Friends of the Grange Heathland Reserve

23/06/2026

At last we have a documented sighting of the elusive White-eared Honeyeater at The Grange Reserve by a member of the friends group. Well done Andrew! 👏👏👏

19/06/2026

Flashback Friday! A gorgeous Grey Fantail photographed by Tania at The Grange Reserve back in June 2023 🥰

17/06/2026

Our monthly bird survey last Saturday was pretty uneventful, apart from a couple of Black-faced Cuckooshrikes and a Brown Goshawk that could have been Collared Sparrowhawk, but eluded the camera. There was a large amount of Spotted Pardalotes out and about though - estimated at 20 but probably actually numbered even more. The highlight was a flock that was hanging out on a dead tree, unusual to see and hard to photograph. During the survey we were pondering the absence of Golden Whistlers and speculating whether the White-eared Honeyeater might still be about. The next day Bryan Meade, who has attended the bird survey in the past, dropped by the reserve and saw both - the latter extremely fleetingly with only a subpar photo as proof. Better than we managed (Tania and Mick still haven't sighted the elusive White-eared HE) and great to see that this bird has prolonged its stay.

(Golden Whistler and White-eared Honeyeater photos by Bryan Meade - thank you!)

16/06/2026

13/06/2026

The friends group had a fabulous day at the Grange Reserve this morning. The bird survey was quiet - lots of Spotted Pardalotes, a couple of Black-faced Cuckoshrikes and a Goshawk/Sparrowhawk were seen but not great conditions for photography. The highlight of the day though was the working bee where we did some weeding and planting in the revegetation area. It’s been a long time since any planting has happened at the reserve, but the focus was on reintroducing a few species that have been declining or are not present close to the reveg spot. First species in were a couple of Hakea ulicina (Furze Hakea) plants a little way along the main track. Then in our reveg area we cleared some spaces for Correa, Hibbertia, Lomandra filiformis (Wattle Mat-Rush), Poa labillardierei (Tussock Grass) and Themeda triandra (Kangaroo grass). It will be exciting to see how the plants grow - well done everyone!

12/06/2026

The water-filled June edition of the Friends of the Grange Newsletter has dropped! If you would like to be added to our mailing list, please send us a message.

And the weather has been touch and go but looking ok for tomorrow morning - bird survey starting at 8am. See you then!

05/06/2026

Flashback Friday! Fabulous Friends of the Grange alumni Penny and Gloria planting at the reserve, many moons ago.

29/05/2026

Flowering this month at the Grange - Sweet Wattle (Acacia suaveolons). It's the first wattle to flower for the season, lots of them to see in the sand heathland area. Also flowering now are Common Correas (Correa reflexa) dotted throughout the reserve. Keep a look out for Eastern Spinebills and New Holland Honeyeaters having a nectar feed 🥰

26/05/2026

Natural features of Wallan wallan Regional Parkland: the Parkland will protect elements of the landscape that are unique and significant including wetlands, volcanic cones, waterways, grasslands and stony rises.

The wallan wallan landscape is naturally wet and has been long known by the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung for this fact. Stately volcanic hills tower above wet grassy plains, and waterways flow throughout.

The vista is dominated by Green Hill, Spring Hill, Mt. Fraser and Bald Hill. Each of these are volcanic cones which contributed to the basalt rock that underlies the area. The most recent eruption was from Mount Fraser some 800,000 years ago.

Significant changes to the waterways and wetlands of the wallan wallan region are due to works aiming to improve drainage and mitigate flooding. These have involved straightening and channelisation of significant segments of the Merri Creek and its tributaries, and drainage of extensive swamps in the early to mid 1900s.

Prior to being drained in the 1940s, Hernes Swamp (on the main stem of the Merri), covered about 600 ha when full and held water for up to six months. It supported thousands of waterfowl and ibis.

Fully protected and restored, the Parkland's wetlands will hold water in the landscape, help mitigate flood risk the Merri Creek catchment and provide habitat for birds.

If you haven't yet, sign out petition to have the Parkland established (it takes 1 minute!) https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/get-involved/petitions/wallan-regional-park/

Wallan Environment Group, Friends of Merri Creek , BEAM Mitchell Environment Group

24/05/2026

The wet weather has descended upon us... here's some of the watery landscape to be seen at The Grange 💦