Category Archives: Friends of Merri Creek

Habitat Heroes

Posted on August 14, 2014 by | Leave a comment

Scarlet Robin, blue sky, Mt Wombat small, EuroaMerri Creek Management Committee and Friends of Merri Creek invite you to help out at this event:
Habitat Heroes
Launch & free BBQ including Vegetarian and Halal food

Sunday 24th August, 10am-12.30pm
Eastern end of Jukes Rd Fawkner, (Melway 18 A2)

Featuring: Wurundjeri Elder Welcome to Country, planting, reptile display (including snakes), self-guided walks to learn about the 10 top plants for providing habitat, followed by a BBQ.

Merri Creek Bird Survey 31st August

Later in the month Friends of Merri Creek have their quarterly bird survey on Sunday 31st August
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Next Merri Creek Bird survey 16 February 2014

Posted on February 7, 2014 by | Leave a comment

IMG_1101_New_Holland_HoneyeaterInterested in seeing the Bababi Djinanang grasslands in Fawkner and the native fauna and flora of the area? Come along to the next bird survey on Sunday 16 February, 8.45-10.30am.

Bird surveys gather data which provides useful information for tracking bird species numbers and movements over several seasons.

Beginners welcome. Bring drinking water, and binoculars if you have them. Closed-in footwear and a sunhat would also be useful. No dogs, please. Be aware that snakes could be around.

In Fawkner: Bababi Djinanang (Jukes Road grasslands), Fawkner: Meet on Merri Path at end of Jukes Road, Fawkner (Melway 18 A2) at 8.45am. The bird suvey provides an opportunity to explore the fenced off area of Bababi Djinanang grasslands area, an opportunity to see some of the rarer grassland plant species and the birds that make this part of Merri Creek their home. In recent months there has been a small mob of kangaroos in the grasslands.

Friends of Merri Creek run the bird survey on a quarterly basis up and down Merri Creek.

How about visiting a part of the Merri that you haven’t seen? – choose a site from the list below.

Survey meeting points for Sunday 16 February 2014 at 8.45-10.30am:

Bababi Djinanang (Jukes Road grasslands), Fawkner: Meet on Merri Path at end of Jukes Road, Fawkner (Melway 18 A2).
Egan Reserve-Harding St-Strettle Reserve: Meet at the steps at end of The Grove, East Coburg (Melway 30 A3).
Coburg Lake Reserve: Meet near the car park, Lake Grove Coburg (Melway 17 H10).
Edwardes Lake: Meet at the playground adjacent to Griffiths St, Reservoir (Melway 18 E5).
CERES to Moreland Road: Meet at the seats on the Merri Path at rear of CERES near Blyth Street, East Brunswick (Melway 30 B7).
Phillips Reserve, Merri Park: Meet at the end of Victoria St, East Brunswick, at barbecue shelter (Melway 30 B8).
Hall Reserve- Yarra Bend Park: Meet at the Rotunda, Hall Reserve, Clifton Hill (Melway 2D D1).
Galada Tamboore: Meet at the end of Hatty Court, Campbellfield (Melway 7 K6).
Galgi Ngaark (Craigieburn Grasslands): Meet at the O’Herns Road gate off Hume Highway (Melway 180 E6).

Bababi Marning (Cooper St Grasslands): Meet outside the Istrian Social Club, Cooper St Epping (Melway 387K10). The survey at Bababi Marning will be a week later, on 23 February, 8.45-10.30am.

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Bird survey: Red-capped Robin visits Bababi Djinanang grasslands

Posted on May 26, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Red-capped Robin at Bababi Djinanang

Red-capped Robin at Bababi Djinanang

The Merri Creek bird survey at Bababi Djinanang in Fawkner recorded 36 different bird species in the May survey. Last year the survey at the same time of year recorded a similar number: 37 species. Relatively still conditions, but overcast made for good birdwatching. For several birds we heard their song well before seeing them.

Some of the highlights of the survey include seeing a purple swamphen in the reeds where Central Creek meets Merri Creek. Though common elsewhere along Merri Creek and Edgars Creek it is not often seen in Fawkner.

Up in the open grasslands we flushed into flight some Brown Quail, saw Spotted Pardalotes in a mixed species feeding group, and even caught a sight of a Golden-headed Cisticola.

