The bushland of Bidjigal Reserve

and adjoining reserves Bidjigal is the new name for Excelsior Reserve and Darling Mills State Forest: part of a 300 hectare corridor of protected public bushland along Darling Mills Creek and its tributaries. One of Sydney's bushland treasures; it's home to 370 native plants and over 140 native animals, with a network of tracks providing many days of interesting exploration. This booklet, with colour photographs throughout, tells the story of the area's natural and cultural heritage, and provides a detailed map of walking tracks and features. We hope it will help local residents and visitors to the area enjoy and appreciate this wonderful, wild landscape. Wild Red Frog Design 02 9954 9094

The bushland of Bidjigal Reserve and adjoining reserves 1

place of rugged natural beauty, full of hidden treasures; a time capsule of ancient eco systems, aboriginal shelters, and colonial history: Bidjigal Reserve has much to offer us - from those who walk Aits tracks every day, to those who enjoy a view of its green expanse while driving by. With sheer cliffs, towering eucalypt forest, sparkling creeks and sheltered rainforest gullies, it’s an island of natural habitat in the middle of urban Sydney. Big enough to support a wide range of wildlife; the reserve is alive with noise, colour, and movement from birds, mammals, reptiles and insects. Most of the reserve has been public land since the earliest days of European settlement, and it’s now entering a new era with a new name, some changes in boundary and its own management trust. This booklet is about Bidjigal Reserve and the adjoining, Council managed, lands. It has been produced to help people understand and enjoy this wonderful patch of bush, and to find their way along its tracks. For practical purposes we have used the name Bidjigal to refer to the entire Darling Mills Creek bushland corridor.

Rugged, rocky hillsides are typical of Bidjigal's sandstone country. 2

Place in the landscape Sydney is part of one of the world’s most amazing natural landscapes. We are fortunate to still have an abundance of wildlife, and people in the suburbs don’t always need to visit the bush to enjoy it because it comes to them in the form of colourful parrots, friendly possums - even our fascinating flying foxes. But this is only because we have retained wild places like Bidjigal Reserve. It’s part of a network of habitats across the region, including medium sized patches of bush at Pennant Hills Park, and Berowra Valley, and smaller pockets in parks and on Aboriginal connections private land. Large areas of National Park and The first Aboriginal people probably arrived uncleared private bush to the north, south in the Sydney region over 40,000 years ago. and west of Sydney complete the picture. The earliest record of people in Bidjigal The creeks and drains of Bidjigal Reserve Reserve is from a rock shelter where – and its surrounding catchment flow into starting 10,000 years ago – they left many Darling Mills Creek, then join with stone artefacts, along with animal bones Toongabbie Creek (behind Westmead including Dingo, Eastern Grey Kangaroo, Hospital) to form the Parramatta River, Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby, Swamp Wallaby, flowing east into Sydney Harbour. and Echidna.1

Sandstone cliffs and outcrops provide many interesting vantage points, such as this one near Sanctuary Point Road. The bushland of Bidjigal Reserve and adjoining reserves 3

Left: Many plants had multiple indigenous uses, such as the versatile Grass Tree Xanthorrhoea which provided spear shafts (flower stems), glue (resin), flavouring for sweet drinks (nectar), nourishing snacks (leaf bases), and drills for starting fires (dry flower stems). Right: One of Bidgigal’s many rock shelters.

Bidjigal Reserve had a lot to offer the the clan, and many of their neighbours. aboriginal people for a short stopover or Although the survivors continued many extended stay: aspects of traditional life, within about 30 • a choice of rock overhangs for shelter, years the ongoing expansion of European • permanent fresh water for fishing and settlement made this impossible. Despite swimming, such great changes, descendants continued • a wide range of plants and animals to preserve and celebrate their culture right useful for food, medicine, fibre for up to the present day. weaving baskets and bags, and wood for Most of the landscapes of Darug country, weapons, tools and containers, including the tall forests of the ridgetops, the • sandstone for tool sharpening (although open woodland of the Cumberland Plain, the basalt, silcrete and quartz suitable for and the highly productive river flats have making axes and sharp edged tools would almost disappeared, but the reserve is one have been acquired elsewhere), slice of ancient Sydney that has remained • easy access (1 or 2 hour walk) to tall relatively unchanged. forests of the shale ridges, and the open forests of Cumberland Plain to the west, • proximity to major regional travel routes Coo-ee! How Many Darug generally along ridgetops, such as Old words do you know? Northern Road between Parramatta and the Hawkesbury. Wallaby, Wombat, Potoroo, Koala, When Europeans arrived the area was Bettong, Waratah, Corroboree, and part of the territory of the Bidjigal clan of the boomerang are some of the more Darug people. But their use of the reserve common words adopted from the came to a sudden and tragic end in 1790 Darug language. when the smallpox epidemic killed most of d

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o l d P Murri-yanna Track o r r a Blue Gum Riverflat Forest e Pl g l The Carr a iage v way f a A r Py e T Closed Forest Other tracks Blue Gum High Forest Sp ee 6 rs 7 Rd Speers Rd Bidjigal Reserve, as gazetted in 2004, is outlined with the rest of the land is managed by Council. P W h Reserve i Contours copyright Land and Property Information NSW (LPI). tb re a d P l 6

as the Darling Mills Creek system cut through the landscape to carve out the valley. Alluvial soils. Where the valley floor was wide enough for a floodplain to develop, sediment and organic material accumulated forming deep, rich soils. There was enough to be a useful resource: by the late 1940s about 3,000 tonnes had been extracted for use as garden humus.2 Plants Cliffs near Williams Road. Sandstone blocks of enormous size can detach from cliffs and roll into the valley after erosive forces (such as seeping water) From Coachwood gullies to slowly exploit weaknesses along vertical joints and bedding planes. Ironbark ridges Bidjigal Reserve is a great place to get to Landscape, rock and soil know Sydney’s bushland, with over 370 Bidjigal Reserve owes its survival to its native plant species including an amazing 29 Hawkesbury sandstone geology, and the different native orchids. It’s also known for steep rugged topography that forms on it: its diversity of fungi. unwanted for farming or urban development, the valley remained in a natural state until Almost gone recent times when its conservation and recreational values were appreciated. It is rare to find any native vegetation on The sandstone, formed in the Triassic Sydney’s ridge top shale country: the (270 million years ago) consists of quartz gently sloping topography and relatively grains cemented with clay and iron minerals. fertile soils made these areas valuable for This massive rock unit is slowly weathering timber getting, farming and eventually away to form the familiar cliffs, caves, urban housing. Any remnants, however overhangs, outcrops, boulders, and sandy small, are now very important. They have soils of the Sydney sandstone country. been given special status under State and Above the sandstone lies a layer of Federal legislation, as Endangered Wianamatta shale. Made up of clay Ecological Communities, because they are minerals, it weathers more evenly, resulting at risk of disappearing completely if in a flatter landscape with deeper, more current threats - such as clearing and fertile soils. weed invasion - aren’t addressed. Small Shale is common in surrounding suburbs patches of the endangered communities, but there are only small remnants in the Blue Gum High Forest and Turpentine- reserve: at the edges in higher areas. It was Ironbark Forest, can be found in the eroded away over the last few thousand years reserve system. The bushland of Bidjigal Reserve and adjoining reserves 7

Above: The elegantly twisted trunk and branches of the Sydney Red Gum, a common sight in the Reserve. Right: Flying Duck Orchids, one of Bidjigal’s tiny treasures.

