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Weeds Weeding takes up around half of our volunteer activity. As in previous years Ian Flux has put
many hours into weed eradication. The following is his weed report:
Rainfall for the year of 2016 brought bumper crops to Wimmera farmers and resulted in very
large weed numbers on Snape Reserve.
Amsinkia was sprayed and hoed at past know infestation sites as well as some newly discovered
places. Large numbers of Stemless thistles are still occurring at Callitris Swamp and Horehound
is still emerging in significant quantities at this site. Notably, small Horehound plants were
also found in considerable numbers amongst the windrows following the above average rainfall
wetting the ground below overhanging tree canopies. This phenomenon also resulted in large
numbers of Winged Slender thistles germinating under the canopies of trees in the Yellow gum
rises area on Snape Reserve. It is also of note that small numbers of Fleabane were present in
areas well away from Old Racecourse
Swamp, some in sandy spots and this is
something that has not been seen by me
before. There were much greater than usual
poppies numbers this year particularly
around the western edge of Red Gum
Swamp. These were sprayed and hoed and
finally, because there were so many
flowering in large patches, they were mowed
in the attempt to disrupt seed set. Lindsay
Smith mowed large patches of wild oats to
stop seed set after this weed has begun to
dominate patches at the northern end of
Wimmera Woodruff Swamp.
The bulk of weeding work done for the latter
part of 2016 was against Maltese Cockspur
thistles. The very long grass made finding
these thistles difficult at times even though
many were much larger plants than have
been seen for the preceding drier years.
Something very pleasing to see was past
effort greatly reduced the numbers of this
weed at Wimmera Woodruff Swamp, once a
particularly bad site of this weed.
Saffron Thistles were more abundant than
previously and Leon Ryan, John Richards,
Snape Reserve Committee of Management
Annual Report
Silky Desert Mouse
Leon Ryan and Lindsay Smith Hoeing
Saffron Thistles
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Lindsay and Sue Smith spent considerable time hoeing this weed.
Over the first few months of 2017, many bindii plants have been removed and spray control
work on Blue Heliotrope has continued from last year.
The weed growth around the Buloke trees in the 2014 planting was sprayed twice during the
year to reduce water and nutrient competition for the still mainly very small sized trees.
Appendix 1 gives a broad-brush picture of Snape Reserve weeds in 2016/17.
Rabbits In the first six months of 2016 rabbit holes were ripped most weeks. The higher rainfall saw
large numbers of mosquitoes breeding and a resultant spread of virus in the rabbit population.
Rabbit numbers have fallen and we have not ripped any holes in the last two months. Live rabbit
sightings have been next to nil. Scratchings on tracks, our main indicator of rabbit activity, have
not been seen recently.
With release of a new virus in autumn 2017 we are hopeful of the rabbit numbers remaining
low.
Foxes Geoff Somers has been able to whistle 7 foxes from Snape Reserve onto adjacent land, and
shoot them.
Thanks to Clive Crouch, Geoff Somers and myself have completed the theory section of
Sporting Shooters of Australia (SSAA) Park Management. This will allow the control of foxes
on the reserve once the last stage of the agreement between Trust for Nature and SSAA (the
shooting contractors) is completed for Snape Reserve.
Barendgi Gadjin Land Council (BGLC) There are a number of sites in the northeast corner of
Snape Reserve that were used by the local Kreitch Balug
Clan. These sites include Old Racecouse Swamp and
Black Box Swamp. Snape Reserve Committee members
are to carry out the primary work of photographing and
taking GPS readings before BGLC consider having them
registered as heritage sites.
Trust for Nature has approved the reburial of skeletal
remains removed from the property by the former owner
at a site already established by BGLC. Permission has also
been given for the reburial of other skeletal remains from
the area covered by BGLC. Some of these remains are in
New South Wales and BGLC are waiting for these to be
returned when they will all be reburied at the same time.
In October Ron Marks from BGLC visited Snape Reserve
with consultant Wayne Street. BGLC have $60,000 of
funding for Wayne to produce a plan for a tourist tour of
aboriginal sites at Edenhope, Dimboola, Ebenezer
Mission at Antwerp and along the Wimmera Heritage
River.
Lindsay Smith and bark removal,
Black Box Swamp
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Display Cabinet Peter Krause built a small cabinet to enable secure displaying of aboriginal artefacts collected
over the last 14 years. This will be part of a record of the use of the area by the Kreitch Balug
Clan. This cabinet was built at a cost of $25, funded from donated money.
