Friends of Morwell National Park - November 2024
In news over the last month, Parks Victoria has advised that the removal of dangerous hanging branches in the Billys Creek section of the park will be included in a variation to the insurance claim already in place for that area. The Billys Creek/Junction Road section of the park is still closed while arborists clear the remaining sections of track. There are still quite a few dangerous limbs hanging over track sections, however they have been making progress.
Works on the Kerry Road car park area and the bridge to Stringybark Ridge Track have not yet commenced, but we remain hopeful they will be completed this calendar year.
Two quotes for the realignment of Billys Creek Track were received and are being assessed. A contractor is expected to be appointed by the end of the year.
There was much joy to say that the ‘Birds of Morwell National Park’ went to the printers recently. Huge thanks to Caitilin, Matt, Jay, Ken and Anita for all their hard work on this book. Thanks also to Tamara for providing a thorough scientific review of the content.
Recently there have been three groups of walkers in the park. Ken and Gordon showed the Entomology Society of Victoria around the Park on a walk, and they held an evening mothing activity. Mike and Cathy took two different groups from the Australian Plant Society on walks around the park.
On the day there were two activities. Firstly, for the orchid walk the group travelled over to Stringybark Track. The family group could not maintain their enthusiasm so they turned around and returned to the picnic area at different stages. However the rest of the group was hardier, and they completed the circuit. Pictured are some of the orchids Caitilin captured.
The walking group returned to the picnic area for lunch and awaited the Koala Count.
For the Koala Count we had enough walkers to cover the three main survey tracks.
Tamara and Anita were delivered to the top of the park to walk back (with a little bush bashing) along the Jumbuk Road Track. Mike, Caitilin and Darren went back to the Stringybark Track while Cathy, Ken, Gordon and two community members walked along the Fosters Gully Track.
The walks happened in good conditions with the sky overcast and with little risk of rain. The good conditions helped (along with many observant eyes) to locate many koalas. Two were seen from the picnic area and a total of five could be seen between the picnic area and the beginning of the Fosters Gully Track.
Caitilin captured some great photos of a few koalas seen during the count. Over the count, a total of 17 koalas was sighted.
| Track | Number of koalas |
|---|---|
| Fosters Gully | seven koalas seen and six heard |
| Stringybark Track | six koalas seen and two heard |
| Jumbuk Road Track | four koalas |
| Total | 17 koalas and eight additional koalas heard |
November Activities
Activity 1 – Saturday 16th November - Birds of Morwell National Park book launch
BOOK LAUNCH: BIRDS OF MORWELL NATIONAL PARK
Friends of Morwell National Park invite you to help celebrate the launch of their new bird book. The family friendly event, with special guest Sean Dooley from BirdLife Australia, will take place on Saturday 16 November. Bookings for this free event are essential and can be made via the Eventbrite link, which also has all the details of the event.
Books will be available for $10 at the launch and the walks. Payment by cash or transfer only. Please note not all phone carriers have reception in the park so cash may be the best option if you are planning on purchasing a copy on the Sunday.
Friends of Morwell National Park gratefully acknowledges financial support for this project from the Field Naturalists Club of Victoria, the FRRR, the Mirboo North & District Community Foundation, and Latrobe City Council.
Activity 2 – Sunday 17th November - Bird walks & Orchid Survey
Kerry Road Picnic Area
Friends of Morwell National Park will be continuing the celebrations on Sunday 17 November with guided bird walks in Morwell National Park. Groups of walkers will leave from the Kerry Road Picnic Area on the hour, commencing at 8 a.m. The last walk will depart at 12 noon. Bookings are not required for the walk, but you can express your interest via our Facebook events page to assist us with planning.