Around and around Round Hill

Our holiday in New South Wales

September 2007

One of the target places to visit on this holiday was Round Hill Nature Reserve. I was keen to visit this spot after reading about the many birds that can be see in the reserve and surrounding areas. The reserve is about 60km north west of the town of Lake Cargelligo in central west New South Wales.

Round Hill Nature Reserve, central NSW

We arrived in time for lunch. Driving through the park-like eastern end of the reserve we soon found a lovely spot for a picnic lunch. The birds were calling all around but few came near to where we sat eating our lunch. It was a bright, sunny, cloudless day with a gentle cool breeze. The early chill in the air had long since disappeared and it was not long before we had discarded our jumpers.

Round Hill Nature Reserve, central NSW

After lunch we wandered around the general area where we had parked for lunch. My wife was busy identifying and photographing the plants she found while I occupied myself chasing up the local birds. I managed several good shots, including one of a Pallid Cuckoo, one species I didn’t expect to get a photo of without a lot of effort. Just proves that one can be wrong. This photo was taken leaning out the car window. The bird sort of posed just for me.

Pallid Cuckoo, Round Hill Nature Reserve

Later we drove through a part of the park before turning around and heading back to the main road. About an hour later we found an interesting track to take through the park. This led us right back to where we had turned around. We had come full circle! At least I didn’t get lost.

Red-capped Robin (male)