Mt Arawang

Description:  Mt Arawang is part of Cooleman Ridge Nature Reserve, between Tuggeranong and Weston Creek.  We will walk around the base of the hill.  It is an easy walk, mainly flat.  Seventy species have been recorded in Cooleman Ridge Nature Reserve, including 4 species of raptor, Speckled Warbler, Restless Flycatcher, and Golden and Rufous Whistler.

eBird hotspots:  Nearby hotspots include Kambah Horse Paddocks and Cooleman Ridge Nature Reserve.

Meeting place:           There is space for a few cars near the gate to Cooleman Ridge Nature Reserve, on the western side of Namatjira Drive, Chapman, next to Number 204.  This is where we will meet.  There is also space for a few cars on the eastern side of Namatjira Drive, at the end/beginning of Fisher.

Meeting time:  9am.

Walking distance:  3 kms around the base.  If there is interest, we could walk the track over the summit as well.

End time (approx.): 10:30 for the base loop, and an extra 45 mins to an hour to traverse the summit.

What to bring: Water, sunscreen, a hat and sturdy shoes.  Wet weather gear if considered necessary.

Name of leader and contact details:  Please register with the leader, Lia Battisson by email to liabattisson@grapevine.com.au, providing your name and mobile number, and the name and mobile number of an emergency contact.  Do so before 7pm on Friday 3 June 2022 as numbers will be limited to 15.

Eight intrepid members met at 9am, despite the forecast for rain.  It looked as if we would manage to miss the bad weather, as we set out from the entrance on Namatjira Drive.  We welcomed new members, Jeff and Julie Byron, who had recently moved from Sydney.  Some of the party crossed the stormwater levy to identify birds, in a small mixed feeding flock, which were heard on the side of the hill.  A Golden Whistler was heard making its winter “seep” call, and we took some time to ensure that all members of the party saw it, albeit briefly, before it flew off.  As we continued to walk clockwise around the base of the hill and turned the corner on the south side, we were grateful that we had donned extra layers, as the wind blew and then we had some drizzle. The drizzle didn’t last long and when we found ourselves on the leeward side of the hill it was quite pleasant.  The species count was very low, until we came upon an acacia on the northern side of the Hill, where we added eight species, including a Crescent Honeyeater, White-eared Honeyeater, Eastern Spinebill, Red Wattlebird and Yellow-faced Honeyeater.  In all, 21 species were recorded.