The Nut

We're becoming quite the fans of Ranger Jess' events. This time (last night) was a tour of The 'Nut' at Stanley (or is Stanley at the Nut?), to learn about Mutton Birds/ Short-tailed Shearwaters (Puffinus tenuirostris). It was a great time, and I don't remember the last time the boys stayed up so late.

The Nut towers over Stanley.

Yep, we're going up there on foot, though there is a chair lift for those more interested in the view than the walk.

The first critter we saw was this butterfly.

Pigface (Carpobrotus rossii) is an edible plant that Jess pointed out. Tasted ok.

Pademelon scat. At one point when we were approaching the first lookout, one of the young lads looked back down to the cafe at the base of the Nut and saw a pademelon near the building. Good eyesight, it looked like an ant. We saw another one as it was turning dark. 

Well and truly dark now. The last opportunity to use the camera, because the flash would disturb the Mutton Birds. Ranger Jess gave a talk about the birds, their numbers, migration, etc. She passed around a couple of wings. They have quite a smell, attributed to the oil that they secrete. After this, at about 9.30pm, further up the Nut, we walked along a path through their nesting area. We saw many of them coming flying in above us to land and nest for the night.

The walk down was a lot more direct, thus quicker, but pitch black except for our torches. Then the drive home which took just over an hour and a half.

A great night.