Overview

Bellamy Street Pennant Hills is the entry to Bellamy Trail which is part of the Berowra Valley Regional Park and allows dog walking. This is also the entrance to the Benowie Walking Track which is part of the Great North Walk and the Berowra Valley National Park. It is mapped as a Peppermint-Angophora Forest. The Atlas of Living Australian shows a large diverse species list with 1208 species including 22 mammals, 136 birds, 27 reptiles and 9 amphibians.

Proposed Work

In consultation with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service we will clean up the weedy edge that backs on to the sediment basin. We will also clean up the entry to the National and Regional Parks which seems to be a planting that has not been maintained. This is a tricky site with multiple land managers and we have been meeting with Council and NPWS to ensure that we are all working together to achieve a great result.

As the area improves we will move towards the creekline and ensure that the we work from ‘good to bad’ removing the weeds that are encroaching on the site.

If you tread lightly you may be lucky to see Lyrebirds that are known to be active on this site.

We will also be commencing Streamwatch testing in Zig Zag Creek to ensure that the water quality is healthy for habitat.

Vegetation

Peppermint-Angophora Forest (Community A in Smith & Smith Mapping)

Description: Open-forest in which the main tree species are Eucalyptus piperita (Sydney Peppermint) and Angophora costata (Sydney Red Gum). Other tree species may include Corymbia gummifera (Red Bloodwood), Syncarpia glomulifera (Turpentine) and, less frequently, Eucalyptus punctata (Grey Gum) and E. resinifera (Red Mahogany).

Low tree and shrub species include Acacia suaveolens, Allocasuarina littoralis, Banksia serrata, Ceratopetalum gummiferum, Dillwynia retorta, Dodonaea triquetra, Grevillea linearifolia, Leptospermum trinervium, Persoonia levis, Platysace linearifolia and Pultenaea flexilis.

Ground layer species include Actinotus minor, Calochlaena dubia, Caustis flexuosa, Dianella caerulea, Entolasia stricta, Lomandra longifolia, Pteridium esculentum, Stylidium productum, Xanthosia pilosa and X. tridentata. Climbers include Billardiera scandens, Cassytha pubescens and Smilax glyciphylla.

Distribution and habitat in survey area: Hawkesbury Sandstone gullies throughout Hornsby Shire. Total extent in survey area (March 2007): 5,579.4 ha.

Conservation significance: The most common community in Hornsby Shire. Well represented in local conservation reserves.

Benefits

Three threatened species have been recorded near Redgum Avenue based on observations from the Atlas of Living Australia from 2010 onwards.

Ninox strenua (Powerful Owl)

Powerful Owls have been heard frequently in this area and an adult with chicks has been seen on the ridge slopes. This species is listed as vulnerable under the Threatened Species Conservation Act.

The main threats are:

• Loss and fragmentation of suitable forest and woodland habitat from land clearing for residential and agricultural development. This loss also affects the populations of arboreal prey species, particularly the Greater Glider which reduces food availability for the Powerful Owl.
• Loss of hollow-bearing trees reduces the availability of suitable nest sites and prey habitat.
• Can be extremely sensitive to disturbance around the nest site, particularly during prelaying, laying and downy chick stages. Disturbance during the breeding period may affect breeding success.
• High frequency hazard reduction burning may also reduce the longevity of individuals by affecting prey availability.
• Road kills.
• Predation of fledglings by foxes, dogs and cats.

Pteropus poliocephalus (Grey headed Flying Fox)

This species is listed as vulnerable under the Threatened Species Conservation Act and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

The main threats are:

• Loss of roosting and foraging sites.
• Conflict with humans.

Tetratheca glandulosa – small shrub

This species is listed as vulnerable under the Threatened Species Conservation Act and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. For more information see this link: https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/threatenedspeciesapp/profile.aspx?id=10798

Bush Regen Volunteer Group

This group had its first session on 19th September 2024. We meet on the third Thursday of each month from 10am to 12pm at the end of Bellamy Street. No experience is required but enthusiasm for restoring our bushland is essential! On-site training will be available and tools supplied.

If you are interested in joining please contact us.

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