Rehabilitating Roe 8  |  View this in your browser

Kaya! It’s Makaru and during these wetter months people moved up to seek shelter in the hills.   Rains replenished the inland waters and wetlands and larger animals such as kangaroos, emus and possums were hunted for food.  The corridor alreday has plants beginning to flower in readiness for the warmer months ahead.  

Latest News

Share your #Corridorlife

Over the next few weeks we are celebrating the rehabilitation efforts of our volunteers and community within the Roe 8 Corridor and the natural values of this space.
From your favourite past time, places to walk, your secret spot to see animals, or great shots you’ve taken of the wildlife corridor’s plants and animals – we want to hear your stories, experiences and how you enjoy the corridor!
Tag #corridorlife on you socials to let us know what you love about the Roe 8 Corridor. You can also leave us a story or comment by visiting rehabilitatingroe8.org/corridorlife.
Keep an eye out for the pop-up signs sharing facts and stories about the local wildlife enjoying #corridorlife too!

 

Community planting events are back on!

Last Sunday the 21st June 30 volunteers from near and far attended a community planting day in the corridor.  It was a beautiful morning and volunteers while enjoying the winter sunshine helped install over 500 native plants into the section of the corridor near Malvolio Rd.  This was the first event since lock down and people were certainly keen to get out and get their hands dirty.  
Don't worry if you missed out though, we have another event scheduled for Saturday 25th July at North Lake Reserve.  Bookings are now open.  We ask that to assist with managing COVID-19 hygiene protocols you please bring your own water bottle, gloves (if possible) and refreshments. 
Register Now

Fauna monitoring completed

Mike Bamford from Bamford Consulting Ecologists and team undertook a detailed survey of fauna in the corridor across spring 2019 and in autumn 2020.  Field investigations occurred across Banksia and Eucalypt Woodlands and Wetland Woodland vegetation types and were carried out in rehabilitation areas (18 hectares (ha)) and in reference (control) areas (remnant vegetation; 54 ha) (together referred to as the project area), totaling 72 ha, to facilitate synchronised comparisons. Black-Cockatoo nesting and foraging habitat assessment took place across the entire project area.Significant species such as the Perth Slider and Quenda are using rehabilitation areas, albeit in small numbers, which is a positive sign.  A number of feral animals were also recorded across the site.  The report is currently in draft but will be available to download soon from the Rehabilitating Roe 8 website.
 
Motion cameras were used to observe and record a range of species in the corridor.  Target species Quenda (Isoodon fusciventer) were recorded as were Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) and Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus).  This information concurs with citizen science program conducted during spring 2019 and autumn 2020.  This information will be vital to assisting with fauna management in the corridor including feral animal control programs.
Planting program underway
Contractors have commenced planting activities within the corridor during June.  With a large scale program of over 71,000 tubestock to be installed across the corridor.  Some sites such as North Lake Rd East and North Lake Rd West have had tree guards installed to protect the small seedlings from grazing by rabbits while areas that have existing rabbit proof fencing will have plants installed directly.  This provides an opportunity to under take some assessment of the impact of tree guards on seedlings.  A new biodegradable tree guard is being trialed too.
Growise biodegradable tree guard

Weed control program

As much as we love the rain so do the weeds.  Weed control works will follow on from planting works once conditions are favorable.  Grass weeds such as Perennial Veldt Grass (Ehrharta calycina) boom at this time of year and require treatment at a specific time for successful control.  Others such as bulbous weeds are also starting to stick their heads out.  While many of these are very lovely to look at they can have serious environmental impacts displacing native vegetation.
Perennial Veldt Grass (Ehrharta calycina)
Volunteer update

Diana Corbyn, Cockburn Community Wildlife Corridor Bushcare Coordinator
Cockburn Community Wildife Corridor were at it again on Saturday hand weeding out Perennial Veldt Grass (Ehrharta calycina) and Stinking Roger (Monoculus monstrosus).  The volunteers from the bushcare team carefully removed these weeds by hand pulling and cutting the crowns of the grass weeds.

Below image:Blue Fairy Orchid (Pheladenia deformis)
This vital work allows native germinants to establish and reduces impact on surrounding bush.  Volunteers were rewarded with seeing a blue fairy orchid.If you'd like to join the CCWC bushcare team they run activities every second Saturday morning in the corridor. Weeding mornings will be Saturday 11th and 25th July.

Below image: Stinking Roger (Monoculus monstrosus)
Plant of the month
Hovea pungens (Devils pins)
Hovea pungens also known as Devils Pins is a shrub in the family Fabaceae, native to Western Australia. The Noongar name for the plant is Buyenak (or Puyenak)*. The erect pungent shrub typically grows to a height of 0.2 to 1.8 metres. It blooms from May to November producing distinctive blue purple flowers.  This is easily seen as you walk through the corridor.  If you spot it make sure to take a photo and #corridorlife.
*Plants and People in Mooro Country (City of Jonndalup 2011)

UPCOMING EVENTS

Community Planting Event
Saturday 25th July
9am-12 noon
North Lake Reserve,
Hope Rd Bibra Lake FREE
Register here
The Rehabilitating Roe 8 project acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands on which we conduct our business.  We pay our respects to ancestors and Elders, past and present.  We acknowledge that the Rehabilitating Roe 8 project area is Whudjuk country and pay respects to Elders and Nyungar people past, present and future.
FORWARD / SUBSCRIBE / UNSUBSCRIBE / UPDATE DETAILS / PRIVACY STATEMENT

PO BOX 1215, Bibra Lake DC WA 6965
customer@cockburn.wa.gov.au | www.cockburn.wa.gov.au
Copyright © 2019 City of Cockburn, All rights reserved.