The fact that the four sets of traffic lights between Hughes and Glendale Crossing were green saw me arrive punctually at the 7.45am set off time still extracting sleep from my eyes. Was I still dreaming at 8.15am when only Kathy Walter and myself stood silently waiting for the sound of belated arrivals? Nope! So off we went into the overcast morning serenaded by numerous Fuscous Honeyeaters.
There are many Apple Box in this area and also Black Sallees, lovely country. A break atop a hill revealed many a small bird; including Scarlet Robin, Yellow, Buff-rumped, and Yellow-rumped Thornbills. Just before arriving at the Hut (5kms) we watched a Fuscous building its oh so delicate nest 1.5m high in a Wild Rose. I'm sure that less scrupled bushwalkers will use a conveniently situated Welcome Swallow's nest in the Hut's outhouse as an ashtray one day.
As the 'planned' walk was a 'car shuttle thingy' we now had to decide whether to turn back or press on to the Boboyan Rd termination of the track (10kms) OR put faith in passing fellow nature lovers to give us a 'hitch' back to our cars. We choose the latter and ended up walking 19kms for the day, up hill (large) and down dale (large) and were passed by 7 vehicles including a ranger, none of whom were obliging. We finally were picked up by a nice chap who drove us the last 800m to our cars, and let me tell you, we appreciated every metre of it. Birding highlights of the day were an aerial display by a Satin Flycatcher and the numerous behavioural traits of the abundant Fuscous.
Back at our cars Kathy and I could barely swing our legs in though we finally managed. I was personally disappointed in the turnout though appreciate what transpired, as it was 'a little adventure'. A dip in the Gugenby R invigorated me sufficiently to get me home, although 30 hours later I am beginning to feel it!
Stuart Harris