Right at the end in some re-vegetated woodland at the edge of the grasslands we came across a Red-capped Robin (Petroica goodenovii) mingling with a small flock of female Flame Robins. An exciting find, not having been seen before at this location. Red-capped robins favour perching on rocks and low branches and are subject to predation by domesticated and feral cats, and nests sometimes raided by larger bird species. Welcome to Fawkner, little Red-capped Robin!
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Surveying the birds of the Merri in Winter Sunday 26 May

Posted on May 11, 2013 by | Leave a comment

IMG_1101_New_Holland_HoneyeaterAutumn is upon us and another bird survey is about to take place up and down Merri Creek. Bird surveys provide useful data for mapping the changing patterns and distribution of bird species. It is one small but significant way that anyone can contribute to science. (See Using Citizen Science in Urban Bird Studies)

In Fawkner the survey will be at Bababi Djinanang (Jukes Road grasslands), Fawkner. Meet on Merri Path at end of Jukes Road at 8.45am, Sunday 26 May 2013.
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Merri Creek Bird Survey November

Posted on November 4, 2012 by | Leave a comment

bird of prey over Bababi Djinanang (Jukes Rd Grasslands)

A bird of prey over Bababi Djinanang (Jukes Rd Grasslands)

Fancy yourself a budding scientist? Or just enjoy a walk along Merri Creek parklands identifying the numerous bird species that live or frequent the area?

The November Merri Creek Bird Survey, the 4th survey for the year, will take place next Sunday 11 November, 8.45-10.30am. The survey is undertaken at several locations up and down Merri Creek, and at Lake Edwardes including at Bababi Djinanang (Jukes Road grasslands), Fawkner.

Come along. No need to book. Just turn up at 8.45am. Bring binoculars if you have them, a sunhat and closed-in shoes. Leave dogs at home.
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Tree planting and Thinking outside the block on World Environment Day 2012

Posted on June 1, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Next Tuesday, June 5, is World Environment Day promoted by the United Nations Environment Program. The day has been commemorated since 1972, the first day that United Nations Conference on the Human Environment began. This year the Wilderness society is organising an event in Melbourne CBD on Tuesday, but there are also local events along Merri Creek this Sunday June 3.
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Friends of Merri Creek 2nd bird survey for 2012

Posted on April 22, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Sacred Kingfisher seen on a bird survey at Merri Creek in Fawkner

A great way to explore Bababi Djinanang (Jukes Rd Grasslands) and the birdlife in this area of Merri Creek is to attend the Bird survey.

The bird survey allows researchers to track the changes in bird populations from season to season in this major urban wildlife corridor. Your participation in helping to spot and identify birds as part of this survey contributes to the growing database on wildlife population changes affected by land use changes and a changing climate.

Where: Meet on Merri Path at end of Jukes Rd, Fawkner (Melway 18 A2).
When: 8.45-10.30am Sunday May 20, 2012
More Information: Phone Ann from Friends of Merri Creek on 0429 386 102.

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Plant a tree in Fawkner for mother’s day at Bababi Djinanang grasslands

Posted on April 22, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Merri Creek Path at Bababi Djinanang native grassland Fawkner

Mothers Day this Sunday, and while chocolates are nice any time and flowers will last a week, a tree planted at Bababi Djinanang grasslands may last a lifetime and more. Come along to a Council sponsored planting at the end of Jukes Rd this Sunday. Plant a tree for your mum or bring your mum to plant a tree.

Mother’s Day Planting & BBQ at Fawkner. Come along and bring your mum to Bababi Djinanang (Jukes Rd grassland) in this tree planting organised by Friends of Merri Creek and funded by Moreland Council. A BBQ will be held at the end of the tree planting.

Where: Bababi Djinanang (Jukes Rd grassland), Fawkner
When: 10am-12.30pm, Sunday May 13, 2012,
More details: Phone Lori Arthur at Moreland Council on 8311 4386.

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Merri Creek bird surveys 19 February Jukes Road grasslands

Posted on February 5, 2012 by | 1 comment
Sacred Kingfisher at Fawkner

Sacred Kingfisher at Fawkner logged in Nov 2011 birdsurvey

Come along to participate in the Merri Creek Bird survey. The next bird surveys along the Merri Creek and at Edwardes Lake will be held on Sunday 19 February, 8.45-10.30am.

Bring drinking water, and binoculars if you have them. Closed-in footwear and a sunhat would also be useful. No dogs, please. Be aware that snakes could be around.

In Fawkner: Bababi Djinanang (Jukes Road grasslands), Fawkner: Meet on Merri Path at end of Jukes Road, Fawkner (Melway 18 A2) at 8.45am.

The birds counted in the survey in November 2011 included a sacred kingfisher, red browed finch, black faced cuckoo shrike, New Holland Honeyeater and many more.

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Posted in bird survey, community, events, Friends of Merri Creek, Merri Creek, photos