Cox Scrub Conservation Park

Cox Scrub Conservation Park

Last updated on August 30th, 2026 at 10:46 am

Research

A 563 hectare delight for bush­walk­ers and bird­watch­ers, Cox Scrub Con­ser­va­tion Park is amongst one of the larg­er parks on the Fleurieu Peninsula. Beau­ti­ful open stands of stringy bark and banksia under­sto­ry pro­vide habi­tat for a range of birdlife, includ­ing New Hol­land hon­eyeaters, superb fairy­wren, and red-browed finch.

Location

Cox Scrub Conservation Park is located between Mount Compass and Ashbourne, south of Adelaide in the southern Mount Lofty Ranges. The park is managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, a branch of the Department of Environment and Water, Government of South Australia.

This map is available as a PDF from the Cox Scrub Conservation Park online page.

National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia | Map: Cox Scrub Conservation Park

Geology/Lithology

The geology which laid down the rock formation occurred in the Late Carboniferous to Early Permian (329 to 275 million years ago). The rock type is referred to as the Cape Jervis formation. There are four main distributions of this formation: Inman Valley uplands which stretch from Myponga, Mount Compass area stretching east to Cox Scrub Conservation Park, Inman Valley heading towards Victor Harbor, and the uplands of Second Valley. A fifth distribution is at coastal Hallett Cove.

The image below shows the Mount Compass area distribution of the Cape Jervis Formation. The bedrock composition is predominantly:

Diamictite of unconsolidated yellow-green siltstone, sandstone, sandy limestone and grit with rounded pebbles, boulders and residual erratics. Abundant pollen and spores. Uppermost part is glacio-marine siltstone and foraminifers.

The Atlas of Australia | Lithology: Cape Jervis Formation

Sandmines within the Mount Compass area
Soils

The soils which lie beneath the woodland community is defined by the soil landscape MCO, which is the dominant soil type for Mount Compass and many of the regions which occupy the same lithology described earlier.

The MCOPsC profile is related to two other profiles (PsD and PsF). 

The soils are almost all very sandy and strongly leached. The most common soils have clayey subsoils forming in soft sandstone. Other types include deep sands and sand over coffee rock, overlying a variety of materials from sands to clays. Main soils: 

  • Sand over acid clay – G5 (E) on slopes
  • Bleached siliceous sand – H3a (L) on slopes
  • Highly leached sand – I1 (L) on slopes
  • Sandy loam over brown clay on weathered rock – F1/K4 (M) on slopes
  • Imperfectly drained highly leached sand – I2a (M) on slopes
  • Thick sand over sandy clay – G3b (L) on lower slopes and flats
  • Wet highly leached sand – I2b (M) on lower slopes and flats

It is characterised by undulating rises to rolling low hills formed on massive sandy till, sandstone, windblown sand and associated outwash sediments. Slopes on rises are as low as 3% with relief of less than 30 metres, and on low hills slopes are up to 25%. The landscapes also include slopes of variable gradient abutting the sides of the ancient glacial valleys. The landscape has a rounded appearance broken by narrow poorly drained watercourses, swampy depressions and ferricrete (ironstone) hilltops. Larger occurrences of these latter features are mapped out as PxA/PxB/PxE, LMA/LME and FhZ respectively. (MCO Land System report)

Agricultural potential

These soils are sandy, naturally infertile and highly susceptible to acidification. Water repellence can also be a problem in some seasons. Most of the soils are at least moderately deep and moderately well drained (except on lower slopes), so with adequate nutrition, productive potential is reasonable. (MCO Land System report)

Plant Community

The plant community consists of Brown Stringybark including Pink Gum and Cup Gum as a low woodland or as an open forest. The vegetation type is classed as ML0404PE, a code which can be applied to Nature Maps: Pre-European layer to define the area within Cox Scrub which was was populated by the Brown Stringybark/Pink/Cup gum plant community.

