Bluetts Block is one of the few remaining areas of natural bushland containing heath in the south of Canberra and is a vital connection for wildlife between the Molonglo River Corridor and the Murrumbidgee River.
We can expect to see and hear Eastern Yellow Robin, White-throated Treecreeper, thornbills, Rufous Whistler, parrots and perhaps White-throated Gerygone and other migrants.
Meet at 8.30am at the white gates on Uriarra Rd. Find the spot by driving from Stromlo Forest Park roundabout for 2.5 km on Uriarra Road, at which point you will see the end of a bicycle track on the lefthand side which runs parallel to Uriarra Road. Park near the gate on the lefthand side of the road, or across the road alongside the white gates. Please take care, as cars often travel very fast along Uriarra Road. Be aware that it will be necessary to step through a loose wire strand fence to start the walk, or you can climb though the white gates.
This is mostly an uphill and down again walk but we will take it in gentle stages as we stop to listen for bird calls. Please wear sturdy walking shoes and bring water. Numbers are limited so please register no later than Thursday 28 November by sending an email to Kim Farley at kimlouisefarley@gmail. Please provide your name, mobile number, and the name and number of an emergency contact.
Eight of us ventured forth on what turned out to be a very wet morning. Initially we had sunny breaks and hoped for the best, but after an hour the heavens opened, we all got wet and the paths became slippery; we abandoned the walk at that point. However, despite the less-than-ideal conditions we had some interesting sightings among our total of 25 species. Highlights were the two Tawny Frogmouths sitting in a eucalypt near the car park. In the same tree were a Leaden Flycatcher and a Noisy Friarbird, with both of these very active and appearing to harass the frogmouths. We also had nice views of a different Noisy Friarbird building its nest in the foliage of a eucalypt by the walking track. And further on, we encountered a pair of Brown Thornbills at a nest in a shrub. Other species we recorded were Yellow-rumped, Striated and Buff-rumped Thornbill, Spotted and Striated Pardalote, Weebill and Eastern Yellow Robin. We counted 12 Grey Fantails.
Several of our party had not previously visited Bluetts, so we had a chat about Bluetts Block itself, including the role of the late Jean Casburn who was instrumental in raising community awareness and establishing the case for Bluetts Block to be reserved. While walking we also talked about bird species we were NOT seeing but which do occur here, and where they are typically found at Bluetts. Several of the first-time visitors said they would return on a better day!
