'Bibaringa' is a private property located on the Cotter Road owned by the Guth family and is utilised primarily for horse agistment. Mindful of the fine balance required to sustain both horses and local endemic wildlife, the custodians have taken measures such as leaving fallen wood (much after 2003 fires), selective paddock fencing and sub-saturation agistment to encourage what natural flora and fauna remain to flourish. As a result, bird enthusiasts at this time of year would expect to find the following on, or over Bibaringa: Wedge-tailed Eagle, Brown Falcon, Brown Treecreeper, Diamond Firetail and White-winged Triller. The possibility of any combination of 'local' Woodswallow, Southern Whiteface and Peaceful or Diamond Dove also exist.
Bibaringa is peppered with stately Yellow Box (E. Melliodora) and has strong populations of aging Red Stringybark (E. Macroryncha), some of which sport nesting holes, more so now after limb shear from the 2003 fire. White-browed Woodswallows have been observed nesting in pockets left by fallen limbs the past two springs though on both occasions it was early November, so here's hoping.
If interested, meet walk leader, Stuart Harris at the entrance to Bibaringa (see above) at 8 am. Stuart has been walking on, and observing the birds of Bibaringa for over 5 years now, with the kind permission of the Guth family. 105 species have been recorded in this relatively small area over this time. Please bring a drink bottle and sturdy footwear as the walk will be undulating and over sometimes rocky, or even moist ground (much topsoil was lost post January 2003 and Bibaringa's meaning is 'place of springs'). Depending on group consensus, our party may take in some of the elevated views around Bibaringa, which afford sweeping vistas of the Murrumbidgee Corridor. Consensus will again determine the walk duration though it is not envisaged to go beyond 12 noon.
For those unsure of its location, Bibaringa is only ten minutes from Cooleman Court shopping Centre in Weston and 1 km on the right past the Mt Stromlo turnoff, heading west, and well short of the Cotter itself. Stuart can be contacted at home on 6232 4998, mobile 0437 394 882 or on sharris@cpe.com.au