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Walk photo Bexley to Tempe Nov 24 1

A STORY OF SURVIVAL – A WALK FROM BEXLEY NORTH TO TEMPE

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A story of survival - Walk from Bexley North to Tempe in the Wolli Creek Regional Park

On Sunday 10 November we had another lovely day for our last guided walk for this spring along the Wolli Creek track. Ute and Gina led a group of walkers on a 5km walk from the start of the track at Bexley North to the end of the track at Unwin St Earlwood. Many who attended were new members of WCPS and so it was good to share the history of the valley and the fight to save it and to finally have it funded so it can be fully completed as the Wolli Creek Regional Park.
Ute shared stories about some of the battles to save the Wolli Creek valley. She also pointed out places of historical interest such as the Bowen’s Camp, King’s Farm, habitat stepping stones, Russell’s Pool, Nannygoat Hill, Jackson Place and the Chinese market gardens to name a few. Several in the group were impressed by the work of WCPS to save this park and by the bushland it contains. It was lovely to have people on the walk thank WCPS for the work we have done to save the valley and continue to do. Always a good reminder of how special this 5km track and surrounding bushland is. 

brush turkey

BRUSH TURKEY NEST

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Deb and Peter were leading a walk through the valley and were alerted by a member walking in the other direction. A sizeable area of the bush undergrowth between Illoura and Bray has been torn up and piled across the track. Vandalism was suspected. However the ‘vandal’ turned out to be a male Brush Turkey, busy at work building a nest and mostly too busy to take any notice of onlookers. The heap is close to passing walkers, so is vulnerable to bad or ignorant behaviour and walkers need to be aware of it and take care.

brush turkey mound
brush turkey mound

The male Brush Turkey is the one who builds the nest or incubation mound and controls the temperature via ongoing maintenance. A lot of time and effort goes into constructing a mound, and he will use his mound again and again in years to come. Brush-turkeys are both polygynous and polyandrous. Several females can visit the mound, often copulate with the male and periodically dig large holes in the mound to bury their eggs.

When they hatch, chicks are entirely left to their own devices and have to survive on their own, including having to dig their own way out of the mound.

This morning, Laura saw another Brush Turkey up the other end of the Valley. Wonder if she’s a female??

Wildflower walkers

NATIVE WILDFLOWER WALK

This Sunday, Valerie Atkinson and I led  a group of people for a native wildflower walk along the track from Girrahween to Turrella. We began with an introduction to the diversity in shape and size of flowers and leaves, essential for identification.  Then we looked at Family – Genus- Species identifying which twigs belonged to  the Family of Eucalyptus, Corymbia, Angophora or Syncarpia.
 
We looked at the 5 month regeneration that has happened since the controlled burn in April, then walked around the oval and the path to Turrella, spotting and identifying plants.  There was  lots of discussion and cross-pollination of information between us. 
 
Most of us had walked the track before but those who had not were amazed at the bat camp – most of the bats were asleep and not very active – but smelly and noisy. A delight for the senses. After we reached  Turrella the group went their separate ways and others climbed Nannygoat Hill.
 
Maggie Aitken
Dave Noble fungi expert

JULY FUNGAL FORAY WITH DAVE NOBLE

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On a recent windy Saturday a group of Wolli Creek Preservation Society members joined a Fungi Foray in the Wolli Creek Valley. The walk was led by David Noble, an extraordinarily knowledgeable bushwalker and photographer.  We were invited by the Sydney Fungal Studies Group and it was one of a series of field trips held in and around Sydney during the fungi season, which is roughly late March to July.  

Looking for fungi

We met at Girrahween Park for a briefing and then set off along the track towards Russell’s Pool. It was a large and enthusiastic group, some with a depth of experience of fungi, and some newbies too. There was plenty of sharing of information and stories as we carefully explored likely fungi sites.

fungal foray group

As a newbie, I was delighted to see puffballs (Scleroderma cepa), Trametes sp. and Descolia recedens.

Puffball Scleroderma cepa
Puffball Scleroderma cepa
Trametes sp
Trametes Sp

 

Descolia recedens
Descolia recedens

 

We stopped to admire small outcrops of green hooded orchids. While these are not fungi, they are pollinated by fungus gnats, which they temporarily trap in their hoodlike structure.

