Bush Hands News 73

Sunshine CoastBush hands

Summer 2014 Edition 73

Short-beakedEchidnasby Janet Whish-Wilson

What fascinating little animals are our Echidnas who together with the only other Monotreme – the Platypus – are the onlyegg laying mammals in the world. They have survived from ancient times and are

regarded as the link between reptiles and mammals.

Known as Short-beaked Echidnas and also Spiny-anteaters they were incorrectly called porcupines by the early settlers. They are distributed throughout Australia occurring from highlands to coastal areas and are alsopresent in PNG where the Long-beaked Echidna, a much larger animal, also residesin remote areas.

Continued on page 2

2 Sunshine Coast Council Bush hands Summer 2014

Distinctive with its coat of quills the Echidna is a small but powerful little animal with short limbs and strong claws able to move surprisingly large objects. Nature has provided a long curved claw on the second toe to clean its spiny coat interspersed with fur. The vulnerable underbelly is soft so for protection it will curl up into a tight spiny ball or quickly dig vertically down into the soil depending on its quills to give protection. If wedged among rocks it is practically immoveable.

At times they can move very quickly over the ground undeterred by rough country where they like to forage for their specialised diet of ants and termites. They tend to turn up at any time in different habitats even in gardens searching out ant nests with their sensitive snout. Once located they will tear them apart with their claws while the Echidnas’ long tapering sticky tongues quickly gather up the swarming occupants and crush them with sharp spines on the roof of their mouths (no teeth) before swallowing. The thick coat of mucous covering the tongue protects it from ant stings.

Echidnas lead solitary lives only coming together to mate which is usually in late winter to early spring. At this time they may be more visible as the males go in search of females and it is not unusual to see a line of male echidnas as they make their way through the

undergrowth. Sadly this is when many get killed on the roads as they attempt to cross in the search for a suitor.

It is now believed that the pair mate by lying together on their sides. After mating the female incredibly grows a simple pouch on her abdomen which will initially carry the single egg around while it is incubating – about 10 days – and then protecting and feeding the baby echidna, known as a “puggle”, for about seven weeks. The mother has milk glands but no teats however the baby licks the milk as it exudes through the skin.

How does that newly-laid soft-shelled egg get into the pouch? It is now believed that the female gives birth while lying on her back and special muscles help roll the egg into the back opening pouch. When the baby feels prickly from developing quills the mother places “puggle” into a hollow log or burrow returning to feed it every few days until at about six months the young emerges with its new set of quills and ready to soon start its solitary life.

The fact that the female echidna carries her egg around while it is incubating must be one of the marvels of the world. The great egg-laying group – the birds – have to stay still while incubating the egg.

Although Echidnas are still classed as common we are not commonly seeing them in this area like we used to. But this spring a number have been seen after a gap of several years. Let’s hope that it means there is still a healthy population existing here.

Photo courtesy of Ester Inbar

Photo courtesy of Ester Inbar

3Sunshine Coast Council Bush hands Summer 2014

Scientifi c name: Boiga irregularisOther common names: night tiger, doll’seye snakeStatus: Least Concern in Queensland(Nature Conservation Act 1992)Nest boxes used: no preference, Nocturnal and ArborealFood: Juveniles feed on lizards; Adults feed on birds, bats, eggs and small mammals

The Brown Tree snake is found in northern, eastern and southern Australia (commonly along the coastline down to Sydney). It is generally found in forest covered areas including woodlands, rainforests and even some urban areas. During the day they use tree hollows, rock faces, crevices and rafters in buildings to shelter. Because this snake is nocturnal, a nest box is an ideal place to shelter during the day and a safe place to lay eggs. The female brown tree snake lays her eggs(4-12) either in rock crevices or tree hollows.

Since tree hollows are hard to come by in some areas, nest boxes are perfect refuges. The

brown tree snake is rear fanged, venomous, and has a broad bulbous head. This snake has a long slender body, sometimes up to 2 metres in length They are often a medium brown colour with a series of darker markings or bands. However they can also be a creamy pink underneath with darker makings barely visible. This snake species is sometimes called the night tiger because of rich reddish brown and creamy white banding (this form is usually found in Northern Australia). Because of their rear fangs envenomation of humans by this species would be highly unlikely. The brown tree snake is one of three species of snake that can be found using nest boxes.

