We started with a slight hiccup this morning - with the gate to Currawong Bush Park shut and broken down!  Luckily there was Bucks Reserve over the road, so we shimmied on over there.  It was a beautiful day for a walk among the gum trees, listening for birds, catching skinks and enjoying some relaxing time in nature.

We had our youngest member join our bush playgroup today - a baby of only 7 weeks!  I am sure she was taking in all the sounds and sights of the bush, already making those important connections in her brain.

We played 'Marsupial Match-up' followed by 'What habitat is that marsupial from?' We also enjoyed collecting sticks, leaves, bark and flowers to make little homes/nests for ants, crocodiles and fairies!  The children and parents learnt the call of a Grey Fantail, who was busy flying around us while we ate our lunch.

Our next session will be a Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary on 3 December.  It will also be a little christmas party too! Look forward to seeing you there for our last session for 2014!

With a spring in our step this morning we headed out for a lovely bushwalk at Blackburn Lake Sanctuary.  It was a little chilly, but thankfully it didn't stop the Pobblebonks from calling for us today. We all stood quietly (as possible for 1-5 year olds!) at the frog pond and listened for the 'BONK'. We heard at least five or six respond to us when we yelled 'BONK' - it was a great response for such a cold morning! We learnt that only the male frogs call - to entice the girls over for a 'play'.

We headed back to the track and walked along the edge of the lake, we were lucky to spot Chestnut Teal, Eurasian Coot, Pacific Black Duck, Wood Ducks and a lovely large and proud Pelican at the edge of the lake.  Lots of Little Ravens welcomed us as we walked through their territory!  

It was then time for a snack and to play the 'frog life cycle' game... this is where the kids learnt about the frog life cycle where the adult girl and boy frog have a little dance together, then the girl lays her eggs, which grow into a tadpole, then the tadpole grows legs and develops lungs to breath air, and then it happens all over again. 

There was plenty of playing around in the bush with 'tiggy', hide-and-seek, 'what's the time Mr. Wolf' and searching for insects and spiders in nearby trees and bushes. 

We really enjoyed the company of the families today and look forward to our last two sessions for 2014.  We will be sending out the details for these soon!