Third Falls Project Site
October 2009
The Third Falls
2009 Project Report
The project site is along the Third Falls Track & adjacent sections of the bush. It includes variety of different types of work including in the bush, along the trackside & a closed section of old track.We waited for the 2009 rains to commence with great anticipation, not only to see how much germination of the woody weeds, but also of the seed from the bush. On both counts we have been surprised, there has been a significant reduction in the germination of woody weeds (broom etc) in the project area. There has been good survival of the 2008 germinated bush seedlings and some further germination this year.
As in previous years, as the numbers of weeds (& weeding time) are reduced in the project area, there has been a small increase in the project area. We look forward to continuing our efforts in the control of woody weeds within the project area.
Maureen and Paul - Project Coordinators
2008 Project Report
During 2008, work has continued on the removal of weeds along the Third Falls Track. Weeds here include; Broom (both leafleass and leafy), Watsonia and Murialta.When the project first started, mature seed bearing weeds were found in large (greater than 10 square metres) and very dense. Given the number of years that the project has been underway, there is now very scattered distribution and low density of weeds. Now, immature, non-seed bearing weeds are found in densities of less than one per square metre.
The plan for 2009 is to continue to patrol the area and to continue work on the edges, the project site started as a small area near the Moores Road gate and now stretches to the Third Falls and the Gully Track.
Maureen - Project Coordinators
2007 Project Report
For those not familiar with this project site, it is located along the Thirds Falls Track, heading south from Moores Road. Work started in 1997 with a focus on woody weeds along the track sides. These were predominately adult Broom (both types) plants. The removal of these, by hand weeding and cut & swab resulted in germination the following seasons.On average, it appears if mature plants are removed germination will occur, with decreasing density over the following years:
- Leafy Broom - 7 years
- Leafless Broom - 5 years
- Watsonia - 3 years
- Muraltia - 4 years
Over the years of work on this project site, we have expanded the site to adjoining areas, and the full project site covers the track edges from Moores Road to Twin Creek Track, and a few isolated weed infestations in the bush nearby.
We aim to continue to work on this site, and as the seasons and time allow expand the area of weed free bush.
Maureen and Paul - Project Coordinators
2006 Project Report
July 2007
The Third Falls
Third Falls Track - clean sweep of broom (nearly)
Going on for 12 years now and still the broom germinates - in much reduced numbers, but still comes up, prompting us to ask: "How long, O Lord, how long?"
Timely and targeted weeding activity allows for regeneration of native plants without excessive damage to the bush. We continue hand weeding along the Third Falls Track below the bandicoot sanctuary. Less time required here means more time can be spent dealing with isolated plants and the nearby bush.
While we are quietly weeding we are aware of lots of birds going about their business, including one day, a great convocation of crows which seemed quite extraordinary in that setting. Less unusual but just as welcome are the parrots, cockatoos, wrens, currawongs, robins, honeyeaters and many fitting that all encompassing category - little brown birds. It's wonderful!
Maureen and Paul - Project Coordinators.
2005 Project Report
October 2007
View from the track
This year has seen us continue weeding throughout the project area. The section along Third Falls Track from Moores Road to Twin Creek Track requires a few hours patrolling for weeds during Spring - this is a good time to spot blooming Muraltia. The "Broom hedge" (on the track below the sanctuary) is now well under control with less germination of Broom each year and the incremental return of the bush to this area.
For those who never saw the broom hedge, imagine 50 metres of track full of dense Broom well over head height.
Now that we have the hedge in a holding pattern, we are able to work through the bush on its upside. Cutting and swabbing is the best method here because it does not disturb the soil and arouse the multitudes.
We appreciate the next door neighbour's efforts to control Broom on their side of the fence. The adjacent area which was control burnt is regenerating. Along with native plants, there are considerable numbers of African Daisy and Black nightshade.
Maureen and Paul - Project Coordinators.
2004 Project Report
We are in our 10th year working in this area, which has mainly been a holding operation, with work continuing along the Third Falls Track, the former broom hedge and adjacent bush.We concentrated for ten years on preventing the flowering and seed set, and still broom germinates. It is tenacious, and so are we.
In October, NPWS did a controlled burn in the gully near the site, with one edge of the burn ending on the lower side of the former hedge. We will be interested to see results of this fire/
Marueen - Project Coordinator.
2003 Project Report
The areas along Third Falls track are now virtually free of broom, with just the occasional plant evading us until it flowers and gives itself away.This our ninth year working along and near the Third Falls track has been spent working mostly in the bushland adjacent to the former hedge. Here we are removing scattered broom plus a few plants of sweet pittosporum, blackberry, olive, African daisy, watsonia, weed erica and gorse. This area is a delight to work in with many orchids and other lovely small things.
