Reg Collins

Sunday June 19, a mild sunny winter’s day, saw the running of the Tom Covell Nature Safari at Nangarin. Postponed from 2021 due to Covid restrictions, the event organised and funded by Greater Sydney Land Services provided a wonderful opportunity for local residents to gain an informed insight into the unique and diverse ecology of bushland within the Nangarin Estate.

Naturalist and Ecologist Tom Covell from ‘Hooked on Nature’ guided participants along a path travelling through open grasslands to narrow tracks along Stonequarry Creek, observing with his keen eye the range of flora and fauna listed below. Due to the high level of interest from residents, the activities were divided into two 2-hour sessions, with each session accommodating 18 residents.

A sausage sizzle lunch, provided by the Nangarin Landcare team, and the opportunity to chat with other residents rounded out a great day, as feedback from one family states: “We absolutely loved yesterday’s session.  We learned a lot and feel so lucky to live in such a beautiful place. We took away quite a bit from the session. “

The Nangarin Community is appreciative of the efforts of Tom Covell and Angela Maier, Greater Sydney Local Land Services, for providing this unique opportunity to enhance our understanding of our local environment

Here is a list of some of things seen, heard or talked about on the day and links to further information and resources:

• Some of the animals/critters we saw or heard:
  • Glossy black cockatoo – listed as a vulnerable species in NSW – read more about them & get involved in the Great Glossy Count HERE – they feed on the seeds of Casuarina trees
  • Brown goshawk
  • Swamp wallaby
  • Golden orb weaving spiders
  • Weebill – small birds high in the canopy
  • Common eastern froglet – Download the FrogID app and report frog calls
  • Bell miner bird – which feed on psyllids
  • Centipedes and Earthworms
• Native plants:
  • We saw a lot of Grey Gums (Eucalyptus punctata – also known as Salmon Gums) – which are koala food trees
    • Check out this Koala food trees fact sheet from Wollondilly Council
  • Native cherry tree
  • Native mistletoe – read about how they are important habitat trees for critically endangered species like the Regent Honeyeater HERE and about the Mistoetoe bird
  • Parramatta Green Wattle (Acacia parramattensis)
  • Various forms of Fungi
• Animals/critters that are likely to live in the area:
  • Koala – Read more about the Wollondilly Koala Conservation project
  • Yellow bellied glider – listen to calls HERE
  • Sugar glider – has left lots of small scratches on trees – read more about them and hear calls HERE
  • Monitor lizard/goanna
  • Echidna 
  • Microbats
  • Wombats

Other websites that may be of interest:

• Cumberland Plain Woodland is a critically endangered ecological community – read more about the Cumberland Plain Restoration program that Greater Sydney Landcare is running HERE
• Wollondilly Council’s Community Nursery at Wonga Rd, Picton has a range of native plants. Local residents are entitled to 20 free plants per year.
• Habitat hollows – learn about the importance of retaining tree hollows HERE, or report a wildlife using a hollow HERE
• Feralscan – report sightings of pest animals such as foxes, deer and rabbits HERE
• Subscribe to the Greater Sydney Landcare and Community news HERE to stay up-to-date with events, citizen science opportunities and other great information.

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