Nineteen people assembled on the Brindabella Road at Micalong Swamp after a scenic and dusty drive over the Brindabellas from Canberra. Leader David McDonald explained that Micalong Swamp, at over 900m altitude, is said to be the largest montane swamp along the ranges and slopes of NSW. Our route along the swamp would follow in the tracks of Hume and Hovell, whose expedition passed this way on 31 October 1824.
On their trip Emus and wombats were plentiful and we found much evidence of the latter but sadly no Emus. While the swamp is probably much the same, today pine forests have replaced much of the surrounding mountain gum forest while blackberry is rampant in creeks. Birds were hard to find as we followed the eastern edge of the swamp. Notable sightings were a Rufous Fantail fanning through the pine forest, and a Brown Goshawk hawking above the swamp.
Crossing to the western bank of the swamp at Chinaman’s Creek (this was later gold country), we lunched in an open area dotted with the debris of human habitation. Lunch was interrupted amid great excitement when Julie McGuiness casually announced the presence of a male Red-capped Robin, and a female was soon located nearby. Despite the promise of this unique habitat, few birds were in evidence as we returned along the western edge of the swamp, but we enjoyed a pleasant walk with a respectable total of 30 species. The day was efficiently and informatively organised by David McDonald, to the acclaim of an appreciative group.
Trevor Lipscombe