Atlas Naturalists Field Day
rescheduled to Sunday, 15th September, 2019
Wild weather forced us to cancel the original planned walk ( 8th Sept), so we’ve rescheduled for Sunday 15th.
Update 6:30 pm Friday: The weather forecast for Sunday is OK, so the walk is on!
A bit of wind, but nothing too strong. Bring a jacket, bring your lunch, and join us as we explore the coastal heath. Full details below.
Early Spring seems a good time to explore the special vegetation communities of the South Coast Heaths.
The low-growing shrubs, forbs and sedges should be starting to flower. There may even be an orchid or two! Whales, seals and seabirds are almost guaranteed. Tawny-crowned Honeyeaters – specialists of the coastal heath – should be making their song-flights as they contest territories. And if we’re very, very lucky, we may even spot a Southern Emu Wren or Eastern Ground Parrot!
Join us as we wander the track northwards from Green Cape.
view south from Green Cape headland
Place: Green Cape, Ben Boyd National Park
We’ll meet up at Green Cape Lighthouse car park at 10am. From there the walking track heads north through Melaleuca scrub and then out onto the more exposed heath.
Please consider car-sharing. The road is currently in excellent condition, readily accessible for 2WD vehicles.
Turn off the Pacific Highway onto Edrom Road. Follow the signs for Green Cape Lighthouse. Allow plenty of time for the drive in - it takes about 30mins from the highway.
Time: 10am - 3pm
We’ll explore a 3 km stretch of the Light-to-Light walking track (up to the Pulpit Road track intersection). Of course, you can choose how fast and how far you walk before turning back. The actual heath vegetation starts 1.3 km along the track. Some people may decide to stay around the lighthouse point, bird watching or exploring the vegetation along the roadsides or on the southern side of the point at City Rock.
What to bring
lunch and water (to carry on the walk)
appropriate clothing and footwear (long trousers, covered shoes, wind jacket)
cash for National Park vehicle entry fee ($8 per vehicle). Annual permit holders are, of course, exempt.
cameras, binoculars, notebook (all optional)
a friend, if you like (but no dogs)
Activities
We’ll compile species lists for the day. You can help by taking photos or notes of your sightings. In particular:
plants in flower
orchids, in particular
birds, including seabirds around the point
insects, particularly those seen visiting flowers
reptiles - it’s a good time of year for snakes!
Or simply join us as we explore this natural place. It’s a narrow walking track, so we’ll be spread out. Plenty of opportunities for people to focus on their own particular interests.
The NatureMapr database has a ‘Maps’ feature that allows you to view all sightings for a particular area. You can filter by birds, plants, insects … whatever category you like.
If you have any questions, please contact Paul Whitington (Atlas Naturalists coordinator): 0459 315132
Read more about South Coast Heaths (OEH website) vegetation community.