Saturday, May 6, 2023

Cleland Blitz and Cleland Wildlife Park

 Today I volunteered to take part in the Cleland Blitz, a working bee at Cleland Wildlife Park in the Adelaide Hills.  Recent storms had caused many trees to lose branches and there was a lot of debris around the park.  Around 80 volunteers picked up the debris and piled it up for later disposal by park staff.

My group was in the Kangaroo Island Kangaroo enclosure.  by the end of the morning we had made 4 large piles of debris, and the enclosure looked as good as new


After morning tea, this Kangaroo Island Kangaroo was sheltering by one of the piles and did not take kindly to being disturbed. When he realised we would give him his space he soon chilled out.


After lunch, the volunteers are free to wander around the park and see the animals and birds on display there.  There are other kangaroo species here including Potteroos, Red Kangaroos and Yellow-footed Rock Wallabies



As you know, i love my birds, and there are three aviaries to walk through here.  This gives you a chance to get up close to birds that are used to being close to humans, and allows for some exceptional photo opportunities.  Some of the waterbirds were White-headed Stilt, Plumed Whistling Duck, Glossy 
Ibis, Black Swan Australian Pelican and Magpie Goose







Amongst the smaller birds were White-browed Woodswallow, the endangered Regent Honeyeater, Zebra Finch and Tawny Frogmouth.  




There were also lots of pigeons, with Diamond and Bar-shouldered Doves very confiding.


As always, the Emu was having a bad hair day!

All in all a very enjoyable day!