The practise bombing range at North Bundjalung NP here in the Northern Rivers is home to a wide range of threatened species, including Ground Parrot, Grass Owl, Coastal Emu, bucketloads of other birds, an amazing array of microbats, mammals galore, etc. The quality of the habitat is outstanding, again having never been cleared. I have been extremely fortunate to have been involved in a range of wildlife surveys there and can never forget how stunning the environment is there, but also how well everything does if we can just LEAVE IT ALONE (funny that). I will also never forget digging pitfall traps into the sand adjacent to the fenced off area containing WWII-era unexploded ordinance, being surrounded by ancient explosion craters (now wonderful little lagoons in the world-class Ground Parrot habitat!), and wondering just how long it would be before one of us went up! Thankfully we’re all still here. Also, big thumbs up to the Air Force personnel at the time for courtesy and g enuine interest in our activities, they treated us very well and they were very proud that they were responsible (somewhat indirectly) for helping protect this amazing asset. And no, no weeds of note, just stunning habitat. =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request@vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org ===============================
Interesting comment by Stephen Brooking about the practise bombing range at North Bundjalung NP. I can remember an event in that location during the 1960s when, as a training officer, I was intimately involved in a 3” mortar live firing exercise which was intended to provide some experience for a newly formed Citizens Military Force Mortar Platoon based in Northern NSW. In those days I was more interested in blowing things up than in observing or photographing birds. Live firing 3” mortars is always an exciting event but this time we increased our “excitement” by setting fire to, probably, half the bombing range. My excuse was that, as a junior officer, I was acting under orders. We eventually had to evacuate our operations area. I have no idea what damage was done to the fauna of the area but we were never invited back. Thinking back now I remember the area as being quite beautiful but I really don’t think I would like to do any birdwatching there, even on the quiet days. Bob Inglis Sandstone Point Qld =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) http://birding-aus.org ===============================