The character of the bush varies due to Sandstone Gully Open Forest the soil type, landscape position, and fire Most of Sydney’s urban bushland is sandstone history of the site. Particular groups of plants gully forest. Here it is found on the sheltered tend to occur together and are called lower slopes and south facing hillsides where ecological communities. Boundaries are not there are ferny patches and trees over 30m, always distinct but it is possible to recognise through to the drier more exposed upper slopes six main types in the reserve. where the shrub layer can be dense and spiky. Trees: Blackbutt Eucalyptus pilularis (pictured) Sydney Peppermint, Eucalyptus piperita, Sydney Red Gum Angophora costata, (pictured) Narrow Leaved Apple, Angophora bakeri, Red Bloodwood Corymbia gummifera, Black She Oak, Allocasuarina littoralis etc. Understorey: Christmas Bush Ceratopetalum gummiferum, Coral Heath Epacris pulchella, Needlebush Hakea sericea, White Spider- flower Grevillea linearifolia, Rainbow Fern Caloch-laena dubia (pictured), and Grasstree Xanthorrhoea. Habitat Highlights: Thick leaf litter, tree hollows, sandstone outcrops, dense shrub layer, plentiful nectar producing shrubs.

Blackbutt trees grow tall and straight in sheltered parts of the sandstone gully. 8

Sydney Sandstone Ridgetop Woodland A common community around Sydney, found on drier parts of the sandstone country, such as ridgetops and north facing slopes with shallow soils. Trees are lower and more widely spaced, with a shrubby understorey and a thick and diverse groundlayer. Trees: Red Bloodwood Corymbia gummifera, Stringybark Eucalyptus sparsifolia, Scribbly Gum E haemastoma, Narrow Leaved Apple Angophora bakeri, and Sydney Peppermint Eucalyptus piperita Understorey: Tea Tree Leptospermum trinervuim, Mountain Devil Lambertia formosa, Hairpin Banksia Banksia spinulosa, Spear Oat Grass Anisopogon avenaceus. Habitat highlights: Sandstone outcrops, nectar producing shrubs. Lara McKinleyLara

Above: Early morning light lends a glow to the trunks of the blue gums at Richard Webb Reserve. Right: Drumsticks, Isopogon anemenifolius.

Woodland near Hains Avenue. The bushland of Bidjigal Reserve and adjoining reserves 9

In the first few years after an intense fire the vegetation is low and the country quite open, looking almost bald. Currently it had been unburned for about 25 years and the woodland/scrub is tall and thick, with a dense grassy groundlayer. Sydney Sandstone Scrub/Heath Restricted to Bald Hill, the only uncleared hilltop in the reserve (and most of urban Sydney), where the shallow soils do not support tall trees. Trees/Shrubs: Dwarf apple Angophora hispida, Black She Oak Allocasuarina littoralis, Tick Bush Kunzea ambigua, Hairpin Banksia Banksia ericifolia. Habitat highlights: Dense scrub and groundlayer, nectar producing shrubs such as Drumsticks Isopogon anemenifolius (pictured).

Blue Gum High Forest An endangered ecological community, once occurring in a band along the shale capped ridges in high rainfall parts of north-west Sydney, such as West Pennant Hills, now just a series of small remnants including the top of Richard Webb Reserve. The small patch at Speers Road is an interesting outlier, where 10

Left: The butterfly, Symmomous Skipper, depends the native mat rush, Lomandra longifolia, its cater- pillars eat nothing else. Right: The native pea, Platylobium – spring in the shale country can be a feast of colour! Helen Pollard locally moist conditions and enriched soils the shale country where it starts to grade into have allowed Blue Gum High Forest to sandstone and technically are the “Margin develop south-west of its normal range. Forest” or transition form of the Turpentine- It is dominated by tall straight Blue Gums Ironbark Forest. Trees would have been 20- to 40m, with an open shrub layer and thick 30m high with a grassy or shrubby understorey grassy groundlayer or, in moist sheltered Trees: Turpentine Syncarpia glomulifera, areas, patches of fern. Forest Oak Allocasuarina torulosa, Trees: Eucalyptus Saligna, Blackbutt Eucalyptus Understorey: Bearded heath Leucopogon pilularis, Forest Oak Allocasuarina torulosa etc. juniperinus, Kangaroo Grass Themeda australis, Understorey: Prickly Beard Heath Leucopogon Lomandra longifolia, Hardenbergia violacea. juniperinus, Narrow Leaved Geebung Persoonia Habitat highlights: Tall trees with hollows, linearis, Handsome Flat-pea Platylobium grassy areas. formosum (pictured), Clematis aristata, Poa affinis etc. Habitat highlights: Plentiful large tree hollows, grassy areas. Sydney Turpentine Ironbark Forest Also an endangered ecological community, once common along Sydney’s shale capped ridges – in slightly drier situations than Blue Gum High Forest. There are still small fragments around Ted Horwood Reserve and Eric Mobbs Reserve. They are at the edge of The bushland of Bidjigal Reserve and adjoining reserves 11

Above: Much of the closed forest zone was disturbed during sewer installation, but regeneration is occurring where weeds are controlled. Here the track passes through a dense thicket of young Coachwood beside Darling Mills Creek. Right: These old Turpentines at the top of Eric Mobbs Reserve are a reminder of the Turpentine-Ironbark Forest that once grew here. Left: This patch of native meadow near Eric Mobbs Reserve contains 47 different native plant species in an area the size of a large suburban block – but much more exciting than average lawn! It provides habitat for small animals like butterflies, lizards and birds. 12

Left: Watergums grow in the flood zone; their twisted, sometimes horizontal, forms are shaped by the force of the water. Right: A hazard reduction burn near Williams Road 2000.

Closed Forest and Scrub introduced weeds – today’s forest is much reduced in size and diversity. Trees were tall Bidjigal’s own rainforest can be found in and straight -up to 40m, the understorey small patches and narrow bands along the (now replaced by weeds) was probably a creek banks, in sheltered sections of the luxuriant mix of ferns, grasses and vines. gully. The canopy is dense and shady; tall Trees: Sydney Blue Gum Eucalyptus saligna, shrubs – mostly young rainforest trees – Turpentine Syncarpia glomulifera, and many make up the understorey and groundlayer of the closed forest species. vegetation is sparse. Habitat Highlights: Deep moist soils with Trees: Coachwood Ceratopetalum apetalum, thick organic layer, plentiful large tree hollows. Blackwattle Callicoma serratifolia, Watergum Tristaniopsis laurina, Grey Myrtle Backhousia myrtifolia, Lily Pily Acmena smithii Understorey: Muttonwood Rapanea variabilis. Habitat Highlights: Dense canopy offering protected roosting sites, moist leaf litter, shady and cool.

Blue Gum River Flat Forest Once found on the alluvial soils, this community has been greatly altered by logging, floodplain disturbance and

Blue Gums below Loyalty Road. The deep moist soils that occur along the valley floor support the tallest trees. Fire (light a fire that will burn towards the advancing fire front); Regular fires (perhaps every 7 to 20 years) • programming hazard reduction burns in are part of the natural cycle in Bidjigal a mosaic pattern over a number of years, Reserve, and have helped shape the character to provide patches in different stages of of its bushland. regeneration; It’s a delicate balance: many of the • using bush regeneration techniques to plants require fire to open seed pods and control the weeds – the open post fire clear the ground so that new seedlings can landscape provides a great opportunity establish, but if fires are too frequent they for weeds to expand their territory. may not get a chance to grow and seed at all, and will die out. The Darug people used fire as a tool, particularly in the grassy woodland and tall forest of the ridgetops, to flush out game such as kangaroos and possums, to promote the growth of fresh green grass for grazing animals, and to keep tracks clear. Fire management is one of the big challenges in large urban reserves such as Bidjigal. A balance between safety and bushland protection can be achieved with strategies such as: • establishing and maintaining a fuel reduced zone along the property boundary. In a wildlife situation, this Ferns and Christmas Bush regenerating a few months will allow fire fighters to back burn after a fire near Willow Drive. 14

Wildlife Still Echidna country Bidjigal Reserve and surrounding bushland forms a patch of habitat large and healthy enough to support mammals, such as Echidnas and Sugar Gliders, that have become rare in urban bushland – even more surprising have been recent sightings of Swamp Wallabies.