It is horrible to think that this area would have become increasingly choked with broom and other weeds if we had not been working here. We have not seen any more of the Monadenia bracteata that made its appearance last year and was swiftly dealt with.
Also pleasing to note is that the neighboring land holder has done a lot of good work on the broom on his side of the fence, thus reducing a source of recurring infestation of the park.
We hope to be able to maintain weed control in our particular areas of interest and as the need for activity reduces we will have more time to focus our weed control efforts on adjacent areas.
Paul and Maureen - Project Co-ordinators.
2001 Project Report
So far this year we have put in 39 hours of work on the Third Falls Track Project area. Most work has been done on the former broom hedge site, and the bush adjacent.Part of the Third Falls Project area is within the restricted Phytopthora zone. Although we were given permission by NPWS to enter the area provided we use the necessary boot hygiene measures, we decided to stay out of that area as much as possible. Our efforts of previous years meant that only one "patrol" circuit comprising Third Falls track and Pylon track removing scattered muraltia, broom, boneseed, African daisy and gorse was required. Also, fortunately, the former hedge is not within the restricted area.
Good results and progress on our first patch gave us confidence that we could work elsewhere with the same enthusiasm and commitment while access to our original patch was restricted. We looked for other areas to work on that adjoined this original patch. We identified two; the first is near the top of the Third Falls, and the other near Colonial Drive. Gorse and broom are rampant in these areas and a good subject for a new (to us) technique of cut and dab. The shoe cleaner type of applicator that works well on Wateonia and is very neat and direct and avoids a lot of the mess and accidental swabbing of native plants that happens with a bottle and brush.
After a hot and dry summer it is a joy to see the bush respond to the wet winter with growth and flowering of so many and varied beautiful plants. Working closely in the bush one comes to appreciate the differences in plant associations that are found as a result of the various soil types and aspects. These associations, combined with the seasons, also lead to noticeable differences in the animals and birds seen there.
Maureen - Project Coordinator, and Paul.
2000 Project Report
This year we have made good progress on the site of the former Broom hedge, and the surrounding bush. We have removed any Broom plants likely to flower this year, and confident that the hedge has been contained, have moved out into the surrounding bush to get rid of old scattered Brooms, and other associated weeds such as Sweet Pittosporum, Tree Heath, African Daisy, Muraltia and Blackberry, The wet season has made hand weeding easier and is no doubt responsible for the plentiful orchids that have made work very slow and careful.Who would be brave enough to name their favorite orchid when they are all so special? Those familiar with the Buschcare principle of starting in the good bush first and then moving towards the worst affected areas might observe that we have done the reverse of this in this situation. However, had we not tamed the Broom hedge first, there was a possibility of being overwhelmed by the magnitude of the task facing us and giving up.
One of the most interesting aspects of working on the same area is to observe the coming and going of various types of plants as the seasons change. As the first rains of Autumn wet the soil the fungi emerge in all their wondrous forms. They seem to be visitors from another world, as indeed they are, the underground world.
Maureen Redfern - Project Coordinator.
1999 Project Report
Year number five has been one of holding the line rather than extending it. Broom is still germinating in areas weeded four or five years ago, and those cleared since, so my first job each new season is to do a sweep through the whole project area getting rid of all I find. Then I usually concentrate on a new area for intensive work, but this year I have gone back to some particularly bad sections near the sanctuary fence and the former broom hedge. English broom is the worst weed here. There are some patches of watsonia which are gradually receding. My method with watsonia is to wipe the leaves with herbicide in a shoe cleaner applicator - no drips and no effect on non target plants.I've taken photos in 1995, 1997 and again this year to show progress. I do advise others to set up photo points early in a project - it's very encouraging to look back at the way it was and see the changes you have brought about.
Maureen
Project Coordinator
1997 Project Report
July 1997
Dealing with Broom
In June 1994 I started work clearing away established populations of Broom and other weeds from the Third Falls Track. Work has continued on most weekends during winters since, and now both sides of the track are free of large Broom plants. Some regrowth of broken roots and new germinations will be taken care of as they appear.
The site is a fire break either site of the track which is slashed every four years or so. Because of this large shrubs and trees are absent, but the understory plants grow well without the canopy and it is a good site for spotting all sorts of wonderful bush plants. I am also working on the Broom hedge which is a disused track south of the Bandicoot santuary. Good progress was made with this past winter, removing big old plants and now the main target will be plants in adjoining bush and the prolific germination. Several nearby patches of Watsonia have responded well to wiping with herbicide.
The dry winter has restricted work times, but the flowering of the bush plants has been outstanding. I have seen a flower on the Red Beak orchid Burnettia nigicans whose flowerless leaves I have watched and puzzled over for some time.
I am very pleased with progress made and look forward to continuing my work at this site.
Maureen - Project Coordinator.
Page updated 2 November 2009
2009 New photo added.
