Description: we will walk the western foreshore of Googong Dam. A good range of waterbirds and bush birds can be found, and over 100 species have been reported here.
Meeting time and place: Meet at the carpark for the foreshores at 9.00am. You need to get onto Old Cooma Road out of Queanbeyan. Once on Old Cooma Road, continue on to the left turn onto Googong Road. Follow Googong Road past the Googong township all the way to the Googong Foreshores carpark. This is just before the locked gate.
eBird hotspot: https://ebird.org/australia/hotspot/L3877216
Walking distance: 2km
Degree of difficulty: easy
End time (approx.):11.30am
What to bring: water, sturdy footwear, hat, sunscreen. Bring morning tea.
Participants must register with the leader, providing their name and mobile number, and the name
and mobile number of an emergency contact.
Name of leader and contact details: Sandra Henderson, shirmax2931@gmail.com
Twenty hardy souls gathered at the Foreshore Carpark to take a chilly stroll along the dam. Many reported frost and fog from their various areas but the morning had cleared to mainly sunshine by 9am, leaving only a brisk, cold wind to deal with as we walked along the edge of the water. Someone did remark it was rather like opening your fridge door and it is true the air was really cold. Everyone, including the fisher people along the shore, was well rugged up and at least we were walking.
Large groups of Eurasian Coots were spotted (83 in the count eventually) enlivened with a Black Swan, Pacific Black Ducks, Australasian Darters and Australasian Grebes, and a few Dusky Moorhens.
It was a bit warmer round the corner into Shannon’s Inlet but even better as we climbed up the hill for our return path. The walk up the slope and some sun made for a much better temperature up the hill.
The views were really excellent but did not include a huge number of birds. A total for the day was credible a 27 species over two hours with three White-eared Honeyeaters and a Scarlet Robin the highlights.
It was a most enjoyable walk with a few able to share coffee afterwards at the picnic tables. Thank you, Sandra, for another enjoyable event and for me an introduction to a new area. One of the delights of the COG outings is finding out more about our region and the many wonderful spots we can access.
Denise Rawling
