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.
