A perfect sunny winter’s afternoon brought together a group of keen landholders for the BirdLife Pest and Threats Workshop, eager to learn how to better support the birdlife in our region. A healthy bird population is a sign of a biodiverse, resilient landscape — and there are plenty of practical ways we can all help.

 

   

 

The silent threat of rodenticides

Shirali Dave from BirdLife Australia highlighted the devastating impact of second-generation rodenticides — products like RatSak and Talon — on native predators such as owls, eagles, falcons and quolls. These poisons accumulate in the bodies of rodents, which are then eaten by native wildlife, leading to secondary poisoning and death.

 

   

 

The good news? Safer alternatives exist. Traditional traps, newer electric traps, and first-generation rodenticides that work faster (and break down quicker) all reduce the risk to wildlife. You can read more about these options here.

 

Want to take action? Write to your Minister and email your council to help get dangerous rodenticides out of our community.

Watch: Learn about rodenticide poisoning (2.5 min video)
Watch: Night Calling – The story of Owl-Friendly Margaret River (35 min)

 

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Noisy miners, cats, and other challenges

Paul Russell from BirdLife Australia explored how native (but pest) species like the noisy miner are impacting woodland birds. These aggressive birds thrive in open, nectar-rich landscapes, chasing off smaller species.

 

   

 

Paul’s advice?

• Plant dense, spiky mid-storey shrubs to provide shelter for small birds.
• Choose native species with smaller flowers (like correas, small grevilleas, and hakeas) to discourage noisy miners.

Paul also spoke about the toll cats — both feral and domestic,  take on native wildlife. Pet owners can help by keeping cats in enclosed runs. Advocating for cat containment and curfews at a local level is another positive step.

 

      

Protection, food and nesting material plants

 

Foxes: a shared challenge

Leah Samson from Gunning District Landcare painted a sobering picture of fox populations in our region — an estimated 4.7 foxes per square kilometre around Yass. Foxes prey on native species and livestock and are difficult for any one landholder to control. 

The message was clear: landholders working together through coordinated programs like the integrated pest management initiative ‘Feral Fighters’ can reduce the populations of foxes and other feral animals. By coordinating the management of feral pests such as foxes, pigs, rabbits across neighbours landholders can make a real difference. If your area doesn’t yet have a feral control program, now’s the time to connect with your neighbours, Landcare group, or Local Land Services team.

 

    

 

Mess is best!

To wrap up the afternoon, Alison Elvin led participants on a guided walk, showcasing habitat features that support birdlife. From fallen logs and rocks to rough grasses and dense shrubs — all these messy bits of the landscape provide shelter, food, nesting materials and even medicines for birds.

 

   

 

Alison encouraged everyone to think about creating layers of vegetation and habitat stepping stones across properties — small patches of trees, shrubs, or even old fence posts every 70 metres can give birds refuge from predators.

 

      

 

A big thanks to Kate & Jeremy Wilson who opened up their property for the afternoon and provided the wonderfully rich environment filled with birdlife. A perfect place to host the discussion and thanks to all the landholders who attended.

 

         

 

Find more resources:

• Bird-friendly planting list (BirdLife ACT-Yass Birds on Farms)
• Vegetation stepping stones
• Birds on Farms: The 5 Key Features of Woodland Bird Habitat (webinar recording)
• Download the Owl Friendly Garden Poster

Interested in a site-specific habitat restoration plan? Contact Shirali and Paul at bof-act-yass@birdlife.org.au

 

Written by Sarah McGrath, YAN local coordinator

 

 

Across the Yass Valley, a dedicated group of volunteers regularly gather to test water quality at key sites—keeping a close eye on the health of our local waterways. These citizen science efforts are part of the Waterwatch program, supported by Ginninderra Catchment Group, and they play a vital role in helping us understand and protect our rivers.

 

    

 

Among the most exciting aspects of this work are the regular waterbug surveys, which involve taking a closer look at the small creatures that live in our creeks and rivers. Recently, Yolandi Vermaak, Waterwatch Coordinator from Ginninderra Catchment Group, pulled on her waders and headed out to Hattons Corner on the Yass River, one of our regularly monitored sites, to do just that.

Sampling involves collecting waterbugs from a range of habitats—riverbanks, sandy bottoms, and rocky areas—to get a diverse and representative mix. The bugs are rinsed into a bucket, then poured into flat trays for close inspection. Each tray is carefully combed through to identify and count the different types of water-dwelling invertebrates.

 

    

 

Why waterbugs? Because they’re excellent indicators of river health. Some species, like mayfly nymphs, are particularly sensitive to pollution and other environmental changes. Their presence in good numbers during this latest survey was a promising sign. Other species found included dragonfly nymphs, water boatmen, water skaters, and freshwater molluscs like basket shells—all contributing to a rich and balanced aquatic ecosystem. There were a few pests there too like the introduced gambusia (mosquito fish) which affects native fish and frogs.

