The Wadawurrung words ‘Yan Wirring Mirr translate to ‘Walk, Listen and Look’ and we certainly did that as we walked the undulating loop track on this sunny, late winter’s morning.
Starting at Bunjill Mirr provides panoramic views across Bald Hills, Anglesea township, the coast, the Alcoa mine pit and most importantly an opportunity to see Bunjill enjoying the thermals.
Bunjill Mirr – Introduction to the walk and conversation on the rehabilitation of the Alcoa mine site (photo by Meredith Shears)
Forest Fire Management, along with a Wadawurrung crew have been carrying out mosaic, cool burns every two years in various sections of the Yan Wirring Mirr Loop, burning close to the track in several locations to provide opportunities for walkers to observe the effect of fire on the heathland plants.
Thank you to Forest Fire Management for personally contacting me regarding the timing of the planned burn and for the care taken protecting the tagged species.
Cool burn controlled by Forest Fire Management and a Wadawurrung crew (photo by Aaron Ledden)
The landscape six days after the burn (photo by Gail Slykhuis)
The Yan Wirring Mirr route, designed to showcase both heathland and swampy heathland, incorporates the old Salt Creek 4-wheel drive track and a purposely formed walking track that traverses the undulating slopes.
A section of the old Salt Creek 4-wheel drive track (photo by Chris Tsernjavski)
Scented Sundew (photo by Chris Tsernjavski)
The Yan Wirring Mirr loop is one of the local areas where Twisted Beard-heath, Leucopogon glacialis grows. The narrow leaves spiral around the stem. Common Beard-heath, Leucopogon virgatus subsp. virgatus, has erect leaves that do not spiral around the stem. This Beard-heath is more common than the Twisted Beard-heath.
Twisted Beard-heath (photo by Gail Slykhuis)
Heath Daisy (photo by Ellinor Campbell)
Something caught our eye
Coral Lichen, Cladia retipora is found in both open sunny positions as well as shady cooler sites (photo by Ellinor Campbell)
It was a pleasure to show the group several plants of Pink Swamp-heath, Sprengelia incarnata, recently found at this location and previously known from one other site in the Surf Coast.
Pink Swamp-heath (photo by Chris Tsernjavski)
Ellinor intrigued by the Rough Bush-pea (photo by Gail Slykhuis)
The sunny morning ensured the eye-catching flowers of Twining Fringe Lily, Thysanotis patersonii, were open.
Twining Fringe Lily (photo by Chris Tsernjavski)
Victorian Smoke-bush, Conospermum mitchellii is so named due to the smoky blue colour of the buds, once in flower this plant can be quiet spectacular.
Victorian Smoke-bush (photo by Ellinor Campbell)
Showy Parrot-pea (photo by Ellinor Campbell)
Gail Slykhuis
Images – Ellinor Campbell, Aaron Ledden (FFM), Meredith Shears, Gail Slykhuis, Chris Tsernjavski
