It was perfect weather to do some bush regeneration today. My intention was to continue on at the same location as the last working bee. However, before starting I did a quick inspection of past locations.
At the start of the trail down to the mid section, it is clear that it is time to start removing some of the fishbone fern. It is hard to see in this image below but the stand of bracken fern that I cleared the fishbone fern from, years ago, is holding its own. I have decided not to clear that area further until some of the bigger branches of the dead camphor laurel have dropped.
My plan is to start from the Ghania near the creek and clear strips a few metres wide of fishbone fern. That will allow the ghania to move into that area and will allow the sun to reach any new growth.
This plant that I was hoping was swamp lilly does not appear to be swamp lilly. I imagine it is unlikely to belong but I will id it before removing it.
This one is hanging in there. I will clear the fishbone fern sometime soon.
Sandpaper figs are really going strong at present. They have always done well but they are now also moving towards the area near the first fall.
This guy has struggled for years but has now clearly got it’s roots in. There has been a lot of growth in the last 12 months. It will be interesting to see how it handles the next big wet as the current can be quite intense at this location.
I checked the location of my previous plantings at this spot.
This was the Hibbertia scandens I planted at the end of 2024. It looks healthy but has not grown much. Surprising as I thought this would be the perfect location for it.
Next to this, on the bank, I planted Dichondra repens (Kidney weed) which is still going well but is in danger of being overshadowed by palm grass and some other problematic weeds. It’s now on the to-do list.
On the other side I planted viola hederacea (native violet) which was battered badly at one point by the fast currents during heavy rain. I still see a single seedling so it is possible it will spring back but unlikely at this point…
Below is the south bank at the bottom of first fall. It also needs more maintenance. Unfortunately, it has taken a battering from the local kids playing at this location. It should bounce back…
My reference point. Looking up to first fall from the top of 2nd fall. Still too much fishbone fern on the right and swedish ivy on the left.
I had previously been happy with the variety of natives at the south bank at the top of 2nd fall. It is still going well but the ground cover is a problem. Swedish Ivy and unwanted grasses need to be removed.
On the other side, it is a bit of a mess though not all bad. A native vine, Gynochthodes jasminoides is dominating. I leave it as it is not smothering anything too badly. It just looks messy.
Swedish Ivy is taking off on the North bank as well… I had previously cleared fishbone fern at this spot, expecting the bracken fern to take its place but that is not how it has turned out.
North bank under 2nd falls has gone steadily backwards. It’s more privet than anything again.
I eventually made my way to the desired location, between the old fallen tree and the pit and spent a solid chunk of the day breaking up the lantana at the location. What I know as the ‘pit’ is waist deep hole, about nine square meters in diameter. I have no idea why it is there but it contains some human debris so I assume it is man made. I had previously cleared the area of lantana in the past but I didn’t really finish it and so I am not surprised that it came back to bite me. It’s not finished but I was happy with the progress.
I was accompanied by a large water dragon while working. It had very unusual colouring with a dark red on the belly and orange on his back. He had no fear of me to the point where he would come straight at me to grab a bug that might of been uncovered while pulling up roots.
Unfortunately I didn’t get a photo while I was working so I was happy to see him as I was leaving the site. I thought I would capture him on film but he then went and did the same thing and scared the bejesus out of me while going for a bug just in front of me.