Flora and Fauna
While sections of the park have are cleared (owing to past land uses), other areas feature grassland, River Red Gum(Eucalyptus camaldulensis), and Mallee box(Eucalyptus porosa). The park contains some of the last remaining Mallee Box grassy woodland in Adelaide. Amongst the woodlands, plants like the blue-flowering Flax Lily are common.
Most of the lower, western parts of the park were cleared for pasture and cropping until the early 1970s. While there is remnant vegetation on higher ground, introduced pasture grasses and associated weeds dominate much of the understorey. Perennial native grasses, such as kangaroo grass (Themeda triandra), have been used as part of the park's revegetation. Many of the introduced grasses dry in summer and pose a greater fire hazard than the regrowth. To combat this hazard, and protect surrounding residential areas, annual burns are held particularly around the park's margins. These burns also serve to encourage native vegetation to dominate over introduced weeds.
Due to the park's perceived modest conservation values, the 1990 management plan called only for specific control of proscribed weeds rather than an eradication plan for all introduced species. Cobbler Creek park has a wide range of native plants including Quandong, Ruby Saltbush (Enchylaena tormentosa, Desert Cassia (Cassia eremophila), Weeping Pittosporum and Umbrella Wattle(Acacia ligulata).
Native fauna species have been greatly reduced by past agricultural practices and the introduced rabbit is now common. Eastern Bearded Dragons, White's Skink, Eastern Brown Snake, and Sleepy Lizard reptile species are seen; a total of twenty species have been seen within the park. Black-shouldered Kites and Nankeen Kestrels hunt over the grasslands. Red-rumped Parrots and Crested Pigeons are seen feeding on the ground and Wattlebirds, Musk Lorikeets, Noisy Miners and Honeyeaters in the flowering gums and along creeklines. The park is home to a small population of the worm-like and vulnerable Flinders Ranges Worm-lizard (Aprasia pseudopulchella).
Read more about this topic: Cobbler Creek Recreation Park
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