Windmill The windmill on Snape Reserve
was advertised for removal. A
family from Melbourne bought
and took down the windmill for
$400. The windmill stand was
not in good condition with the
bolts holding it up breaking at
the time of removal. Clive
Eastwood cut off the posts the
windmill was attached to using
his generator and grinder.
The bore was capped as the
neighbour wishes to utilize it by
placing a solar pump on his
property.
The small dam at the site, which
was adjacent to farmed land, was filled in so emus and kangaroos would no longer be attracted
to the water, and as a consequence to the adjacent crops.
Equipment A grant of $1636 from the Department of
Social Services allowed the purchase of a
portable 5000 watt diesel generator. This
will allow us to produce 240 volt with a 10
amp loading to run the electric water pump
donated by the Friends of Wail Arboretum.
With this we can fill the 23,500 litre fire
tank from our 2 x 9,000 litre tanks and, in
case of a fire emergency, to refill the tank.
The generator will also be used for
maintenance and fencing. Our thanks go to
Clive Eastwood who has brought his
generator to the reserve over the last 14
years, when power has been needed.
Donated funds of $197.89 and $99.00 from
the Snape Improvement Fund were used to
purchase a 240 volt portable air compressor
unit. We can use this for pumping up tyres,
reducing grass build up on the tractor and
ATV over summer and clean out the
radiators and air filters on both units.
Lindsay Smith, John Richards and Ian Flux
unpacking generator
Windmill ready for loading on trailer
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The small solar unit and the battery it charged, which were purchased with a grant in 2010, both
ceased working. These had been used to power the lights in Brian’s Shed. Donated funds of
$160 were used to replace the battery and purchase a more powerful solar panel.
Revegetation In June committee members planted 150 yellow gum trees on the south bank of Old Racecourse
Swamp. This purchase was paid using $375 from the Snape Improvement Fund. These were
excellent plants and the wet winter has seen them make good growth.
Ian Flux and John Richards knock in
posts for plant guards John Rocke distributing plants
Mary Argall ready to plant Darryl Argall carting water
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Gate A gate has been installed to the closed laneway
on the west of Snape Reserve. This will allow
the Kioti to be taken onto this area making it
easier to control weeds. The gate will also
allow access for the neighbour to his property
when the laneway is flooded. The gate was
purchased for $209.95, paid for by donations.
Flora The wet year saw many new orchid sites found. John Richards identified two new species,
Pterostylis mutica (Midget Greenhood) and Thelymitra alcockiae (Alcock’s Sun-orchid).
Mary Argall found a rare plant, Zieria veronicea subsp veronicea (Pink Ziera).
Ian Flux added the following to the plant list: Laphangium lutelbum (Jersey Cudweed), Cotula
australis (Common Cotula), Cotula bipinnata (Ferny Cotula – a weed), Brachyscome
goniocarpa (Dwarf Daisy) and Reichardia tingitana (False Sow -thistle – a weed).
Pterostylis mutica
(Midget Greenhood)
Thelymitra alcockiae (Alcock’s
Sun-orchid)
Dale Smith, Lindsay Smith and
John Richards installing gate
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In December Iestyn Hosking and Mirinda Thorpe (for the Department of Environment, Land,
Water and Planning) carried out a survey of all known Lepidium monoplocoides (Winged
Peppercress) sites on Snape Reserve. The results were:
Area No. of Plants Comments
Fenced plots on Black Box Swamp 549 plants Scattered plants on perimeter of swamp
Fenced plot on Peppercress
Swamp
339 plants Over 3,000 plants outside fence
Wimmera Woodruff Swamp Plants seen in lane northwest of swamp
Fenced plot on Callistemon
Swamp
6 plants
Sowing on Red Gum Swamp 0 plants Probably wrong soil type
Old Racecourse Swamp 0 plants
Fauna A wombat dug a hole in area off Goanna Track. Identification was through examination of
scats. A motion camera was placed at the site for several weeks but the wombat was not
photographed, and had probably moved on. A fox in the area was photographed, which may
have been the reason the wombat did not stay. There were sightings of a wombat along the river
south of Dimboola. It may be that this animal was captured illegally and then released, as the
closest known wombats are in the southeast of South Australia.
Birds In October Jonathan Starks saw a White-throated Gerygone on Snape Reserve. This bird had
not previously been recorded and brought the total number of birds seen on Snape Reserve to
173.
Visitors Committee, family and friends
Mary Argall with group learning
plant identification 9 March
“Fabulous Beasts” 4 April
This day was part of a project run
in a number of schools, including
Dimboola Primary School.
Dimboola students and their
parents spent time drawing,
enjoying a BBQ lunch and a walk
guided by Lindsay Smith.
