The more it rains ...

Last year we had rain showers right up to XMas, and the Geraldton Carnation Weed loved it - and kept germinating - and we kept pulling it out as best we could before it went to seed. It looks like it is going to be similar this year ...
John and I worked in the health department area near Selby Lodge, mainly pulling out Geraldton Carnation Weeds, and any other weeds we came across (mainly pelargonium). There is a big patch of Pelargonium near Selby Lodge. We also came across a Flinders Ranges Wattle that was too big to pull out - will cut it down next weekend.

	View live map Click here to download the GPX data for this map. Note, this data is an XML file - change the name to .GPX to upload to your GPS.

They just keep on coming ...

We have had over 100mm of rain in the past 2 months - and the Geraldton Carnation Weed just love it - they keep on coming up long after the other weeds have died off. So we have to keep on going after them.
John and I also went through the Watsonia patch to pull out any remnants that we missed in winter.

View live map Click here to download the GPX data for this map. Note, this data is an XML file - change the name to .GPX to upload to your GPS.

A few surprises

We had a few surprises today. Some welcome, others less so...
Came across some pigface Carpobrotus edulis - an escapee from South Africa.

I have been trying for ages to get a photo of the dragon flies that patrol the paths and elude my camera lense. This one was tangled in a spider's web.

This patch of bushland was burnt on October 3rd - a Friday - school holidays are always a dangerous times for fire.

View live map Click here to download the GPX data for this map. Note, this data is an XML file - change the name to .GPX to upload to your GPS.

Bush to Beach

The 2008 Bush to Beach walk traversed the Mosman Park penninsula from Cottesloe to the river and back again. Over 50 walkers participated on a beautiful sunny Sunday morning. Thanks to Lesley Shaw and Peter Spriggins for organising it for us!

Robyn Benken introduced walkers to the work being carried out by Cottesloe CoastCare.

We had a welcome break at Mosman Bay with refreshments put on by the Mosman Bay SeaScouts - thanks guys!

We saw a black shouldered kite as we approached Minim Cove in Mosman Park.

View live map.

While on holiday ...

Vicki and John have been busy in the bushland while I have been away ...
Here are some files of work that has been done in SB.
(the first map is from January this year)
* 23rd September - John - followed track around clockwise and entered the high ground i.e. central area and followed a clearly defined new path. Removed heaps of pelargonium. Back onto the track. Removed GCW on the Barrens Two large bags needed.
* 13th October - John - cut the Black wattle down yesterday Sunday and collected remaining GCW in the area and along the Defence Dept fence. Also checked on the weed that you identified. I cannot remember its common name but I have called it “Ugly Betty”. None remaining.
* 3rd of october - Vicki - all points are where either lupins and Carnation weed were removed.
* 5th of October - Vicki - these points include some of what John and I came across at the Sunday work session.
* 9th Oct - Vicki - this was where the carnation patch at the edge was removed. This is a very think patch under some banksia trees also found a small patch at on the eastern side of the barrens still to be removed.
LU = lupins
CW = carnation weed
BF = Black flag - (possibly a double up on already marked points from you).

	View live map Click here to download the GPX data for this map. Note, this data is an XML file - change the name to .GPX to upload to your GPS.
	View live map Click here to download the GPX data for this map. Note, this data is an XML file - change the name to .GPX to upload to your GPS.
	View live map Click here to download the GPX data for this map. Note, this data is an XML file - change the name to .GPX to upload to your GPS.
	View live map Click here to download the GPX data for this map. Note, this data is an XML file - change the name to .GPX to upload to your GPS.

Learning Lessons

The bushland is looking beautiful as always at this time of year - orchids, and a few cat's paws are scattered around. It is a delight to spend a few hours hear each Sunday morning.
John came across this mound of Watsonia bulbs that we had dumped here last year, or maybe the year before. They were sprouting - there is a lesson to be learnt here - carry out all bulbs! It is bad enough having to dig them out once, no point in digging them up again!

We also dug out the flinders ranges wattle that Vicki told us about.

View live map Click here to download the GPX data for this map. Note, this data is an XML file - change the name to .GPX to upload to your GPS.

Back to GCW

Polished off the Watsonia patch and moved on to the Geraldton Carnation Weeds in health department land adjacent to Selby Lodge. There are still lots of GCW to keep us occupied to XMas!
I was disappointed at the amount of damage caused by bulb spraying in the Watsonia area - lots of shrubs adjacent to Watsonias have been damaged and are dying back.

View live map Click here to download the GPX data for this map. Note, this data is an XML file - change the name to .GPX to upload to your GPS.