NEWS FROM AROUND THE FIELD OF MARS
Bushcare
We enjoyed a summer break, but all volunteer sites are now back in full swing. At the Cemetery Creek 2 site, most work during December was in keeping seedlings watered so they would cope with the heat. And we continued to remove the plastic flowers thrown into the Reserve from the adjacent cemetery.
Wildlife in the Field of Mars Reserve
There have been more sightings of the Eastern Grey Kangaroo around Strangers Creek. Reports indicate that it stands as tall as an adult person. Swamp wallabies continue to be seen frequently.
Also, local residents have reported seeing echidnas as far afield as Pittwater Rd near the RSL club.
Meanwhile, Bev Debrincat filmed one along the Buffalo Creek Boardwalk and shared it on the Habitat Network Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1176532284652377
It may be the same one whose photograph is on page 4 of the August 2025 Wallumetta.
Visitor Centre
It was a hot summer but our volunteers had rewards! We see lots of birdlife and Linda spotted this crimson rosella in the trees near the centre… and a kookaburra feeding on a cool frog:
[photos by Linda Veloskey]
Near the new approach to the Buffalo Creek footbridge, City of Ryde recently erected a new sign.
It has a map depicting the tracks, amenities and connections around the Buffalo Creek Boardwalk and the flat grass area (Warada Track + connection to Pittwater Road via the other side of Strangers Creek).
Since 2017, volunteers at the visitor centre have been recording data which we hope may help us maintain and improve this part of our Society’s operations. Yearly trends can be seen in the following graph:
VISITORS SEEN BY VOLUNTEERS WHILE ON DUTY AT THE CENTRE
Av. Seen = average number of passers by each day
Av.VC = average number of callers in to the centre for maps and advice
Av. Temp = average temperature in oC in the centre around the middle of the day
You can see that the average number of people per day that the Centre is open increased dramatically during Covid restrictions but then declined.
MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO VOLUNTEER AT THE VISITOR CENTRE…
We keep the Field of Mars Visitor Centre open on weekends and public holidays to welcome visitors to the Reserve and provide them maps, information, an opportunity to look at the birds and other animals outside, and our displays inside.
Some visitors simply appreciate a friendly chat.
Our roster is arranged with 4-hour shifts for each volunteer to do once or twice a month, and organised to fit in with your availability. All already on the roster appreciate spending time in the pleasant environment there. Contact Alfred on 0403749181. We’ll help you get started.
See to the right for more detail.
DOGS – AN INCREASING PROBLEM?
The Reserve is a declared “Wildlife Protection Area – Category 1” so dogs are totally banned, as indicated by notices at the entrances. However, many dog walkers still come. When advised of the rule, most are apologetic and say they did not notice the notice. Others question why the ban. We can explain impacts on wildlife, abandoning their young when chased by dogs, or fleeing the area after detecting the scent of a predator; however, owners are more responsive when we explain the presence of ticks and weeds that are harmful to dogs.
The graph above shows that there were more dogs sighted in 2022 and this may be attributed to a general increase in dog ownership with the Covid lockdowns. This number fell again in 2023-4. In 2025, numbers of dogs sighted rose to equal 2022 so we are taking steps to address this issue.
At our request, City of Ryde Council has supplied more “Protection of wildlife at Field of Mars Reserve” leaflets and these are made freely available at the Visitor Centre.
The information is also posted online: https://www.ryde.nsw.gov.au/Environment-and-Waste/Bushland-and-Wildlife/Urban-Wildlife/Protection-of-wildlife-at-Field-of-Mars-Reserve
100 Years of the Field of Mars
The definitive history of the Field of Mars is now available free of charge.
100 Years of Field of Mars Reserve, 1887-1987, Written and compiled by Rod Wallace, has now been digitized and can be viewed or downloaded on this website.
Published in 1987 by the Ryde Hunters Hill Flora and Fauna Preservation Society, the book is a fascinating and informative chronicle of the century prior to that date.
