Vehicles gathered at the locked gate in glorious sunshine and after introductions proceeded though the gate in convoy to the coupe, a drive of 5km or so. The two lucky last vehicles got waylaid by a small flock of Swift Parrots foraging in flowering Blue Gums just off to the side of the access road. The Swift Parrots are back in Wielangta!

We then spent several fascinating hours, under the expert guidance of biologist Andy North, scanning the rock-strewn ground for orchids and other plants of interest. Many orchid species were discovered, either in flower or sending up leaves. Both of the threatened and endangered species of orchids that had been discovered in the coupe at the Picnic Day were found again.

On the way back down the access road, we all stopped at the spot where the Swift Parrots had been seen earlier in the day. After a fair while spent scanning the Blue Gums that were in flower, that unmistakeable call was heard approaching. Two Swift Parrots flashed overhead, heading straight for the Blue Gums!

Another Survey Day is planned for Sunday 28th September. If you’d like to join us and come and experience Wielangta and its wildlife for yourself, then contact us through the email: wildwielangta at gmail dot com
* The Exclusion Zone covers a large area including the access road and coupe 19D itself (the forest at the centre of Bob Brown’s court case, which is now scheduled for logging this year). It is illegal to enter the Zone without a permit. Forestry had issued us with a permit and key to the locked gate across the access road, to enable us to conduct the survey.