Where are the Bandicoots? Possible tracks and diggings have been reported, and now that fox numbers are decreasing, the Reserve should be much safer the sewer in the mid 70s, but nobody has for them, but they haven’t been seen since reported seeing one since. the mid 70s – it’s just one of Bidjigal’s wildlife mysteries. Birds in abundance Other unusual (for urban bushland) mammals that might be still there but have not Bidjigal is known for its great diversity of been found in recent surveys are the Bush Rat, Birds; 127 have been recorded, including Water Rat, and Antechinus. Local residents many of the increasingly rare insectivorous regularly saw Platypus until the installation of species such as Wrens and Thornbills. Many

Distinctive emerald green spots help identify this Perons Tree Frog. Left: Blue Wrens have disappeared from much of Sydney’s urban bushland, and we will need to manage Bidjigal Reserve carefully to ensure their safety here. The bushland of Bidjigal Reserve and adjoining reserves 15

Left: Old Angophoras provide excellent nest hollows e.g. for Crimson Rosellas. Above: Brightly coloured, bold and curious; the Yellow Robin is often seen by park visitors. of the more common species, such as Leaping lizards! Kookaburras, and Crimson Rosellas, seem to Sydney’s sandstone country supports a wide be doing well and often visit surrounding range of reptiles, and Bidjigal Reserve reflects gardens. Some, such as Sulphur Crested this with 22 species recorded – although Cockatoos and Rainbow Lorikeets, have more vulnerable species, such as the increased in number in the Reserve in recent Diamond Python, have disappeared. years. Australia’s largest owl, the endangered Powerful Owl breeds in the reserve.

The golden crown snake The Eastern Water is nocturnal and feeds Dragon is common in mainly on lizards. the reserve. Right: The Tawny Frog- mouth prefers not to be seen, camouflaging its self as part of a tree, but this fledgling is too fluffy to really carry it off.

The leaf-tailed Gecko often finds its way into houses near the Reserve. 16

Left: Dragon fly Above: The Green Grocer Cicada is one of our most familiar and well loved local insects.

The invertebrate army Parks. Ann Like all healthy bushland, Bidjigal Reserve is Living streams teaming with ants, butterflies, wasps, and worms etc. They are constantly at work Bidjigal’s freshwater habitats, though pollinating flowers, dispersing seeds, pruning damaged by urban impacts, still support the vegetation, turning over the soil, feeding Yabbies, Eels, Turtles and many aquatic the birds, recycling the waste and keeping invertebrates, e.g. the Dragonfly (pictured). each other in check.

Bidjigal’s habitat assets: Habitat problems: • larger than most urban bushland • narrow shape – most of the reserve is patches, close to an edge, • high number of old or dead trees with • a bush island – if a species dies out it hollows, may not be able to recolonise from • permanent water, neighbouring patches, • variety of bush structures including • introduced species such as foxes, dogs, dense scrub, tall forests, and open cats and bees, grassy areas, • poor water quality, • rocky outcrops with crevices. • much of the native vegetation replaced or altered by weeds. The bushland of Bidjigal Reserve and adjoining reserves 17

Left top: A dense growth of Privet, Balloon Vine, Lantana and other weeds had established its self along much of the creek side and valley floor by 1990. Left bottom: A year later it was gone… but sites like this still need a lot of work – huge quantities of weed seed are stored in the soil, and newly open areas are just right for weedy annuals and grasses to move into. Right: Bush Regenerator, Carol Isaacs with the noxious weed Ludwigia peruviana. It is a rapid coloniser and extremely difficult to eradicate.

Repairing the bush Lantana running rampant down the hillsides, trees draped in curtains of Balloon Vine, the valley floor a dark impenetrable thicket of Privet and Tradescantia… it might have been, but due to the countless hours of work by professional and volunteer bush regenerators, this isn’t how Bidjigal Reserve looks today. Over a million dollars were spent on bush regeneration in the reserve in the 15 years to 2004. Additionally, many local residents provide voluntary labour, and Council assists with training, equipment and project management. There are currently five volunteer bushcare groups working regularly in the reserve system: Winton Avenue, Pye

These dead trees near the end of Highs Road provide a range of nest hollows. Can you see some of the tenants? 18

Above: With careful hand weeding the Winton Avenue Bushcare Group have nearly eradicated Tradescantia from this shady patch of forest, and ferns are returning. The weed is stored in plastic wrapped piles until it composts.

Avenue, Mill Drive, Christmas Bush Creek and Richard Webb Reserve. There are also around 30 individual volunteers, mostly working behind their properties. But it’s an ongoing job: the bush will deteriorate rapidly if not properly maintained, and parts

of the reserve are still in very bad condition Gatt Laurence – particularly in the narrow southern section 1804: 3,800 acres of land including the where little work has been undertaken. future Bidjigal Reserve is set aside by Governor King as the Baulkham Hills A Bidjigal Reserve Common, for cattle grazing. 1818: The Baulkham Hills Common is bushland history revoked; most of the land is given to private 40,000 years before present: Aboriginal individuals as land grants. people use the resources of the district to 1820s: The settlers are using the reserve’s sustain a hunter-gatherer lifestyle. natural resources: 1790s Europeans arrive: Aboriginal • Quarries at the end of Excelsior Avenue populations throughout the region are (now Eric Mobbs Reserve) are supplying decimated by diseases like smallpox; their stone for buildings at Parramatta. (The traditional way of life, including hunting and areas last quarry, at Winton Ave, ceased burning practices, has changed forever. operating in the 1930s). The new arrivals begin to affect local • Timber; probably Blackbutt, Blue Gum bushland in a new and dramatic way. and Turpentine, is being harvested. The bushland of Bidjigal Reserve and adjoining reserves 19

Right: This dry stone wall is part of a section of road that once ran parallel to North Rocks Road; known as the convict road, it probably dates from the 1820s. Left: The bush regeneration teams of the early 1990s had their skills tested by Bidjigal’s steep cliffs.

1825: John Raine builds a steam flour mill and Turpentine-Ironbark forests is increasingly on the corner of Windsor Road and North replaced by farms. The more vulnerable native Rocks Road (now Bunnings Hardware) and animals such as Bettongs and Koalas, start to named it the Darling Mills after Sir Ralph disappear. Darling, Governor of NSW from 1825 to 1880s: Local legend tells of the highly prized 1831: The creek flowing from Thompsons Red Cedar Toona cilliata being logged in Corner to the Parramatta River takes its name Bidjigal Reserve. There is no sign of it now, from the Mill. and its rainforest habitat occurs only in small 1826-1830: Gangs of bushrangers use the pockets and narrow bands. Bidjigal’s rugged gullies and rock shelters as a 1890: Land to the east of the reserve – around convenient base for intercepting travellers. Excelsior Avenue, Cross St, Cary Sreet, and The legendary Jack Donahue, known as the Cook St – is subdivided into 3 to 12 acre lots. “Wild Colonial Boy”, was a convict who Late 1890s: Foxes arrive: life becomes absconded from his work gang and for three much more dangerous for local wildlife. years robbed travellers between Sydney and the Blue Mountains – until he was shot by police in 1830. Local folklore links him to a cave hideout in Bidjigal Reserve. He became a hero among convicts. The singing of Donahue Ballads in public houses was banned by Governor Darling, but he had found his way into Australian folklore; the ballad “Bold Jack Donahoe” eventually became popular throughout the English speaking world. 1840s: The flat country with its Blue Gum

The Ruins of Thomas Atkins stone hut, built in 1827, survive in the reserve behind Whitbread Place. Atkins was a sawyer, involved in the local timber industry. 20

