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Making
the difference
The
fence installed in the mid-1990s that runs around the entire bushland has
made a great difference. It seems to give the bushland a sense of identity
and care so people are less likely to dump rubbish or start fires. It has
11 fire vehicle-access gates and 15 smaller people-access gates. There are
also 11 signs displaying the bushland name that acknowledge the City of
Wanneroo and FKRB as bushland managers. Phylis checks the fences and gates
for any damage or vandalism to and from work every weekday and on the
weekends.
Bush
magic
The
bushland is 136 hectares of mainly banksia woodland with scattered jarrah
and lower lying, wetter areas with flooded gum, freshwater paperbark and
prickly bark, mostly in excellent condition.
"In
spring it’s a truly magic place, but we have wonderful things flowering
any time: large and spectacular flowers too," Phylis said.
"When
I took a group through in January they were amazed to see vibrant Calytrix
and Verticordias everywhere. That’s very rewarding."
"I’ve
spent a lot of time in bushlands and I’ve never seen such a variety of
orchids: greenhoods, jug, bird, spider orchids, rabbit, snail orchids. I
keep finding new plants!"
Friends
member Elizabeth George is compiling a herbarium of Koondoola’s great
plant variety.
Bandicoots
and black-gloved wallabies live in the bushland. Rufous whistlers, blue
wrens, Carnaby’s cockatoo and the western thornbill are some of the
rarer birds found there. There’s an amazing range of insects, probably
related to the great variety of plants, including the rare western jewel
butterfly, magnificently colourful jewel beetles and a seemingly rare
spoon-winged lacewing (resembles a dragonfly).
Come
walk in Koondoola
Phylis
and David Pike are known for their fascinating nature walks held in
Koondoola on the second Saturday morning of each month (see the What’s
On section for details) plus two annual night walks. Up to fifty
people attend and The Wanneroo Times greatly assists in getting good numbers along.
If
you take a walk in the bushland at other times consider starting at the
display boards near the corner of Koondoola and Burbidge Avenues. The
boards include some of Phylis and Mary Owen’s beautiful wildlife
photography, a large ariel photo showing tracks through the bush, and
information on current activities. The photo displays have been also seen
in many schools, libraries and at other events.
"We
now have a library of photos we use on the noticeboards to show what is
flowering every month of the year!" Phylis said.
Walkers
are also weeders
As
with most bushland care groups, weeding exotic plants is a key task. Veldt
grass and love grass are the current focus. Phylis and Alice Stubber will
further develop their activities with schools and locals for Weedbuster
Week this year. People who have come on nature walks often help out and
are encouraged to weed as they walk.
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