On the 16th of May, on an unseasonably mild mid-May morning, a group of Field Naturalists explored the new Woodland Walk at Strathnairn. This is part of the Ginnindery track network that in recent times has greatly been expanded through the Murrumbidgee Corridor. The track we followed loops through eucalypt plantings from the 1990s. Now, after 25 years, a woodland structure has developed.
At the halfway point, there is a lookout with great vistas of the Murrumbidgee River and beyond. Upstream were the steep cypress-clad slopes below Shepherds Lookout, while the downstream direction was toward the Ginninderra Creek confluence. On the neighbouring ridge to our north, new housing development could be seen meeting the top of the spurs and gullies leading to the river below.
The weather was not only mild, but also very calm. It was ideal for hearing bird calls, and during the morning we came across 25 species (see list below). A highlight for us was seeing a flock of Superb Parrots. We were first alerted by their calls, then found them perched in the eucalypt canopy along a creek line.
Several Eastern Grey Kangaroos were seen during the walk, as were cattle on the track. We skirted around the cows, worrying about the environmental damage they were causing with grazing pressure on native species, erosion and increased soil nutrients, but a positive observation was the partial fencing of some farm dams to limit cattle damage at the water’s edge.
It was too late in the season for much insect activity, but we did notice many Swift Moth casings along the track.
After a very enjoyable 2 hours we headed to that wonderful social enterprise, the Stepping Stone Café, for a very enjoyable lunch.
– John Stein
Strathnairn Woodland Track – Bird List
Australian Raven
Australian Magpie
Australian Magpie Lark
Brown Thornbill
Common Starling
Crimson Rosella
Pied Currawong
Red-rumped Parrot
Red Wattlebird
Satin Bowerbird
Spotted Pardalote
Striated Pardalote
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Superb Fairywren
Superb Parrot
Weebill
White-eared Honeyeater
Yellow-faced Honeyeater
Yellow-rumped Thornbill
Eastern Rosella
Galah
Golden Whistler
Grey Butcherbird
House Sparrow
Kookaburra
Willie Wagtail