Early 1900s: The local community clear Above: Reminders of the some of the Turpentine-Ironbark Forest at the timbergetting days, sawn stumps are still common end of Park Road to establish a cricket pitch in Excelsior Reserve. (now the Top Field at Eric Mobbs Reserve). Right: The skilfully 1909: The Baulkham Hills Rifle Range opens. crafted Rifle Range stairs Soldiers fighting in both world wars trained are still in good condition. Some of the steps were cut at the Baulkham Hills Rifle Range, then from into bedrock and some 1953 until 1969 it was used by the Sporting made from stone quarried Shooters Association. nearby. Land for the range was resumed in stages by the Commonwealth Government for 1920s: The Blisset family operates a sawmill defence purposes, commencing in 1909, near Taylor St and used Bullock teams – until there was about 114 hectares extending later horses and trucks – to drag logs out from the end of Rifle Range Road, north west of the valley. as far as Blacks Road. Access was via a stone 1939: A hut for the Girl Guides is built on the staircase at the end of Rifle Range road; the target area was about 400 metres away – just north of the junction of Darling Mills Creek and Rifle Range Creek. A sandstone cliff behind the targets acted as a stop butt, and the remainder of the land was a safety zone. 1912: Foxes living in the valley cause problems for local poultry farmers. Pennant Hills Fox Club is formed with 40 members who organised hunting parties. Ruth Ryan The bushland of Bidjigal Reserve and adjoining reserves 21

northern side of Coachwood Creek, a short walk from Loch Bruce. It is dismantled in 1948 but the site remains a popular campsite. 1941: Baulkham Hills Shire Council constructs a sandstone dam on Coachwood Creek, creating the swimming pool known as Loch Bruce. In an era before municipal and backyard pools were common, this and other natural swimming holes were a focus of summer recreation. Top right: Bullet holes 1950s: The quarry site at the end of can still be clearly seen in the rocks around the Excelsior Ave becomes the local tip. target area. 1955: “Cumberland Native Forest Extension Far left: The Guide hut 3” is declared, covering most of the parkland was built from salvaged west of Bellbird Creek; it became Darling wharf timber, and later recycled to build the Mills State Forest in 1984. new Guide Hall on Old 1958: Excelsior Park is created when 160ha Castle Hill Road. of Crown land – including the section of the Left: Loch Bruce. old Baulkham Hills Common that had remained in public ownership – is transferred to Baulkham Hills Council and zoned for recreation. The name was derived from Excelsior Avenue, the main access road to the reserve. In 1973 it was modified to Excelsior Reserve 22

to better reflect the natural character of the Above: Built by local area. Excelsior Avenue itself first appears on resident Ronald Godden in the mid 1980s, with parish plans about 1880 and is apparently materials supplied by named after the “Excelsior Land investment BHSC; the Godden and Building Company”, which subdivided Stairs link Winton Ave with the Darling Mills the land. Creek track. The corridor for the M2 Motorway is gazetted. The swimming era is over: water quality 1965-74: The urban era begins: land has deteriorated due to sewerage pollution adjoining the reserve at Roland Ave, and development in the catchment. Parks Ann Candowie Cres (1965), Winton Ave, Creda Carlingford North Rocks Bushland Trust Place (1969), Williams Road (1973) and forms in the early 70s, advocating for proper Larra Crescent/Mill Drive (1974) is management of local bushland. subdivided for residential lots. 1974: Sewer pipelines are installed along or 1960s: The sports fields at Eric Mobbs, and beside most of the creeks in the reserve. The an additional field at Ted Horwood are resulting disturbance allowed extensive constructed. colonisation by weeds, and no provision was 1969: The Rifle Range closes. made to control them. Roads were 1970s: Sediment loads in creeks increase constructed along the creeks and many of due to clearing and development in the the tracks now follow these roads. catchment; Council excavates 1000s of tons 1978: The Excelsior Park Bushland Society of sand from deposits in Coachwood Creek forms to assist with the protection and for use as top dressing on sports fields. management of the reserve. Local residents The rate of weed invasion increases, serve as Honorary Rangers, and assist with particularly in areas disturbed by sewer track building and weed control. construction, along the boundaries of the The first bush regeneration project new residential subdivisions, and around commences. Inspired by Bush Regeneration stormwater outlets. pioneers Joan and Eileen Bradley, bushland The bushland of Bidjigal Reserve and adjoining reserves 23

Left: The sewer “pop society volunteers work monthly for about a top” found in or along- year; removing Privet, Blackberry and other side nearly all the creeks in the reserve, weeds from Candowie Crescent to Loch Bruce. designed to let sewage Late 1970s: The Platypus becomes locally flow out into the creeks extinct. if the system is over- loaded rather than back 1980: Land above Bidjigal – the Darcey up into houses. Rd/Highs Rd/Castlewood area – is Below: A large volume subdivided into residential lots. However of mud is evident in Council recognises the need to protect Darling Mills Creek upstream of the bushland corridors: the new zoning includes Detention Basin. restrictions on clearing. 1982: A wildfire (the only significant one on record) burns through the area north of Darling Mills Creek including Bald Hill. 1983: A sewer pipeline is installed along the top of Excelsior Creek using environmentally sensitive methods, resulting in little permanent damage. By 1983 every creek except the top 500m of Excelsior Creek had a sewer installed along it, and the damage was obvious. News that the Water Board planned to extend the sewer down this creek as well was distressing for local people who cared about the bush and they successfully lobbied for a change of plan. The sewer still went ahead but was placed about 20 metres above the creek, and great care was taken to minimise the

The top section of Excelsior Creek retains much of its original natural character. 24

Above: Bundeluk from the Durag Custodian Aboriginal Corporation and Warwick Watkins, Director of the Department of Lands, sign the new management agreement for Bidjigal Reserve. initial damage and rehabilitate the area Descendants of the Darug people lodge a afterwards. Today the creek remains in claim for a role in managing Excelsior excellent condition: the disturbed area Reserve and Darling Mills Forest. marked only by a change in slope and some 1996: The Upper Parramatta River scattered sandstone rubble. Catchment Trust constructs a flood retarding 1984-5: The first planned recreational track basin on Darling Mills Creek near Loyalty network is constructed as part of the Road, to protect the Parramatta CBD from Commonwealth Employment Program. Most flooding. The basin wall is 30m high, made of the sandstone steps date from this time. up of 23,000m3 of concrete. 1989: The first formal, Council assisted, It’s a controversial project due to its bushcare project commences: at the corner bushland setting, so great care is taken to of Cross and Cary Street. Above: An early stage 1990s: Urban Development in West Pennant of construction of the Hills / Castle Hill intensifies, bringing further Darling Mills Creek flood Ann Parks Ann loss of bushland in the local region – retarding basin. A notch is being cut into the rock including Blue Gum High Forest. for the basin wall to key 1990-94: The Water Board (now Sydney into. A conveyor system Water) provides $470,000 from the Special is used to bring concrete in from the batching Environmental Levy to repair bushland plant near the top of damaged by sewer installation. About 18,000 Loyalty Road. hours of bush regeneration are worked and Right: The bush makes over 4000 locally collected native plants way for the M2 motorway, clearing planted. begins near Banksia 1994: The Unilever company provides funds Creek. for bush regeneration on their property on North Rocks Road and the adjoining section of Excelsior Reserve. This is still continuing in 2004. The bushland of Bidjigal Reserve and adjoining reserves 25

Excelsior Reserve Management Committee and the Hills District Historical Society inc. 1997: The M2 Motorway is opened. Another environmentally controversial project, it destroys large areas of local bushland, and disconnects part of the bushland on the southern side of Blue Gum Creek from the rest of the reserve. 2001: In an effort to prevent more local wildlife extinctions, BHSC and Cumberland State Forest commence a fox control program in the Reserve. 1080 poison baits Keith Kinsella are used, and strict controls ensure that minimise and repair disturbance during wildlife and pets can’t access the baits. construction. 2004: A large portion of Excelsior Reserve, Associated works include: including most of the area north of Rifle • funding for bush regeneration in the Range Creek, is renamed Bidjigal, and reserve for the next 7 years, Darling Mills State Forest is added to it. • construction of a lookout and timber A new board is formed to manage it, with stairs near the basin wall representatives of Darug descendants, • stabilisation of creek banks upstream of Baulkham Hills Council, the Baulkham Hills the basin wall with sandstone gabions Bushland Conservation Committee, and the Most of the creeks are, for the first time, local community. assigned official names – suggested by the

The future • We learn to live near the bush without damaging it. • Many bush neighbours are involved in hands on maintenance. • The community values the reserve and its wildlife, and funding is available for effective management. • No more animals become extinct. • Fox numbers remain low, dogs and cats are prevented from roaming in the reserve. • Bandicoots, and Water Rats return. 26

Aerial photographs can tell us a lot about changing landuse patterns. 1951 • a large part of the region still retains its original native vegetation • some Blue Gum High Forest and Turpentine- Ironbark Forest still remains in higher areas. • Darling Mills Creek catchment is mostly rural, with few roads and lots of open space. Water runoff follows natural patterns and is still fairly clean when it reaches creeks.

