Kingston Park

What a weekend this was! Between the 30th of April and the 3rd of May, the sixth City Nature Challenge was held, the cooler weather didn't stop a flurry of activity on inaturalist. Greater Adelaide had 5, 378 observations for the month with 1,107 species observed a great effort by all involved. This is the second year this event has been held in trying times, we are fortunate in Adelaide to have peace and safety unlike many of the friends we have made over the past year with our other activities.

We were fortunate to have a walk scheduled for the weekend and in one of my favourite parks that surround the Adelaide CBD allowing us to contribute to this global event. Kingston Park is bounded by West Terrace, Anzac Highway, the Keswick rail line, and Sir Donald Bradman Drive. The area includes West Terrace Cemetery in Park 23 is Adelaide's oldest and Australia's first military cemetery. To the north of the Cemetery is a small wetland and area that has been revegetated.

There are many invertebrates such as bee flies and butterflies, with the warmer weather expected we should observe many wonderful invertebrates. Interestingly the most observed organism in the park prior to our walk was the Tau Emerald Hemicordulia tau this is unusual as it is commonly a bird as they tend to be more charismatic. It was a great day, we managed to knock that dragonfly from its perch (only just) with the mightily Magpie Gymnorhina tibicen, and increase the species observed in the park from 124 to an impressive 150 species, with only 387 observations within the park. This demonstrates what can be achieved with a little enthusiasm and a camera or smartphone.

I think the highlight of the day was the Australian Golden OrbweaverTrichonephila edulis we found sitting in a bush and observed by mary-a-crawf (below) nut you may have your own opinion so check out the project and why not pay the park a visit?