On this chilly, grey day, your thoughts may not yet be turning be spring - but they should be! COG has a busy field trip programme for September with two pelagics as well as trips to Green Cape and Galong near Harden, staying in very comfortable (heated) accommodation. However, the lack of interest shown in these trips so far means we may have to cancel them if numbers do not increase.
If you would like to join any or all of these trips , see the trip details below and contact Sandra Henderson or me.
Friday 13 to Sunday 15 September
2013- Galong, west of Harden
This
outing will involve a visit to a property that has undergone an extensive
replanting program over many years. The
outing will be in response to an invitation by the property owner to view the
large diversity of birds that now reside on the property in response to the
planting program.
The
outing will also involve a visit to Jindalee Nature Reserve, an old COG haunt
of Box-Ironbark not visited for many years or possibly nearby to Douglas Range.
Accommodation
for the two nights will be at the St Clement’s Retreat and Conference Centre,
see www.stclement.com.au
and will provide a different accommodation experience than usually expected at
a COG outing.
For
further details contact Sue Lashko at m("gmail.com","smlashko");">
Saturday
21 and Sunday 22 September –Eden pelagics
COG has booked the weekend of September 21 and 22 for two
one-day pelagic trips. The outings leave from Eden Harbour in the early morning
(time to be confirmed), and return mid-afternoon. Each trip can accommodate 12
people, and the cost per person per trip will be $100. October is one of the peak months for seabird
migration off the east coast of Australia and there should be a wide diversity
of seabirds. Organising travel and accommodation will be each individual’s
responsibility but no doubt there will be opportunities for car-pooling and an
informal get-together for dinner/drinks in Eden on the Friday and Saturday
evenings.
Bookings
will only be confirmed when full payment is received. Payment must be made by
July 31. These trips need to be fully
subscribed to ensure COG does not make a loss, and as is the case with all paid
trips, preference is given to COG members.
Once you’ve booked and paid, no refunds can be given unless a
replacement can be found.
As with all boating activities the trip will be weather dependent
and rough seas could lead to the cancellation or postponement of the trip.
Please book with Sandra Henderson and
indicate which day you prefer (Saturday or Sunday). Payment by direct deposit
to COG’s bank account is preferred – details will be sent to those who express
interest.
Monday 23
to Friday27 September 2013 - Green Cape
Built in 1883 and perched on the edge of a peninsula, Green Cape
Light Station is the tallest and most southerly lighthouse in NSW. Its
octagonal tower juts out from a square base in dramatic contrast to the
low-lying landscape surrounding it. It looks across Disaster Bay – the site of
many shipwrecks. A tour of the
lighthouse itself is normally provided for participants, and the historic
Ly-ee-Moon Cemetery is only a few minutes’ walk from the accommodation.
Accommodation: Two cottages that were previously the assistant
keepers’ residences have been carefully restored to offer superb 3.5 star
heritage accommodation. Each cottage contains a fully equipped kitchen, dining
room, bathroom, master bedroom (with queen-size bed), second bedroom (with two
single beds) and family/lounge room (with sofa bed). Each cottage can
accommodate up to six people. We have booked for four nights from Mon 23
September to Fri 27 September – that is, to arrive on Monday (after midday) and
depart on Friday morning.
Costs: The commitment is for a 4-night stay – no concession for
shorter stays. The total accommodation costs will be $190 per person (payable
by the end of July, once you’ve registered your interest with Sandra
Henderson). There is also a $7 fee per car per day to enter Ben Boyd National
Park. This can be paid at a self-registration booth on arrival.
Catering: Evening meals will be communal, and arrangements for
that will be made closer to the time. Bring your own food for breakfasts and
lunches – and BYO wine/beer/spirits. Please note that there are no shops nearby
so bring all food and drink items with you.
Activities: There will be ample opportunity for good seabird
watching from the cape, and the heathlands surrounding the cottages are
excellent for birds including Ground
Parrot, Southern Emu-wren, Striated Fieldwren, Tawny-crowned Honeyeater,
Beautiful Firetail and other typical eastern Australian coastal heathland
species. To get some idea of the activities and birds, check the trip report
for the last visit (Trips page on COG’s website, 2011 trips, September- Green
Cape) or visit Peter Fullagar’s blog at http://mipartners.blogspot.com.au/2011/09/cog-at-green-cape-in-2011.html
Those interested in being part of this year’s trip please
contact Sandra Henderson at . A personal telescope and tripod can be very
useful at Green Cape.
