The Green Walks in the Park program is sponsored by the Heart Foundation and every month there is a guided walk held at Tarra-Bulga National Park. The walks are a great way to explore the park as well as learn more about Tarra-Bulga from members of the Friends group or a Park Ranger along the way. The next two walks will be held on Tuesday November the 4th (Cup Day) and Monday December 1st. Both departing from the visitors centre carpark at 10am. To register contact Bonnie, Local Coordinator Heart Foundation Walking on 1800 242 696 further details here Green Walks Nov and Dec 2014
Perfect conditions this year for our annual Lyrebird count, with a beautiful still and mild morning. Another bonus was thirty keen volunteers fronting up for the 6.15 am, which meant we could cover all our 16 monitoring points. Thank you so much everyone for turning up, with many coming from far and wide to participate.
From our mapping we identified at least 10 male birds calling, which in memory is one of our best results. At several stations tracing birds was easy because they were observed calling from trees directly overhead the post. The folk monitoring the Bulga Car Park also reported a male and female (or juvenile male) bird running through their site.
It was hard for many of us to drag ourselves away from the calling birds and across to the guest house for breakfast. The last group back had been lucky enough toc come across a male in full display next to his mound. It wasn’t only Lyrebirds that were vocal on such a nice morning with Whip Birds, Tree Creepers Kookaburras and others adding to the morning chorus.
lyrebird count 2014
Volunteers receiving instructions on our survey method.
Eager volunteers working out how to get to their monitoring stations.
All action at one of the sites with plenty of Lyrebird calls to record.
One of our most popular volunteer activities is coming up on Saturday May 31st. The survey, which monitors trends in the Lyrebird population involves an early start. The meeting place is at the Tarra Bulga National Park Visitors Centre at 6.15 am. On arrival the recording process is explained and people are allocated to various monitoring points around the Bulga Park area.
The survey begins at sunrise with the first Lyrebird calls and only takes half an hour. Following the morning chorus, a free cooked breakfast is on offer at the Tarra-Bulga Guest House. If you would like to come along you need to contact ranger Craig Campbell (by Wednesday May the 28th on 5172 2508 or email craig.campbell@parks.vic.gov.au. Wear warm clothing, a parka, bring a watch, a torch and compass (optional).
A couple of birds from our Remote Camera monitoring.
First in a series of “Green Walks” in Tarra Bulga coming up on Monday Feb the 17th. Friends of Tarra Bulga are helping out as guides, so anyone in the Friends Group that wants to come out is more than welcome (as are all members of the public who will need to register here) http://www.heartfoundation.org.au/active-living/walking/Pages/events-and-park-walks.aspx or phone 1300 362 787
