environment

Red Backed Toadlet

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bobreidSun, 04/09/2022 - 8:37pm

A neighbour contacted me a couple of days ago after finding some Red Backed Toadlets in her woodpile

These toadlets are a tiny, red toadlet that are endemic to coastal regions from just north of Sydney to south-eastern Queensland.

They are only about 35mm long.

They are poisonous to small animals and reptiles and people are advised that if they ever handle one they should not touch their eyes or mouth.

Koala and Dingo Drone Survey Presentation - Thursday 1st September at Tea Gardens

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bobreidFri, 26/08/2022 - 8:29pm

Wildlife conservation scientist Dr Ryan Witt from the University of Newcastle has recently been commissioned by the National Parks and Wildlife Service to carry out drone surveys for koalas and dingoes in the Myall Lakes National Park and in parts of Hawks Nest.  The drones use thermal imaging to identify animal body heat when flying precise transects across wooded areas.  This method of surveying is far more productive than traditional techniques, permitting much larger areas to be surveyed in a given time.

Port Stephens EcoUpdate

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bobreidSun, 03/07/2022 - 3:52pm

The June 2022 edition of the Port Stephens Econetwork EcoUpdate newsletter has been published.

It has articles on wombats, koalas, squirrel gliders, preventing burnout and the Sustainable House Day.

It can be accessed by clicking on this link: EcoUpdate June 2022

 

Southern Estuaries Coastal Management Program

janinerThu, 28/04/2022 - 3:56pm

Have Your Say: Midcoast Council

MidCoast Council is in the process of preparing a Coastal Management Program (CMP) for its Southern Estuaries including the areas of Wallis Lake, Smiths Lake, Karuah River, Myall Lakes, Kore Kore Creek and North Arm Cove. Estuaries are the areas where the freshwater from the river meets the salt water from the ocean.

The CMP will be a ten-year action program to help manage and protect our waterways.

You can have your say on the Mid Coast Council website or you can email the team at haveyoursay@midcoastcouncil.nsw.gov.au ....

Beware the Ides of March

janinerSun, 03/04/2022 - 11:27am
Loose oyster line during strong winds

We have an internet enabled weather station and we like to keep a track of the rain. Occasionally we miss a week or two when a spider decides to take up residence or some sticks fall in the working parts, but overall, it works well.

In March this year, we had 367ml with 99ml falling on the 31st March. From the beginning of the year, we have had about 540ml. Our catchment is waterlogged and there is erosion everywhere. The water in the Cove is brown and currently unsuitable for swimming. Instead of going in the water, it would...

Glossy Black-Cockatoos - field guide

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bobreidThu, 24/03/2022 - 4:31pm

In the latest EcoNetwork EcoUpdate there was a reference with a link to a Glossy Black-Cockatoo count being held this coming Saturday 26 March. 

The South-eastern Glossy Black-Cockatoo is at risk of population decline after losing many of its feed trees in the devastating bushfires of 2019-2020. Data collected during the Great Glossy Count will support vital bushfire recovery and conservation work by informing habitat management for these birds.

EcoNetwork Port Stephens - latest newsletter

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bobreidThu, 24/03/2022 - 3:55pm

EcoNetwork Port Stephens was founded in 1993, with a vision of ecologically sustainable communities existing in harmony with the natural environment.

It is a not-for-profit, apolitical and 100% volunteer-run organisation dedicated to the interest of all who treasure and want to preserve the natural beauty and biodiversity of our Port Stephens estuary, peninsulas and rural hinterland.

NACCAi has been an affiliated group of EcoNetwork for many years.

Autumn Wild Dog Control Programs

janinerSat, 05/03/2022 - 4:17pm

Wild dog populations and foxes cause significant problems for farmers and native animal populations. The range of these animals can be up to 30 square kilometres, so they can be a pest over a wide area. The Hunter Local Land Services (LLS) assist landowners to carry out autumn and spring baiting programs. Participants must do a 2 hour online training course which provides accreditation to bait for 5 years. Bait will be available for collection at Buladehlah, Stroud and Bunyah Hall in late March and early April.

If you are interested in more information, contact Kirstin Bisley on 02...

Please help - Clean Up Australia Day this Sunday 6 March

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bobreidSun, 27/02/2022 - 9:13pm

Cleaning up all of Australia is perhaps a bit too much for our small community, but we can all do our bit by spending two hours helping clean up North Arm Cove this coming Sunday 6 March.

We are meeting at the Community Centre at 8am and are aiming to finish at about 10am.

So if you can please come along and help. This year John Kugel is doing the organising and he will be on hand at the Community Centre to look after the paperwork and allocate clean up areas. If you can come along with car and trailer it would be a big help.

Are there protected sea grasses and live oyster reefs near you?

janinerSun, 30/01/2022 - 4:26pm
North Arm Cove

Did you know that there are live oyster reefs in North Arm Cove? Some are naturally occurring, and some are the remnants of past oyster farming. There are reefs next to the shore off Cove Boulevard and Eastslope Way, plus several more off the non-urban area, near Bulga Creek and up Bundabah Creek.

According to DPI Fisheries, research has shown the important role these reef areas play in maintaining estuarine processes such as water quality and aquatic species diversity and abundance. Efforts to protect and restore oyster reef and bring back lost ecological functions are growing globally.

The...

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