 

         

 

   

 

 

Together with the regular water testing done by our wonderful local volunteers, these waterbug surveys help paint a clearer picture of the condition of our rivers and streams. It’s encouraging to see such signs of health in the Yass River, but ongoing monitoring remains essential.

 

Want to get involved? Whether you're interested in testing water quality or exploring the world of waterbugs, we’d love your help! Contact our YAN Coordinator, coordinator@yan.org.au or Yolandi Vermaak, Waterwatch Coordinator, waterwatch@ginninderralandcare.org.au to learn more about becoming part of this grassroots science effort. It’s a hands-on way to care for our environment—and a great excuse to get your feet wet for a good cause.

 

Written by Sarah McGrath, YAN Coordinator & Waterwatch Volunteer

 

 

A small group was at it again this week — collecting leaf samples from Yellow Box (Eucalyptus melliodora) for genetic testing. This time, the focus was on remnant paddock trees — the beautiful giants scattered across our landscape. A 5-metre-long homemade device was needed just to reach some of the lowest branches!

 

                  

 

   

 

The leaves have now been mailed to our geneticist friends at the Botanic Gardens of Sydney, who will analyse the genetic makeup of each tree. This work will help us better understand the genetic diversity already present in our landscapes — and how much we're enhancing that diversity through the Climate Ready Revegetation project.

 

 

Genetic diversity gives plants (and animals) the capacity to adapt to change over generations. That’s why increasing genetic diversity in the tubestock grown at our local Landcare nurseries is a key focus of YAN’s Climate Ready Revegetation project. As the climate gets hotter, we want to give our revegetated areas the best chance to survive and thrive. To increase genetic diversity, we source seed from a wide range of provenances. But the only way to be sure we’re achieving that diversity is through genetic testing. We started sampling back in March, and are excited to learn the results later in the year!

 

   

 

The latest Practioner Updates from the Research Centre for Ecosystem Resilience (ReCER) at the Botanic Gardens of Sydney gives a great overview of the relevance of genetic research to conservation and restoration. 

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The Climate Ready Revegetation Project has been assisted by the NSW Government through its Environmental Trust. Landcare Australia Michael King grants enable us to purchase seed from diverse provenances.

On a recent autumn evening in Murrumbateman, the Yass Area Network of Landcare Groups (YAN) gathered to celebrate the incredible spirit of volunteerism that drives our Landcare community. At the heart of the event was the presentation of the the groups John Betts Landcare Award, this year awarded to Sue McIntyre in recognition of her outstanding and long-term contribution to Landcare in our region.

 

   

 

The award was presented by Mrs Nanette Betts, on behalf of the Betts family, to honour the legacy of her late husband John Betts—a foundation member of YAN and a tireless contributor to Landcare in the Yass region. The John Betts Award recognises an individual whose efforts have left a lasting impact on Landcare, and Sue’s leadership, dedication, and deep ecological knowledge make her a worthy recipient.

Read more about Sue McIntyre’s award here

 

 

The evening also gave us the chance to recognise the immense contributions of volunteers involved in our Climate Ready Revegetation (CRR) Project. These individuals and groups have collectively contributed up to 4,500 hours in a single year—supporting everything from nursery operations and seed sourcing to ecological advice and monitoring trial plantings.

 

    

 

 

At our Winter Feast in Yass last year, we began distributing certificates of gratitude to many CRR volunteers. This recent event allowed us to complete that process, with special thanks and certificates going to:

 

Outstanding Individual Contributions:

• • Ann Milligan – for outstanding effort and dedication to seed sourcing
  • Elizabeth Goodfellow, Kath McGuirk, Gill Hall, Sue McIntyre – for significant and ongoing contributions to the CRR Project
  • Jacqui Stol – for expert advice in ecology, species selection, grant applications, project management and more
  • Nola Hancock, AdaptNSW's Climate Adaptation Team, and Alison Elvin – for their expert guidance and support

 

Nursery Teams:

• • Lee Auriac & the AMC Nursery Team – for expertise and outstanding effort in growing plants for the CRR Project
  • MLG, Yass Landcare, Bango, and Wattle Valley Nursery Teams – for their commitment and care in growing healthy plants

 

Hosts of Trial Plantings:

• • Kath & Richard McGuirk
  • Sheridan Roberts & Geoff McFarlane
  • Jan Grubb
  • Gill Hall
  • Janette Hannan
  • Ro McFarlane
  • John & Michelle Storey
  • Linda Thane

 

    

 

 

Written by Sarah McGrath, YAN Coordinator

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Landcare Enabling Program

This initiative is made possible by the NSW Landcare Enabling Program. A collaboration of Local Land Services and Landcare NSW supported by the NSW Government.