On the morning of 9 Aug, a dozen field naturalists enjoyed a ramble in Campbell, through the Campbell Park Woodland Reserve and into Mt Ainslie Nature Reserve.
We first passed by ancient Blakelys Red Gums, and then ancient Yellow Boxes. Some of these giant trees had died, and some of the living trees were really struggling. Drought years before 2020, followed by wet years after, have no doubt led to much stress. However, there still were magnificent individuals that seemed healthy, and amongst the wonderful habitat provided by senescing trees, there was a sea of saplings.
Unfortunately, St John’s Wort was rampant on the lower slopes. This gave as an incentive to head into Mt Ainslie Reserve and up to higher ground where the Wort petered out. Here we found native ground covers and more structural complexity in the understory. One little rocky outcrop had nice moss, lichens and Resurrection ferns. Another highlight was finding a cluster of Kurrajongs.
An early-arriving cuckoo had been heard by Sandra before the rest of us assembled. It was a Shining Bronze Cuckoo. Grey Butcherbirds were seen near the start of the walk, but things were fairly quiet until we reached our turning point higher up the hill. In an opening, a large mixed flock of small birds flew through. There were Weebills in the canopy and Yellow-rumped Thornbills on the ground, and excitingly for many of us, some Brown-headed Honeyeaters.
We were fortunate to have participants providing insights about birds, insects and plants. Bill brought along a plant species list he’d previously compiled and gave us much botanical information.
Thanks to everyone for sharing your gems of wisdom.
– John Stein
BIRD LIST – Sandra Henderson
Australian Magpie: 1
Australian Raven: 1
Australian Wood Duck: 4
Brown-headed Honeyeater: 8
Common Starling: 10
Crimson Rosella: 6
Galah: 2
Grey Butcherbird: 2
Grey Fantail: 1
Noisy Miner: 11
Spotted Pardalote: 4
Striated Pardalote: 5
Striated Thornbill: 6
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo: 8
Weebill: 8
White-eared Honeyeater: 1
White-winged Chough: 8
Yellow-rumped Thornbill: 2
