Wingham Brush Nature Reserve

Wingham Brush Nature Reserve is a spectacular 9 hectare sample of the subtropical lowland forest that once covered much of the Manning River valley. A tangle of towering Moreton Bay figs and vines the undergrowth features rarities like the giant stinging tree. Located on a town block in Wingham in the Manning Valley NSW, this well looked after reserve with its boardwalks is refuge for a large range of birds and home for Grey-headed Flying Foxes. 

This small patch of bush, dominated by giant Moreton Bay figs, is looking healthy despite the recent years of drought, perhaps benefiting from its proximity to the Manning River.

The reserve was at one time logged for red cedar and by 1980 was badly infested with weeds. Through the efforts of the Wingham Brush regeneration team the rainforest has returned to a natural state. The pioneering methods used to do this are now recognized internationally as the “The Wingham Brush method”.

Thousands of bats roost in the reserve; predominantly the Grey-headed Flying Fox (pictured) but also the rarer Little Red and Black Flying Fox.

The Russet-tailed Thrush is found in wet eucalypt forest and rainforest of eastern Australia. It is distinguished from its cousin, the Bassian Thrush by the larger white tip on its outermost tail feathers (not really visible here), its shorter tail and the more coppery colouration of its back.

Persons unknown evidently introduced the Australian Brush-turkey to this site and it has flourished in the healthy bush environment.

Manning Valley Birds

Our stay in the Manning Valley was in a bungalow at “Mansefield on Manning” just west of Taree, NSW at Tinonee. The 18 hectare park-like grounds have tall gum trees, patches of denser trees, an orchard and large vegetable garden bounded by a small wetland on one side and the Manning River on the other. I counted over 50 bird species on the property itself ranging from Yellow Thornbills and Scarlet Honeyeaters to King Parrots, Brown Quail, Spangled Drongo, Wedge-tailed Eagles and Australian Pelican. The cabins are well separated around the property and there was a serenade from Pied Butcherbirds each morning.    

This Spangled Drongo was seen each day at our bungalow at “Mansefield on Manning”, Tinonee, NSW.

And this Brown Quail was seen from the deck in long grass under a nearby tree. There was a group of four Quails that were later seen crossing the road into the site.

One of a family group of Australian King-Parrots.

This Black-fronted Dotterel was keeping very clean in the mud in a roadside pond near Coopernook in the Manning Valley, NSW. A week later this same area was under water, blocking the highway for three days.

Female Regent Bowerbird at Saltwater National Park near the mouth of the Manning River, NSW.