Keep Friday afternoon 23 June free!

Here is a window of opportunity to view Kenmore State High School’s showcase of environmental projects at Kenmore Library from 1.30 to 2.30pm.

So stop your shopping for a while and come and be inspired by just how environmentally aware these Year 9 students are!

The quality of the showcase is testament to the fact that our environmental future is the hands of some very competent and talented young leaders.

For more info, email:  [email protected]  or phone 3327 1587.

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Do you know someone aged between 16 and 35 who is interested in fun land care activities and networking with other young people?

Hidden away in the waterways and grasses of our Moggill Creek Catchment are some fascinating birds belonging to the little-known group of Crakes and Rails.

There is very limited public awareness of crakes and rails in the waterways of South-East Queensland in general.  Activities such as grass mowing and creek dredging have significantly destroyed their habitat, without replacement. 

Achieving the optimal balance between revegetation, weed control, public amenity and sustaining native birds and plants that already exist in our waterways is not easy.

Within our own catchment, crakes and rails include the Lewins Rail, Buff-banded Rail, Pale-vented Bush-hen and Spotless Crake. The following pictures were taken locally by Ed Frazer.    

Lewins Rail

Buff-banded Rail

Pale-vented Bush-hen

Spotless Crake

A recent article published in the Land for Wildlife newsletter lists some strategies that can be applied to protect the habitat of these wonderful birds. It is a helpful resource/reference for protecting the wonderful—but, in this case, hidden—biodiversity that presently exists in our creeks, swamps and riversides. 

Although perhaps giving the impression that these birds are common, permanent habitat in our suburbs is scarce and many waterways are no longer suitable for these fascinating birds.

Brisbane City Council’s Conservation Action Statement on Crakes & Rails (2010) also provides some interesting facts and figures.

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Over the last 5 to 10 years, a small, brown beetle known as the ‘Celtis Leaf Beetle’ (Menippus cynicus) has started causing noticeable damage to the young leaves of the highly invasive introduced weed-tree Chinese Celtis (Celtis sinensis) around South-East Queensland.

The Celtis Leaf Beetle is native to coastal, central Queensland and we are unsure whether it has moved by itself to south-east Queensland, or if it was transported by people.  

Regardless, it is here in our catchment now and we can only hope that it reduces the vigour of Chinese Celtis!

Photo courtesy of BioSecurity Qld