Hidden behind the Yatala Labour Prison is a urban oasis.

The section of the Dry Creek Trail at Walkley Heights is situated between Bridge Road and Walkleys Road historical buildings and structures have survived within the park from the days when the quarries were worked by inmates of Yatala Labour Prison, and date back to the early years of the Adelaide colony. These include the Yatala Powder Magazine, Blacksmith’s Shop, several guard lookout posts and a cottage, which remains on the former R M Williams property.

This area was selected as the third in our series of urban walks, this park was chosen as few Adelaidians seem to know it exists and are often surprised when they arrive. You may be surprised to know that this park is one of the most reliable parks I have come across to reliably see the Laughing Kookaburra Dacelo novaeguineae I have seen several individuals on each visit to the park. The group were keen to try and see some individuals while on our walk, will we see them? In fact, prior to our visit, the three most common species present in the park were the Rainbow Lorikeet Trichoglossus moluccanus, the Laughing Kookaburra Dacelo novaeguineae and the Common Sow-Thistle Sonchus oleraceus.

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The three most observed species post excursion Rainbow Lorikeet Trichoglossus moluccanus, the Laughing Kookaburra Dacelo novaeguineae and the Noisy Miner Manorina melanocephala.

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The challenge for the walk was to increase the number of species observed within the park, with only 64 species was recorded within the park before our adventure. Our group managed to achieve this with 82 species now recorded within the park. This increase was managed with only 58 additional observations, this was an impressive increase. One of the highlights of the walk was an Eastern Blue-tongued Skink Tiliqua scincoides ssp. scincoides basking on the side of the hill (below ©bigpete). This excited everyone, fantastic to see these creatures out in urban parks.

On our excursion, we were not disappointed with two adults flying up to us and calling, what a wonderful sight! The group also spotted spiders, ants, birds, plants and other species. The group were lucky to be visited by a couple of Laughing Kookaburra's who came up to the group and called at the end of the walk.

This week we are heading up Beaumont Common, in Burnside, this should be a nice morning and we may even see the resident Koala.