Switchback Road, Chirnside Park, runs for 1.8 km. from Victoria Road to Edward Road. It is undulating and steep in parts. The south side is residential but the north side is semi-rural.
The undulating Switchback Ridge.
The north semi-rural side is a most interesting walk or slow drive for young ones to spot fauna. There are no footpaths but abundant grass verges.
Grassy verge.
There are a few residences on acreages that are home to domesticated animals, such as dogs and horses.
Friendly? canines.
Many horses.
One property always has several sheep grazing in lush pastures.
Grazing sheep.
A strange looking sheep popped up from the long grass which was a llama. Llamas are often kept among sheep to protect them and especially lambs from predators, such as foxes.
Sheep grazing and llama looking.
The llama.
Open grassed paddocks are often a mecca for corellas and galahs searching grass seeds and digging for grass bulbs. They are a delight to watch as is all wildlife going about their daily feeding habits.
Galahs & corella feeding.
They often feed in groups.
Along Switchback are a couple of wet areas with small ponds. Observed in these areas were several species of ducks and a sole ibis.
Black ducks.
Black duck & chestnut teal.
Ibis
Wood ducks.
Many land-based birds were seen. The most interesting was a noisy miner having a splash bath. I watched it for several interesting minutes as he dived into a horse drinking trough, then flew to a nearby fence and shook off excess water before repeating the process.
Wet noisy miner.
Only two magpies were seen as were a couple of mudlarks.
Magpies.
Mudlarks.
The only perched bird seen was a swallow upon overhead wires.
Swallow.
There are probably hundreds around but I only saw one rabbit.
Rabbit.
Semi-rural areas on the edge of suburbia are interesting to see as they offer a variety of wild and domesticated fauna, and kids will love the drive.