Interesting factThis species of snake was introduced to the island of Guam in the Pacifi c in WWII and has now become a pest. It is threatening many of the native birds on this island to extinction, as the brown tree snake is such an unfamiliar predator to these birds who have evolved without the presence of this snake.

Species Profi leBrown Tree Snake

Photo courtesyof Alan Wynn

Article provided by Hollow Log Homes


A year ago on the Blackall Range, we were treated to the sight of big fl ocks of topknot pigeons Lopholaimus antarcticus cruising around the skies. To witness these big fl ocks of birds can be an inspiring sight. However, when I mentioned that the large number of topknots also coincided with a particularly good fruiting of the exotic camphor laurel Cinnamomum camphora,the joy tends to evaporate and is replaced by concern.

On one hand an inspiring, immense and beautiful fl ock of native birds. On the other hand we have an insidious, noxious and invasive weed tree. Unfortunately the two are quite fi rmly entwined in their lifecycles. General consensus is that we should be getting rid of all weeds, right? However, if we get rid of all the lantana, privet, tobacco and camphor, are we then depriving the native birds and animals that spread them of habitat that could be crucial to their survival? It is often said that weeds are damaging the local ecology, invading native

ecosystems and reducing biodiversity but is this true of all weeds in all situations?

The question I wish to pose is, “can weeds actually increase biodiversity”? I’m going toplay devil’s advocate here and say “yes”. What’s that I hear you say? He’s fi nally gone mad – perhaps spent a little too much time out in the sun or taste tested one too many funny looking mushrooms.

Weeds like camphor laurel, privet and lantana are spreading in our local environment because of the relationship they have with our native fauna. Weeds most often thrive in disturbed ecosystems or ecosystems in a state of change. A mature rainforest is very stable and one of the most resilient of ecosystems to weed invasion. However, areas that have been cleared of rainforest are highly susceptible to weed invasion. In an area like the Blackall Range we have the perfect conditions for weed establishment – large tracts of cleared land and the birds capable of spreading weed seed.

To Weed or Not to Weed,that is the Question

by Spencer Shaw, Brushturkey Enterprises

Lantana camara


Majority of the remnant rainforest on the Blackall Range is small in size and highly fragmented. Less than 10% of the landscape on the red soil areas of the range is home to remnant rainforest ecosystems. These fragments are so small and isolated that many species will die out in these remnants. However, the spread of many weeds such as camphor laurel, privet and lantana has created vital links between many forest fragments and also created buffers to protect the edges of many of the remnants.

What we must remember when we view these weeds as a problem, is that the weeds didn’t arrive in this area independently of us, create large scale ecological imbalance and then plant themselves. We created the situation and exotic plants are exploiting that situation. What’s left of the native fauna are also exploiting whatever resources are available. They certainly don’t pause to consider whether a fruit is of an exotic tree or not, they are just hungry! I’m not for one second suggesting that weeds don’t require management. I like nothing better than a good bit of lantana smashing or privet and camphor felling. But when undertaking these activities should we also be giving due consideration to habitat values for native wildlife?

In my revegetation plot, more than 90% of the habitat was initially exotic. We left the majority of the camphor laurels and planted the grassed areas. We also left 50% of the lantana patches but as the replacement habitat has developed from the plantings, the exotic weeds are now being cut out or out-competed.

Thank goodness we now have projects such as the Corridors of Green and other revegetation activities, both private and public, that are establishing corridors of native vegetation through planting or regeneration. Let’s also not underestimate nature’s capacity to create its own corridors from whatever is left. The good news is the more native vegetation we plant or regenerate the greater will be the future seed production of these species. Maybe one day we’ll see more native seedlings popping up than exotics.

Solanum mauritianum fruit are a valuable food resource for birds such as Macropygia amboinensis the brown cuckoo-dove.

Ligustrum lucidum fruit are a valuable food resource and corridor tree for many birds such as satin bowerbirds Ptilonorhynchus violaceus and catbirds Ailuroedus crassirostris.

Lantana camara fruit is a delicacy for the Superb Fairy-wren Malurus cyaneus.

