Manning Fauna & Flora Reserve, McLaren Flat

Where is it?: Manning Fauna & Flora Reserve is about 1.7 km NW of McLaren Flat at the corner of Kays and Whitings Roads.

Owner: The Field Naturalists Society of South Australia Incorporated. 

Property summary: Total area 45 hectares. Hundred of Willunga – Allotment 67 (Filed plan 153353)

Landscape Management Region: Hills and Fleurieu

History: This reserve was bequeathed to the Field Naturalists’ Society by Sydney Britton Henry Manning upon his death on 4 December 1955. Sydney Manning was keenly interested in natural history and astronomy. His interest in nature and fondness for bird watching led to the property being known locally as the “Bird Sanctuary”.

Habitat: There are a number of habitats found within the reserve.

• The sandy loam regions are dominated by Pink Gum (Eucalyptus fasciculosa) with an understory of Bracken Fern (Pterideum esculentum). 
• On the lateritic ridge the dominant species in Pink Gum with an understory of Grass-tree (Xanthorrhoea semiplana), Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha), Small Bull Oak (Allocasuarina striata) and Myrtle Wattle (A. myrtifolia).
• Larger shrubs such as Silver Banksia (Banskia ornata), Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha), Small Bull Oak (Allocasuarina striata), Grass-tree (Xanthorrhoea semiplana) and tea-tree (Leptospermum sp.) can all be found as pure communities.
• In the south-east and north-west corners there are smaller moist areas where Native Broom (Viminaria juncea), Beaked Hakea (Hakea rostrata) and Native Iris (Patersonia longiscapa) occur.

More information: FNSSA

Total Species Recorded to Date: 97 (non-passerines 44, passerines 53)

Common Species: Adelaide Rosella, New Holland Honeyeater, Red Wattlebird, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Spotted Pardalote, Striated Thornbill, Australian Magpie, Black-winged Currawong, Grey Fantail, Little Raven, Red-browed Finch, Silvereye

Less Common Species: Peregrine Falcon, Brush Bronzewing, Tawny-crowned Honeyeater, White-winged Triller, Eastern Shriketit, Bassian Thrush

References:
Preiss, K. and Kraehenbuehl, D. 1966. The Manning Fauna and Flora Reserve. The South Australian Naturalist. 41(1): 5-19. The Field Naturalists’ Society of South Australia, Adelaide.

Updated: 25/07/2021