birding-aus

Glenbrook Nat Park Adventure.

To: "Birding-aus" <>
Subject: Glenbrook Nat Park Adventure.
From: "Matt Hughes" <>
Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2003 22:24:59 +1000
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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