This week I have a focus on the National Parkes Association Lachlan Valley Branch. Last weekend they undertook a walk through the South Western Woodland Reserve Cookamidgera (251117).

We had previously undertaken this walk with the NPA group last year after we had received significant rain and there was fungi galore.

The group ventured into the walk last weekend after the Cookamidgera area near the Reserve had received significant rainfall and hail on the Thursday evening before, with evidence of the storm throughout the area.

The group recorded 28 birds, including a large group of superb parrots. Plenty of spiders were recorded including young golden orb weavers. Photos are with the link to this article on facebook and on our website.

Looking fresh after the rain was a Lace Monitor, Varanus varius (pictured), who was keen to see what the group were up to and happy to be admired by the walkers.

This walk was the last for the year and no walks until March. Find out more about the walks that the Team have undertaken over the past 12 months join the NPA Christmas Party, held at Bumberry Dam on Sunday, December 3 at 5pm. Participants are asked to BYO drinks and nibbles and all are welcome. Contact Martin Bell on 0429 346 586 for further information.

The Lachlan Valley Group are one of 16 branches in NSW, assisted by dedicated volunteers. Branches differ in the types of activities and functions they fulfil. These may include providing a range of bushwalking and other outdoor activities for all ages and levels of fitness, campaigning on key issues in their local area, and some coordinate bush regeneration, clean up and survey activities.

The NPA celebrated their 60th year in 2017 and have a list of their 60 Best Walks to tie in with the celebration. In the mid 50’s are three of the Lachlan Valley Branch walks with Goobang Creek, Conimbla National Park and South West Woodland Nature Reserve – Black Range.

The NPA website ban be found at www.npansw.org and follow the bushwalking links. A fantastic thing about this website is that if you are headed to another part of the State you can have a sticky beak on their calendar and check out where walks are being held. One walk that I was looking at when preparing the column listed bunyips as one of the features of the walk along with many others, so I guess you never beat local insider information.

Its not just walks either, there are paddles, camping, talks. In the metropolitan areas there is also information about public transport options. One thing that I know with our local group is that there is always time for a cuppa to prepare for, or reflect on the walk and a chance to socialise, catch up. I am looking forward to being able to participate in more walks in 2018 and value the dedicated team in our local area