A dozen or so COG members were made very welcome by Simon and Isabel Dixon, the owners of Budidgerry, a approximately 100 acre property in the Murrumbateman region. The property is on hilly land, which broadly faces northeast towards Lake George. The lower flatter area near their two streams is grazing land, while the slopes are woodland which is recovering from having been grazed until about 4 years ago.
Simon and Isabel are in the process of rehabilitating the streams, fencing it off from their cows, spraying out the blackberries and planting with native vegetation. Some assistance is obtained from Greening Australia. They are interested in seeing the effects of such changes on the wildlife in the area, and the birds in particular. It was cool, but a good walk kept the circulation going as we walked through and up the woodland area and down to the open grazing land near the streams and the dam.
Approximately 80 species have been observed on the property over the past 3-4 years, and COG observed 29 of these species during our three hour walk, with no new ones to report. Among the 'usual' species, we found a pair of Varied Sitellas, a Jacky Winter, several Red Browed Finch's, one of a pair of White Faced Heron and numerous White Throated Treecreepers. Afterwards we all bundled into the cottage for very welcome tea and coffee.
It was a well worthwhile excursion, and Simon indicated that COG would be welcome to return there another time.
Alistair Bestow