Weeds and Wrens Poem
Weeds and Wrens
a poem by Neil Hamaguchi, Project Officer, Environs Kimberley.
[December 2015]
This is a story of weeds and wrens – it’s just the beginning, don’t know where it ends
The creeks and the Rivers in Bunuba Land are some of the wonders touched by cattle and man
They came to this country because it had what they need but they also brought with them all sorts of seed
The Kimberley creeks where the sweet water flows, where everything’s green and anything grows
There’s so many species, some names we don’t know
Malurus coronatus coronatus is one that we do- the Purple-crowned fairy wren if you ain’t got a clue
The creeks and the rivers are home for this bird the only environment where it can be heard
Pandanus and canegrass and freshwater flow is the only environment this little bird knows
But its futures in danger, its life’s under threat- and it is not something that can be cured by a vet
Its home has been altered by cattle and man who scattered their seed on this unspoilt land
The flora and fauna are drawn to the creeks – they’re beautiful places that everything seeks
Now what we have witnessed over years and years will tear at your heart it’ll bring you to tears
The creeks are now home to obnoxious weeds the long term result of those little seeds
The cattle all use them to fill up their tanks over years and years while ruining the banks
Now we have been working with Bunuba mob to take on this problem, to tackle this job
We weeded at Pigeon where Bellyache rules; it’s all on the banks around the nice pools
At Old Leopold we did much the same and at Yirramalay we did it again
We also did Parky and Neems as we went and with just a few people we made quite a dent
Well that’s a beginning I don’t know when it ends but I know we’ll be out there to do it again.
Background
This poem tells the story of the work being done by Environs Kimberley and the Bunuba Rangers to eradicate weeds that are choking the habitat of the precious and endangered Purple-crowned fairy wren. This project is one of several supported by Rangelands NRM that is engaging Indigenous Rangers in works to protect threatened species, manage weeds and manage fire.
More stories about work to protect the Purple-crowned fairy wren:
Kimberley partnership building healthy country plan
Pastoralists and Indigenous rangers unite to protect Purple-crowned Fairy-wren