Nangkita Area: Cox Scrub Conservation Park

Cox Scrub conservation park and surrounding area north and east of Nangkita Rd was a Brown Stringybark Low Woodland containing Pink Gum and Cup Gum as part of its canopy. Cox Scrub is one of the few woodlands of this type which remain intact.

The underlying geology and rock type (lithology) is defined using the Atlas of Australia: Lithology layer, an online tool provided by the Australian Government: GeoScience agency.

Fauna observed through NatureMaps

Using NatureMaps, it is possible to generate a table of fauna which have been observed in the Cox Scrub Conservation Park observation records. The dataset is specific to Cox Scrub Conservation Park, containing almost 200 observations since 1968 to 2026.

  • NSXCODE. Unique code for each taxonomic entity (species name) in the database, used to allow record taxonomy to be updated as changes occur.
  • Fauna SPECIES code. Generated from a combination of the first two letters of the dataset (e.g. SU = Survey), the first letter of the taxon group (e.g. A=Amphibia, B=Birds, F = Fish, I = Invertebrates, M = Mammalia and R = Reptilia)
  • CLASS NAME. Taxonomic class to which the species belongs, related to the field named CLASSNR. Class Names: ‘AMPHIBIA’=Amphibians, ‘AVES’=Birds, ‘PETROMYZONTI’=Lampreys, ‘MAMMALIA’=Mammals, ‘ACTINOPTERI’=Fish, ‘REPTILIA’=Reptiles, ‘CHONDRICHTHYES’=Sharks & Rays, ‘MYXINI’=Hagfish, ‘INVERTEBRATES’=Invertebrates
  • SPECIES. This is the scientific name for the native animal.
  • COMMON NAME. This is the common name of the native animal.
  • NATIVE (Y/N). Y=Yes and indicates that the plant is indigenously native to the conservation park.
  • FEDERAL RATING. National conservation rating of the species based on the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. VU = Vulnerable, EN = Endangered, CR = Critically Endangered, EX = Extinct, CD = Conservation. Dependent. Endangered Species Status Code is based on the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
  • SA RATING. South Australian conservation rating of the species based on the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972. R = Rare, V = Vulnerable, E = Endangered.
  • RECORD indicates the number of sightings made for the given species.
  • DATE indicates the last date the species was observed in this dataset. Date format has been altered from DD-MMM-YYYY to YYYY-MM-DD so that it is possible to filter dates from latest to oldest observation.
NSXCODESPECIESCLASSSPECIESCOMMON NAMENATIVE (Y/N)FEDERAL RATINGSA RATINGRECORDSDATE OF LAST RECORD
E03134AAMPHIBIACrinia signiferaClicking FrogletY72026-06-04
M03058AAMPHIBIALimnodynastes dumeriliiEastern Banjo FrogY72020-11-06
