Thursday 24 October 2024
Photos courtesy of Gay. Walk report courtesy Walk leader Gay.
Ten Members and two visitors joined me for the Easy grade walk through the village of Broulee to the Bangalay Sand Forest and Illawong Nature Reserve. Though it could be argued one visitor is not really a visitor? Kay V, a member of the club some years ago has returned to the Eurobodalla and it was a pleasure to meet her today. Perhaps Kay has not walked for some time though, as her boots were disintegrating before our very eyes. One sole fell off before we left the car park, but duct tape came to the rescue.
First stop was the Bangalay Sand Forest tucked in behind Captain Oldrey Park and the netball courts. These sand forests are an endangered ecological community, existing within a few kilometres of the sea on freely draining sandy soils at altitudes below 100 metres. Morning tea was enjoyed in the middle of the little forest and although we noticed several bird boxes up in the trees, no activity was seen. It was all happening down below, as Kay’s other boot decided to lose its sole and Barry and Stan came to the rescue with yet more duct tape!
As we left the Sand Forest a small Echidna was spotted and tried its best to hide from us, but failed. Onwards to the Bower, which is the home of the Illawong Nature Sanctuary and a 2.2 km walk that circumnavigates the Bower property. This is classic Eurobodalla coastal woodland of eucalypts and casuarina and supports a bird community of nectar-feeders. After passing the Illawong wetlands, we turned onto the back straight only to be greeted by a lady on a quad bike on a neighbouring property. She informed us that she was doing a “Weed Check” and was happy to report she had not found any weeds!
On the final section we were greeted by the Bower horses and spotted a large nest in the nearby Mobile phone tower. (Well to be honest, we were given the tip by our friend on the quad bike.) No raptors spotted on this occasion.
To leave the Bower property we followed a sandy track which runs parallel to George Bass Drive. A bit more shady and kept us away from the busy road. The final leg of our 7.5km walk took us along a pretty little local track skirting the banks of Candlagan Creek.
Happy to say Kay’s duct taped boots survived the walk, though we all wondered how she was going to get them off?
A Big Thank You to the owners of the Bower, for once again allowing our Club to complete the Illawong Walk.