As of March 2022 the burnt sections of this park, east of Dorset Vale Road, have now reopened to the public. After creating an iNaturalist Project to collect observations post bushfire, I’ve been eager to revisit.
We’d thought the warm day would be good for a short walk along Neville Rd, Currawong Ridge Track, Bandicoot Track and Matthews Rd. But at 30°C, humid, no wind and all the tree canopy removed by the fire, it was unexpectedly hot.
Many of the Eucalypts were killed by the fire, but some are reshooting. The ground, now exposed without the tree canopy, is exploding with new growth. In particular dense areas of two foot tall Golden Wattles (Acacia pycnantha).
The Common Brown Butterflies (Heteronympha merope) were as common as ever, with one launching from the ground and resettling every few meters we walked. Even more common were the Australian Plague Locusts (Chortoicetes terminifera), no doubt feeding on the abundant new growth. Amongst the Wattles were a few large patches of Hop Goodenia (Goodenia ovata). I hadn’t realised this was a pioneer species.
At a high point along Currawong Ridge Track a few of the Eucalypts had significant regrowth and were being utilised by a Grey Fantail (Rhipidura albiscapa), a White-throated Treecreeper (Cormobates leucophaea) and several Striated Thornbills (Acanthiza lineata).
Back along Matthews Rd the introduced Sweet Scabious (Sixalix atropurpurea) were abundant, seemingly unaffected in number by the fire. As usual, these were attracting quite a few Meadow Argus (Junonia villida) and Australian Painted Lady (Vanessa kershawi).
Scott Creek Conservation Park
54 hectares of coastal cliffs, revegetated and remnant vegetation, ancient Aboriginal settlements, exposed glacial pavements from the Permian glaciation and protective boardwalks. In 2021 the park became part of the Glenthorne Precinct with the opening of Glenthorne National Park–Ityamaiitpinna Yarta.
iNaturalist Projects
Scott Creek Conservation Park, South Australia
Bushfire Recovery – Scott Creek CP (2021-2024)
Ferals in South Australian Reserves – Scott Creek CP
See the full list of 42 observations covering 30 species on iNaturalist
Epistemic Curiosity 