If you think botanists have made the scientifi c names for plants complicated, then you will soon realise that zoologists have taken the art of complicated names to a whole new level.

Ligustrum lucidum

Solanummauritianum


Dung Beetlesby Kon Hepers

We have Eastern Grey Kangaroos and Swamp Wallabies coming to our grass-with-weeds (aka lawn). We don’t always see them but they leave little droppings as evidence. One day we saw one of the droppings move, then move again. Something was tampering with the evidence! In all ordered societies, some members live in luxury while others do the dirty work. So it is with insects.

We had a closer look and found that a couple of shiny little beetles were responsible and they tackled the job with relish! They were Dung Beetles at work! Dung Beetles are members of the Scarab family. They break up the droppings of other animals and bury them in the soil, both as stored up food capsules and as a place for the females to lay their eggs. This also serves the useful purpose of freeing up nutrients in the manure for use by plants. Some species make little round balls of dung and roll them to their underground chambers, while others simply

bury it. Only the males do the hard yakka of transporting the balls of dung.

The beetles we saw are Australian native Dung Beetles, probably Onthophagus australis or O. dandalu (we can’t tell the difference), growing to about 6 – 12 mm long, usually a glossy metallic black/green colour. Along with other native species, mostly of the genus Onthophagus (meaning dung-eater), they have evolved to ‘process’ the comparatively dry, fi brous and meagre droppings of our native marsupials.

Charles Darwin already noted this on his visit to Van Diemen’s Land in 1836. Although there are well over 350 native Dung Beetle species, some more effective than others, they had no hope of processing the high loads of manure once cattle, sheep and horses were introduced to Australia. Consider this: Australia has just under 29 million head of cattle, dropping on average 12 cowpats each per day.

Sisyphus rubrus


The CSIRO addressed the situation in the 1970s and 80s by introducing 20 or so species of Dung Beetles from Europe, Africa and elsewhere. These ‘aliens’ have evolved with herds of large animals, including elephants and buffalo and are able to deal with their droppings. One pile of elephant dung was found to contain 48,000 Dung Beetles which demolished it in about 2 hours. Many of these, particularly in the genus Onitis, are four or fi ve times the size of our natives and chew through piles of dung in short order. The beetles are well equipped for the task as their strong heads and mouth-parts serve as shovel, chopper, digger and rake. I guess you could refer to them as a mini earth-working machine.

European Dung Beetles have been observed climbing up on top of dung and making ‘jerky’ movements in a sort of little dance. It was thought that this is how they orient themselves by the sun to fi nd their nest burrows. Some recent research in Sweden has found that they actually navigate by the Milky Way. There is no data on the orientation method of our native species.

Especially interesting are the Long-legged Ball Rollers, genus Sisyphus, who make little round balls of dung and use their long hind legs to roll them to their burrows. Sisyphus was a king in ancient Greek legend condemned by the gods to roll a heavy stone up a steep hill but every time he got to the top the stone would roll down again. It was an awful job lasting for eternity but still better than rolling dung!

This ball-rolling was also observed by the ancient Egyptians who saw it as a representation of the god Ra, rolling the sun around the sky and consequently the Scarab Beetle became a token of veneration.When Dung Beetles process manure and make it available to plants as fertiliser at the root zone, they carry out other environmentally benefi cial functions. Much of the carbon dioxide, nitrogen and methane by-products of

Onitis viridulus

Onthophagus sp.

manure decomposition are sequestered in the soil rather than released into the atmosphere. Dung Beetles also help reduce phosphorus entering into catchments which assists in reducing the growth of blue-green algae.

Next to the tractor, these insects are probably the most useful ‘tool’ for our agricultural industry. They have been a highly successful introduction. In fact, at the present time the CSIRO has two more species of Dung Beetle in quarantine for study before release into the fi eld and both originate from France. Are they connoisseurs intended to handle the cordon bleu dung from our prime Angus beef?


Each year from October, millions of Short-tailed Shearwaters (Puffi nus tenuirostris) transverse vast areas of open ocean from the arctic region westward towardsAustralia to breed. They spend six months breeding in south eastern Australia over the summer. This is the fi rst leg of an annual migration that can span up to 30,000 kilometres – one of the longest made by any bird in the world.

Their migratory path is quite diffi cult to accurately track as they don’t come to shore during their migration. Studies suggest the majority of birds fl y north along the western part of the Pacifi c Ocean to the Arctic region in April and May, before returning southwards through the centre of the ocean to Australia to breed in late spring and summer. They have been known to fl y this enormous distance in only six weeks!

As you can imagine they need a huge amount of energy to migrate such long distances and

this is stored in the form of body fat. Many birds lose up to half their body weight during this long and arduous journey. Sadly, thousands of birds die each year from starvation and exhaustion during their journey that takes them through some of the world’s harshest weather conditions. The mortality rate for fl edglings is very high with up to 50% not making thereturn journey.

In 2013 large numbers of dead, exhausted and emaciated birds washed up on Sunshine Coast beaches. As alarming as this may have appeared, it was a natural event and is referred to as a ‘wreck’. One of the fi rst reports of last year’s wreck came from fi shermen travelling into the Mooloolaba harbour and encountering a ‘sea of mutton birds’ in the water. This was shortly followed by thousands of birds found stranded on the beaches and rocky outcrops, looking for shelter and rest. Council recorded and collected over 12,000 deceased birds on beaches from Caloundra to Teerwah.

2013 Shearwater Wreck

The task of cleaning up theShort-tailed Shearwater wreck


Some of the birds that washed ashore on beaches were alive but died shortly afterwards. Researchers from the University of Queensland research station have found stranded shearwaters extremely diffi cult to rehabilitate due to the severe muscle wastage they suffer on their 15,000km outward journey to Australia.

During the clean-up of the wreck we were fortunate to come across a shearwater at Point Cartwright that had an Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme (ABBBS) tag on its foot. The shearwater was tagged as a nestling in March of 2002 by Professor Ron Wooler from Murdoch University at Great Dog Island in the Bass Strait. The shearwater is likely to have migrated from the southern to northern hemisphere each year of its life. This equates to an incredible distance of around 165,000km.

The Shearwater is Australia’s most abundant seabird with about 23 million Short-tailed Shearwaters breeding in colonies in south eastern Australia from September to April. Many of the colonies are showing a marked decrease in numbers. Although reports suggest there are still large numbers in existence, they are slow breeders, laying only one egg each year. If this situation is left unmanaged, their numbers could drop dramatically due to the dangers they face on their annual migration, as well as through harvesting by humans and loss of habitat.

The information that was collected over the past few months on the local wreck has been submitted to the Australian Wildlife Health Network, ABBBS and BirdLife Australia. This will add to the vast amount of data collected by many councils and environmental groups that monitor the plight of the shearwaters.

Interesting factThe name “shearwater” is derived from the fact that they have the ability to cut or shear the water with their sickle-shaped wings which look seemingly motionless when they fl y. Their other name “muttonbird” was given to them by early European settlers, who killed these birds for food and found that their fl esh tasted like sheep or mutton (fl ying sheep).

Short-tailed Shearwater in fl ight

One of the many exhausted Short-tailed Shearwatersthat wash up on our beaches

Migration path of theShort-tailed Shearwaters


There seems to be an increase in cases of the introduced species Melastoma candidum occurring around the Sunshine Coast. It’s very easily confused with the Native variety Melastoma malabathricum and there is little information or awareness surrounding the current problem.

The introduced species is an invasive shrub that can spread rapidly and seems to readily naturalise better than the native variety. It is capable of forming dense monotypic thickets in a selection of different habitats such as shrubland, open land, grassland, native forest and wetlands. It originates from Southeast Asia however there are some key features that can easily separate the introduced species from its native lookalike.

The best way to tell if it’s the native variety is by looking closely at a number of leaves on the plant and counting the number of longitudinal veins and intramarginal veins. Melastoma malabathricum (the native) will have three distinct longitudinal veins while the outside of the leaf has two more indistinct intramarginal veins. The exotic Melastoma candidum has two extra longitudinal veins and two less distinct intramarginal veins on the outside of the leaf. The adjoining pictures outline just how easy it is to tell the difference between both species by looking closely at the veins on the leaves.

There have been various studies carried out where it has been a problem for some time in Hawaii with Biological control and Chemical Control. It’s recommended to pull them out by hand where possible when they are a small specimen as Glyphosate 360 has shown signs of resistance.

