Twenty concerned Monaro landholders attended a Save our Scarlet Robin Workshop at Monaro Native Tree Nursery, Bombala on Saturday. (December 9, 2017).
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The workshop was organised by Lesley Ishiyama and Ryl Parker of Kosciuszko to Coast and funded by NSW Environmental Trust and rolled out by Local Land Services.
The Save our Scarlet Robin project aims to engage landholders in re-vegetating the landscape and enhancing habitat for threatened woodland birds in the region.
Kosciuszko to Coast are tasked to run a series of community engagement workshops to increase awareness of these vulnerable species and inform landholders of funding opportunities available through the SOS project.
Saturday's workshop began at 10am on a sunny morning at the nursery at Gunningrah.
The day began with Rainer Rehwinkel (recently retired Threatened Species Officer, NSW Office of Environment and Heritage) speaking about the habitat requirements of Scarlet Robin and other threatened woodland birds.
Felicity Sturgiss (Local Land Services) described the whole farm planning approach to profitability and conservation that underpins participation in the SOS project.
Annie and Michael Platts (Monaro Native Tree Nursery) then talked about their native seed and plant production enterprise that is pivotal in the landscape, supplying plants for government and private land holder re-vegetation projects across the region.
Later in the morning, participants were treated to a tour of the nursery and informed about seed storage and proportion techniques. The importance of climate control, biosecurity, watering systems, fertiliser, biological control and fungus mitigation were stressed to keen listeners.
Annie described the pros and cons of planting local provenance species versus increasing genetic diversity and landscape resilience by sourcing a wider range of provenances.
Michael stressed the importance of careful planning and site preparation to ensure a successful revegetation project.
Green houses, nurturing up to 20,000 plants were admired prior to the start of the outdoor field component of the day.
During the 4wd convoy tour of the property, Michael emphasised the reasons behind the site selection of his plantings.
His theory is that in good farm management there has to be a balance. Overall farm management involves a balance between areas for productivity and areas for connectivity and habitat enhancement.
Michael's tree plantations not only provide habitat for biodiversity but also shelter for stock. He can see the effect of the shelter provided by the plantings in increased survival of lambs.
Michael then demonstrated the new connectivity plantings and outlined his methods, which includes good site preparation, creating rip lines to retain water and application of herbicide to prevent competition.
While viewing more advanced revegetation plots, Rainer listed some threatened woodland birds in the area which include: Scarlet Robin, Flame Robin, Hooded Robin, Dusky Woodswallow, Diamond Firetail, Brown Tree creeper, Varied Sittella, Speckled Warbler and Gang Gang Cockatoo.
Rainer stressed the importance of retaining standing dead and fallen timber to enhance habitat.
Felicity described how patch plantings suit the distances Scarlet Robins prefer to travel between remnants, which is around 50 to 100 metres. She also emphasised the importance of fallen timber in creating ‘perches’ for robins as they forage in grassy areas between woodland patches.
Ryl and Lesley remarked on the success of the day, with several landholders registering to participate in the project.
Thanks to Annabelle from Feed Cafe and Catering in Cooma, for a delicious lunch that was enjoyed by all.
Thank you Annie and Michael for hosting an informative and enjoyable day.
'If you would like any further information on how to become involved in the Save our Scarlet Robin project please contact Felicity Sturgiss at Local Land Services on 0427 072 763
Lesley Ishiyama