Sunday 20 July became a sunny, crisp winter day as we left Canberra. We drove through the scorched Namadgi National Park to the unburnt area and into New South Wales. From Bradley’s Creek Road we climbed up into the ACT.
At first we heard only a few birds, Crimson Rosella, Superb Lyrebird and Australian Raven. At the highest point of our walk at approximately 1300 metres we came across a mixed flock of White-browed Scrubwren, Brown and Striated Thornbill, White-throated Treecreeper and White-eared Honeyeaters. A Superb Lyrebird rushed along beside us and other Superb Lyrebirds were heard.
We abandoned the idea of a lunch stop at the Murrumbidgee River as the fence line now extends almost to the river. To and from the Murrumbidgee we disturbed a Wedge-tailed Eagle, so we had good views of the animal.
At our lunch stop back on Bradley’s Creek Road we had six species, new ones included the Buff-rumped and Yellow-rumped Thornbill and six Grey Shrike-thrush. A Hooded Robin was seen close to Shannon’s Flat.
A short walk to Westerman’s Homestead on Grassy Creek revealed the restoration of the cottage. More suprising was the pair of Restless Flycatchers low down on a bush.
An amble around the perimeter of Mt Clear Campground resulted in three species: Superb Lyrebird, Australian Raven and Noisy Miner. Ice remained in some sheltered parts of the creek. There was regrowth, which a couple of Kangaroos were feeding on. It was a timely reminder of the burnt out country we were about to drive through to Tharwa.
The McDonalds’ and I were lucky ones to enjoy this well planned trip through a cross section of our Southern border.
Pat Williams