Friends of Scott Creek Conservation Park
March News
With so much of Australia impacted by fires, then storms and flooding in some locations, it seems like a lot has happened since the last Cherry Chatter went out.
Our thoughts are with all those who have lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods. There has been an enormous impact on communities, wildlife and the environment. A huge thank you to all the emergency services personnel who have responded to these events, from our local Cherry Gardens CFS and Cherry Gardens Air Support, through all the other South Australian, Australian and international volunteers and staff involved.
It has been wonderful to have such an outpouring of support for affected communities, both locally and around the world. This support has come in many forms, from donations and volunteering to simply offering an exhausted firefighter a cup of tea. There has also been much contributed to saving our wildlife, with rescues, treatment and provision of food and water. Already there is much regeneration of native vegetation in the Cudlee Creek fire area, and even on Kangaroo Island where the area burned seemed less patchy.
Regeneration of a eucalypt just three weeks after the Cudlee Creek fire.
Unfortunately, we are now getting to the time when some people are looking to cast blame. Hopefully this will not deflect from sensible discussions about what happened, what worked well and what didn’t, so that we can improve things for the next time. Fires have happened in the past and will happen in the future, it is a fact of life in Australia and has been for millennia. The sheer number and breadth of fires over the past few months has caught many by surprise, but perhaps shouldn’t as our summers continue to get longer, hotter and drier.
The Australian bush has evolved with fire, both wildfires and Aboriginal cultural burning. Many of our native plants are adapted to fire, and some even require fire to germinate. In most cases, the bushland will regenerate and we need to give it time. This bushland is the home for our unique and diverse wildlife, so aiding in its recovery is helping our wildlife.
Regeneration of native grasses three weeks after the fire
Bushfire encourages mass germination of weeds, and this is going to be the biggest threat to the regeneration of our bushland. Weeds compete for resources with native plants (space, light, nutrients and water) and can increase the fuel hazard, thereby contributing to a higher fuel load and potentially more intense fires.
However, immediately following a fire, weeds can help protect the topsoil from erosion. In some cases, leaving weeds in place for 6-12 months can be helpful as long as they are dealt with after that time, and definitely before they flower and set seed.
April News
In addition to our regular activities in Scott Creek CP, including bushcare and bird banding, our group has regular social outings. On the last Sunday of February we had one of our regular visits to the Laratinga Wetlands in Mount Barker, with eight of us attending.
It was a clear and sunny day that started out a bit chilly, but turned out pretty warm by the time we headed to Millie’s Bakery, after three hours wandering about, enjoying some good birding and good company. Our bird list was a respectable 52 species, with a couple of highlights being the local family of Crested Shrike-tit, including mum, dad and their youngster, Blue-billed, Freckled and Pink-eared Duck, and a range of other water, wader and woodland birds.
Anyone wanting information about the Friends of Scott Creek CP, or wanting to get involved in any of the Friends’ activities, can contact us on info@friendsofscottcreekcp.org.au or visit our very informative website www.friendsofscottcreekcp.org.au. You can also now follow us on our Facebook page where you can find up to date information about our activities, including photos of the park’s flora and fauna.