Windsor Downs Nature Reserve facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Windsor Downs Nature ReserveWindsor Downs, New South Wales |
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IUCN Category Ia (Strict Nature Reserve)
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The old meatworks water tower in the Windsor Downs Nature Reserve
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 Windsor Downs Nature Reserve
Location in New South Wales
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| Established | 7 September 1990 |
| Area | 3.64 km2 (1.4 sq mi) |
| Visitation | 10,000 (in 1999) |
| Managing authorities | NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Windsor Downs Nature Reserve |
| See also | Protected areas of New South Wales |
Windsor Downs Nature Reserve is a special protected area in New South Wales, Australia. It was created in 1990 by the government. This nature reserve covers about 364 hectares (that's like 900 acres!). It's located between the towns of Windsor Downs and Bligh Park. Before it became a reserve, this land was used by the Riverstone Meatworks company to graze cattle.
It's super important because it protects one of the last parts of the Cumberland Plain Woodland. This is a special type of forest that only grows in the western suburbs of Sydney, and it's now an endangered habitat. The reserve is home to many different plants, including several types of eucalyptus trees. It also protects rare and threatened plants like Persoonia nutans and Dillwynia tenuifolia. Many native animals live here too, including endangered birds like the Regent honeyeater.
Contents
A Look Back: History of the Reserve
Ancient History: Darug Land
Windsor Downs Nature Reserve sits on the traditional land of the Darug people. They are the Aboriginal people who have lived in this area for thousands of years. We know there were Aboriginal campsites in the reserve. Many stone tools have also been found here.
From Cattle to Conservation
For over 100 years, the land was owned by the Riverstone Meatworks. They used it to graze their cattle. You can still see some of the old buildings from that time, like a water tower and concrete water troughs.
In the late 1980s, the Meatworks sold the land to the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service. This happened just before the Meatworks closed down. The reserve officially opened as a state park in 1990.
The 2013 Bushfire
On September 10, 2013, a big fire affected the nature reserve. An investigation found that the fire started when strong winds blew down a power line.
Plants of Windsor Downs Reserve
The types of plants you find in the reserve depend a lot on the soil.
- On clay soils, you'll see open forests. These are mostly filled with ironbark trees like Eucalyptus fibrosa and Eucalyptus sideroxylon.
- On sandier soils, you'll find woodlands with trees like Eucalyptus sclerophylla.
- In areas that were once used for grazing cattle, you can see younger Hakea plants growing.
Rare and Threatened Plants
The reserve is also a safe home for several rare and threatened plant species. These include:
- Dillwynia tenuifolia
- Pultenaea parviflora
- Persoonia nutans
- Grevillea juniperina
Animals of Windsor Downs Reserve
The nature reserve is a busy place for many different animals!
Mammals
You can find a healthy number of Eastern grey kangaroos hopping around. Other mammals living here include:
Birds
At least 68 different kinds of birds have been seen in the reserve. Some of the birds you might spot are:
The reserve is especially important because it's home to the endangered Regent honeyeater. It might also be one of the few places left in Sydney where Red-capped robins still live.
Reptiles
Many reptiles also call the nature reserve home. These include:
