Twenty-three people were on the trip, mostly our seasoned regular weeders. We welcomed Suzette Holm, Hanife Danis and Richard Sage as newcomers. Oceanview Apartments was the venue for our group this trip.
On the first day the group received tools, and made a short excursion into Stevens Reserve, to continue follow up on a large disturbed patch that occurred following removal a large 100-year-old Camphor laurel tree. After lunch it was off to Transit Hill, to the memorial site for Colin Lambert, one of the pioneer Friends members and supervisors. Each year the group visit this site where a banyan tree was planted, and clear the site of weeds, which are becoming fewer each year. Then on to Edie’s Glen, to carry out the annual maintenance of this important Friends rehabilitation site. Once covered by tall Rice paper pant and castor oil bush, everyone was heartened to see the tall native rainforest canopy now expanding and shading out weeds.
The second day started with a morning walk to Malabar and Kim’s Lookout, to enjoy the magnificent views (and remove 20 small asparagus plants). For the afternoon the group split into three small teams – 1) to clear the museum grounds of dead palm debris 2) along to Blinkie Beach to remove introduced Sweet pea, and 3) down to Jack Shicks restoration site to help Jack clear kikuyu grass from around his planted seedlings. Then all groups merged and enjoyed the walk to Little Island to marvel at Providence petrels and tall banyans.
On Tuesday the group headed up to Middle Beach restoration site to clear weeds and vines from struggling native trees. Then in the afternoon we headed south and some did the Goathouse Cave walk, others went to Boat Harbour; enjoyed by all.
Wednesday the weather was perfect on the ocean, so trip members took the opportunity to do a cruise down to Balls Pyramid with Jack Schick – eight in the morning and three in the afternoon. Those not on the water had the morning or afternoon at the Middle Beach restoration site, and some searched Old Settlement Beach to remove Sea spurge plants.
On Thursday it was another perfect day, so we chartered Dean of Environmental tours to take us to North Bay. Here we split into two groups to tackle the Coastal morning glory Ipomoea cairica. One group went along the creek towards New Gulch; the other went onto North Head and worked near the cliff top to remove large infestations. A nice picnic lunch prepared at Anchorage was enjoyed and then a bit of exploring the area.
Friday again perfect weather so the LHI Board arranged a boat to take the group out to Blackburn Island for the day. The Board, with assistance from Friends groups, have been restoring some of the native vegetation here as a preparation for a trial release of the phasmids. Everyone had been two or three times onto this task, and were so happy to see how the plants have powered on, some 3 to 5 metres tall after a few years.
