Friends of Jirdarup Bushland

14/09/2026

To those 100 or so people with a copy of Orchids of Jirdarup, go to the appendix and mark the clubbed spider orchid (Caladenia longiclavata) seen 2002, and SEEN AGAIN IN SEPTEMBER 2026 by our Landcare guru Emily Harvey.

It's enough to make anyone join the weeding team.

Where has it been hiding for 24 years? Unfortunately we don't know where the original photo was taken so there is no way of knowing if these sightings are close to one another. However, if someone sees it in 24 years time (in 2050), our internal records will answer that question.

If you don't have a copy of our book, get it from our website store or Crow Books.

https://friendsofjirdarupbushland.org.au/store/books/orchids-of-jirdarup/

13/09/2026

Are we ready

🐦 The Aussie Bird Count is back! - Register now!

From 19–25 October, Australians everywhere are invited to spend just 20 minutes counting the birds around them, whether that’s in your backyard, on your balcony, at school or in your local park. No experience needed, just a love for birds and a desire to connect with nature.

Last year, 64,000 people counted more than 5 million birds across Australia. This year, we want to make the Count even bigger, and we’d love you to join us! 🐦

All you need is 20 minutes, a little curiosity and the free Aussie Bird Count app, which guides you through the whole process.

Your sightings help contribute to important citizen science, while giving you a chance to slow down, connect with nature and discover the birds living right around you.

We can’t wait to see you there! Register today: https://aussiebirdcount.org.au/

The Aussie Bird Count 2026 is proudly supported by our friends at Bank Australia

12/09/2026

Update on the cat, the fox and the quenda.

The black cat has not been seen in the bushland since we last reported it, but it is still roaming nearby Kensington streets and evading the cat trap(s).

On 7 September just after midnight the fox was out in the same spot again, and at 5.00pm that day our quenda was back again. Brave quenda.

We have reported the fox to both the Town of Victoria Park and - we don't care where he lives, we just want him caught. It would be great to see some action and our apologies if it is already happening. (Just for the record, there are some rabbits back)

On a brighter note, readers of our newsletter will know that a student at Kensington Secondary School has found a joey in their bushland. You can read more about their project on our website at the link below.

Cr Lindsay Miles Banksia Ward Vic Park Cr Daniel Minson - Victoria Park Cr Kathy Lees - Como Ward, City of South Perth Cr Stephen Russell for Moresby Ward Cr Sky Croeser, Victoria Park Jarrah Ward

https://friendsofjirdarupbushland.org.au/posts/bushland/fauna/kss-quenda-project/

10/09/2026

Hi everyone
If you have already signed this petition or written to your MP, please forward it to a friend.

We are running out of time to show the WA State Government that Western Australians want wildlife rehabilitation included in the next State Budget 🦘!

There are two key ways people can support the campaign:

📝 Sign the petition
The survey link takes around 30 seconds to add your name to the campaign.
www.change.org/stepupforwildlife

📣 Write to your local Member of Parliament
This will have an even greater impact. We have provided letter templates that can be personalised and formally sent to local MPs by email or post. It should only take around five minutes
www.wragwa.org/step-up-for-wildlife

We need all petition signatures and letters submitted by the end of September so they can be included as evidence of community support in our funding submission to the State Government.

10/09/2026

Orchid of the Week !!

We are back this week with another Orchid of the week and this time our star is the captivating White Spider Orchid. This beautiful orchid can also be found in our recently published Orchids of Jirdarup book which can be found in certain book nooks like Crows Bookstore in Victoria Park!

Spider Orchids come in many varieties and colours and are predominantly a bushland and woodland orchid native to our beautiful WA. White orchids usually flower September-October making it a Spring Orchid 🌸🌸🌱.

Picture Credits to our amazing Emily 🌿

09/09/2026

Here's a selection of the wildflowers on display right now in Kensington Bushland. Such variety and all of them glorious.

(To get behind the fences for a closer look, come along to a hand weeding session some time. See our Events for details.)

Photos by Vicki

07/09/2026

Read our latest newsletter here including Kensington Secondary School quenda report. Or follow the link to buy your copy of Orchids of Jirdarup
https://friendsofjirdarupbushland.substack.com/p/orchids-of-jirdarup-is-in-print

03/09/2026

Quenda breakfast? This is the same spot as we saw the fox last week so that is good news.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

03/09/2026

If you are looking for candidates most likely to support a green, environmentally friendly South Perth where birds thrive, check our website
Vote to stretch our wings https://share.google/jREv7F7vpsDwqYJTR

By-election costs - min $83,000 💰💰

The by-elections in Como and Moresby Wards will cost the City of South Perth a minimum of $83,000 + GST, along with potential additional casual staff costs.

These costs are unbudgeted as the 26/27 Budget was adopted prior to the by-elections being required and will be incurred early this financial year.

Como Ward currently has 7403 eligible voters and in the Oct 23 by-election, the voting rate was only 27.44%!!

As I’ve been door knocking, I’ve heard some voter fatigue and disengagement at local govt level, but as ratepayers, we are footing the bill 💵 – so why not vote? 🗳

If you’re unsure who to vote for, contact the candidates and ask them about issues that concern you.
Most candidates have email and/or phone.
Look at their pages too – DM them.

If I receive an email or DM, I do respond. 😊

Vote 1️⃣ – Joanne Ord

31/08/2026

This is a difficult post to write as we expect the people who read it will not be the people we want to reach. So please help us get the message out.

A few days ago, a dead baby bobtail was found and it appears to have been attacked by a dog.

The Town of Victoria Park has advised they will increase the ranger presence but that cannot be the only solution.

If you feel comfortable doing so, we ask responsible dog walkers to remind others to keep their dogs on lead in the bushland. In addition to this photo, there is further information as to the importance of keeping dogs on leads on our website. Any further advice is welcome.

https://friendsofjirdarupbushland.org.au/posts/news-and-events/dogs-on-leads/