Characteristics Melastoma malabathricum subspmalabathricum (was Melastoma affi ne)

Melastoma candidum (also known as Melastoma septemnervium)

Common Name Blue Tongue or Native Lassiandra Asian MelastomaFlower Pink fl ower (also a white form), 5 petals,

about 20-30mm longMore purple and larger fl ower, 5 petals,about 25-32mm long

Leaves Generally have 3 longitudinal veins and2 indistinct intramarginal veins.Leaf is thinner than the exotic and leaf hairs seem slightly shorter.

Generally has 5 longitudinal veins and2 indistinct intramarginal veins.Leaf is thicker and stiffer than the native and leaf hairs seem slightly longer.

Fruit Purple blue in colour Bright raspberry red in colourSize Usually grows to 1-2m Grows to a good 2m and is more dense

and robust than the native

Melastoma candidum

Melastoma malabathricum

Did you knowMelastoma can be a weed?

2 IntramarginalVeins

3 LongitudinalVeins

LongerLeaf Hairs

Intramarginal Vein 5 Longitudinal Veins


Despite all sense and reason (which oddly enough has worked out an absolute treat with the ongoing showers), November saw the commencement of the restoration of the Maroochydore Alexandra foreshore. Over the course of several community plantings, in excess of 12,000 frontal dune species have been planted to improve the resilience of the dunal system.

The response by the community to dig in and lend a hand was incredible. The foreshore was literally littered with families, walkers, surfers, lifesavers, coast carers and environmental groups relishing the opportunity to help out. A huge thank you to all those groups and volunteers who made these events possible.

It is hoped that as the restoration project progresses, we can share some of the learnings from the successes and failures

(hopefully not too many of the latter) of trials with spinifex propagation techniques, planting methodologies, direct seeding and brush matting and jute mesh stabilisation techniques. In saying that, it is crucial that I acknowledge that there will never be a single straight forward approach to the rehabilitation of dunes. Each dunal system will have its own set of infl uences that will shape the dunal environment and ultimately govern the success or failure of our endeavours.

I will say that as I’m writing this, I breathe a sigh of relief with the news that the current low in the Coral Sea is moving away from our region. However, I know that this is the fi rst of many severe weather events that has the potential to infl uence and shape our coast. I guess I am just one of the many Australians that can’t just sit back and do nothing despite the inevitable – that is what defi nes us as Australians after all.

Beachside Ramble –Shore up the beach


www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.auComConservPartnerships@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.auT 07 5475 7272 F 07 5475 7277Locked Bag 72 Sunshine Coast Mail Centre Qld 4560

www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.auComConservPartnerships@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.auT 07 5475 7272 F 07 5475 7277Locked Bag 72 Sunshine Coast Mail Centre Qld 4560

Events calendarEvent Details ContactRegular Events4th Mondayof every month8.00am

Faunawatch walk of around 1-2 hours –locations to be confi rmed.Restriction on numbers may apply.

Book by contacting Paul Smith on [email protected] Jill Chamberlain 5444 2707

2nd Wednesdayof every month8.00am

Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Gardens,Palm Creek Road, Tanawha – fl ora walks.Restriction on numbers may apply.

Book by contacting Paul Smith on [email protected] Jill Chamberlain 5444 2707

1st & 3rd Wednesdayeach month excludingDecember & January9.00am – 10.00am

If you enjoy plants, and learning about our special native plants, their stories and uses join one of our leisurely guided walks.

Meet at the Arts & Ecology Centre entrance, Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Gardens,Palm Creek Road, Tanawha

Workshop programFebruary – November

Adult Art & Ecology workshops – check websitefor workshops each month throughout the year.Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Gardens.

For further info and bookings log on to www.community.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/events

FebruaryFriday 14 February9.00am

Roving Restorers DayWeed removal between the two arms of Mapleton National Park, Kiamba (north of Mapleton).Car pool at back of Maleny IGA carpark at 8.00am.

For enquiries contact Susie Duncan on 5429 6622 or [email protected] – To register, call Barung on 5494 3151

MarchWednesday 5 March9.30am – 12.00pm

Creating Frog Habitat Workshop – Learn how to create a frog pond and then tour the ponds and waterways at the gardens with Sean Morrow.Cost: $5.00 registration per person.

Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Gardens. For further info & bookings log on to www.community.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/events

Sunday 2 March Clean Up Australia Day Find an event or register your site, visit www.cleanupaustraliaday.org.au

Saturday 8 March9.00am – 12.00pm

Roving Restorers DayHand weeding in the rainforest along Kilcoy Creek, Crystal Waters, Upper Mary Valley.Car pool at back of Maleny IGA carpark at 8.15am.


Friday 21 March8.30am start

Roving Restorers Day – Weeding on a property above Lake Baroon, Mill Hill Road, Montville.Car pool at back of Maleny IGA carpark at 8.00am.If travelling independently call Susie for directions.


Saturday 29 March8.30pm – 9.30pm

Earth Hour – Global For more information visitwww.earthhour.org

AprilSaturday 5 April –Saturday 12 April10am – 3pm Daily

Butterfl y Scientifi c Illustration ExhibitionVisit the exhibition of stunning butterfl y and insect scientifi c illustrations created by Andrew Atkins who has had many of them published worldwide.

Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Gardens. Full details available at www.community.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/events

Tuesday 8 April –Wednesday 16 April

Wildlife Encounters – Children’s holiday art and ecology workshops at Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden, Palm Creek Road, Tanawha.

For further information and bookings log on to www.community.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/events

Saturday 12 April8.30am – 10.00am

Identifying Butterfl y Host Plants with AndrewAtkins and John Moss. Learn how to identify the host plants and some of the butterfl y species which may use them. Cost: $5.00 registration per person.

Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Gardens. For info and bookings log on to www.community.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/events

Saturday 12 April3.00pm – 4.30pm

Identifying Butterfl y Host Plants with AndrewAtkins and John Moss. Learn how to identify the host plants and some of the butterfl y species which may use them. Cost: $5.00 registration per person.

Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, Mountain View Rd. For info and bookings log on to www.community.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/events

MayThursday 1 May –Friday 30 May

War on Weeds – Bring along a bag of weeds to one of 37 locations and swap them for three native plants.

For details and further info visit www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au

Sunday 4 May –Monday 5 May

Maleny Wood ExpoMaleny Showgrounds – 9.00am to 5.00pm daily

For details and further info visitwww.malenywoodexpo.org.au

Sunshine CoastBush hands

www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.auBush hands Workshops

1 of 2 Bush hands Workshops

Lizard Identification WorkshopDate: Monday 24 February

Time: 9.00am – 12.00pm

Description: South-east Queensland is home to more than 80 species of lizards. Some lizards look and act like snakes, whilst others are nocturnal or highly secretive, adding to the identification challenge. The workshop will help develop your skills in lizard identification through a number of practical, field-based methods and provide you with an opportunity to familiarise yourself with the commonly found lizards and an opportunity tosee commonly misidentified species. And discover all about their habitat requirements.

Presenter: Martin Fingland, Gecko Wildlife Presentations

Location: Arts and Ecology Centre, Maroochy Regional Botanical Gardens, Palm Creek Road, Tanawha (adjacent to the Tanawha Golf Course).

Food requirements: Light morning Tea provided. Please advise of any dietary requirements.

Bookings: Phone Nadia Joyce 07 5475 7359 or [email protected]

Big Day OutTuan Reserve, CambroonDate: Tuesday 25 March

Time: 2.00pm – 8.00pm

Description: The ‘Big Day Out’ conservation style will be an awesome opportunity to explore one of council’s recent conservation purchases funded through the Environment Levy program. The day will involve a small scale restoration activity as well as a guided Glossy Black walk to the local watering hole and an evening spotlight walk.

Presenter: Hollow Log Homes

Location: Tuan Reserve, Chinamen Creek Road, Cambroon. Transport provided from pick up points at Caloundra and Nambour.

Food requirements: Light morning afternoon tea and supper provided. Please advise of any dietary requirements.

Places are limited and will fill up fast so book early.

Bookings: Phone Michael Gilles 07 5475 7359 or [email protected]

Hinterland FrogIdentification Workshop Date: Tuesday 1 April

Time: 6.30pm – 8.30pm

Description: This two hour workshop willcover: Frog diversity and identification on the Sunshine Coast; frogs’ lifecycle, habitats,threats and what you can do to support frogs in your local area.

