Field Trip 2009

2009 Field Trip to Yumbarra and Yellabinna

The 2009 Field Trip took place in the Yumbarra and Yellabinna parks (the Goog’s Track area). 20 members gathered in Ceduna for a briefing and dinner on Sunday 2 August and travelled to the work area on the following day. Biological survey and environmental rehabilitation work was completed around the Goog’s Lakes and Mt Finke areas and the trip “officially” ended at Kingoonya on Friday 14th August. Some members then travelled in convoy south through the Gawler Ranges. The biological surveys included vegetation quadrats, animal and malleefowl tracking plots, photo points, and bird recording. Six formal vegetation surveys of one hectare quadrats were completed.

As the area had received good winter rains, the flower displays in and around the quadrats were magnificent. We recorded around 170 plant species (compared with about 70 in 2008). Following comprehensive animal tracking training from Rick Southgate and Matt Ward, many 30 minute track surveys were completed and mallefowl signs investigated. We were also joined by James Tomlinson, the mining liaison ranger from Ceduna, and Julia Bignall. All field trip participants were highly appreciative of the support and advice we gained from these DEH staff members and associates.

Full details may be found in the 2009 Field Trip Report.