the right plant into each hole the day before planting day.
One site (back of 4th tee) was planted the day before as stakes had been deliberately removed by persons unknown. Disappointing as this was, it did not and will not stop the Biodiversity Plan from continuing.
Biodiversity plan - areas 2A, 5, 6
An enthusiastic contingent of members and friends met at the clubhouse armed with buckets, trowel, hammers and gardening gloves.
Under instruction from Carlsa Carter, the group planted approximately 200 seedlings grown by Trees for Life including Sheoaks, Melaleucas, Acacias and Eucalypts.
A thankyou BBQ followed the planting which was enjoyed by all.
The day was well organised as the majority of planning and work was done in the weeks prior:
The Tuesday group volunteers pre-dug planting holes and adding fertiliser to the bottom of each hole.
Carlsa placed stakes of different colours representing a different plant next to each hole which meant that is was quicker to place the right plant into each hole the day before planting day.
One site (back of 4th tee) was planted the day before as stakes had been deliberately removed by persons unknown. Disappointing as this was, it did not and will not stop the Biodiversity Plan from continuing.
Seedlings - January 2021
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Seedlings - January 2021
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Birds found at Echunga Golf Course
The Australasian Grebe.
As you pass near the Dam on the way to the 12th tee, you may see this one
The Eastern Spinebill.
Often seen among the fuchsias and correas near the club. It is like our very own hummingbird. You can often hear its shrill, staccato, piping call.
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The Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike.
They are about the size of a Blackbird on a diet. A beautiful powder grey with a black face.
They flutter around the tops of the gums on the 4th and 10th tees making a distinctive churring sound.
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The Common Bronzewing Pigeon. Usually in pairs feeding on seeds. Under the Wattle and Sheoaks. Breeding call sounds like a lost cow!!
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Useful Resources
Echunga Golf Course Bird List 2019
Echunga Cemetery Indigenous Species list 2009
Mount Barker District Council - Biodiversity page link
Echunga Golf Course Bird List 2019
Echunga Cemetery Indigenous Species list 2009
Mount Barker District Council - Biodiversity page link