One of our favourite bird gullies was devastated by bushfire in December last year.

(Click on images for a larger picture)

Many mature trees, shrubs, ferns and mosses were affected

Some monitoring over the last few months has seen a gradual return to near original condition.

Much of the undergrowth has recovered. Many trees have sprouted their epicormic shoots. Even the mosses and ferns are returning.

(Rock Felt Fern)

On one recent visit, water was running in the creek and most of the moist rock faces were covered in greenery.

(Necklace Fern)

Even the winter orchids are shooting.

(Veined Helmet Orchid)

A large variety of Fungi species have recommenced their role as decomposers of the forest litter.

The Greenhood Orchid beds have returned close to their original prolific state.

(Trim Greenhoods)

So, Mother Nature has risen to the occasion once again. What a relief! Bird numbers were down a bit, but the signs were there, particularly in regard to the presence of good numbers of undergrowth species, like Brown Thornbills, and  White-browed Scrubwrens. (Links courtesy of 'Autralasian Bird Image Database'). You can read Duncan's blog about our last visit, here.

All is not lost