DRB Nats Excursion – 19 August 2023

The park offers a variety of bushwalking trails that cater to different preferences and fitness levels. One of the popular trails is the Wildflower Walk Trail, which spans approximately 4.6 km. It is a grade 3 trail that features short, steep sections and slippery surfaces, providing an exciting experience for our members and nature enthusiast guests.

Bradley Cox had previously surveyed the walk, although several of the members assisted guests in identifying the myriad of wildflowers viewed on the day and the rest were identified using “Darlington And Surrounds – Local Flora And Bushlands”, Cliff and Sharon Burns (2011). ISBN 978-0-9806454-1-5.

It was interesting to see the difference between the flowers on the stream side of the path and those further up the hill. Twenty-three different wildflower species were named (see below). The Swan River Myrtle, Hypocalymma robustum and blue Leschenaultia biloba were seen throughout the walk. Calytrix variabilis Fringe Myrtle was commented on by a guest for the range of colour in its flowers and foliage. There were many examples of sharing knowledge when we saw the Hakeas and Fabaceae family: Pultenaea ericifolia & Bossiaea eriocarpa, and Leucopogon sp. Tales of Honey Possums were talked about when the Banksia nivea, Honeypot Dryandra, was sighted.

Sixteen different bird species were also sighted or heard, and the view of the day was a Wedgetail Eagle Aquila audax, on a nest in the distance.

Arlene Quinn