G03063AAMPHIBIALimnodynastes tasmaniensisSpotted Marsh FrogY21995-09-13
S03085AAMPHIBIANeobatrachus pictusPainted Trilling FrogY12000-02-29
G06815AAMPHIBIARawlinsonia calliscelisSouth Australian Tree FrogY42000-02-29
S04117BAVESAcanthagenys rufogularisSpiny-cheeked HoneyeaterY11984-05-20
E00486BAVESAcanthiza chrysorrhoaYellow-rumped ThornbillY402018-12-11
M00470BAVESAcanthiza lineataStriated ThornbillYssp62018-06-09
K21053BAVESAcanthiza lineata clelandiStriated Thornbill (MLR, SE)Y512021-07-03
Z00471BAVESAcanthiza nanaYellow ThornbillY12017-06-10
W00475BAVESAcanthiza pusillaBrown ThornbillY112016-10-19
Z21055BAVESAcanthiza pusilla samueliBrown Thornbill (MLR)Y642024-11-10
E04170BAVESAcanthiza reguloides australisBuff-rumped ThornbillY82016-10-19
W04143BAVESAcanthorhynchus tenuirostrisEastern SpinebillY72016-10-19
Q21056BAVESAcanthorhynchus tenuirostris halmaturinusEastern Spinebill (KI, MLR, southern FR)Y482021-07-03
S04125BAVESAccipiter cirrocephalus cirrocephalusCollared SparrowhawkY142015-09-30
A04152BAVESAccipiter fasciatus fasciatusBrown GoshawkY172019-01-25
C04233BAVESAcrocephalus australis australisAustralian Reed WarblerY11990-10-19
S00317BAVESAegotheles cristatus cristatusAustralian Owlet-nightjarY62019-09-09
W00211BAVESAnas gracilis gracilisGrey TealY12017-06-10
E04146BAVESAnas superciliosaPacific Black DuckY142013-10-11
Y00208BAVESAnas superciliosa superciliosaPacific Black DuckY12012-10-28
W04127BAVESAnthochaera carunculataRed WattlebirdY842020-01-02
Z21071BAVESAnthochaera carunculata woodwardiRed Wattlebird (MLR, AP, YP, EP, far west, Yellabinna)Y42021-07-03
G04163BAVESAnthochaera chrysopteraLittle WattlebirdYssp41984-10-28
C00637BAVESAnthochaera chrysoptera chrysopteraLittle Wattlebird (mainland SA)Y302017-06-10
G00647BAVESAnthus australisAustralian PipitY141995-01-29
U00466BAVESAphelocephala leucopsis leucopsisSouthern WhitefaceYVU11983-12-23
G04139BAVESAquila audax audaxWedge-tailed EagleY292016-10-19
K00189BAVESArdea pacificaWhite-necked HeronY11983-11-13
W00547BAVESArtamus cyanopterusDusky WoodswallowY552024-11-10
Q00544BAVESArtamus personatusMasked WoodswallowY31985-10-27
S00545BAVESArtamus superciliosusWhite-browed WoodswallowY41985-10-27
Q21136BAVESBiziura lobata menziesiMusk DuckYR11987-10-02
Q04176BAVESCacatua galeritaSulphur-crested CockatooY122020-01-02
W00271BAVESCacatua sanguinea gymnopisLittle CorellaY182019-12-09
S04141BAVESCacomantis flabelliformis flabelliformisFan-tailed CuckooY202019-10-23
M00614BAVESCaligavis chrysopsYellow-faced HoneyeaterY32016-10-19
U21074BAVESCaligavis chrysops samueliYellow-faced Honeyeater (MLR, southern FR)Y332019-12-09
U00342BAVESChalcites basalisHorsfield’s Bronze CuckooY222021-07-03
A00344BAVESChalcites lucidus plagosusShining Bronze CuckooY12018-11-09
