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Visited: winter
Recommendation: This is an isolated campsite giving access to several walks through the area. It is a stunning location and home to fabulous birds like the Red-browed Treecreeper. Definitely worth a visit.
Torrington State Conservation Area sprawls across the Mole Tableland, a distinctive landscape characterized by massive granite outcrops, balancing boulders, deep gorges, swamps, and small creeks. It is a haven for biodiversity, supporting dry forests and woodlands. Home to over 750 plant species, it includes a remarkable 45 rare or threatened species, such as Beadle's Grevillea and Torrington Wattle, which create spectacular wildflower displays between September and March. The area also supports a diverse range of fauna, including various reptiles (over 30 species), frogs (around 13 species), and birdlife, including the rare Glossy Black Cockatoo.
There are several great walking tracks across the park. If you stay at the Blatherarm Campsite, you can access the Ugly Corner Falls Walking Track. Other tracks (Mystery Face and Thunderbolts Lookout Tracks) and require driving to locations across the area. The views of the surrounding countryside are stunning and worth taking the walks.
When I visited, it was mid-winter and pretty cold. I didn't expect to see much but there were still treats here. The creek runs past the campsite, a short distance away. All day and night, the frogs were calling but they were of the very small, cryptic variety and it was too cold to spend any time searching for them.
Instead, I sat in the van and watched. When interesting birds appeared, I would dash out of my blankets to chase them. I had only been in the campsite when I heard the Red-browed Treecreeper. This was a new bird for me and I had a tip that they were here so I was thrilled to see them. Unfortunately, the little buggers just wouldn't sit still. Although I didn't geat very good shots of them, I was very pleased. And I also know where to go when it is warmer to see them again!
Red-browed Treecreeper (Climacteris erythrops)
Around the campsite came and went lots of smaller bush birds. Several types of thornbill were present with good views of the Buff-rumped Thornbill. Several groups of Superb Fairywren flitted around the leaf litter with their soft chatter being very pleasant to hear.
Buff-rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza reguloides)
Superb Fairywren (Malurus cyaneus)
Further up the trees were several Eastern Yellow Robins hawking for bugs. Every now and again a pair of Eastern Spinebill would enter the area and a noisy territorial dispute would ensue. A little more calm and co-operative was a pair of Scarlet Robin that worked the area together.
Scarlet Robin (Petroica boodang)
Eastern Spinebill (Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris)
Eastern Yellow Robin (Eopsaltria australis)
Around the entire conservation area were the old skins of Cicadas and they looked quite eerie clinging to the trees. Fascinating to get close to them though.
At the entrance to the Thunderbolts Lookout Track, I found a lovely open patch of grass and scrub which was full of birds. Lots of Yellow-rumped and Buff-rumped Thornbill were unco-operative in the long grasses and robins were busy as well. I had better luck with the honeyeaters, with several White-eared and Yellow-faced Honeyeaters moving around.
Yellow-faced Honeyeater (Lichenostomus chrysops)
White-eared Honeyeater (Lichenostomus leucotis)
On the way out of the park, I saw some activity in the trees lining the road. I could see they were lorikeets and I hope I could find Little Lorikeets. They were there but stuck further in the foliage and I couldn't get a good luck at them. Rainbow and Musk Lorikeets were all over the place though and gave some great poses.
Musk Lorikeet (Glossopsitta concinna)
Along this road, I saw 4 species of marsupial. The Swamp Wallaby was dark and stunning but didn't stick around in the open. The Eastern Grey Kangaroo had no such sensitivities! My favourite marsupial is always the Wallaroo so I was thrilled to see them. I'm never quite sure whether I am seeing juveniles or adults, they look the same!
Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus)
Common Wallaroo (Osphranter robustus)
The other marsupial I saw was the Red-necked Wallaby. Apparently, they are quite common in the area but it took me a while to realise they were something different. These are very attractive animals with rufous tones not just on the neck, but also the arms and down the back. A joey peaking out was the icing on the cake.
Red-necked Wallaby (Notamacropus rufogriseus)
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