1997 • bushland has been cleared almost to the reserve boundary. • the reserve is more isolated: cut off from the Lake Parramatta/Hunts Creek Corridor, and only narrowly connected to bushland in the Cumberland Forest IBM area. • rainwater runs over roads and other hard surfaces, collecting pollutants; it flows into an engineered stormwater system and enters reserve at fixed points. • 600 houses, plus industrial estates, now back onto the reserve: the bushland has many new problems to contend with including weeds and encroachments. Photos supplied by Quasco Pty Quasco supplied by Ltd. Photos The bushland of Bidjigal Reserve and adjoining reserves 27

Bottom left: A natural Tracks swimming pool on Darling Mills Creek, Murri-yanna Track below Ted Horwood Reserve. An 8 km track leading from Whitbread Right: The track passes Place, North Rocks to Heidi Place, West through a culvert in the Pennant Hills. massive concrete wall of Staying close to Darling Mills Creek for the flood retarding basin or, if the Creek is flowing most of its length, it provides the best access too strongly, a detour to rainforest and riverflat areas, but also can be made across the includes parts of the reserve most altered by bridge. weed invasion and the effects of surrounding Bottom right: The Loch Bruce Dam is built of development. Time: about 3.5 hours neatly inter-locking sandstone blocks. Burraga Track A 4.7 km loop track, accessed from various points; it passes through some of the healthiest weed free bushland, in areas away from creeks and boundaries. Burraga is the Darug name for the Bandicoot. Time: about 2.5 hours. Platypus Track A 1.7 km loop. Platypus were regularly seen along this section of Excelsior Creek until the mid 1970s. The track passes the once popular swimming and picnicking spot at Loch Bruce. Time: about 1 hour. 28

Reserve visitors should be aware that: • track condition is variable – these are “bush style” tracks, the network has frequent steep, rugged and uneven sections and informal creek crossings sometimes with slippery rocks that may not be passable during wet weather; • there are additional tracks not marked on the map; • creek water is unsafe for drinking or swimming; • they should quickly leave creekside areas if it rains – a stormwater impoundment area extends about 2km upstream of Loyalty Road – it is designed to flood, and water levels can rise quickly in heavy or consistent rain; • dogs must be on a leash at all times – unrestrained dogs can frighten or hurt small children, wildlife, and other dogs; • the reserve is periodically closed to dogs for a few weeks because of fox baiting – warning signs will be posted at all access points; • the reserve is a sanctuary for native plants and animals – care should be taken not to damage, disturb, or injure them. • fires should only be lit in designated fireplaces.

Above: Thick scrub on Bald HiIl provides a safe place for Burraga to shelter. Right: Callicoma in flower beside the Murri- yanna Track. The bushland of Bidjigal Reserve and adjoining reserves 29

Bidjigal Reserve Native Plant Species, (from Urban Bushland Management 1994) Botanic name Common name Botanic name Common name

PTERIDOPHYTA (Ferns) Polypodiaceae Adiantaceae Platycerium bifurcatum Elk Horn Adiantum aethiopicum Common Maidenhair Pyrrosia rupestris Rock Felt Fern Fern Pteridaceae Adiantum hispidulum Rough Maidenhair Pteris tremula Tender Brake Fern Schizaeceae Cheilanthes distans Schizaea bifida Cock’s Comb Fern Cheilanthes sieberi Poison Rock Fern Cheilanthes tenuifolia GYMNOSPERMAE Pellaea falcata Sickle Fern Podocarpaceae Aspleniaceae Podocarpus spinulosa Plum Pine Asplenium flabellifolium Necklace Fern ANGIOSPERMAE Asplenium australasicum Birds Nest Fern Dicotyledons Blechnaceae Acanthaceae Blechnum amgibuum Pseuderanthemum Pastel Flower Blechnum cartilagineum Gristle Fern variabile Blechnum minus Amaranthaceae Blechnum nudum Fishbone Water Fern Alternanthera denticulata Wireweed Blechnum wattsii Amaranthus viridis Green Amaranth Doodia aspera Rasp Fern Doodia caudata Small Rasp Fern Apiaceae Doodia media Common Rasp Fern Actinotus helianthi Flannel Flower Actinotus minor Lesser Flannel Flower Cyatheaceae Centella asiatica Swamp Pennywort Calochlaena dubia False Bracken Fern Hydrocotyle acutiloba Cyathea australis Common Tree Fern Hydrocotyle laziflora Cyathea cooperi Scaly Tree Fern Hydrocotyle tripartita Davalliaceae Platysace ericoides Davallia pyxidata Hare’s Foot Fern Platysace lanceolata Narrow leaf Carrot Tops Dennstaedtiaceae Platysace linearifolia Carrot Tops Histiopteris incisa Bat’s Wing Fern Xanthosia pilosa Hairy Xanthosia Hypolepis muelleri Harsh Ground Fern Xanthosia tridentata Rock Xanthosia Pteridium esculentum Bracken Fern Apocynaceae Gleicheniaceae Parsonsia straminea Native Yam Gleichenia dicarpa Pouched Coral Fern Araliaceae Gleichenia microphylla Scrambline Coral Fern Astrotricha flocossa Lance-leaf Star-hair Sticherus flabellatus Umbrella Fern Polyscias sambucifolius Elderberry Panax Hyophyllaceae Asclepiadaceae Grammitis billardieri Finger Fern Marsdenia suaveolens Scented Marsdenia Hymenophyllum Common Filmy Fern Tylophora barbata Bearded Tylophora cupressiforme Asteraceae Sticherus flabellatus Cassinia aculeata Common Cassinia, Lindseaceae Dogwood Lindsaea linearis Screw Fern Cassinia uncata Bent Cassinia Lindsaea microphylla Lacy Wedge Fern Cotula australis Carrot Weed Osmundacea Gnaphalium sphaericum Cudweed Todea barbara King Fern Helichrysum adnatum Paper Daisy Helichrysum apiculatum Helichrysum diosmifolium Sago Bush 30

Bidjigal Reserve Native Plant Species, (from Urban Bushland Management 1994) Botanic name Common name Botanic name Common name

Helichrysum rutidolepis Epacridaceae Lagenifera stititata Acrotiche divaricata Olearia microphylla Daisy Bridal Bush Astroloma humifusum Craneberry Heath Olearia tomentosa Astroloma sp. Senecio hispidulus Dracophyllum secundum Senecio minimus Epacris pulchella NSW Coral Heath Sigesbeckia orientalis Indianweed Epacris purpurescens Bignoniaceae Leucopogon juniperinus Prickly Beard Heath Pandorea pandorana Wonga Wonga Vine Leucopogon lanceolatus Lance-leaved Beard Heath Brassicaceae Monotoca elliptica Cardamine paucijuga Monotoca scoparia Campanulaceae Styphelia triflora Wahlenbergia gracilis Styphelia tubiflora Cassythaceae Trochocarpa laurina Tree Heath Cassytha paniculata Devil’s Twine Woollsia pungens Woollsia Cassytha pubescens Downy Dodder Laurel Euphorbiaceae Casuarinaceae Amperea xiphoclada Broom Spruce Breynia oblongifolia Breynia Allocasuarina littoralis Black She-Oak Omalanthus populifolius Bleeding Heart Allocasuarina torulosa Forest Oak Phyllanthus thymoides Thyme Spurge Celastraceae Eupomatiaceae Maytenus silvestris Maytenus Eupomatia laurina Bolwarra Clusiaceae Fabaceae Hypericum gramineum St John’s Wort Bossiaea heterophylla Variable Bossiaea Convolvulaceae Bossiaea obcordata Spiny Bossiaea Cuscuta australis Bossiaea scolopendria Dichondra repens Kidney Weed Desmodium brachypodum Crassulaceae Desmodium varians Crassula sieberana Dillwynia retorta Eggs & Bacon Glycine clandestina Love Creeper Cunoniaceae Glycine tabacina Callicoma serratifolia Black Wattle Gompholobium glabratum Dainty Wedge Pea Ceratopetalum apetalum Coachwood Hardenbergia violaceae Purple Twining Pea Ceratopetalum gummiferum Christmas Bush Hovea linearis Schizomeria ovata Crab Apple Hovea purpurea? Dilleniaceae Kennedia rubicunda Dusky Coral Pea Hibbertia aspera Oxylobium ilicifolium Hibbertia dentata Guinea Flower Phyllota grandiflora Hibbertia empetrifolia Trailing Guinea Flower Pultenaea daphnoides Large-leaved Bush Pea Hibbertia obtusifolia Grey Guinea Flower Pultenaea flexilis Graceful Bush-pea Hibbertia sericea Pultenea villosa Hairy Bush Pea Droseraceae Geraniaceae Drosera auriculata Sundew Geranium homeanum Native Geranium Drosera peltata Pelargonium inodorum Drosera spathulata Common Sundew Goodeniaceae Elaeocarpaceae Dampiera stricta Elaeocarpus reticulatus Blueberry Ash Goodenia hederaceae Goodenia heterophylla Variable Goodenia Scaveola ramosissima Fan Flower The bushland of Bidjigal Reserve and adjoining reserves 31

Bidjigal Reserve Native Plant Species, (from Urban Bushland Management 1994) Botanic name Common name Botanic name Common name

Haloragaceae Eucalyptus globoidea White Stringybark Gonocarpus tetragynus Common Raspwort Eucalyptus gummifera Red Bloodwood Gonocarpus teucrioides Raspwort Eucalyptus pilularis Blackbutt Lamiaceae Eucalyptus piperita Sydney Peppermint Plectranthus parviflorus Cockspur Flower Eucalyptus resinifera Red Mahogany Prunella vulgaris Eucalyptus saligna Sydney Blue Gum Eucalyptus umbra Bastard Mahogony Lobeliaceae Kunzea ambigua Tick Bush Lobelia dentata Lobelia Leptospermum attenuatum Flaky-barked Tea-tree Lobelia gracilis Leptospermum flavescens Coast Tea-tree Pratia pedunculata Melaleuca ericifolia Swamp Paperbark Pratia purpurascens White Root Melaleuca hyoericifolia Red-flowered Paperbark Loganiaceae Melaleuca linariifolia Snow in Summer Logania albiflora Micromyrtus ciliata Mitrasacmepolymorpha Varied Mitrewort Rhodamnia rubescens Scrub Turpentine Syncarpia glomulifera Turpentine Loranthaceae Tristaniopsis laurina Water Gum Dendrophthoe vitellina Olacaceae Meliaceae Olax stricta Melia azederarch White Cedar Oleaceae Menispermaceae Notelaea longifolia Large Mock Olive Sarcopetalum harveyanum Pearl Vine Stephania japonica Snake Vine Onagaraceae var. discolor Epilobium billardierianum Willow Herb Synoum gladulosum Oxalidaceae Mimosaceae Oxalis corniculata Creeping Wood-sorrel Acacia decurrens Green Wattle Pittosporaceae Acacia echinula Billardiera scandens Apple Dumplings Acacia elata Mountain Cedar Wattle Bursaria spinosa Blackthorn Acacia falcata Sickle-leaved Wattle Pittosporum undulatum Mock Orange Acacia floribunda Gossamer Wattle Pittosporum revolutum Hairy Pittosporum Acacia linifolia Flax-leaved Wattle Acacia longifolia Sydney Golden Wattle Plantaginaceae Acacia myrtifolia Myrtle Wattle Plantago debilis Slender Plantain Acacia parramattensis Sydney Green Wattle Polygalaceae Acacia pendula Comesperma ericinum Matchheads Acacia stricta Straight Wattle Comesperma sphaerocarpum Acacia suaveolens Sweet-scented Wattle Comesperma volubile Love Creeper Acacia ulicifolia Prickly Moses Polygonaceae Myrsinaceae Muehlenbeckia gracillima Slender Lignum Rapanea variabilis Muttonwood Persicaria decipiens Spotted Knotweed Myrtaceae Persicaria hydropiper Water Pepper Acmena smithii Lilly Pilly Persicaria lapathifolium Knotweed Angophora bakeri Narrow-leaved Apple Persicaria strigosum Spotted Knotweed Angophora costata Smooth-barked Apple Rumex brownii Swamp Dock Angophora hispida Dwarf Apple Proteaceae Austromyrtus tenuifolia Narrow-leaf Myrtle Banksia oblongifolia Backhousia myrtifolia Grey Myrtle Banksia serrata Old Man Banksia Baeckea linifolia Swamp Baeckia Banksia spinulosa Haripin Banksia Callistemon citrinus Red Bottlebrush Grevillea buxifolia Grey Spider Flower 32

Bidjigal Reserve Native Plant Species, (from Urban Bushland Management 1994) Botanic name Common name Botanic name Common name

Grevillea linearifolia White Spider Flower Scrophulariaceae Grevillea sericea Pink Spider Flower Gratiola latifolia Grevillea speciosa Red Spider Flower Veronica calycina Hakea dactyloides Broad-leaved Hakea Veronica plebeia Eastern Speedwell Hakea salicifolia Willow-leaved Hakea Solanaceae Hakea sericea Needle Bush Nicotiana debneyi Isopogon anemonifolius Drumsticks Solanum aviculare Kangaroo Apple Isopogon anethifolius Drumsticks Salanum prinophyllum Forest Nightshade Lambertia formosa Mountain Devil Lomatia myricoides Naïve Parsley Sterculiaceae Lomatia silaifolia Crinkle Bush Lasipetalum ferrugineum Persoonia laurina var cordatum Persoona levis x linearis Lasipetalum parviflorum Persoonia linearis Narrow-leaved Geebung Seringea arborescens Petrophile pulchella Cone-sticks Thymelaeaceae Stenocarpus salignus Scrub Beefwood Pimelea linifolia Slender Rice Flower Telopea speciosissima Waratah Tremandraceae Xylomelum pyriforme Woody Pear Tethratheca glandulosa Ranunculaceae Violaceae Clematis aristata Toothed Clematis Hybanthus monopetalus Slender Violet Clematis glycinoides Old Man’s Beard Viola hederaceae Native Violet Phamnaceae (forms A & B) Alphitonia excelsa Red Ash Vitaceae Cryptandra ericoides heath Cryptandra Cayratia clematidea Native Grape Pomaderris discolor Pomaderris Cissus antarctica Water Vine Pomaderris lanigera Woolly Pomaderris Cissus hypoglauca Five-leaf Water Vine Rosaceae MONOCOTYLEDONS Rubus parviflorus Native Raspberry Araceae Rubiaceae Alocasia macrorrhizos Cunjevoi Galium binifolium Bedstraw Galium propinquum Centrolepidaceae Morinda jasminoides Morinda Centrolepis fascicularis Opercularia aspera Common Stinkweed Commelinaceae Opercularia varia Commelina cyanea Scurvy Weed Pomax umbellata Pomax Cyperaceae Rutaceae Caustis flexosa Old Man’s Beard Boronia ledifolia Sydney Boronia Cyathochaeta diandra Boronia polygalyfolia Cyperus brevifolius Mullumbimby Couch Correa reflex Native Fushcia Cyperus conjestus Eriostemon australasius Pink Waxflower Cyperus difformis Umbrella Sedge Zieria pilosa Hairy Zieria Cyperus gracilis Zieria smithii Sandfly Zieria Gahnia clarkei Tall Saw-sedge Santalaceae Gahnia sieberiana Excocarpus cupressiformis Native Cherry Lepidosperma laterale Variable Sword-sedge Leptomeria acida Lepidosperma limicola Razor Sedge Ptilanthelium deustum Horned Sedge Sapindaceae Schoenus ericetorum Heath Bog Rush Dodonaea triquetra Hop Bush Schoenus imberbis Beardless Bog Rush Schoenus melanostachys The bushland of Bidjigal Reserve and adjoining reserves 33

