January 17 - 23, 2021: Issue 479
A Walk Through Warriewood Wetlands To The Sea Of Narrabeen
Regular contributor of wonderful photographs Joe Mills recently took a walk through Warriewood Wetlands and towards North Narrabeen and Turimetta beaches - all three among his favourite places to capture the changes of light and flora and fauna. Current Health Notices advise visitors wear insecticides and long sleeves to protect themselves again mosquitoes bites in this area as tests in March 2020 showed Ross River Fever. This reserve is known for its mosquito-eating birdlife and other resident wildlife also feast on these - turtles, bats, lizards, snakes, possums et al - and the chirruping creeks that flow through the Warriewood valley and Ingleside escarpment.
Residents who have lived here since the 1930's, in earlier interviews for Profiles, often mentioned going 'yabbying' in Warriewood creeks or even 'eeling'. Former Mayor of Pittwater and Councillor at Warringah Shire Council, David James OAM, shared his 'A Short History of community involvement in favour of environmental issues/campaigns in and around Narrabeen Lagoon - 1974 to present' in this news service a few years ago. David Palmer and Angus Gordon have also shared an account A History Of The Campaign For Preservation Of The Warriewood Escarpment.
Despite current road upgrades along Mona Vale road, compounded by those developments within the valley seeing runoff into these creeks, and residents reporting on Friday January 15th that testing at Irrawong Falls this week of the water does not make that lovely alcove good for swimming at present - there also seems to be some sandflies about - this remains a wonderful place for a stroll for all ages.
Residents are quick to report the invasive weed "Salvinia Molesta", while PNHA is trailing Trad infected with the fungus Kordiana beside the track to the Irrawong waterfall at Narrabeen, along with Bushcare groups working to eliminate other weeds such as lantana, all of which need more hands - details in the Environment page and Bushcare starts again in February, when it's cooler, this community asset is watched by all who visit it regularly.
Shaded, with almost 200 species of birds, many of which have big babies at present, a level walk from the heart of this valley to the ocean or lagoon is an opportunity to glimmer the past while enjoying the present.
It's Summer - you're in Pittwater - enjoy!
