It was a perfect day on 5th September when twelve COG members joined me at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. We were welcomed by a nesting Welcome Swallow at the entry to the Visitors centre and wandered around this area initially then met with Ranger Lara Woollcombe who gave us a most informative talk about the recovery of the reserve and the plans for its future.
It is anticipated that most areas of the Reserve will be open to the public by the end of the year. The focus in restocking kangaroo enclosures will be on local rather than more extensive kangaroos. The koala enclosure has problems as the epicormic growth does not offer much support for tree climbers. Lara mentioned mammal surveys being undertaken which have discovered Greater Gliders and Brush-tail Possums as well as an Eastern Pygmy Possum being discovered at the reserve. She also mentioned the Corroboree Frog husbandry which has had a hugely successful hatching from the eggs collected earlier. The captive breeding program may be re-established for the Brush-tailed Rock-Wallabies which COG members saw in numbers en route to the bird sites. The business case for the future plans for Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve has been developed and feasibility studies will be undertaken soon. Comments are most welcome.
We surveyed the sites that the Friends of Tidbinbilla are monitoring both in the wetlands and at Nil Desperandum and throughout the morning managed to see 59 species including lots of Dusky Woodswallows, White-naped and Yellow-faced Honeyeaters, Flame and Scarlet Robins. There were masses of ibis (200) starting to build their breeding condominiums and lots of Hardheads (44) and a nesting Black Swan in the wetlands. There was a report of an Emu chick but we didn't see it on the day. We did see a Brown Goshawk, Wedge-tailed Eagle and two Nankeen Kestrels for those with a passion for raptors.
The numbers are still down in comparison with pre fire surveys but there is a steady increase. Some expected species were not seen on the day and some, such as Red-browed Treecreepers and Bowerbirds have not been seen at any of the sites.
The reserve is recovering well, although a lot of the more dangerous burnt timber has had to be removed, and COG members were lucky to get good views of Rock Wallabies and Platypus on the day. There were lots of frogs making a spring chorus to accompany us on our tour around the newly replaced boardwalks in the wetlands area. The recent rains have greened the place up well and spring flowering should start soon.
Many members had not previously seen Nil Desperandum although some had used the heritage building to enjoy weekends out in the bush and were heartened that there are plans for its rebuilding - if the remaining parts are structurally sound. They noted the regrowth of the experimental camellias up there as it was expected that these would not survive the fire.
Unfortunately we did not see the Rose Robins that used to be around Nil - but better luck next time.
All in all it was a most interesting morning - which ran on a bit late - next time we will make sure people bring lunch to make a day of it as the picnic areas are open again.
Jonette McDonnell