Bidjigal Reserve Native Plant Species, (from Urban Bushland Management 1994) Botanic name Common name Botanic name Common name

Haemodoraceae Sarcochilus olivaceous Haemodorum planifolium Bloodroot Thelymitra pauciflora Slender Sun Orchid Iridaceae Philesiaceae Patersonia glabrata Native Iris Lustrephus latifolius Wombat Berry Patersonia sericea Hariy Flag Iris Geitonoplesium cymosum Scrabling Lily var sericea Poaceae Juncaceae Aristida vagans Wire Grass Juncus bufonius Danthonia tenuior Juncus cognatus Deyeuxia decipiens Bent Grass Juncus continuous Dichelachne micrantha Short Hair Plume Grass Juncus prismatocarpus Branching Rush Dichelachne rara Plume Grass Juncus usitatus Tussock Rush Echinopogon caespitosus Tufted Hedgehog Grass Triglochin striata Entolasis marginata Margined Panic Grass Liliaceae Entolasia stricta Wiry Panic Grass Arthropodium milleflorum Pale Vanilla Lily Eragrostis brownii Brown’s Love Grass Burchardia umbellata Milkmaids Eragrostis leptostachya Caesia parviflora Pale Grass-lily Imperata cylindrica Blady Grass Caesia vittata Blue Grass-lily Lolium perennial Perennial Rye Grass Dianella caerulea Paroo Lily Microlaena stipoides Weeping Meadow Grass Dianella levis Flax Lily Oplismenus aemulus Basket Grass Dianella revoluta Flax Lily Oplismenus imbecillis Basket Grass Laxmannia gracilis Slender Wire Lily Stipa sp. Themeda triandra Orchidaceae Zoysia macrantha Saltwater Couch Acianthus exsertus Gnat Orchid Acianthus fornicatus Pixie Caps Restionaceae Bulbophyllum exiguum Lepyrodia scariosa Chaffy Scale Rush Caladenia alba Restio dimorphus Caladenia major Smilacaceae Calochilus campestris Bearded Orchid Smilax australis Austral Sarsaparilla Calochilus paludosus Smilax glyciphylla Sweet Sarsaparilla Calochilus robertsonii Stylideaceae Corybus sp. Stylidium graminifolium Grass Trigger Plant Cryptostylis erecta Stylidium productum Cryptostylis subulata Duck Orchid Cymbidium suave Typhaceae Dendrobium linguiforme Tongue Orchid Typha orientalis Cumbungi Diuris aurea Donkey Orchid Xanthorrhoeaceae Dipodium punctatum Hyacinth Orchid Lomandra cylindrica Galeola cassythoides Lomandra filiformis Wattle Mat-rush Liparis reflexa Lomandra gracilis Lyperanthus suaveolens Brown Beaks Lomandra longifolia Spiny-headed Mat-rush Microtis unifolia Onion Orchid Xanthorrhoea arborea Pterostylis acuminata Sharp Greenhood Xanthorrhoea resinosa Grass Tree Pterostylis baptistii King Greenhood Pterostylis daintreana Daintrey’s Greenhood Pterostylis grandiflora Cobra Greenhood Pterostylis longifolia Pterostylis nutans Nodding Greenhood Pterostylis ophioglossa Snake-tongue Greenhood Pterostylis plumosa Barded Greenhood 34

Fauna Species Recorded and Likely to Occur in Bidjigal Reserve (from Burcher 2003) Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name

Key Phalacrocorax varius Pied Cormorant Record – AES: Current survey; MKES Mount King Ardea pacifica White-necked Heron Ecological Surveys 1992; NPWS – record within 5km on Egretta novaehollandiae White-faced Heron NPWS Wildlife Atlas; R – reported by local resident. Accipiter novaehollandiae Grey Goshawk Frogs Aviceda subcristata Pacific Baza Crinia signifera Common Eastern Froglet Falco peregrinus Peregrine Falcon Limnodynastes dumerilli Pobblebonk Gallinula tenebrosa Dusky Moorhen Limnodynastes peronii Striped Marsh Frog Porphyrio porphyrio Purple Swamphen Limnodynastes tasmaniensis Spotted Marsh Frog Vanellus miles Masked Lapwing Pseudophrye bibroni Brown Frog Chalcophaps indica Emerald Dove Litoria caerulea Green Tree Frog Columba leucomela White-headed Pigeon Litoria dentata Keferstein’s Tree Frog Columba livia Rock Dove Litoria fallax Eastern Dwarf Tree Frog Ocyphaps lophotes Crested Pigeon Litoria peronii Peron’s Tree Frog Streptopelia chinensis Spotted Turtle-Dove Litoria phyllochroa Leaf-green Tree Frog Cacatua galerita Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Cacatua sanguinea Little Corella Reptiles Cacatua tenuirostris Long-billed Corella Chelodina longicollis Eastern Snake-necked Callocephalon fimbriatum Gang-gang Cockatoo Tortoise Calyptorhynchus lathami Glossy Black-Cockatoo Diplodactylus vittatus Eastern Stone Gecko Eolophus roseicapillus Galah Oedura lesueurii Lesueur’s Velvet Gecko Alisterus scapularis Australian King-Parrot Phyllurus platurus Broad-tailed Gecko Lathamus discolor Swift Parrot Underwoodisaurus milii Thick-tailed Gecko Platycercus adscitus eximius Eastern Rosella Pygopus lepidopodus Southern Scaly-foot Platycercus elegans Crimson Rosella Amphibolurus muricatus Jacky Lashtail Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus Scaly-breasted Lorikeet Physignathus lesueurii Eastern Water Dragon Trichoglossus haematodus Rainbow Lorikeet Ctenotus robustus Robust Ctenotus Cacomantis flabelliformis Fan-tailed Cuckoo Ctenotus taeniolatus Copper-tailed Ctenotus Cacomantis variolosus Brush Cuckoo Eulamprus quoyii Eastern Water-skink Chalcites lucidus Shining Bronze-Cuckoo Lampropholis delicata Dark-flecked Garden Eudynamys orientalis Pacific Koel Sunskink Scythrops novaehollandiae Channel-billed Cuckoo Lampropholis guichenoti Pale-flecked Garden Ninox boobook Southern Boobook Sunskink Ninox strenua Powerful Owl Tiliqua scincoides Common Bluetongue Podargus strigoides Tawny Frogmouth Ramphotylphlops nigrescens Blind Snake Hirundapus caudacutus White-throated Needletail Cacophis squamulosus Golden Crowned Snake Dacelo novaeguineae Laughing Kookaburra Demansia psammophis Yellow-faced Whipsnake Todiramphus sanctus Sacred Kingfisher Furina diadema Red-naped Snake Eurystomus orientalis Dollarbird Hemisaspis signata Blue-bellied Black Snake Cormobates leucophaeus White-throated Treecreeper Pseudechis porphyriacus Red-bellied Black Snake Malurus cyaneus Superb Fairy-wren Pseudonaja textilis Eastern Brown Snake Malurus lamberti Variegated Fairy-wren Vermicella annulata Eastern Bandy-bandy Pardalotus punctatus Spotted Pardalote Birds Acanthiza lineata Striated Thornbill Coturnix ypsilophora Brown Quail Acanthiza pusilla Brown Thornbill Anas castanea Chestnut Teal Gerygone mouki Brown Gerygone Anas platyrhynchos Mallard Sericornis frontalis White-browed Scrubwren Anas superciliosa Pacific Black Duck Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris Eastern Spinebill Chenonetta jubata Australian Wood Duck Anthochaera carunculata Red Wattlebird Phalacrocorax carbo Great Cormorant Anthochaera chrysoptera Little Wattlebird Phalacrocorax melanoleucos Little Pied Cormorant Lichenostomus chrysops Yellow-faced Honeyeater Phalacrocorax sulcirostris Little Black Cormorant Lichenostomus melanops Yellow-tufted Honeyeater The bushland of Bidjigal Reserve and adjoining reserves 35

