Newington Nature Reserve Circuit This 48-hectare nature reserve protects rare remnant forest and wetland habitats that collectively support over 240 native plant species and over 200 native bird and animal species. The Reserve also preserves a rare example of a complete estuarine zonal succession – a gradation of mudflats, mangrove forest, saltmarsh meadows, Swamp Oak Floodplain Forest and Sydney Turpentine Ironbark Forest is revealed as the land slopes upwards from the Parramatta River. The nature reserve was once part of a large armament depot that was managed by the Australian Department of Defence until its closure in 2000. Explosives storehouses, laboratories, roads and rail were constructed across the depot throughout its 100-year history, R and undergrowth in remnant forest was controlled to reduce fire 7 i v risk. e Parramatta River r Now, the remaining lands of the armament depot are listed on W Circular Quay the NSW State Heritage Register (as Newington Armament Depot a l and Nature Reserve) due to their natural and cultural significance. k Sydney Olympic Park The remnant wetlands and forest are protected and conserved as a nature reserve under the NSW National Parks and Wildlife 6 Ferry Wharf Act 1974. Access into the Reserve continues to be restricted to 5 prevent disturbance of sensitive wildlife and trampling of critically endangered vegetation, prevent introduction of pests and disease, and enable natural regeneration of previously disturbed areas. Take this self-guided nature walk along the perimeter of Newington Nature Reserve to see and learn about these threatened species d and communities.

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1. Pop in to the Visitor Centre (Building 5. Spot the White-bellied Sea-Eagle; 9. Coastal Saltmarsh is an 143) learn about the historic often perched on the Mangroves ‘endangered ecological community’. Newington Armory site and see along Parramatta River. This raptor This community alongside mudflat what activities are available! Don’t is a threatened species in NSW. A habitat in the Reserve provides miss out on your chance to ‘Ride the pair nests in the forest of the Reserve important feeding and roosting Rails’ on the Heritage Train (formerly and you can watch the action on habitat for local waterbirds and used to transport missiles, torpedoes EagleCAM. This is the only known protected migratory shorebirds. and other WW2 munitions) to loop nesting site for this species along the Sydney Olympic Park has the around the Armory on a guided tour entire length of the Parramatta River. largest remaining stand of Coastal to learn about the historical purpose, Saltmarsh throughout the entire design and operations of this site. 6. Grey Mangroves (Avicennia marina) length of the Parramatta River, and Building 143 was built in 1897 and are classified under legislation the second largest stand in Sydney. was originally the Cooperage of the as ‘protected marine vegetation’. depot; where gunpowder barrels Sydney Olympic Park has the largest 10. The tidal mudflats at the heart of were registered, inspected, repaired remaining stand of mangroves the wetland are inhabited by a and sent for storage. along the entire length of the rich community of marine worms, Parramatta River. These trees are molluscs, crustaceans and other 2. The Wangal are the first custodians well adapted to living in the intertidal invertebrates. These organisms of the land, air and waters now zone, with specialised roots, leaves play a vital role in breaking down known as Sydney Olympic Park. and seeds to deal with regular organic matter, and are the dietary To learn more about this rich inundation of salty river water. staple of many fish, waterbirds and indigenous history, explore the Mangroves provide many essential internationally protected migratory Murama Healing Space; serving ecosystem services such as filtering shorebirds. The Sharp-tailed as a gathering place for the entire stormwater runoff before it enters Sandpiper is a migratory shorebird community. It is an inclusive and rivers and oceans, and serving as that breeds in Arctic Siberia. This peaceful space where First Nations a fish nursery for many species of summer migrant travels down the peoples can learn, lead, and share fish that live the majority of their East Asian-Australasian Flyway the rich indigenous culture of Sydney lives in the ocean. They are also a to Australia for warmer climates, Olympic Park. We pay respect to sink for blue carbon, the name for spending their non-breeding all First Nations People and our carbon stored in coastal and marine season here during our spring and community Elders past, present and ecosystems. summer. The sandpipers utilise the emerging. mudflats of this Reserve between 7. Can you see the Tawny Frogmouth September and March to build up 3. Peek through to Wharf Pond to find that often roosts here hidden in their fat reserve before the long swamphens,moorhens, teals and a tree? The Tawny Frogmouth northward migration; completing grebes. Listen for frogs calling when (Podargus strigoides) is active at an annual round trip of 25, 000km! the weather is hot and humid. This night feeding mostly on insects, This wetland is part of a network large freshwater pond on the north- worms, slugs and snails. During the of estuarine habitats along the west corner of the Reserve differs day they roost by perching on tree Parramatta River that shorebirds from the tidal influenced habitats in branches, often low down, and very move between to feed and roost at Newington Nature Reserve intertidal well blended into their surroundings. different tides and times of day. wetland. As a result, Wharf Pond Camouflage is achieved through not only serves as habitat for local its mottled and streaky plumage as 11. Look up! Can you see a raptor waterbirds that feed on freshwater well as its stiff posture; orientating its hovering over the grassy slopes invertebrates, but also to frog tail along the branch and closing its of Woo-la-ra? Find the sign titled species including the endangered large yellow eye to slits to resemble a ‘Raptors’ and read about the Green and Golden Bell Frog. Get broken-off tree branch. different species seen at Sydney familiar with frog