Field+Days+-+2010

Date : Saturday 11th 2010 Location : Marion Bay Car Park MBCCG had the first activity day of the season organised at short notice following the AGM on 2 Sept. Pending future land owner agreements we are all hopeful of returning to active duty on Long Spit. Saturday 11 September saw 7 members plus a few friends and family extras undertake vegetation clearance along the southern beach access track at Marion Bay. The track was put in by earlier members of the group to supplement the more established northern track. Originally the track was deliberately constructed to follow a winding course to reduce the risk of wind blow. In some places the original track alignment had become so overgrown as to encourage people to select alternate and ultimately more direct routes. The track had is some places become very narrow. Volunteers set about cutting back coast wattle (Acacia longifolia var sophorae) and coastal saltbush (Rhagodia candolleana). Almost all vegetation was removed with two massive loads of Dave Newman’s big trailer which were delivered to Margaret Laird Valentines and Andrew North’s places for future bonfires. A small amount of slash was left to attempt to block one of the desire lines (short cuts). The new tools, recently acquired as part of the community grant, were put to good use. We have three pairs of secateurs, a pruning saw and loppers. The two big rain events we have all celebrated in recent weeks have changed the layout of Bream Creek profoundly. The outfall is further down the beach than many people can remember. Huge quantities of sand have been washed from the dunes. Ian Cuthbertson dragged out a bird sign from the creek bed. This will be returned to Parks & Wildlife for replacing at a strategic location. The sign advised visitors that the beach is the breeding habitat for shorebirds such as hooded plovers and pied oystercatchers. Some weed pulling was also undertaken of young Californian tree lupin. Young plants can be pulled out of the sand with care bringing up the huge long root which is important to ensure the plant doesn’t regenerate. Older more established plants require cut and poisoning. Opportunity was taken to look a various future activities. Discussion was had about a strategic approach to managing the lupin. The existence of a localised infestation of coast teatree (Leptospermum laevigatum) was noted. This is spreading from the backs of the shacks and has the capacity to take over the dunes. It is not native to southern Tasmania and is recognised as an environmental weed in the region. There are other garden escapes also that need monitoring. The weed theme is hopefully to be followed up in our next activity day, provisionally set for 10 October. This will involve sea spurge removal from familiar sites between North Marion and Blufff Beach. We intend to use the newly acquired gps to accurately plot the locations of all known infestations and to share the information with Wildcare SpLATs (Spurge Local Area Teams) who are dedicated group committed to controlling this weed from the east coast south of Bicheno as far as Cockle Creek. Some photos and video (**WARNING not for slow links 10MB file**):