Greg Duggan Nature Reserve
Greg Duggan Nature Reserve, Peterborough
On a visit to stay with family in Peterborough, South Australia last year I took out a hour or so to go birding. Many years ago I had experienced some excellent birding near Tank Hill at the end of Government Road. On this occasion I was delighted to see that the area had been made into a dedicated reserve in honour of local council worker Greg Duggan. The sign above is at the beginning of the walking track.
While I didn’t manage to see many birds on this occasion I was delighted to get photos of some of the local plants in flower. I will share these over coming days so I invite readers to come back soon. Meanwhile, just a little background information about Greg and the reserve:
Named after Greg Duggan, one of South Australia’s most gifted, and knowledgeable, amateur naturalists, this 10 acre Reserve is home to a wide range of local flora and fauna, with several species of Native plants found there being extremely rare in South Australia. These plants are Mallee Hop-bush (Dodonaea subglandifulera – Endangered), Two-bristle Greenhood (Pterostylis biseta – one record only) and Ashy-haired Swainson-pea (Swainsona tephrotrich – Rare).
The reserve can be accessed from Tank Hill lookout with marvellous views over Peterborough from an elevated observation deck.
Mr Duggan, a Council employee, has dedicated much of his free time during his life to studying the birds, plants and reptiles in the Peterborough District, and has compiled a check list of the many species found locally, and which is available from the Council Office or Visitor Information Centre for a minimal fee.
I did say above that I didn’t see many birds on my visit to the reserve. It started out well with the appearance of a Singing Honeyeater perched on the interpretive sign at the start of the walking track. I’ve included a photo of it below. After that I saw very few birds, but that happens. I was rather cold, late afternoon and I didn’t even hear many birds.
The photo immediately below shows a part of the walking track through the reserve. It demonstrates the diversity of plant life in the reserve. While native pines (Callitris spp) dominate the southern parts of the reserve, there are also plenty of wattles (Acacia spp), hop bush (Dodonaea) and smaller bushes plus a range of native grasses. Sadly a growing number of exotic plants are also present and the weed problem is evident.
Walking track through Greg Duggan Nature Reserve, Peterborough
Singing Honeyeater, Greg Duggan Nature Reserve, Peterborough
Greg Duggan Nature Reserve, Peterborough
A very tempting pinata
A pinata in the picnic area of the gardens
I love a good pinata.
Many years ago in another life I led my students through a study of the country of Mexico. To celebrate the end of that unit of study we made a pinata and filled it with sweets, as tradition dictates. We had a glorious time.
But what is this wonderful pinata doing hanging around in the picnic area of the Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Gardens in St Ives in Sydney? On our visit there earlier this year we had just been on a walk along one of the trails when we came across this wonderfully coloured creature just hanging around. Not another person in sight – but we heard them.
All around this pinata were the remnants of a children’s birthday party. Baskets, food, party hats, wrapping paper, drinks and much more – and in the distance we could hear a group of excited children moving through the nearby bush. The local ranger was leading them on a discovery tour of the gardens which I gather is quite a popular event. (Details and bookings here.) They even cater for camp-fires and a spotlight prowl at night. Wonderful.
I have added another photo below. It is a banksia flower which I took nearby. It has nothing to do with the party, the children or the pinata. I just wanted to share it.
If you look back over the last week or so on this site you will see more photos of flowers I took on this visit.
Banksia flower, Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Gardens, Sydney
Scribbly Gum, Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Gardens
Trunk of a scribbly gum
I took this photo of the bark of a scribbly gum during a walk we did in the Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Gardens earlier this year. Whenever we visit this park I am fascinated by the intricate patterns on the bark of these trees. They look like someone has taken a pen and scribbled all over the bark on the trunk, hence the name. The trees are quite common in the Sydney region.
The term ‘scribbly gum’ can refer to several species of eucalypt trees, but this one is probably the Eucalyptus haemastoma. The markings are caused by the larval form of the scribbly gum moth tunnelling through the bark.
Hakea, Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Gardens, Sydney
Hakea propinqua flower
On our walk in the Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Gardens in St Ives, Sydney earlier this year we came across a number of hakea plants in flower. I have shown one of the flowers in the photos above. I failed to ask my wife if she knew the actual botanical name and as I write this she is not at home for the morning. So, being resourceful, I did a little research online and came to the conclusion that it is Hakea propinqua.
Then I had another look at the photos I took on the day.
Doh. I had actually taken a photo of the name plaque under the tree! (See photo below)
In other photos below I show the fruit and more flowers of this attractive bush. This particular specimen could almost be called a tree as it was 4 – 5 metres tall.
Fruit of the Hakea propinqua
Fruit and flowers of the Hakea propinqua
New Visitor Centre Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Gardens
Banksia flower, Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Gardens Sydney
On our visit earlier this year to the Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Gardens in St Ives in Sydney we were delighted to see a new visitor and information centre near the entrance. After having a picnic lunch we spent a while in the new centre before going on a walk along one of the many walking trails in this park.
The visitor centre (see photo below) houses information about the gardens including posters and guides detailing what can be seen in the gardens. They also have a selection of books and other materials for sale. In an adjacent section the local Australian Plants Society has a small range of plants for sale. They also maintain and update regularly a display of what plants are currently in flower (see second photo below). This always interest my wife who has a keen interest in Australian plants. She even has a small nursery (and a website here about growing Australian plants).
New visitor centre at Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Gardens Sydney
Selection of wildflowers on display at Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Gardens Sydney