A group of Brown Treecreeper birds were released recently into the Mulligans Flat Woodlands Sanctuary.

A total of 45 Brown Treecreepers (Climacteris picumnus) have been reintroduced into the Sanctuary. They are listed as a vulnerable species in the ACT.

The Sanctuary has a purpose-built predator-proof fence and suitable habitat containing coarse woody debris and nest boxes. The birds are being sourced from the Wagga Wagga area and are brought to the ACT in their entire social groups.

Monitoring of the Brown Treecreepers will be carried out using radio-tracking transmitters to track their survival and movement patterns.

This release program will be good for the health of the bush in the reserve and for some distance around it. When I managed the Holbrook Landcare Group near Wagga, we were restoring understorey vegetation over 2000 hectares in order to bring small insectivorous birds back into our area. These birds had been driven out by habitat loss, plus the aggressive territorial behaviour of the native Noisy Miner (Manorina melanocephala) - a real pest when it takes over an area. In turn, the mature eucalyptus trees suffered heavy dieback due to being overcome by tiny sap-sucking insects called lerps - prime diet of Treecreepers and other small birds like the Spotted Pardalote (Pardalotus punctatus).

These little birds need areas of dense undergrowth so they can keep safe from the Miners. With kangaroo numbers now being controlled in the Mulligans Flat Sanctuary, overgrazing that destroys the birds' habitat should now be reversed, allowing the birds to get back to their important environmental role.

Early Nancys           Golden Moth Orchids

Come on a Ranger led Wildflower Walk and experience the beautiful wildflowers of Mulligans Flat. Having led three such walks already this Spring, Ranger Peter Mills knows exactly where to head. The reduction of grazing pressure through the use of kangaroo exclusion fences means even the most regular visitor to Mulligans Flat will see something unexpected. 

When? Sunday 28th November. 11am until approximately 2pm

Please Note: Be prepared for a cross country walk that is about 6 kms long. There may be climbing through the odd fence so it is not suitable for prams, strollers, wheelchairs or very small children.

The ACT Government's role is the spread of the weed Patterson's Curse is far worse than just neglecting to control existing weeds, as raised in the Canberra Times ("Landowners curse spread of purple patches", 4/11/09).

The Government and the Land Development Agency have been actively spreading Patto, Capeweed, and many other weeds through the way they hydromulch bare ground around roadworks and new suburbs.

The standard way the ACT uses to seed grass on bare sites after construction is to spray bales of straw over the exposed dirt areas, then cover that straw with an emulsion containing the grass seeds.

However it appears their quality control on the sourcing of the straw is sadly lacking, with the end result being blanket infestation of significant weeds species that were never present beforehand.

Sustainable House Day is on this Sunday 13/9/09 from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm.

There are eight homes open for inspection around Canberra, and entry is free.
Two are in Harrison (includes ours), one in Murrumbateman, two in Watson, and one in each of Narrabundah, Duffy and Lyneham.

Details of all the house locations are:

Walk through Goorooyarroo

Come join a walking group for a brisk stroll through Goorooyarroo Nature Reserve (Mulligans Flat 's neighbour!).

Ranger Grant will take us through the park giving us an opportunity to learn more of the less talked about, but equally important, nature reserve.

When: Sunday 9th August
Time: 10am - 12pm
Where: Meet at "The Rocks" carpark, off Horse Park Drive (not too far from the Federal Highway)

The ACT Government will begin culling foxes at the Mulligans Flat Woodlands Sanctuary.

Poison will be used to eradicate the pest inside the recently completed 11.5 kilometre predator-proof fence. Users of the reserve are reminded that dogs are not allowed within the fenced sanctuary so there should be no risk of accidental poisoning of domestic animals.

Once the foxes have been eradicated a program will begin to reintroduce native species to the sanctuary. It is hoped that in due course that Gungahlin residents will be able to see plants and birds not seen in the areas since before European times.

Update 14/07/09: The Chronicle has reported that a small number of people are still walking their dogs within the Sanctuary.

GCC is keen to develop a proposal for a solar farm, to be lodged in response to ACT Energy Minister’s call for expressions of interest. The ACT Government is proposing funding of $30 million towards the winning proposal.

The predator proof fence at the Mulligan's Flat Nature Reserve has recently been completed.

The 11.5 kilometre-long fence encloses 484 hectares of the reserve and is designed to create a protected woodland sanctuary. It will help to preserve the highly vulnerable Box-Gum Woodland within the reserve.

The fence will ensure feral animals, such as cats, rabbits and foxes will be excluded from the reserve. It is hoped in due course that it will be repopulated with native species not seen in the area for over 50 years.

The woodland sanctuary remains open for public use and Gungahlin residents can access the reserve through 20 self-closing gates located along the Sanctuary's perimeter.

The fence is modelled on a sanctuary fence at Arid Recovery in Roxby Downs, South Australia, which has allowed the successful re-introduction of native species into the area.

Solar power is used to power the gates, fence electrics and animal surveillance devices.

An innovative research project between the Australian National University, the CSIRO and the ACT Government within Mulligans Flat and Goorooyarroo Nature Reserves is investigating how woodlands should be managed to improve their condition.

The Conservation Council's second Sustainable Living Workshop, held in conjunction with Forde, is on Low-maintenance Gardening. It's the perfect workshop for those of us who want a beautiful garden but don't have the time (or the skills!) to devote a lot of time to it.

When: June 20, 10am – 12 noon
Where: Heritage Park, Forde

To register, call the Conservation Council on 6229 3204 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Gungahlin Conversation Council will be holding a Gungahlin Bush Care activity with Ranger Grant Woodbridge which will involve removing some weeds that are spreading into Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve. Come along and do your bit to help keep Mulligans Flat beautiful.

When: Thursday 28th May
Time: 1:45 pm
Where: Meet at the Mulligans Flat car park off Amy Ackman Street, Forde
Bring: Sturdy shoes, water, hat
We will provide snacks.

Please RSVP by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone 6229 3204

We hope to see you there!