calls by using Olympic Park. The grasslands of the free FrogID App created by the 8. Appreciate the vegetation buffering Woo-la-ra provide habitat for Australian Museum! the perimeter of the Reserve; you’ll birds not found in other types of be surprised what you can see from vegetation. Listen for Quails and 4. Note what the tide is doing- is it the pathway! Count the number of Cisticolas that shelter and nest entering or exiting the wetland? lizards scurrying over that path, birds amongst the tall grasses – these Seven culverts under the pathway darting across or perching on the small birds are only found in connect the wetland to the tidal fenceline and insects buzzing about. grassland habitats such as Woo-la- waters of the Parramatta River, Bushland and grassland outside ra. and enable fish to access sheltered the Reserve provide important habitat. The weir is used to regulate extensions of feeding habitat and flows, and thereby achieve the movement corridors for birds, lizards desired ecological balance of and other wildlife that depend on mudflat, saltmarsh, mangrove the more secluded habitats of the and Swamp Oak Floodplain Forest Reserve to breed. communities that wildlife depends upon. 12. Microbats are a common but rarely 15. Narawang Wetland is a freshwater 18. Swing by the BirdLife Discovery seen resident of the Park. Twelve wetland spanning 1.6km in length. Centre to learn more about birds. species have been recorded; five of It acts as a floodplain, absorbing Don’t miss the free guided bird which are classified as threatened floodwater from Haslams Creek walk on the last Sunday of every and five of which are known to during very high tides in addition to month run by BirdLife Southern breed here. These very small bats runoff from surrounding areas such NSW. This fascinating walk around are champion insectivores that as hard surfaces of Newington, Hill the Armory helps people of all ages forage at night and rest during Rd and P5 car park after heavy to identify and spot birds in their the day in small, dark spaces rain. Ornamental Lake (north natural habitat. Tours are led by like tree hollows. Tree hollows and south) and 3 large irrigation knowledgeable guides who will form in mature trees over many storage ponds store most of these open up the world of birds for you. decades and are in short supply in floodwaters and runoff which is Meeting point is the Armory Visitor urban areas, forcing bats to find then used for irrigation. The 22 Centre (Building 143). alternative accommodation. Here habitat ponds surrounding the at the Park, several species of bats irrigation storage ponds provide 19. Sydney Olympic Park supports roost in the roof and wall cavities breeding habitat for many frog approximately 7 hectares of of former explosive storehouses species, including the endangered Swamp Oak Floodplain Forest, with in Newington Armory. During Green and Golden Bell Frog. This the largest stand located in the the breeding season, females wetland habitat also home to Reserve. Swamp Oak Floodplain congregate in ‘maternity roosts’ for many reptiles, woodlands birds, Forest is an ‘endangered ecological several months until their young local waterbirds. community’ and its remaining are able to leave the roost. The area in NSW likely represents much Authority has also installed over 20 16. Narawang Wetland is a nationally less than 30% of its original range. bat boxes (artificial hollows) across important site for the Latham’s Dominated by Casuarina glauca, the Parklands to provide additional Snipe- an internationally protected this community provides shelter refuge for these tiny creatures . migratory shorebird. This species and feeding habitat to a variety of travels annually from Japan birds, reptiles and microbats. 13. Listen to the chitter chatter of along the East Asian-Australasian parrots and woodland birds in Flyway to reach South-Eastern 20. Count the number of Red-rumped the Newington Nature Reserve Australia. They arrive in the Park Parrots feeding on The Flats. This is Forest. Woodland birds depend from September, spending their a regionally significant population on structurally complex habitats non-breeding season here before that breeds at the Park. The males that provide greater abundance leaving in March for their breeding have a bright red rump! The Flats and diversity of food as well as grounds in Japan. During their are favourable feeding grounds thickets for shelter and nesting. time here, these birds forage in for this parrot species, as well The Park supports a high diversity soft mudflats and shallow water; as Masked Lapwings, Common of woodland birds, with up to 59 generally thrusting their bill Starlings, Magpie-larks and the species recorded! At least one vertically up and down in a ‘sewing Australasian Pipit because of its in five woodlands birds are now machine’ action to snag worms, large expanse of seeding grasses threatened and overall abundance spiders, insects, molluscs and a and herbs. The open landscape is declining nationally. The Authority range of other invertebrates as well also enables easier detection of continues to restore habitats with as seed and plant material. predators, and the adjacent forest diverse flora and dense shrub provides a quick retreat. layers to support woodland birds 17. Sydney Turpentine Ironbark Forest is classified as a ‘critically 14. Take the time to listen for frogs endangered ecological community’ calling at Narawang Wetland. under both state and federal Every frog species has a different legislation- only 280 hectares call – use FrogID to find out what remain in reserves. Sydney species you hear. Can you hear Olympic Park supports 20 hectares the endangered Green and of this forest; 13 hectares within Golden Bell Frog? The Green and the Reserve and 7 hectares in Golden Bell Frog population at bordering regeneration areas. Sydney Olympic Park is one of The remnant supports over 210 the largest populations of this native plant species. Many animals endangered species remaining in feed and shelter in this vegetation New South Wales; classified as a community, including woodland ‘key population’, important for the birds, parrots, raptors, possums and recovery of the species. microbats.