Ulandra Nature Reserve
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The Ulandra Nature Reserve is a 3930 hectare nature reserve 25 kilometres approximately southwest of Cootamundra, in New South Wales. It is four kilometres southeast of the village of Bethungra. The reserve is located on the western hills of the Southern Tablelands. The reserve's main feature is Mount Ulandra. Immediately west of the reserve lies an undulating 200-300 metre above sea level plain which rises abruptly at Mount Ulandra to its summit at 761 metres above sea level. The reserve was dedicated in 1981 to protect stands of Cootamundra Wattle. The reserve is used for foraging and reproduction by the threatened Superb Parrot.[1] It was then progressively added to until 1983.
Ulandra Nature Reserve covers an area of wooded hills known as the Ulandra Range. The terrain is hilly with rough rocky ridges, several steep sided gullies and a catchment which feeds into Merrybundindah Creek. Most of the reserve is above 500 metres high.[2] Vegetation is mostly open forest of Cypress Pine and gums. Wattles are also prevalent. There are records of Grey Kangaroos and Swamp Wallabies as well as Brushtail Possums and Ringtail Possums. There are also undetermined numbers of birds and bats.
The reserve contains evidence of historic Aboriginal activity. Stone artifacts and other relics have been recorded at the site. Since European settlement activities within the reserve have included clearing, grazing and minor amounts of timber getting. Evidence of this remains in fence lines, stockyards, buildings and dams.[3]
The reserve shows signs of damage due to previous pastoral clearing and stock water dam construction, as well as continued predation and competition from introduced animals, especially pigs. Infestations of introduced weeds are also a problem. There is an inholding within the reserve on which telecommunications installations have been constucted. These structures are visible from much of the reserve.[4]
