Cache #43
While out scouting for caches as part of TSR Multi I came across this reserve which has an interesting sign. The Bush Stone-curlew is a ground-nesting bird that has suffered significantly from the impact of foxes in southern Australia. Travel north (or to Kangaroo Island) and they can be a common urban bird, but in southern NSW they are few and far between. I am not certain if they are still in this area (I have not visited at night) but I do know there is a group breeding this species in nearby Jindera.
Some background information on the species - Bush Stone-curlew (also known as Bush Thick-knee) - Burhinus grallarius. Feeds on a wide range of invertebrates and small vertebrates, and is generally nocturnal (during the day it squats on the ground and uses its plumage to escape detection). Uses a wide range of habitats but likes areas with large amounts of fallen timber and litter. It's high-pitched wailing is given at night (in fact they are more often heard than seen). This ghost-like call is their contact call, and may be given by several birds in a chorus. Rendered as weer-lo, it is repeated four or five times, sometimes culminating in a trilled, screeching crescendo. In many Australian Aboriginal cultures Bush Stone-curlews have close associations with death.
Maybe you can come at night and hear the birds calling, or perhaps go for a walk through this pleasant patch of bush and try your luck. Either way, leave your dog at home here (the reserve is also baited for foxes and so there is a risk here).
Greater Hume Back Roads Series
Surrounding the NSW city of Albury is the Greater Hume Shire. The Shire was formed in 2004 incorporating Culcairn Shire, the majority of Holbrook Shire and part of Hume Shire. The population in 2016 was 10351, but it is scattered over lots of small towns – Jindera (2222), Holbrook (1715), Culcairn (1473), Henty (1237) and Walla Walla (836) and a number of smaller villages including Morven, Gerogery, Walbundrie, Burrumbuttock, Bungowannah and Woomargama. I suspect many of the residents commute to Albury/Wodonga for work, but there are also a lot of small farms that would be a key income source for many of the residents.
While there are a number caches within the shire, compared to the adjacent north east Victoria and Albury, they are still few and far between. This series hopefully fills some of this gap - there are so many back roads where a cache could be placed. We have also tried to add a little bit of local history or information to make the caches interesting.
There are a variety of hides in the series, but each should be near a safe spot to park – they are all on sealed roads though some of the connections may be gravel (check in wet weather) - this one has a about 100m of dirt, but you could walk from the sign! Despite most of these roads being relatively quiet, as always please be careful with kids and dogs. Snakes in warmer weather may also be a hazard.
You are looking for a typical camouflaged 200ml sistema container. We hope you enjoy this series.
FTF - Congratulations OZREG