*dimsumdolly* - the different morsels of the life of a foodie

Towra Point

Yesterday, I went for another CVA project at the Towra Point Nature Reserve which is a wetland whose dominant habitats are saltmarsh and open woodland. The reserve is surrounded by large areas of mudflat, mangroves and seagrass beds. According to the website, these are habitats of high conservation significance within the region. Towra includes 50% of the remaining mangroves in Sydney and most of the saltmarshes remaining in the Sydney region.

Towra Point is also a major breeding and feeding ground for many migratory birds. The reserve is also steeped with cultural and historical significance. Three Aboriginal sites have been recorded within the Reserve. Towra Lagoon, which is adjacent to Towra Beach, probably provided freshwater for Aboriginal communities, and was mapped by James Cook in 1770.

But I didn't get to see any birds nor any aboriginal sites yesterday. They must have been in some other part of the reserve. The reserve is huge - all 386ha of it. To get to the spot we were supposed to work on, the other volunteers and I had to don waders to prevent our long pants from getting wet while wading through the dirty muddy water while walking to the work site. Waders are like plastic long pants with plastic workboots attached to it. It was quite an interesting garment.

After a 30 minute walk, we got to the site. We spent the day picking out two weeds - lantanas and nightshade. Work conditions weren't exactly the best 'cos it was hot and there were mosquitoes aplenty. I really didn't like that!

I was glad when it was time to go. I didn't really enjoy myself 'cos the site wasn't a very scenic one to work at. The heat and the mosquitoes also made it uncomfortable. Plus I wasn't feeling very well to begin with, so I really shouldn't have gone in the first place. I've been feeling under the weather since Saturday and I guess exerting myself like that doesn't help very much in my recovery!

Anyway, all I wish for now is for my stuffy nose, bad throat and cough to be gone as soon as possible!

Posted by DSD at November 21, 2003 5:57 PM