The print version is still available in the Visitor Centre.
Field of Mars Reserve and Wildlife Refuge
Dry eucalypt woodland covers much of the Field of Mars Reserve. This vegetation is typical of the dry, infertile sandstone soils found in Sydney's north and is known as dry sclerophyll woodland. Many of the plants in this area have hard, waxy leaves that tend to be small and narrow, features which help to reduce moisture loss.
Despite being only 56 hectares in size, the reserve contains around 300 species of plants. These plants support an even greater array of animals from the tiniest spiders to large possums and birds.
Surveys conducted in 2006 found evidence of animals that were believed to be missing from the reserve. These include Sugar Gliders, Echidnas and Long Nosed Bandicoots. Control of pest species like foxes may be contributing to the return of animals to the reserve. Also Brush Turkeys are seen regularly and a swamp wallaby was observed in the reserve in 2012.
Along Buffalo and Stranger's Creeks there are long pockets of moist gully vegetation, known as wet sclerophyll forest. Different plant species flourish in the moist conditions found here. Wet sclerophyll forest is characterised by moist rich soils, shadiness and plants with dark green, soft leaves. The cool, moist conditions found within these gullies create the perfect habitat for some of the reserve's animals like finches, wrens, whip birds and ringtail possums.
The location of the Field of Mars:
Google Maps Location
You are very welcome to explore the Reserve using the walking tracks at any time of the day. The walking tracks of the Field of Mars: Field of Mars Walking Track System
The walking tracks map includes several distinct walking tracks. You can find specific information on each of these tracks by downloading the following brochures:
Track notes - Boardwalk
Track notes Doyle-Kunzea
Track notes Doyle-Warada
Track notes - Kunzea
Track notes - Warada Kunzea
Track notes Warada Strangers Creek
Information on birds of the Field of Mars is also available on Birds in the Field of Mars
The Field of Mars is a Wildlife Refuge gazetted under the National Parks and Wildlife Act. Dogs are not allowed in the Reserve. Riding of all types of bikes in the Reserve is also not allowed.
On weekends the RHHFFPS staffs a Visitors Centre in the Field of Mars (see opposite).
Click Here for information on the Plan of Management of the Field of Mars.
Visitors Centre
The Visitors Centre can be found in the Field of Mars off Pittwater Road. Parking is available in the carpark at the front. Volunteers open the centre each Saturday and Sunday.
Drop in to discover more about the environment and the Field of Mars Reserve before you explore and experience it for yourself!
The Visitors Centre can be reached on foot via a number of nearby streets. Car access is via Pittwater Rd. (opposite Buffalo Reserve). ph: 9816 1068
Opening Times
Winter schedule (April to August): Saturday and Sunday 9am - 4pm.
Summer schedule (September to March): Saturday and Sunday 9am - 5pm.
Enquiries from groups or individual wishing to visit during the week are welcome. Guided bush walks are available by arrangement when volunteers are available. Contact through email address: rhhffps@gmail.com or phone 9817 4935.
The Visitors Centre contains maps, brochures and information on local and wider community environment issues.
Visitors using prams, strollers, walking frames and wheel chairs have easy access to the Centre toilets. The boardwalk provides a short, easy bushwalk.
INVITATION! - JOIN OUR VISITOR CENTRE TEAM !
We are still calling for more volunteers to keep the centre open on weekends! Our roster of 4-hour shifts is negotiated to suit members’ availability; some like to do it alone while others may pair with another rostered volunteer or bring a friend. We enjoy the natural surroundings with birdlife and other animals to observe. The rewarding bonus is that we get to meet visitors to the Reserve and offer free maps and information leaflets. We’ll help you get started on your first shift.
Our roster of 4-hour shifts (3½ hours in winter) is negotiated according to members’ availability. No specialised skills are required, and Alfred happily provides the training needed.
Most visitors’ questions are answered in the maps and range of free leaflets we have available.
If interested please email Alfred: alfred.vincent@bigpond.com(phone 02 9879 6067).