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Kathy and I have just spent an enjoyable couple of
days camping at Wadbilliga National Park (about 40km east of Cooma, via
Numeralla). We camped at Cascades camping ground, and whilst is was busy the
first night, we had the place to ourselves on the second night (Monday). The
place was teeming with Greater Gliders - there seemed to be one
or two in every tree (slight exaggeration, but there were probably 6
or 7 around our tent, including a white morph) - as well as
Brushtail Possums, Swamp Wallabies,
a (assumed) Long-nosed Bandicoot, and at least one
Platypus in the river near our tent site.
We heard a possible long distance call of a
Powerful Owl, but it didn't repeat. There were so many of their favourite food
(gliders) and large hollows that you'd think they should be around - played a PO
call for a while but achieved no response, except that the Greater Gliders
seemed to get closer to us - protection perhaps? Or maybe there aren't any POs
there so didn't recognise the call as a predator.
The dawn chorus included Superb
Lyrebirds, Pilotbirds and Olive
Whistlers - pretty hard to beat. Many lyrebirds in the surrounding
bush, and on the walk to Tuross Falls (pretty impressive - probably spectacular
after decent rain) - saw one male calling, and heard several others, and
came across some females as well.
Whilst not a huge bird list - 47 species in the
park and several others on the way in and out - they were pretty good, and
included Bassian Thrush, Eastern Whipbird,
Spotted Quail-Thrush, Flame Robin,
Satin Bowerbird, Owlet-Nightjar,
Crescent Honeyeaters, Yellow-tailed
Black-Cockatoos and Wedge-tailed Eagles.
A full list is available if anyone would like
it.
David & Kathy Cook
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