S00341BAVESChalcites osculansBlack-eared CuckooY11987-01-26
U00202BAVESChenonetta jubataManed DuckY132006-08-17
Y00508BAVESCincloramphus cruralisBrown SonglarkY62019-10-23
K00509BAVESCincloramphus mathewsiRufous SonglarkY31985-10-27
Z00219BAVESCircus approximansSwamp HarrierY32000-11-22
M00218BAVESCircus assimilisSpotted HarrierY11996-09-01
A00408BAVESColluricincla harmonicaGrey ShrikethrushY952020-01-02
A21148BAVESColluricincla harmonica harmonicaGrey Shrikethrush (eastern SA)Y32021-07-03
Y04120BAVESCoracina novaehollandiaeBlack-faced CuckooshrikeY432018-12-05
Y04172BAVESCormobates leucophaeaWhite-throated TreecreeperY21979-02-25
C21077BAVESCormobates leucophaea grisescensWhite-throated Treecreeper (MLR)Y42006-08-17
E00954BAVESCorvus melloriLittle RavenY942019-12-09
A04240BAVESCoturnix pectoralisStubble QuailY52001-07-01
W04151BAVESCracticus torquatus leucopterusGrey ButcherbirdY302013-05-10
M00322BAVESDacelo novaeguineae novaeguineaeLaughing KookaburraY282019-10-28
C00549BAVESDaphoenositta chrysoptera pileataBlack-capped SittellaY262019-08-02
U04150BAVESDicaeum hirundinaceum hirundinaceumMistletoebirdY152018-12-18
G04199BAVESEgretta novaehollandiaeWhite-faced HeronY172021-07-03
A04196BAVESElanus axillarisBlack-shouldered KiteY162005-05-07
C00273BAVESEolophus roseicapillaGalahY932019-12-09
Q21152BAVESEolophus roseicapilla albicepsGalah (most of SA)Y22015-08-02
Z04131BAVESEpthianura albifronsWhite-fronted ChatY101996-04-30
U00318BAVESEurystomus orientalisOriental DollarbirdY11995-04-16
W00239BAVESFalco berigora berigoraBrown FalconY202007-12-02
C04129BAVESFalco cenchroides cenchroidesNankeen KestrelY222019-08-02
Z00235BAVESFalco longipennis murchisonianusAustralian HobbyY92006-08-17
U00238BAVESFalco subnigerBlack FalconYR12005-09-23
K04181BAVESFalcunculus frontatus frontatusEastern ShriketitYR112001-02-25
Z00059BAVESFulica atra australisEurasian CootY12000-11-22
C04145BAVESGallinula tenebrosa tenebrosaDusky MoorhenY61996-10-05
Q00608BAVESGavicalis virescensSinging HoneyeaterY11983-11-02
Q04168BAVESGeopelia placida placidaPeaceful DoveY152013-10-11
K00593BAVESGliciphila melanopsTawny-crowned HoneyeaterY342025-11-20
E00258BAVESGlossopsitta concinnaMusk LorikeetY302019-10-28
W00415BAVESGrallina cyanoleuca cyanoleucaMagpielarkY332019-09-29
S00705BAVESGymnorhina tibicenAustralian MagpieY1042021-07-03
Q00228BAVESHaliastur sphenurusWhistling KiteY62013-05-10
K04077BAVESHieraaetus morphnoidesLittle EagleYV52000-04-02
K00357BAVESHirundo neoxena neoxenaWelcome SwallowY542019-08-02
M00498BAVESHylacola pyrrhopygiaChestnut-rumped HeathwrenYsspssp232013-10-11
K04369BAVESHylacola pyrrhopygia parkeriChestnut-rumped Heathwren (Mount Lofty Ranges)YENE4422025-11-20
