Description: This walk will take us from Shepherds Lookout, with its excellent birding and views, down to the confluence of the Molonglo and Murrumbidgee rivers and Uriarra Crossing. We will return via the Uriarra Loop track, before climbing back up to Shepherds Lookout. Many interesting birds are often found in the area, including honeyeaters, cuckoos and birds of prey.
eBird hotspots: Shepherds Lookout https://ebird.org/hotspot/L2405757 and Uriarra Loop Track https://ebird.org/hotspot/L9391286
Meeting time and place: Meet at 8:00 am at the Shepherds Lookout carpark on Stockdill Drive in Strathnairn (accessed via Pro Hart Avenue). The small parking area can become quite congested, so please take care when parking along the roadside.
***If using navigation apps, please note that there is no access to Shepherds Lookout from Uriarra Road, and you must select the carpark as your destination rather than the lookout itself.***
Walk details: A moderate walk of approximately 9 kms that may take 3-4 hours. There may be gates or stiles to navigate as well as some narrow, steep and rocky sections.
What to bring: Water, morning tea, binoculars, sturdy footwear, sun protection, camera (optional).
Registration: Please register with Lachlan by email (poephila@outlook.com), no later than Friday 30 August. Participants should provide their name and mobile number, and the name and mobile number of an emergency contact.
Lachlan Duncan led an enthusiastic group of 9, starting from Shepherds Lookout carpark at 8am sharp under sunny skies and strong winds. Within moments, we saw a Wedge-tailed Eagle and Golden Whistlers (within flowering wattles), and a Western Gerygone was distinctly heard as we approached the lookout. A Peregrine Falcon was soaring through the skies around the cliff edge of the lookout. On the long walk down to Uriarra, a wide variety of woodland birds were seen, particularly in areas that were protected from the strong winds which persisted all day. These included Eastern Spinebills, Weebills, Brown Thornbills, Buff-rumped Thornbills and Grey Fantails, in addition to Crimson and Eastern Rosellas. Fairy Martins and Welcome Swallows were seen in the grounds of the sewage works on the side of the large hill. In addition to seeing White-throated Treecreepers, we witnessed a group of White-winged Choughs industriously building a nest in a tree, adjacent to the footbridge crossing the river. An 11:30am morning tea at Uriarra East Picnic Area was followed by the return hike along the Uriarra Loop trail as gusty winds buffeted the landscape; final highlights included a Black-shouldered Kite, Red-browed Finch and European Goldfinch. The walk finished at about 1pm, when we confirmed a tally of 39 species across three eBird Hotspots, being Woodstock Nature Reserve, Shepherds Lookout Walk and Uriarra Loop Track.
Mark Tindale
