Winter fun
June signals the winding down of the apple picking season in the Bilpin area , the Land of the Mountain Apple , but there ’ s still plenty of apples to pick and purchase with Pink Lady , Granny Smith , Fuji and Sundowner apples all super fresh , crisp and delicious .
June ’ s also when the navel oranges come into season down along the Hawkesbury River and on the Central Coast Plateau . From now until October , these sweet and juicy beauties can be found at Schofields Orchard , Anderson Farm and Fords Farm further north at Laughtondale .
If you ’ re up near the Central Coast , visit S & S Peruch ’ s Farm at Somersby , and Wyuna Farm at Kulnura . On the Harvest Trails and Markets home page , click on ‘ Produce ’, scroll down to find the navel oranges , and click through to the list of farms – easy !
The idea of picking your own fruit right off the tree is as simple as it sounds , but there ’ s also a couple of tips we can give you to make the experience the best it can be .
• Check the fruit is still available – always call the farm and check that the fruit is still picking to avoid disappointment . Contact details can be found on the farm ’ s page on the Harvest Trails and Markets website .
• Some farms ask you to book a picking session – many of our farms will happily let two or three visitors pick their own without prior arrangement , but if you have a group , then always contact the farm and check .
• Take your own bags – fresh fruit is heavy and picking your own usually means you will pick lots . Take some stronger bags than the usual supermarket plastic ones so you can be sure to get your pickings home safe and sound .
• Scissors ? Yes , especially if you ’ re picking citrus , having scissors or secateurs will make picking a lot easier . Oh , and pay attention to how the farmer says the fruit should be picked . The correct way helps the plant and all the work the farmer has put into making the trees abundant and healthy – you ’ ll be playing your part in next year ’ s bounty .
Visit www . harvesttrailsandmarkets . com . au .
HIDDEN IN THE HILLS
HIDDEN IN THE HILLS Ducks ducks ducks !
by Lachlan Turner
Along many creeks flowing through local bushland reserves are numerous ponds and deeper pools . Several water birds frequent the larger pools in search of food , as well as establishing a secure nesting environment in thicker vegetation around the shoreline . One such bird is the Pacific Black Duck ( Anas superciliosa ). Although the black duck is found in suitable habitats throughout Australia , it is generally a wary bird when not accustomed to people . It can be solitary , but also gathers in pairs and small groups . When breeding , mature ducks are mostly seen in pairs as they dabble along the
edges of water courses searching for aquatic plants .
This common species is characterised by a distinctive blue bill , black and white markings on its head ,
Pacific Black Duck .
Australian Wood Duck with its brood .
Australian Shell Duck with an injured left wing .
and its neck and body are covered in dappled dark brown plumage .
Other ducks that frequent bushland waterways are the Australian Wood Duck ( Chenonetta jubata ) and the Australian Shellduck ( Tadorna tadornoides ).
All three mostly prefer a hollow in a tree for nesting which is only a short distance above the ground in close proximity to water . They may lay up to 10 eggs each and the clutch leaves the nest very soon after birth . Both parents take seriously the responsibility of raising and protecting their family .
The Australian Wood duck pictured has a clutch of at least 13 chicks to look after . When young , the new born ducklings are confined to the ground , concealing themselves in long grass not far from the parent birds . They also have the ability to swim
within a couple of days of hatching . The Australian Shellduck in the photo has an injured left wing ; when disturbed it swam to the cover of nearby reeds to hide .
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34 ISSUE 145 // JUNE 2022 theindependentmagazine . com . au THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT