Snape Reserve

Committee of Management

Annual Report 2016 - 2017

1

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

2

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

3

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

4

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

5

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

6

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)

7

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

8

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.