Z04255BAVESLalage tricolorWhite-winged TrillerY92019-09-29
M04166BAVESLichmera indistincta indistinctaBrown HoneyeaterYR12019-09-29
Z21179BAVESMalurus assimilis assimilisPurple-backed FairywrenY11988-01-25
S00529BAVESMalurus cyaneusSuperb FairywrenY132018-05-12
W21103BAVESMalurus cyaneus leggeiSuperb Fairywren (Mainland SA)Y1042024-11-10
S00385BAVESMelanodryas cucullataHooded RobinYsspssp71985-06-08
K04385BAVESMelanodryas cucullata cucullataHooded Robin (YP, MN, AP, MLR, MM, SE)YENR312021-07-03
G00583BAVESMelithreptus brevirostrisBrown-headed HoneyeaterYssp582020-01-02
E21106BAVESMelithreptus brevirostris pallidicepsBrown-headed Honeyeater (MLR, MM)Y22021-07-03
S04133BAVESMelithreptus lunatusWhite-naped HoneyeaterY312019-09-29
E00310BAVESMelopsittacus undulatusBudgerigarY31985-11-23
C00329BAVESMerops ornatusRainbow Bee-eaterY132024-01-02
C04137BAVESMicrocarbo melanoleucos melanoleucosLittle Pied CormorantY22012-10-28
S00377BAVESMicroeca fascinansJacky WinterYssp72000-11-22
G04075BAVESNeochmia temporalis temporalisRed-browed FinchY422021-07-03
M00306BAVESNeophema chrysostomaBlue-winged ParrotYVUV22000-03-02
Z00307BAVESNeophema elegans elegansElegant ParrotYR832025-11-20
E00274BAVESNymphicus hollandicusCockatielY21985-10-27
W00043BAVESOcyphaps lophotes lophotesCrested PigeonY242019-10-23
E09418BAVESPachycephala fuliginosa fuliginosaWestern WhistlerY1122024-11-10
K00401BAVESPachycephala rufiventris rufiventrisRufous WhistlerY152019-12-09
G04227BAVESPardalotus punctatusSpotted PardaloteY482021-07-03
Q00976BAVESPardalotus striatus substriatusStriated PardaloteY662021-07-03
G00259BAVESParvipsitta porphyrocephalaPurple-crowned LorikeetY432019-10-28
U00106BAVESPelecanus conspicillatusAustralian PelicanY22006-09-24
A00360BAVESPetrochelidon arielFairy MartinY21991-06-30
A04128BAVESPetrochelidon nigricansTree MartinY522020-01-02
Z05671BAVESPetrochelidon nigricans neglectaTree Martin (all of SA)Y12017-06-10
Y00380BAVESPetroica boodang boodangScarlet RobinYR442025-11-20
A00096BAVESPhalacrocorax carboGreat CormorantY11977-01-01
C00097BAVESPhalacrocorax sulcirostrisLittle Black CormorantY32012-10-28
U00034BAVESPhaps chalcopteraCommon BronzewingY612019-12-09
U04142BAVESPhaps elegans elegansBrush BronzewingY342021-07-03
U04126BAVESPhylidonyris novaehollandiaeNew Holland HoneyeaterY502020-01-02
Z00631BAVESPhylidonyris novaehollandiae novaehollandiaeNew Holland Honeyeater (mainland SA)Y732024-11-10
M00630BAVESPhylidonyris pyrrhopterusCrescent HoneyeaterY112018-06-09
S21081BAVESPhylidonyris pyrrhopterus halmaturinusCrescent Honeyeater (KI and MLR)Y612021-07-03
E00282BAVESPlatycercus elegansCrimson RosellaYssp852019-12-09
G00283BAVESPlatycercus elegans fleurieuensis & elegans subadelaidaeAdelaide Rosella (MN, AP, MLR)Y542021-07-03
