I have also had experience in the bombing range of north Bundjalung National
Park. I have banded and flagged Pied Oystercatchers and Beach Stone-curlews
there and they have thrived because of the limited number of vehicles
driving on the beach. Unfortunately bushfires appear to have virtually
wiped out the endangered population of the Coastal Emu in Bundjalung. Only
one male was seen after a large fire a few years back but there has been one
unconfirmed report of two birds along the Gap Road. I have to admit to
being a little nervous driving in areas that are used as a bombing range but
the air force officers in charge of the range were very professional and
other than once being buzzed by a low flying training plane on the beach we
were kept well away from the bombing aircraft. On one occasion while
waiting for bombing activities to cease, to allow us to access the beach for
banding, we were treated to a great exhibition of strategic bombing as an
F111 (or maybe an F18) projected bombs in an arc from a few kilometres out
to sea to the target area. I was relieved that the pilots were very
accurate as we were just a short distance to the west of the target area.
The area does have an abundance of wildlife which is partly due to the
limited access to the site, but also because of the diversity of habitat in
a region of high biodiversity. It is worth noting that the air force is
working to close and rehabilitate unnecessary tracks cut through the heath
over the years and have removed some makeshift shacks.
Regards
Greg
Dr Greg. P. Clancy
Ecologist and Birding-wildlife Guide
| PO Box 63 Coutts Crossing NSW 2460
| 02 6649 3153 | 0429 601 960
http://www.gregclancyecologistguide.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Robert Inglis
Sent: Tuesday, August 20, 2013 3:29 PM
To: Birding-Aus
Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Military training areas and
Conservation -Unexploded Reality
Interesting comment by Stephen Brooking about the practise bombing range at
North Bundjalung NP.
I can remember an event in that location during the 1960s when, as a
training officer, I was intimately involved in a 3” mortar live firing
exercise which was intended to provide some experience for a newly formed
Citizens Military Force Mortar Platoon based in Northern NSW.
In those days I was more interested in blowing things up than in observing
or photographing birds.
Live firing 3” mortars is always an exciting event but this time we
increased our “excitement” by setting fire to, probably, half the bombing
range.
My excuse was that, as a junior officer, I was acting under orders.
We eventually had to evacuate our operations area.
I have no idea what damage was done to the fauna of the area but we were
never invited back.
Thinking back now I remember the area as being quite beautiful but I really
don’t think I would like to do any birdwatching there, even on the quiet
days.
Bob Inglis
Sandstone Point
Qld
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