Burrinjuck Nature Reserve facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Burrinjuck Nature ReserveNew South Wales |
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IUCN Category Ia (Strict Nature Reserve)
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 Burrinjuck Nature Reserve
Location in New South Wales
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| Nearest town or city | Burrinjuck |
| Established | 1984 |
| Area | 52.50 km2 (20.3 sq mi) |
| Managing authorities | NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service |
| Website | Burrinjuck Nature Reserve |
| See also | Protected areas of New South Wales |
The Burrinjuck Nature Reserve is a special protected area in New South Wales, Australia. It's like a huge natural park, covering about 5,250 hectares (that's over 12,900 acres!). Most of the reserve is on the northern side of the Burrinjuck Dam, which is a large water storage area. This reserve helps protect important plants and animals in the region. It used to be a state forest and a recreation area before becoming a nature reserve.
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History of Burrinjuck Reserve
The Burrinjuck Nature Reserve was first created in 1984. When it started, it was about 1,286 hectares in size. Over the years, more land was added to make it bigger. In 2001, about 1,948 hectares were added, and then another 1,911 hectares joined in 2006. This helped connect different parts of the natural landscape.
The reserve has experienced bushfires in the past. A very big fire happened in the summer of 1972–1973, burning a large area. However, studies show that the plants in the reserve are quite good at recovering after fires. This means nature can bounce back!
Visiting Burrinjuck Nature Reserve
If you want to explore the reserve, there are a couple of ways to do it. You can walk along a part of the Hume and Hovell Track, which is a long walking trail. There's also a path that leads to the top of Mt. Barren Jack. This path starts from the nearby Burrinjuck Waters State Park. These are the main ways for the public to enjoy the reserve.
Nature and Wildlife at Burrinjuck
Plants of the Reserve
The Burrinjuck Nature Reserve is home to many different types of forests and plant communities. These areas have unique mixes of trees, shrubs, and smaller plants. For example, you can find different kinds of gum trees like Apple Box, Norton's Box, and Brittle Gum. There are also wattles, tea trees, and various types of grasses and wildflowers.
Rare and Endangered Plants
Some plants in the reserve are very rare and need special protection.
- The Yass daisy is a vulnerable species, meaning it's at risk of disappearing.
- The crimson spider orchid is even more endangered. There are only about 100 of these beautiful orchids known in the reserve. This makes Burrinjuck one of only four places in New South Wales where they grow.
- The Wee Jasper grevillea is also critically endangered. One of its few known populations is found right here in the reserve. Protecting these plants is a big reason why the reserve exists.
Animals of the Reserve
The reserve is a busy place for animals! Since the late 1970s, scientists have recorded:
- 3 types of amphibians (like frogs)
- 9 types of reptiles (like lizards and snakes)
- 32 types of mammals (like kangaroos and possums)
- 179 types of birds
Threatened Animal Species
Many animals in the reserve are considered vulnerable, meaning their populations are decreasing. It's important to protect their homes. Here are some of the special animals found here:
- Birds: You might spot the unique Gang-gang cockatoo, the colorful Turquoise parrot, or the impressive Superb parrot. There are also large birds of prey like the Barking owl and Powerful owl. Smaller birds like the Brown treecreeper, Speckled warbler, and Hooded robin also live here.
- Mammals: The reserve is home to the Spotted-tailed quoll, a native carnivorous marsupial. You might also see amazing gliding mammals like the Yellow-bellied glider and the Squirrel glider. The Common bent-wing bat also makes its home in the reserve.
Protecting these animals and their habitats is a key goal of the Burrinjuck Nature Reserve.
Images for kids
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An Australian Blue Gum
