Ulandra Nature Reserve
Encyclopedia
The Ulandra Nature Reserve is a 3930 hectare nature reserve approximately 25 kilometres (15.5 mi) south-west of Cootamundra
and 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) south-east of the village of Bethungra
, in New South Wales
. The reserve is located on the western hills of the Southern Tablelands. The reserve's main feature is Mount Ulandra
. Immediately west of the reserve lies an undulating 200–300 m (656.2–984.3 ft) above sea level plain which rises abruptly at Mount Ulandra
to its summit at 761 metres (2,496.7 ft) above sea level. The reserve was dedicated in 1981 to protect stands of Cootamundra Wattle
. The reserve is used for foraging and reproduction by the threatened Superb Parrot
. It was then progressively added to until 1983.
s, several steep sided gullies and a catchment which feeds into Merrybundindah Creek. Most of the reserve is above 500 metres high.
Vegetation is mostly open forest of Cypress Pine
and gums. Wattles are also prevalent. There are records of Grey Kangaroos and Swamp Wallabies
as well as Brushtail Possums
and Ringtail Possums
. There are also undetermined numbers of birds and bats.
The reserve contains evidence of historic Aboriginal activity. Stone artifacts and other relics have been recorded at the site. Since European settlement activities within the reserve have included clearing, grazing and minor amounts of timber getting. Evidence of this remains in fence lines, stockyards, buildings and dams.
The reserve shows signs of damage due to previous pastoral clearing and stock water dam construction, as well as continued predation and competition from introduced animals, especially pigs. Infestations of introduced weeds are also a problem. There is an inholding within the reserve on which telecommunications installations have been constructed. These structures are visible from much of the reserve.
Cootamundra, New South Wales
Cootamundra is a town and Local Government Area in the South West Slopes region of New South Wales, Australia and within the Riverina. At the 2006 census, Cootamundra had a population of 5,566. It is located on the Olympic Highway at the point where it crosses the Muttama Creek, between Junee and...
and 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) south-east of the village of Bethungra
Bethungra, New South Wales
Bethungra is a locality in Junee Shire in the South West Slopes region of New South Wales, Australia situated on the Olympic Way about 13 kilometres northeast of Illabo and 24 kilometres southwest of Cootamundra....
, in New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
. The reserve is located on the western hills of the Southern Tablelands. The reserve's main feature is Mount Ulandra
Mount Ulandra
Mount Ulandra is a 761-metre-high mountain approximately 25 kilometres south-west of the New South Wales town of Cootamundra, Australia, and 4 kilometres south-east of Bethungra. The mountain is within the Ulandra Nature Reserve. Atop the mountain are telecommunications towers, including television...
. Immediately west of the reserve lies an undulating 200–300 m (656.2–984.3 ft) above sea level plain which rises abruptly at Mount Ulandra
Mount Ulandra
Mount Ulandra is a 761-metre-high mountain approximately 25 kilometres south-west of the New South Wales town of Cootamundra, Australia, and 4 kilometres south-east of Bethungra. The mountain is within the Ulandra Nature Reserve. Atop the mountain are telecommunications towers, including television...
to its summit at 761 metres (2,496.7 ft) above sea level. The reserve was dedicated in 1981 to protect stands of Cootamundra Wattle
Acacia
Acacia is a genus of shrubs and trees belonging to the subfamily Mimosoideae of the family Fabaceae, first described in Africa by the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1773. Many non-Australian species tend to be thorny, whereas the majority of Australian acacias are not...
. The reserve is used for foraging and reproduction by the threatened Superb Parrot
Superb Parrot
The Superb Parrot , is a parrot native to southeastern Australia...
. It was then progressively added to until 1983.
Overview
Ulandra Nature Reserve covers an area of wooded hills known as the Ulandra Range. The terrain is hilly with rough rocky ridgeRidge
A ridge is a geological feature consisting of a chain of mountains or hills that form a continuous elevated crest for some distance. Ridges are usually termed hills or mountains as well, depending on size. There are several main types of ridges:...
s, several steep sided gullies and a catchment which feeds into Merrybundindah Creek. Most of the reserve is above 500 metres high.
Vegetation is mostly open forest of Cypress Pine
Callitris endlicheri
Callitris endlicheri, commonly known as the Black Cypress Pine, is a species of conifer in the Cupressaceae family.It is found only in Australia.-References:* Conifer Specialist Group 1998. . Downloaded on 10 July 2007....
and gums. Wattles are also prevalent. There are records of Grey Kangaroos and Swamp Wallabies
Swamp Wallaby
The Swamp Wallaby is a small macropod marsupial of eastern Australia. This wallaby is also commonly known as the Black Wallaby, with other names including Black-tailed Wallaby, Fern Wallaby, Black Pademelon, Stinker , and Black Stinker...
as well as Brushtail Possums
Common Brushtail Possum
The Common Brushtail Possum is a nocturnal, semi-arboreal marsupial of the family Phalangeridae, it is native to Australia, and the largest of the possums.Like most possums, the Common Brushtail is nocturnal...
and Ringtail Possums
Common Ringtail Possum
The common ringtail possum is an Australian marsupial. It lives in a variety of habitats and eats a variety of leaves of both native and introduced plants, as well as flowers and fruits. These dietary factors have, over time, aided burgeoning introduced populations in New Zealand...
. There are also undetermined numbers of birds and bats.
The reserve contains evidence of historic Aboriginal activity. Stone artifacts and other relics have been recorded at the site. Since European settlement activities within the reserve have included clearing, grazing and minor amounts of timber getting. Evidence of this remains in fence lines, stockyards, buildings and dams.
The reserve shows signs of damage due to previous pastoral clearing and stock water dam construction, as well as continued predation and competition from introduced animals, especially pigs. Infestations of introduced weeds are also a problem. There is an inholding within the reserve on which telecommunications installations have been constructed. These structures are visible from much of the reserve.