Fauna Species Recorded and Likely to Occur in Bidjigal Reserve (from Burcher 2003) Botanic name Common name Botanic name Common name

Lichenostomus penicillatus White-plumed Honeyeater Pycnonotus jocosus Red-whiskered Bulbul Manorina melanocephala Noisy Miner Zosterops lateralis Silvereye Meliphaga lewinii Lewin’s Honeyeater Turdus merula Eurasian Blackbird Melithreptus lunatus White-naped Honeyeater Acridotheres tristis* Common Myna Philemon corniculatus Noisy Friarbird Mammals Phylidonyris nigra White-cheeked Honeyeater Tachyglossus aculeatus Echidna Phylidonyris novaehollandiae New Holland Honeyeater Petaurus breviceps Sugar Glider Xanthomyza phrygia Regent Honeyeater Pseudocheirus peregrinus Common Ringtail Possum Eopsaltria australis Eastern Yellow Robin Trichosurus vulpecula Common Brushtail Possum Petroica rosea Rose Robin Pteropus poliocephalus Grey-headed Flying-fox Psophodes olivaceus Eastern Whipbird Mormopterus norfolkensis Eastern Freetail-bat Daphoenositta chrysoptera Varied Sittella Mormopterus sp 1 undescribed mastiff-bat Colluricincla harmonica Grey Shrike-thrush Nyctinomus australis White-striped Freetail-bat Falcunculus frontatus Eastern Shrike-tit Chalinolobus morio Chocolate Wattled Bat Pachycephala pectoralis Golden Whistler Miniopterus schreibersii Common Bentwing-bat Pachycephala rufiventris Rufous Whistler Nyctophilus geoffroyi Lesser Long-eared Bat Grallina cyanoleuca Magpie-lark Nyctophilus gouldi Gould’s Long-eared Bat Monarcha melanopsis Black-faced Monarch Scoteanax rueppellii Greater Broad-nosed Bat Myiagra cyanoleuca Satin Flycatcher Vespadelus regulus Southern Forest Bat Myiagra rubecula Leaden Flycatcher Vespadelus vulturnus Little Forest Bat Rhipidura albiscapa Grey Fantail Mus musculus* House Mouse Rhipidura leucophrys Willie Wagtail Rattus fuscipes Bush Rat Rhipidura rufifrons Rufous Fantail Rattus rattus* Black Rat Coracina novaehollandiae Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike Hydromys chrysogaster Water Rat Coracina tenuirostris Cicadabird Oryctolagus cuniculus* Rabbit Oriolus sagittatus Olive-backed Oriole Canis lupus* Dingo, domestic dog Artamus cyanopterus Dusky Woodswallow Vulpes vulpes* Fox Cracticus torquatus Grey Butcherbird Felis catus* Cat Gymnorhina tibicen Australian Magpie Strepera graculina Pied Currawong This list was produced with information collected by AES Corvus coronoides Australian Raven Environmental Consulting; Mount King Ecological Ptilonorhynchus violaceus Satin Bowerbird Surveys; NPWS Wildlife Atlas and local residents. Neochmia temporalis Red-browed Finch Hirundo neoxena Welcome Swallow *Introduced species Cecropis ariel Fairy Martin 36

Darling Mills Creek, below Ted Horwood Reserve.

References

1 Attenbrow, V (2002) Sydney’s Aboriginal Past University of Macquarie University, Centre for Environment and Urban NSW Press. Studies (1983) Excelsior Park a Resources Study. Benson D and Howell J, The Natural Vegetation of the Sydney Manidis Roberts Consultants (1989) Excelsior Reserve Plan of 1:100 000 map sheet. Cunninghamia 3(4): 677-1004 1994. Management. Burcher P (2003) Fauna Survey of Excelsior Reserve Mount King Ecological Surveys (1994) Fauna Impact Unpublished Report for Baulkham Hills Shire Council. Statement In UPRCT (1994), Darling Mills Creek 2 Stormwater Management Strategy Environmental Impact Casey & Low Associates (1993) Excelsior Reserve Historical Statement. Archaeology Survey: Final Report In UPRCT (1994) Darling Mills Creek Stormwater Management Strategy Environ- Millhouse, G (1987) The Settlers of West Pennant Hills Valley mental Impact Statement. 1799 Onward Hills District Historical Society. Corkhill T (1992) Preliminary Survey for Aboriginal Ollif L (1973) There Must Be a River – A History of Hornsby Archaeological Sites In UPRCT (1994), Darling Mills Creek Shire Angus and Robertson 1981 Edition. Stormwater Management Strategy Environmental Impact Total Earth Care (1998) Excelsior Reserve Bush Regeneration Statement. Programme Final Report Unpublished Report. Corkhill T (1993) Test Excavation of Five Rockshelters in the Upper Parramatta Catchment Trust (1999) Green Corridors Darling Mills Creek Valley In UPRCT (1994), Darling Mills Management Strategy Prepared by Oculus Environmental Creek Stormwater Management Strategy Environmental Planning Consultants. Impact Statement. Urban Bushland Management (1994) Final Report for Excelsior Herbert C (Ed) (1980) Geology of the Sydney 1:100,000 Sheet Reserve Urban Bushland Restoration Unpublished Report. Geological Survey of New South Wales Department of Mineral Resources. Wilson P and Pullen N (2003) North Rocks: a Brief History and Guided Tour Hills District Historical Society. Kohen J (1993) The Darug and Their Neighbours The Traditional Aboriginal Owners of the Sydney Region Darug Link in Association Weidenhofer M (1973) The Convict Years Transportation and the with Blacktown Historical Society. Penal System 1788-1868 Landsdowne Press. Land Information Service website. Urban Bushland Management (1994) Final Report for Excelsior Reserve, Urban Bushland Restoration. Report for Water Board. Acknowledgements Many people have assisted by sharing their knowledge and time; particularly Noelene Pullen, Peter Field, Ann Parks, Bundeluk, Ruth Ryan, Les Brown, Charles Croswell, Terry Blanch, Don Higginbotham, Steve Duneskey, Jill Reardon, Roger Reardon, Upper Parramatta River Catchment Trust, and Castle Hill Historical Society. Kelly Saunderson of Baulkham Hills Council deserves particular thanks for steering this project from concept to completion, and providing much encouragement and advice. Was this booklet helpful to you? Do you have any information about the history of the reserve, or some photos? Have you seen plants or animals not on our list? Please let us know. Contacts The Hills Shire Council PO Box 7064 Baulkham Hills BC 2153 Telephone: 9843 0555 Website: www.thehills.nsw.gov.au Darug Custodian Aboriginal Corporation PO Box 36 Kellyville NSW 2155

This booklet was originally produced by Baulkham Hills Shire Council with funding assistance from: • Upper Parramatta Catchment Trust, • Department of Sport and Recreation, • Australian Government Envirofund

UPPER PARRAMATTA RIVER CATCHMENT TRUST An Australian Government Initiative

© Baulkham Hill Shire Council 2004

ISBN 0-9587344-2-9

Author: Virginia Bear Map: Virginia Bear Photography: Virginia Bear 2003/4 unless otherwise credited Design and Layout: Wild Red Frog design 9954 9094 Printing: Lester Printing