John Campbell (Friend of Snape
Reserve) 10 May
Joy Morcher (Regular donor to
committee funds) 5 August
Horsham BirdLife (19 visitors) 4
September
Horsham BirdLife Visit
L to R: Ian Morgan (BirdLife), Mary Argall and
Jan John (Snape Committee)
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A list of the 50 species seen was
provided
Jonathan Starks with Conservation
Volunteers 20 September
Indigenous Flora & Fauna
Association (40 visitors) 30
September
Jonathan Starks with group of bird
watchers 7 November
Walking Access by 45 people,
including international visitors
In total visitors made donations of
$738 to the work of the committee.
Voluntary Hours The hours worked up to and including 2013 were valued at $20 / Hour. The hours since 2013
have been valued at $25 / hour.
Chairman’s Thanks My thanks go to Clive Eastwood for his security checks, keeping of rainfall records and clearing
of gutters and filters. I appreciate the input of all committee members to the running of Snape
Reserve over the last 12 months.
Lindsay Smith Chairman
Year Hours worked Value
2003 2938 $ 58,760
2004 1526 $ 30,520
2005 2172 $ 43,436
2006 2644 $ 52,879
2007 2753 $ 55,062
2008 3691 $ 73,825
2009 2351 $ 47,018
2010 2655 $ 53,102
2011 2686 $ 53,727
2012 2995 $ 59,895
2013 4132 $ 82,642
2014 2044 $ 51,111
2015 4336 $108,406
2016 2518 $ 62,948
Total 39441 $833,331
“Fabulous Beasts” Visit
Lindsay Smith talks to visitors
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APPENDIX 1. Control status of some problem weeds on Snape Reserve in 2016/17
Weed Status Comments
Amsinkia Still widespread on the property in cleared areas and often found
under trees where it has been spread by birds..
More effort needed this year compared to last year due to very wet season. Some new
patches found. This is a very difficult weed and will never be eradicated.
Bindii Found mainly in planting areas 1 & 2 although some patches have
been found and marked in the west of the property. The property to
the east of the reserve is still badly infested with Bindii and is likely
to be an infestation vector to the reserve.
Ideal germination conditions this year. Overall numbers are far fewer than when work
was started on eradication 10 years ago.
Bridal creeper Occasional plants still being found & removed or sprayed. Some
very bad patches near Snape and birds carry the seed.
Not a major problem weed but vigilance must be maintained to see it stays that way.
Evening
primrose
Noticeable that the very wet year has resulted in many new
germinations.
Grasses eg.
Veldt grass.
Veldt grass and other introduced grass species are widespread
major weeds. Difficult to control because of the scale of the
problem.
Improvements around Brian’s Shed are less noticeable this year because more plants
have grown from seed bank left in the soil. No control work this year due to having to
concentrate on other weeds.
Heliotrope Widespread summer weed in grasslands. Will need a lot of work to
get under control.
Control work last year has certainly has been beneficial in the area of Callitris Swamp.
Horehound Was very widespread. Still coming up in considerable numbers in some areas.
Marshmallow Widespread weed in grasslands with a few bad patches. Many hours of control work carried out on this weed. This year improvements seen
around Old Racecourse Swamp.
Melons wild
and paddy
Once widespread & common in grasslands. I am very surprised how many plants are still being found.
Patersons Curse Fewer plants found each year. There is a bad infestation of this
weed on a nearby property & birds spread its seed.
Less Paterson’s Curse found this year but it needs constant vigilance.
Saffron thistle Many bad patches scattered around. Considerable time spent hoeing this weed in 2016.
Winged Slender
thistles
Many more thistles found this year mainly under Yellow gum in the
west of the property.
Skeleton weed Widespread. Can be controlled at rosette stage. Will take a lot of
effort to get under control.
No major control work yet.
Malta thistle Widespread in grasslands particularly in the western half of Snape. A lot of spraying and hoe work carried out on this weed during winter and spring. A
gradual improvement is apparent.
Stemless thistle Was widespread in patches in grassland areas. Many plants hoed at Callitris Swamp and seeds blow on the property from elsewhere.
Twiggy Mullein Patches in grasslands Only a few plants found where the weed was found previously.
Wild garlic Widespread in planting areas 1 & 2. Very difficult to treat without
killing non-target species. Will take a massive effort to control this
weed.
In the past a little control work was done by digging up the bulbs. This was time
consuming and not effective as bulbs are easily missed. No control work done this
year.
Wild sage Common in grasslands. Will take a lot of effort to control. Little spraying this year. Hopefully, time will permit a greater effort in future years.
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