K00313BAVESPodargus strigoidesTawny FrogmouthY32015-09-30
K00445BAVESPomatostomus superciliosusWhite-browed BabblerY72016-10-19
E00522BAVESPoodytes gramineus goulburniLittle GrassbirdY11974-05-01
M00058BAVESPorphyrio melanotus melanotusAustralasian SwamphenY11974-05-01
K00049BAVESPorzana flumineaAustralian Crake (Australian Spotted Crake)Y22000-11-22
Z00295BAVESPsephotus haematonotusRed-rumped ParrotY21979-02-25
G21095BAVESPsephotus haematonotus haematonotusRed-rumped Parrot (eastern SA except NE)Y202007-08-16
S00625BAVESPtilotula penicillataWhite-plumed HoneyeaterY152005-09-23
C21165BAVESPtilotula penicillata penicillataWhite-plumed Honeyeater (northern YP, MN, AP, MLR, LNE, MM, SE)Y12017-06-10
C00361BAVESRhipidura albiscapaGrey FantailY882024-11-10
S21145BAVESRhipidura albiscapa alisteriGrey Fantail (southern SA)Y32017-06-10
M04114BAVESRhipidura leucophrys leucophrysWillie WagtailY462019-08-02
S05981BAVESSericornis frontalisWhite-browed ScrubwrenY132019-12-09
G04251BAVESSericornis frontalis (NC)White-browed ScrubwrenY422018-12-11
S21101BAVESSericornis frontalis rosinaeWhite-browed Scrubwren (MLR)Y32024-11-10
S00465BAVESSmicrornis brevirostrisWeebillY322019-12-09
Y21168BAVESSmicrornis brevirostris occidentalisWeebill (Yellabinna, Gawler Ranges, EP, YP, southern FR, MN, MLR, MM)Y22021-07-03
Y21052BAVESStagonopleura bella samueliBeautiful Firetail (MLR, KI)YENR212024-11-10
A00652BAVESStagonopleura guttataDiamond FiretailYVUV71995-01-29
W04283BAVESStipiturus malachurus intermediusSouthern Emuwren (Mount Lofty Ranges)YENE2712018-12-05
C00697BAVESStrepera versicolorGrey CurrawongYssp372024-11-10
G09427BAVESStrepera versicolor melanopteraBlack-winged Currawong (MLR, MM, SE)Y462021-07-03
C00061BAVESTachybaptus novaehollandiae novaehollandiaeAustralasian GrebeY72013-10-11
A04216BAVESThreskiornis molucca moluccaAustralian White IbisY41985-04-06
Q00180BAVESThreskiornis spinicollisStraw-necked IbisY212019-12-09
S00325BAVESTodiramphus pyrrhopygiusRed-backed KingfisherY31985-10-27
U00326BAVESTodiramphus sanctus sanctusSacred KingfisherY72001-02-25
U00254BAVESTrichoglossus moluccanus moluccanusRainbow LorikeetY852021-07-03
U04178BAVESTurnix varius variusPainted ButtonquailYR302025-11-20
C00249BAVESTyto javanica delicatulaEastern Barn OwlY11974-05-01
G04219BAVESVanellus milesMasked LapwingY32007-12-02
U00050BAVESZapornia pusilla palustrisBaillon’s CrakeY11987-02-17
W00051BAVESZapornia tabuensisSpotless CrakeYR11993-03-28
E00574BAVESZosterops lateralisSilvereyeY562020-01-02
A21076BAVESZosterops lateralis pinarochrousSilvereye (EP, YP, FR, MLR, MM, SE)Y42021-07-03
G15059IINVERTEBRATESDIPTERA sp.FliesY12024-12-01
Y06196IINVERTEBRATESEuhesma inconspicuan/aY12024-12-01
