News

Flying Fur !!! The Secrets of Microbats -Postponed from 21April to later date

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This talk has had to be postponed to a later date – various permits and equipment required will not be available until later, and Dr Cole has also had to make changes to his scedule.  Watch this space for a new date.
Elusive secrets about the life of bats will be revealed by Dr Roger Coles from the School of Earth, Environmental and Biological Sciences at QUT.

The life of these animals is cryptic and shrouded in mystery. They are the only mammals capable of true flight – a shared ability that has evolved completely differently from birds.
 
Dr Coles will explain the prowess of ‘microbats’ at flying, navigating and catching prey in the dark using a precision, radar-like method called echolocation. He will demonstrate how the local forest bats do it and in real time, by tuning in to bats flying around the MCCG Cottage during the talk with the use of fancy electronics and colourful computer screens. As we cannot normally see or hear these small creatures hunting in the dark, some of their secrets can be revealed by using electronic ‘bat detectors’ and night vision scopes to make their sensory world audible and visible to us. Methods used to catch bats will be demonstrated as well.

When: TBA

Where: MCCG Cottage at Gold Creek Reservoir
Organiser: Dale Borgelt
Contact: [email protected] or ph: 3374 1035

Things that go BUMP in the night … Seminar 20 April

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The Brisbane Biodiversity Seminar series provides members of Land for Wildlife, Habitat Brisbane, Environment Centre and Creek Catchment groups an opportunity to hear speakers present on environmental topics while enjoying supper and a cup of tea with like-minded people from across Brisbane.  
 

This is the second free seminar for 2016. Presenters are Scott O’Keeffe (Urban Bushstone Curlew Research),  Frank Box (Northern Glider Network) and Sarah Bell (Natural Environment & Sustainability Branch, BCC).  They will discuss community initiatives, research and management strategies for managing Gliders, Bush-Stone Curlews and feral fox throughout Brisbane. 

Bookings essential. Please RSVP to Amanda Maggs:
    Email: [email protected]
    Phone: (07) 3178 6767 or  Mobile/Text: 0408 712 461

Have your Say by 26 April – Weed & Pest Animal Management

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The QLD State Government is inviting property owners and other affected parties to provide feedback on the future management of weed and pest animals throughout Queensland.

Your feedback will inform the Queensland Weed and Pest Animal Strategy 2016-20 in preparation for the Biosecurity Act 2014 (the Act) commencing on 1 July 2016.

To have your say, visit the website or call the Department of Agriculture & Fisheries on 13 25 23 to provide a written submission.

Consultation will run until COB on 26th April.

VOLUNTEER NOW! Help the Richmond Birdwing! Field work – April to early May

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The Richmond Birdwing Conservation Network together with Wildlife Qld are currently recruiting volunteers to help with field data collection of Dutchman’s Pipe (Aristolochia elegans) locations around South East Queensland.

Dutchman’s Pipe is an introduced plant from South America, which is toxic and fatal to the larvae of the Richmond birdwing butterfly that ingests its leaves. It is commonly found in gardens, bushland and along waterways.


The data collected will be used for the creation of GIS maps and their analysis will reveal the areas in which Dutchman’s Pipe overlaps with important wildlife corridors. This information will assist in the development of a Targeted Eradication Plan, enabling the RBCN to focus its efforts in removing Dutchman’s Pipe from key threatening locations.

There are some personal benefits to reap from this volunteering work which include:

  • ​Development of skills including recording GPS coordinates, datum and precision
  • Helping to conserve the Richmond Birdwing butterfly!

      If you would like to lodge an expression of interest to volunteer, please email Meegan Hardaker at: [email protected] or phone: (07) 3221 0194(07) 3221 0194. 
          The following pictures of Dutchman’s Pipe vine are courtesy of Phil Moran:

                           

    • Landcare for Singles Speed Planting – 19 March

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    It’s not strictly speed dating but it sure has some parallells!
    Single Brisbanites are invited to this free event at St Lucia Esplanade Park starting at 8am.
    There will be a native speed planting followed by lunch with like minded folk and live music! 
    For details check out the Landcare for Singles website.
    Alternatively, if you can volunteer contact Apani Wood at Brisbane Catchments: [email protected]  

    

    

    McKay Brook Working Bee – 20 March 8.30am
    

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    Recover from voting by connecting with nature!
    
McKay Brook working bees are held on the first Saturday afternoon of each month from 2-5pm and also on the third Sunday morning from 8:30am to 11am.
    
These times are subject to change and we try to give one week’s notice of any such change. It would be a good idea to check with Bryan the week before each working bee.
    

    

    

    Newsflash!!!
    

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    REMINDER FOR MEMBERS !!!
    

    Recording Wildlife Sightings Talk at the Cottage
    
10 am Saturday 20th February 2016
    
Book your place:
    
[email protected] or ph 3374 1035
    
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    2015 Annual General Meeting – 30th November 2015
    

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    The MCCG Annual General Meeting was held at the Brookfield Hall on Monday 30th November, with around 40 people in attendance.  Our Chairman, Warren Hoey, reported on the wide range of activities undertaken by the group, and paid tribute to the many dedicated volunteers involved in working groups, the nursery, the cottage, and the various projects conducted by the group.  The Chairman’s report can be read here.
    

     
    

    Margaret de Wit, our local Council Member, and a long time supporter of the MCCG, gave a farewell tribute to the group and the many people in it who she has worked with since its inception.  She is retiring at the next council elections and will be missed for her help and support for the group’s activities.
    

     
    

    Our guest speaker for the evening was Lexie Scott, who gave an interesting and well received talk on a day in the life of a wildlife carer.  
    

    MCCG Annual General Meeting 2015 Notice – Monday 30th November
    

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    The MCCG 2015 Annual General Meeting will be held at the Brookfield Hall, starting at 7:30pm on Monday 30th November. Come along to hear about A Day in the Life of a Wildlife Carer from Lexie Smith, a very experienced long term wildlife carer.
    

    There is a full set of nominations for the committee, but if you would like to help out with the group, we’d love to receive additional nominations.
    

    See the notice of meeting and nomination form, and the minutes of of the 2014 AGM for more details.