MELTON & MOORABOOL
Home » News » Weeding in Pinkerton Forest

Weeding in Pinkerton Forest

On Thursday, July 24, Pinkerton Landcare and Environment Group returned to Pinkerton Forest to spray Galenia (Carpet Weed) that has regrown after recent rains.

We concentrated on the northern end of the Forest.

We successfully eradicated the Galenia last summer, but sadly, they keep returning, requiring constant vigilance!

[Weeds], like death and taxes, are always with us!

It was a beautiful sunny morning, contrasting dramatically with the icy conditions of previous weeks.

There was a record number of about thirty kangaroos to greet us.

There were about a dozen kangaroos lounging under the trees in Pinkerton Link, another sixteen or so in Upper Pinkerton and about half a dozen in Pinkerton Forest.

Difficult to count when they don’t stand still!

The birdlife seemed to appreciate the sunny conditions also as we were accompanied by mixed flocks of small birds feeding on the ground.

The Flame Robins are still here as we enjoyed the sight of a brightly coloured male robin, accompanied by about half a dozen grey females.

Accompanying these were about twenty or so Red-browed Finches, a dozen or so Yellow-rumped Thornbill with about half a dozen Zebra Finches.

Cockatoos, Corellas and Galas were all busily inspecting nest hollows, while Wood ducks continued to call loudly from the trees.

Spring is definitely on the way!

A large falcon swooped through the canopy of one of the original trees we planted in Pinkerton Link nearly fifteen years ago, to emerge with what appeared to be a small bird in its talons.

It landed in a tall Grey Box tree in Pinkerton Forest.

After several minutes it flew from the tree, directly over our heads, having presumably eaten its prey.

But what we originally assumed to have been one of our resident Peregrine Falcons was actually a very much rarer Black Falcon!

Our last sighting of a Black Falcon here was February 2023.

Another new bird species for Pinkerton Link!

24 bird species seen were:

Whistling Kite

Black Falcon

Straw-necked Ibis

Wood Duck

Long-billed Corella

Galah

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

Red-rumped Parrot

Purple-crowned Lorikeet

Eastern Rosella

Little Raven

Magpie

Willy Wagtail

Red-browed Finch

Zebra Finch

Tree Martin

Welcome Swallow

Indian Mynah

Yellow-rumped Thornbill

Starling

White-plumed Honeyeater

Noisy Miner

Striated Pardalote

Flame Robin

Digital Editions


  • Walk to Work Day coming

    Walk to Work Day coming

    The Pedestrian Council of Australia has announced a new initiative for Walk to Work Day, partnering with the Black Dog Institute to spotlight the mental…

More News

  • Melton’s priorities

    Melton’s priorities

    Melton’s council is calling for a whole-of-government partnership approach to help meet the demand of its rapidly growing community, unveiling its latest advocacy priorities on Friday 30 January. The priorities…

  • Melton’s big night of racing

    Melton’s big night of racing

    Families, racing fans and entertainment lovers alike are being urged to get on track for one of Melton’s biggest nights of the year, with a chance to win a brand…

  • Bushfire deemed suspicious

    Bushfire deemed suspicious

    Purchase this photo from Pic Store: 206998 Police are investigating a bushfire in Lerderderg on 3 February. Emergency services responded to reports of the blaze near O’Brien’s Crossing about 7pm.…

  • Man burned in Bacchus Marsh assault

    Man burned in Bacchus Marsh assault

    Purchase this photo from Pic Store: 206998 A 57-year-old man is in hospital with serious burns following an assault and fire in Bacchus Marsh. Emergency services were called to reports…

  • Spring Hills ready to go

    Spring Hills ready to go

    Spring Hills got a taste of what the National Premier League women’s competition was like last season, and are keen for more. Spring Hills showed plenty of positive signs in…

  • Moorabool moves on road safety

    Moorabool moves on road safety

    Moorabool council is targeting road safety in a bid to reduce serious injuries and fatalities occurring across the shire. The council voted to put on public display a draft community…

  • Melton, roll up your sleeves

    Melton, roll up your sleeves

    Purchase this photo from Pic Store: 532439 Melton’s locals are being invited to roll up their sleeves and give blood as Lifeblood hosts a blood donation popup in Melton this…

  • My Place

    My Place

    Purchase this photo from Pic Store: 531251 Melton local Trevor A. Boyd-King is foundation secretary of the Melton Men’s Group, dedicated to providing support to Melton and surrounds men. Mr…

  • Picnic spot faces axe

    Picnic spot faces axe

    Purchase this photo from Pic Store: 530978 The future of the Melton Weir family picnic area has come under the spotlight, with community advocates calling for the ageing facility to…

  • Calls for grief support

    Calls for grief support

    Moorabool’s bereaved parents may be set to receive more support after council moved on looking into the establishment of a bereaved parents support group. The motion was brought to the…