C11557IINVERTEBRATESEuhesma sp.n/aY12024-12-01
S06201IINVERTEBRATESEuryglossa nigrocaerulean/aY22024-12-01
A06792IINVERTEBRATESEuryglossina (Euryglossina) hypochromaN/AY22024-12-01
S06229IINVERTEBRATESHylaeus proximusn/aY12024-12-01
Y07244IINVERTEBRATESLasioglossum (Chilalictus) castorY12024-12-01
M07238IINVERTEBRATESLasioglossum (Homalictus) blackburniY12024-12-01
S11985IINVERTEBRATESLasioglossum (Parasphecodes) sp.Y22024-12-01
Z11439IINVERTEBRATESLasioglossum sp.n/aY12024-12-01
E06290IINVERTEBRATESLasioglossum veronicaen/aY12024-12-01
Z07239IINVERTEBRATESLeioproctus (Charicolletes) elegansY12024-12-01
E15366IINVERTEBRATESMUTILLIDAE sp.Velvet AntsY12024-12-01
W11319IINVERTEBRATESMegachile sp.Resin BeeY22017-03-27
Q15512IINVERTEBRATESPTEROMALIDAE sp.Parasitoid Wasp (mostly)Y12024-12-01
E11302IINVERTEBRATESPterolocera sp.genus of mothY12020-04-03
A11872IINVERTEBRATESSarcophaga sp.Flesh FlyY12024-12-01
G15375IINVERTEBRATESTIPHIIDAE sp.Flower WaspsY12024-12-01
Y15244IINVERTEBRATESTrypoxylonini sp.Sand-dauber WaspsY12017-03-27
Z01027MMAMMALIAAntechinus flavipesYellow-footed AntechinusYV82024-01-02
Y01324MMAMMALIAAustronomus australisWhite-striped Free-tailed BatY11968-04-12
W01151MMAMMALIACercartetus concinnusWestern Pygmy-possumY12000-03-01
Z01351MMAMMALIAChalinolobus morioChocolate Wattled BatY11977-09-17
G04375MMAMMALIAIsoodon obesulus obesulusSouthern Brown Bandicoot (SA mainland and KI)YENV1442010-10-01
Z01263MMAMMALIAMacropus fuliginosusWestern Grey KangarooY62000-03-03
Z01335MMAMMALIANyctophilus geoffroyiLesser Long-eared BatY11977-09-17
C01129MMAMMALIAPseudocheirus peregrinusCommon Ringtail PossumY32000-03-02
Z01395MMAMMALIARattus fuscipesBush RatY452023-10-20
U04186MMAMMALIARattus lutreolusSwamp RatYR52011-03-21
W01003MMAMMALIATachyglossus aculeatusShort-beaked EchidnaYsspssp42000-03-03
K01113MMAMMALIATrichosurus vulpeculaCommon Brushtail PossumYR32000-03-02
U02682RREPTILIAAcritoscincus duperreyiEastern Three-lined SkinkY42000-03-01
U02614RREPTILIAAustrelaps labialisPygmy CopperheadY42013-05-10
A04188RREPTILIACtenotus orientalisSpotted CtenotusY62001-01-27
K02441RREPTILIAHemiergis decresiensisThree-toed Earless SkinkY21998-12-06
Z02451RREPTILIALampropholis guichenotiGarden SkinkY152000-03-02
G02475RREPTILIALerista bougainvilliiSoutheastern SliderY22000-03-03
E02430RREPTILIALiopholis whitiiWhite’s SkinkY52000-03-02
S02525RREPTILIAMorethia adelaidensisAdelaide Snake-eyeY11983-06-16
C02529RREPTILIAMorethia obscuraMallee Snake-eyeY52000-03-03
E02174RREPTILIAPygopus lepidopodusCommon Scaly-footY22000-03-01
Z02583RREPTILIATiliqua rugosaSleepy LizardY11983-06-16
W02287RREPTILIAVaranus rosenbergiHeath GoannaYV32009-02-18
iNaturalist: Cox Scrub Conservation Park

