Wednesday walk – South Jerrabomberra Ponds

Meet at 8.30am at the pond on the corner of Oxalis and Environa Drives. Park a little further on along Environa Drive, where there are several roadside parking bays. Environa Drive (off Tompsitt Drive) is the only entry point to South Jerrabomberra, and it is a couple of kilometres along that road to the ponds, which are on either side of the road.  We will walk around the two open ponds, and then walk along to peer through the fence at the newest pond, not yet open. These new ponds already have over 80 species on eBird lists, and will only improve with time. Wear sturdy shoes and bring hat, sunscreen and water.

Register with Sandra at shirmax2931@gmail.com. Please provide your name, mobile number and the name and number of an emergency contact.

A smaller than usual group met in the new South Jerrabomberra suburb to look around the three new ponds.  Despite the pond system being very new, eBird already has over 80 birds listed. Both Hoary-headed and Australasian Grebes were identified, with one of the Australasian Grebes on a nest.  Tim and Jenni found an Australian Spotted Crake foraging along the edge of the water, and we all got good looks at this bird. In the unkempt area between Hume and the ponds, Golden-headed Cisticolas, Superb Fairy-wrens, Red-rumped Parrots and European Goldfinches were seen, and White-plumed Honeyeaters complained loudly when a Pied Currawong flew in.  A total of 39 species went on the list – so well worth visiting as the suburb develops.

Sandra Henderson