Presenter: Jacqui Smythe, Maroochy Waterwatch

Location: Beerwah Community Hall,25 Peachester Road, Beerwah

Food requirements: Light supper provided.

Bookings: Phone Rhonda Martin 07 5499 5134 or [email protected]

Coastal FrogIdentification Workshop

Date: Thursday 3 April

Time: 6.30pm – 8.30pm

Description: This two hour workshop will cover: Frog diversity and identification on the Sunshine Coast; frogs’ lifecycle, habitats, threats and what you can do to support frogs in your local area.

Presenter: Jacqui Smythe, Maroochy Waterwatch

Location: Beerwah Community Hall,25 Peachester Road, Beerwah

Food requirements: Light supper provided.

Bookings: Phone Ash Goodman 07 5475 7358 or [email protected]

Photo by Julie O’Connor

2 of 2 Bush hands Workshops

Agricultural Chemical Distribution (ACDC) WorkshopDate: Tuesday 29 AprilTime: 8.30am – 4.00pmDescription: Pre-study guide to be completed prior to field day (workbooks: weeds & chemicals). One day Field day pertaining to practical skills and a final open book assessment to be eligible for an Agricultural Chemical Distribution (ACDC) licence to use chemicals in public areas.Presenter: Mark FrancisLocation: Nambour TAFE, 91 Windsor Road, NambourFood requirements: Lunch provided. Please advise of any dietary requirements.Bookings: Phone Rhonda Martin 07 5499 5134 or [email protected]

Senior First Aid Initial Course /CPR RefresherDate: Wednesday 7 May Time: 8.00am – 3.00pm(8.00am – 10.00am for CPR Refresher) Description: This course will cover treatment of various first aid situations including: shock, medical emergencies, burns / temperature extremes, fractures, poisons, bleeding, bites, allergic reactions, soft tissue injuries. The full day course is for those who do not currenty hold a Senior First Aid Certificate and the CPR refresher session is for those who have a current first aid certificate and need to renew their CPR skills for certification. Presenter: National First Aid Location: Coolum Civic Centre, Jack Morgan Park, Park Street, Coolum BeachFood requirements: Lunch provided for participants undertaking the full day session. Please advise of any dietary requirements. Bookings Ph Nadia Joyce 07 5475 7359 or [email protected]

Senior First Aid Initial Course /CPR RefresherDate: Friday 9 May Time: 9.00am – 4.00pm(9.00am – 11.00am for CPR Refresher) Description: This course will cover treatment of various first aid situations including: shock, medical emergencies, burns / temperature extremes, fractures, poisons, bleeding, bites, allergic reactions, soft tissue injuries. The full day course

is for those who do not currenty hold a Senior First Aid Certificate and the CPR refresher session is for those who have a current first aid certificate and need to renew their CPR skills for certification. Presenter: National First Aid Location: Queen Street Community Hall,Queen Street, CaloundraFood requirements: Lunch provided for participants undertaking the full day session. Please advise of any dietary requirements. Bookings: Phone Rhonda Martin 07 5499 5134 or [email protected]

Understand Coastal Geomorphology Date: TBC June Time: 9.00am – 12.30pm Description: Practical field day exploring the geological history that has shaped and influenced our coastal landforms. Location: CoolumTo express your interest:Phone Ash Goodman 07 5475 7358 or [email protected] – once final details are confirmed you will be notified.

How do I get involved?Bookings are essential, as spaces are limited. To make your booking follow the steps listed below.Step 1 Find an activity that interests you.Step 2 Check the date, time and location of the

activity.Step 3 Phone the Contact number that is listed

under the workshop your interested in or book through email on [email protected] making sure you state what workshop you would like to book in.

What to bringAs some of the workshops include a field component it’s important to be prepared so we recommend you:– Wear comfortable appropriate protective clothing– Slop on some sunscreen – Slap on a hat – Wear closed in footwear suitable for your activity– Pack wet weather gear in case it rains– Bring a bottle of water

All workshops are free of charge forparticipants of Council’s Community Nature

Conservation Volunteers

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Bush Hands News 73