Weed monitoring at Pinkerton Escarpment 12th February 2020

On Wednesday 12th February Irene, Rosemary and Daryl planned to visit the old Pinkerton homestead at Pinkerton Flat to assess weed control. However 2mm rain overnight made both the track down to the river and the valley below muddy and unfriendly to vehicles. We decided instead to walk the full length of the restoration area at the top of Pinkerton Escarpment for an assessment here. We looked unsuccessfully for any germination of the native grass seeds sown by PLEG in August 2018. This may be due to the harsh weather conditions over the last couple of years. Hopefully the present summer rains may trigger some grass germination this coming autumn.

We removed all Artichoke Thistles as we went, as well as removing some Mullein, Prairie Ground Cherry and Apple of Sodom. There is need for control of Serrated Tussock in the southern half of the sector.

As we walked through the sector planted by Western Water on top of the escarpment, outside the section jointly maintained by PLEG, we replaced as many of the treeguards that had blown away as we could. Despite the drought many of these are surviving. Most of these have been severely impacted by grazing, mainly by Rabbits. However many of the trees have been severely broken down, probably by feral Goats.

We also removed many weeds here as we went, including Apple of Sodom, Mullein and thistles.

Issues identified above the escarpment are:

  • No native grasses could be seen germinating from the seeds deposited in August 2018
    -   This may be due to the harsh weather conditions over the last couple of years.
    -   Hopefully the present summer rains may trigger some grass germination this coming autumn.
  • Artichoke Thistles
  • Mullein
  • Prairie Ground Cherry
  • Some Prickly Pear (one large)
  • severe grazing by Rabbits
  • damage to small trees by Goats
  • need to repair rabbit-proof fence
  • There is need for control of Serrated Tussock in the southern half of the sector.

We removed large numbers of Artichoke Thistles as we went, as well as all Apple of Sodom, some Mullein, smaller Prickly Pear and Prairie Ground Cherry.

Western Water planted area adjacent to escarpment edge jointly managed by PLEG & WW on top of the escarpment

  • Artichoke Thistles
  • Mullein
  • Prairie Ground Cherry
  • Apple of Sodom
  • severe grazing by Rabbits
  • damage to small trees by Goats
  • treeguards blown away

PLEG members removed most Apple of Sodom, as well as large numbers of PGC, Mullein & Artichoke Thistle

We also noticed the myriad of stone artefacts that lie scattered along the escarpment. Graphic evidence that people have lived and worked here for many thousands of years.