In addition to the observations available through NatureMaps, citizen scientists are able to document their observations using iNaturalist. Their observations are detailed in the above link.


Photo by: eamonn_c, 2022, https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/321098-Correa-reflexa, iNaturalist

Birdlife

Peter Gower, in Fleurieu Birds p. 249 indicates spotting 102 birds within Cox Scrub Conservation Park. This represents 44% of all birds listed in Fleurieu Birds:

  • Stubble Quail | Coturnix pectoralis
  • Australian Wood Duck | Chenonetta jubata
  • Pacific Black Duck | Anas superciliosa
  • Australasian Grebe | Tachybaptus novaehollandiae
  • Little Pied Cormorant | Phalacrocorax melanoleucos
  • Little Black Cormorant | Phalacrocorax sulcirostris
  • Australian Pelican | Plecanus conspicillatus
  • White-faced Heron | Egretta novaehollandiae
  • Straw-necked Ibis | Threskiornis spinicollis
  • Black-shouldered Kite |  Elanus axillaris
  • Whistling Kite | Haliastur sphenurus
  • Black Kite | Milvus migrans
  • Brown Goshawk | Accipiter fasciatus
  • Collared Sparrowhalk | Accipiter cirrhocephalus
  • Swamp Harrier | Cirus approximans
  • Wedge-tailed eagle | Aquila audax
  • Little Eagle | Hieraaetus morphnoides
  • Nankeen Kestrel | Falco cenchroides
  • Brown Falcon | Falco berigora
  • Australian Hobby | Falco longipennis
  • Black Falcon | Falco subniger
  • Peregrine Falcon | Falco peregrinus
  • Australian Spotted Crake | Porzana fluminea
  • Dusky Moorhen | Gallinula tenebrosa
  • Eurasian Coot | Fulica atra
  • Painted Button-quail | Turnix varia
  • Spotted dove | Streptopelia chinensis
  • Common Bronzewing | Phaps chalcoptera
  • Brush Bronzewing | Phaps elegans
  • Crested Pigeon | Ocyphaps lophotes
  • Peaceful Dove | Geopelia striata
  • Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo | Calyptorhynchus funereus
  • Galah | Eolophus roseicapilla
  • Long-billed Corella | Cacatua tenuirostris
  • Musk Lorikeet | Glossopsitta concinna
  • Rainbow Lorikeet | Trichoglossus haematodus
  • Purple-crowned Lorikeet | Glossopsitta porphyrocephala
  • Adelaide Rosella | Platycercus eximius
  • Red-rumped Parrot | Psephotus haematonotus
  • Elegant Parrot | Neophema elegens
  • Horsefield’s Bronze-Cuckoo  | Chryscoccyx basalis
  • Fan-tailed Cuckoo | Cacomantis flabellifornis
  • Tawny Frogmouth | Podargus strigoides
  • Australian Owlet-nightjar | Aegotheles cristatus
  • Laughing Kookaburra | Dacelo novaeguineae
  • Sacred Kingfisher | Todirhamphus sanctus
  • Rainbow Bee-eater | Merops ornatus
  • White-throated Treecreeper | Cormobates leucophaeus
  • Superb Fairy-wren | Malurus cyaneus
  • Southern Emu-wren | Stipiturus malachurus
  • White-browed Scrubwren | Sericornus frontalis
  • Chestnut-rumped Heathwren | Calamnanthus pyrrhopygius
  • Weebill | Smicrormis brevirostris
  • Striated Thornbill | Acanthiza lineata
  • Yellow-rumped Thornbill | Acanthiza chrysorrhoa
  • Buff-rumped Thornbill | Acanthiza reguloides
  • Spotted pardalote | Pardolotus punctatus
  • Striated pardalote | Pardolotus striatus
  • Eastern Spinebill | Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris
  • Yellow-faced Honeyeater | Lichenostomus chrysops
  • White-fronted Honeyeater | Phylidonyris albifrons
  • Little Wattlebird | Anthochaera lunulata
  • Red Wattlebird | Anthochaera corunculata
  • Tawny-crowned Honeyeater | Glyciphila melanops
  • Crescent Honeyeater Phylidonyris pyrrhoptera
  • New Holland Honeyeater | Phylidonyris novaehollandiae
  • Brown-headed Honeyeater | Melithreptus brevirostris
  • White-naped Honeyeater | Melithreptus lunatus
  • White-fronted Chat | Epthianura albifrons
  • White-browed Babbler | Pomatostromus superciliosus
  • Varied Sittella | Daphoenositta chrysoptera
  • Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike | Coracina novaehollandiae
  • White-winged Triller | Lalage sueurii
  • Crested Shrike Tit | Falcunculus frontatus
  • Gilbert’s Whistler | Pachyephala inornata
  • Golden Whistler | Pachyephala pectoralis
  • Rufous Whistler | Pachyephala rufiventris
  • Grey Shrike-thrush | Colluricincla harmonica
  • White-browed Woodswallow | Artamus superciliosus
  • Dusky Woodswallow | Artamus cyanopterus
  • Grey Butcherbird | Cracticus torquatus
  • Australian Magpie | Gymnorhina tibicen
  • Grey Currawong | Strepera versicolor
  • Grey Fantail | Rhipidura albiscapa
  • Willie Wagtail | Rhipidura leucophrys
  • Little Raven | Corvus mellori
  • Magpie-lark | Grillina cyanoleuca
  • