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Howdy,
Last Sat we (3 dads & their 6 boys) camped at
Euroka in the Glenbrook Nat Park (Lower Blue Mtns NSW). Sat arvo we set up
camp (the Dads that is - the boys explored), investigated by the resident
satin bower birds (M & F) & then wandered about 'bugging' (shaking
shrubs onto a sheet underneath & watched what emerged, armed with bug
catchers & magnifying glasses - quite a variety of insects from a small
selection of plants - glad I don't have an insect list - would still be there
identifying). Euroka has plenty of eastern grey kangaroos which were a hit with
the boys & the tourists.
We came across a flock of Sulphur Crested
Cockatoos which were rhythmically hopping up & down - have never seen this
behaviour before - any suggestions ?
Later that night we spotlighted nearby hoping to
see some sugar & greater gliders that the ranger said had been about -
we dipped but Maddie, undaunted, went off with a torch & found an eastern
snake-necked turtle in the creek near the tents - an adventure getting down
the embankment but no kids (or Dads) ended up with the turtle (the
field guide indicates that they give off a pungent smell when
disturbed). Southern Boobook heard.
4.30 am we awake & hear 2 powerful owls & a
boobook. 5.30am Maddie & his mate Geoffrey are off exploring &
are welcomed by early magpie carolling, noisy friar birds, a
kookaburra & a powerful owl still calling. Slightly later the dawn chorus
hits full strap & warms the heart as the brisk air chills the
face. 6.30 Ryley & I are up after sleeping bag rumble. 2 bucks have squared
off & are fighting each other with plenty of kicks grabs & grunts -
seemed like we were witnessing a documentary (fortunately for his old man
Ryley didn't try any of those manoeuvres - give him time I expect). Ryley
(4) spotted & identified a male Superb Lyrebird near the creek -
the other boys were impressed - maybe some seeds sown.
A walk down to the Nepean river had us wondering
what on earth we were doing as the wind had picked up & the track was
covered with fallen trees & branches from the previous high winds that had
plundered the Lower Mtns (& elsewhere). Not many birds about but did
see a Brown Goshawk cruise the Nepean Gorge.
Tentatively we'll adventure again,
Cheers Matt
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