November 2020.

The Friends’ group’s return to bush care duties after Summer was  delayed by COVID-19 with social distancing being applied until we felt it was safe.

Summer 2019/2020 proved to be cooler and wetter than usual which was beneficial for the new plantings in the northern section and near the locked gate. The extra rain resulted in a wonderful display of native shrubs and flowers especially the donkey orchids which we found flowering in many places not seen previously. Especially pleasing was another blue sun flower flowering in the northern section quite a distance from the three south of the locked gate.

The group has worked hard to remove the weeds and grass that has been so abundant this year. Planting up degraded areas and around new fences makes a lot more work for us, keeping the areas around plants weed free and watering in dry weather.

During winter, the City employed contractors to reduce the fire load on the firebreak. Dead, broken and low lying branches were cut and taken away. Unfortunately  the  disturbance of soil resulted in excess growth of rye and oat grass and sow thistle/ dandelion.

At present we resist the use of herbicides in the Reserve but when approached by the Natural Areas team agree to small areas when absolutely necessary.