Green-hooded Orchids
Green-hooded Orchids

There was also a fungus, Hypoxylon sp. that looked just like a burnt area on a fallen tree. 

Hypoxylon sp.
Hypoxylon sp.

Dave summed up the walk saying “Conditions were fairly dry, with not much fungi out and some of it quite dry. When it’s dry it can be hard to determine the species. It was a marked change from the Fungi Foray in the same area 2 months earlier, when there was much more abundance in the wetter weather.“

There were highlights though. Dave was pleased to see small colourful green waxcaps, known as Gliophorus gramincolor  (p14) (The green colour is due to the pigment, not chlorophyl) and Cuphophyllus asutropratensis, a waxcap which is listed as an endangered species.

Gliophorus graminicolor
Green waxcap Gliophorus graminicolor, photo by David Noble

“Each season is different so you see different things. Some fungi might come up every five years in a big bunch. Some come up in the same place every year. This season has been mixed. It’s been very good in some ways. But in other ways… it’s been too wet.”

I’m looking forward to seeing what the next fungi season brings.

Susie Cornish

Fungal Foray group on Girrahween Track
Fungal Foray group on Girrahween Track

Wolli Creek Valley Autumn Walks

SATURDAY 29 MAY 8:00am – 12:30pm  Bexley North to Tempe  (Ute and Maggie)

This will be a 5km walk from Bexley North to Tempe via the Wolli Creek Valley Walking Track. The walk will showcase some of the best bushland in the local area, highlighting sandstone cliffs, tall gum trees and birdlife. This is a medium-hard grade 5km walk with some sections of the trail covering uneven ground. Bookings are required and all children under 18 years must be accompanied by an adult.

Bookings are essential. This walk is free to Wolli Creek Preservation Society members. (Membership is $10 pa for an individual and $15 for a family/household.) For non-members the cost is $10 per person. Numbers are limited and preference will be given to members.

Details about where to meet, and further walk information will be provided upon registration.

SUNDAY 20 June 9 – 12 noon – Bexley North to Turrella (Gina and Deb)

This will be a leisurely Sunday morning bush walk from Bexley North to Turrella Reserve along the Wolli Creek Valley Walking Track. We will be starting at 9am sharp. This is a 3.5km walk designed for those who would like to see the Wolli Creek Valley at a leisurely pace.

This walk will traverse a part of the Two Valley Trail (TVT), which in its entirety is a 13 km walk along the Wolli Creek and Cooks River Valleys.

Your walk leaders will share their knowledge of this bushland, its cultural and environmental history,  as well as information about the current issues facing the Wolli Valley and the bush regeneration (Bushcare) work the Society is undertaking.

Bookings are essential. This walk is free to Wolli Creek Preservation Society members. (Membership is $10 pa for an individual and $15 for a family/household.) For non-members the cost is $10 per person. Numbers are limited and preference will be given to members.

Details about where to meet, and further walk information will be provided upon registration.

Wolli Creek Valley Autumn Walks

SUNDAY 25 APRIL 9am – 12.30 Bardwell Park to Tempe (Laura and Sarah)

This will be a leisurely Saturday morning bush walk from Bardwell Park to Tempe along the Wolli Creek Valley Walking Track. We will be starting at 9am sharp. This is a 3.5km walk designed for those who would like to see the Wolli Creek Valley at a leisurely pace.

This walk will traverse a part of the Two Valley Trail (TVT), which in its entirety is a 13 km walk along the Wolli Creek and Cooks River Valleys.

Your walk leaders will share their knowledge of this bushland, its cultural and environmental history,  as well as information about the current issues facing the Wolli Valley and the bush regeneration (bushcare) work the Society is undertaking.

Bookings are essential. This walk is free to Wolli Creek Preservation Society members. (Membership is $10 pa for an individual and $15 for a family/household.) For non-members the cost is $10 per person. Numbers are limited and preference will be given to members.

To register for this walk, email info@wollicreek.org.au

To join the Wolli Creek Preservation Society go to http://www.wollicreek.org.au/about_us/support_us 

Details about where to meet, and further walk information will be provided upon registration.

SUNDAY 29 MAY 8:00am – 12:30pm  Bexley North to Tempe  (Ute and Maggie)

This will be a 5km walk from Bexley North to Tempe via the Wolli Creek Valley Walking Track. The walk will showcase some of the best bushland in the local area, highlighting sandstone cliffs, tall gum trees and birdlife. This is a medium-hard grade 5km walk with some sections of the trail covering uneven ground. Bookings are required and all children under 18 years must be accompanied by an adult.

Bookings are essential. This walk is free to Wolli Creek Preservation Society members. (Membership is $10 pa for an individual and $15 for a family/household.) For non-members the cost is $10 per person. Numbers are limited and preference will be given to members.

To register for this walk, email info@wollicreek.org.au

To join the Wolli Creek Preservation Society go to http://www.wollicreek.org.au/about_us/support_us  

Details about where to meet, and further walk information will be provided upon registration.

SUNDAY 20 June 9 – 12 noon – Bexley North to Turrella (Gina and Deb)

This will be a leisurely Sunday morning bush walk from Bexley North to Turrella Reserve along the Wolli Creek Valley Walking Track. We will be starting at 9am sharp. This is a 3.5km walk designed for those who would like to see the Wolli Creek Valley at a leisurely pace.

This walk will traverse a part of the Two Valley Trail (TVT), which in its entirety is a 13 km walk along the Wolli Creek and Cooks River Valleys.

Your walk leaders will share their knowledge of this bushland, its cultural and environmental history,  as well as information about the current issues facing the Wolli Valley and the bush regeneration (Bushcare) work the Society is undertaking.

Bookings are essential. This walk is free to Wolli Creek Preservation Society members. (Membership is $10 pa for an individual and $15 for a family/household.) For non-members the cost is $10 per person. Numbers are limited and preference will be given to members.

Details about where to meet, and further walk information will be provided upon registration.

Wolli Creek Walk 30 May CANCELLED

Sadly we have had to cancel this walk.

This will be a leisurely Saturday morning bush walk from Bardwell Park to Tempe along the Wolli Creek Valley Walking Track. We will be starting at 9am sharp. This is a 3.5km walk designed for those who would like to see the Wolli Creek Valley at a leisurely pace.
This walk will traverse a part of the Two Valley Trail (TVT), which in its entirety is a 13 km walk along the Wolli Creek and Cooks River Valleys.
Your walk leaders will share their knowledge of this bushland, its cultural and environmental history, as well as information about the current issues facing the Wolli Valley and the bush regeneration (bushcare) work the Society is undertaking.
Bookings are essential. This walk is free to Wolli Creek Society members. (Membership is $10 pa for an individual and $15 for a family/household.) By arrangement, you can join on the day, however as numbers are limited and there is always keen interest, preference will be given to those who have joined WCPS ahead of the day.
Details about where to meet, and further walk information will be provided upon registration.

Sadly we have had to cancel this walk.

This will be a leisurely Saturday morning bush walk from Bardwell Park to Tempe along the Wolli Creek Valley Walking Track. We will be starting at 9am sharp. This is a 3.5km walk designed for those who would like to see the Wolli Creek Valley at a leisurely pace.
This walk will traverse a part of the Two Valley Trail (TVT), which in its entirety is a 13 km walk along the Wolli Creek and Cooks River Valleys.
Your walk leaders will share their knowledge of this bushland, its cultural and environmental history, as well as information about the current issues facing the Wolli Valley and the bush regeneration (bushcare) work the Society is undertaking.
Bookings are essential. This walk is free to Wolli Creek Society members. (Membership is $10 pa for an individual and $15 for a family/household.) By arrangement, you can join on the day, however as numbers are limited and there is always keen interest, preference will be given to those who have joined WCPS ahead of the day.
Details about where to meet, and further walk information will be provided upon registration.

Wolli Creek Walk 29 March CANCELLED

Sadly we have had to cancel this walk.

To celebrate the Wurradjul Festival, the Wolli Creek Preservation Society, in partnership with Canterbury Bankstown Council, is hosting a walking tour of the Wolli Creek section of the Two Valley Trail Walk.

This will be a 5km walk from Bexley North to Tempe via the Wolli Creek Valley Walking Track. The walk will showcase some of the best bushland in the local area, highlighting sandstone cliffs, tall gum trees and birdlife. This is a medium-hard grade 5km walk with some sections of the trail covering uneven ground. Bookings are required and all children under 18 years must be accompanied by an adult.

Biodiversity Month Walks in the Wolli Creek Valley

This spring the Wolli Creek Preservation Society is partnering with Canterbury Bankstown Council to host two walks in the Wolli Creek Valley.

Wolli Creek Valley – Full Track Walk – Sunday 22 September 2019 – 8:00 am – 12:30 pm

This will be a 5km walk through bushland, parkland and riverside from Bexley North to Tempe via the Wolli and Cooks River Valleys. The walk will showcase some of the best preserved bushland in the local area, highlighting sandstone cliffs, tall gum trees, river views and birdlife.

This is a medium-hard walk with some sections of the trail covering uneven ground with a distance of 5km.

Bookings are required and all children under 18 years must be accompanied by an adult.

Bookings are available through Eventbrite

Wolli Creek Valley – from Bardwell Park to Tempe – Saturday 26 October – 9.00 am – 12.00 pm

This 3.5km walk will showcase some of the best preserved bushland in the local area, highlighting sandstone cliffs, tall gum trees, river views and birdlife. The Wolli Creek is also home to one of Sydney’s grey headed flying fox colonies, and this walk provides an amazing opportunity to see them in their natural habitat.

This is a medium grade walk with some sections of the trail covering uneven ground.

Bookings are required and all children under 18 years must be accompanied by an adult.

Bookings are available through Eventbrite.

Walking Advice

  • Please advise us before we start of any restrictions on your mobility or anything else we might reasonably need to know to ensure your safety. Please alert us immediately to any accidents or injuries that occur during the walk.
  • The walk is almost entirely on unmade and uneven surfaces. It is mostly level, easy walking however there are some ascents and descents, particularly the rocky walk up and down Nannygoat Hill, but this is optional. You need to wear stout walking boots or shoes, with a good gripping sole – sandals and thongs are absolutely not good enough.
  • The path is overhung by vegetation in places and long trousers and sleeves are advisable to avoid scratches.
  • Please bring plenty of water and a snack.
  • Much of our walk will be well shaded, but a broad-brimmed hat may still be advisable.
  • This is a relatively low-risk walk, but care is always needed and we rely upon your prudence and caution. We also ask you to assist the walk leaders in ensuring the complete safety of the whole group.

For further information contact info@wollicreek.org.au

A Winter Walk Program in the Wolli Creek Valley

Have you heard about this wonderful piece of bushland in our local area? Would you like to explore sections of the Wolli Creek Valley Walking Track? Then join us for a leisurely morning walk through this bushland area on Saturday 22 June. We will walk from Bexley to Turrella. Starting at 9.00am till about 12 noon.

Bookings are essential as we have limited numbers.

  • The walk is free for Wolli Creek Preservation Society members. (Membership is $10 pa for a single, $15 for a family/household and, by arrangement, you can join on the day. However, numbers are limited and preference will be given to those who have joined ahead of the day.)
  • The walk is readily accessible by public transport and we encourage everyone to use it for the flexibility it allows – the walk is a linear one, but railway stations are readily accessible at both ends. We will check before the day to check that trains will be running normally on the East Hills and Airport lines in our walk area.
  • The walk departs at 9.00 am.
  • Your walk leaders will guide you on this walk and share their knowledge of this bushland, its history and the environment as well as some information about the current issues facing the Wolli Valley and the bush regeneration work the Society is undertaking.
  • We expect to finish at Turrella at about 12pm.

Walking Advice

  • Please advise us before we start of any restrictions on your mobility or anything else we might reasonably need to know to ensure your safety. Please alert us immediately to any accidents or injuries that occur during the walk.
  • The walk is almost entirely on unmade and uneven surfaces. It is mostly level, easy walking however there are some ascents and descents, particularly the rocky walk up and down Nannygoat Hill, but this is optional. You need to wear stout walking boots or shoes, with a good gripping sole – sandals and thongs are absolutely not good enough.
  • The path is overhung by vegetation in places and long trousers and sleeves are advisable to avoid scratches.
  • Please bring plenty of water and a snack.
  • Much of our walk will be well shaded, but a broad-brimmed hat may still be advisable.
  • This is a relatively low-risk walk, but care is always needed and we rely upon your prudence and caution. We also ask you to assist the walk leaders in ensuring the complete safety of the whole group.

To register your interest to attend this walk please email info@wollicreek.org.au. Registration is essential.

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