Along the BUSH TRACKS Discovering the hilltop bushlands of Albury-Wodonga including plants, birds and trails. Graphipress, Albury - Ph: 02 6041 1466 This booklet was originally produced by the Monument Hill Parklands Association Inc. and the Albury Wodonga Field Naturalists Club Inc. It has has been made possible by the financial assistance of: 1st Edition: AlburyCity Council, Parklands Albury Wodonga, Wodonga Council and Save The Bush Fund. 2nd Edition: Murray Catchment Management Authority, AlburyCity Council and Parklands Albury Wodonga. 3rd Edition: 2016. Murray Local Land Services, NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, Albury-Wodonga Field Naturalists’ Club Inc., AlburyCity Council, Wodonga Council. ISBN: 978 0 646 96652 6 Printer: Graphipress, Albury - Ph: 02 6041 1466 Publisher: Parklands Albury Wodonga Cover: Photo by David Hunter (OEH). Artworks in the book: Ants by Daniel “Bundadhaany” Clegg, colourful Albury landscapes by Leonie McIntosh. Sketches of Eucalyptus fruits and buds by Glenda Datson. Sketch of Kurrajong follicle with permission of Leon F. Costermans. The authors acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands and waters of Albury- Wodonga, and pay their respects to Elders past, present and future. In recognition of the importance of the First Peoples’ cultural heritage to all local people, the third edition of Along the Bush Tracks has been enriched with cultural information from members of the Albury Wiradjuri community. The authors acknowledge other First Nation people in the region, who identify with other clans and languages, who have further stories to tell. Table of Contents INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................................ 2 VEGETATION Description .................................................................................................................................................................... 4 Habitat value ................................................................................................................................................................. 5 Wildlife corridors ............................................................................................................................................................ 6 ANIMALS The value of birds .......................................................................................................................................................... 6 Insects ........................................................................................................................................................................... 7 Fire ................................................................................................................................................................................ 7 GEOLOGY Description .................................................................................................................................................................... 8 Gold and Precious Stones .............................................................................................................................................. 8 LAND USE OVER TIME Wiradjuri People’s Connection with the Land .................................................................................................................. 9 European Land Use ..................................................................................................................................................... 10 Post European Contact ................................................................................................................................................ 11 PLACES TO VISIT .................................................................................................................................................. 11 PLANTS Identifying Plants ......................................................................................................................................................... 12 Trees Eucalypts ........................................................................................................................... 13 Other Trees ......................................................................................................................... 16 Wattles ............................................................................................................................... 18 Shrubs & Climbers Peas ................................................................................................................................... 19 Other Shrubs ...................................................................................................................... 22 Mistletoe .......................................................................................................................................... 27 Herbs Everlasting Daisies ............................................................................................................. 28 Orchids ............................................................................................................................... 29 Lilies .................................................................................................................................. 32 Other Herbs ........................................................................................................................ 35 Grasses .............................................................................................................................. 37 BIRDS ...................................................................................................................................................................... 38 MAMMALS ............................................................................................................................................................. 41 REPTILES ................................................................................................................................................................. 42 INSECT POLLINATORS ......................................................................................................................................... 42 MAP (centre spread) showing location of trails .....................................................................................................24-25 MANAGING BIODIVERSITY Environmental weeds ................................................................................................................................................... 43 How you can be bush friendly ...................................................................................................................................... 45 Native plants in your garden ........................................................................................................................................ 45 CLUBS WHICH HAVE ACTIVITIES IN THE LOCAL BUSH ............................................................................. 45 FIND OUT MORE .................................................................................................................................................... 46 USEFUL REFERENCES ......................................................................................................................................... 47 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................................................................................ 48 1 Introduction A guided wildflower walk on Nail Can Hill. D. Hunter The citizens of Albury-Wodonga are fortunate to have on their doorsteps many areas of natural bushland for their enjoyment and recreation. Some people spend many hours walking and observing nature whilst others enjoy the bush as they drive by. In Albury-Wodonga the bush provides for activities such as bushwalking, wildflower walks, birdwatching, nature studies, photography, fitness walking and jogging, orienteering, and mountain biking. Our landscape character comes from the Murray River and the bush-covered hills. The plants, birds and other animals described later in the book are found in these hills above the river plain. The bush provides habitat for animals. Some, such as parrots and lizards are commonly seen. Others are less obvious because they are nocturnal, small or shy. Some of the animals in our local bush are listed as threatened species, e.g. the Regent Honeyeater and Turquoise Parrot. We need to protect these rarer species but we also need to look after our common native plants and animals, so that they do not become endangered as well. Human existence depends on the diversity of living things for food, shelter, clothing, medicines and industry. To maintain this vital resource we need to provide areas for this biodiversity to flourish. The native bushland also helps maintain ground water levels at an appropriate depth and so assists in preventing salinity problems. 2 The urban bushland has an added value: it is the only bush to which some people have access. This booklet has been produced by residents who appreciate their local bushland and want to share it with other residents and visitors. The more common plants, birds and other animals of the area are illustrated as well as some of the rarer ones. We hope it will encourage people to venture out into the bush and to discover some of the pleasures that such a visit can provide: the