A perfect
autumn day encouraged many Field Nats out to Garth and Mary Hockly’s property
near Ravensbourne. The Hocklys purchased their 105-acre block in 1988 but did
not move on to the land until 1996. The property was overrun with Lantana, but
had a beautiful creek and there were stands of tall eucalypt. Now, 20 years on,
an avenue of deciduous trees in autumn colour, sweeping lawns, flowering shrubs
and a beautiful rainforest are testament to the Hocklys’ vision, enthusiasm,
and hours of hard work.
Garth guided
members on a leisurely walk through a section of the rainforest, naming the
hundreds of trees and understorey plants that he and Mary have planted. Morning
tea on their verandah was followed by a walk in a eucalypt and rainforest
regeneration area. Within a glade in this area the Hocklys have created a
bird-watching space with a bird bath and bird feeding table. This lovely space
was our lunch venue, surrounded by bird song and the occasional bird that was
brave enough to come down to feed despite the large audience. Most members
returned home after lunch, but a few went on to Gus Beutel’s Lookout. A big
‘thank you’ to Garth and Mary for their generosity in allowing us access to the
beautiful place they call home.
Bird List for Garth & Mary
Hockly’s Property (Complied by Tricia Allen from Members’ sightings)
Pacific Black Duck, Brown
Cuckoo-Dove, Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Laughing Kookaburra, White-throated
Tree-creeper, Spotted Pardalote, White-browed Scrubwren, Brown Gerygone,
Weebill, Lewin’s Honeyeater, Eastern Spinebill, Brown Honeyeater, Scarlet
Honeyeater, White-naped Honeyeater, Eastern Yellow Robin, Eastern Whipbird,
Golden Whistler, Grey Shrike-thrush, Grey Fantail, Willy Wagtail, Pied
Currawong, Torresian Crow, Green Catbird, Red-browed Finch.
Members saw platelets (small bare circular depressions) of Black-breasted Button Quail, which pleased the Hockly’s as they hadn’t sighted the birds for about five years.
Report by Deb Ford
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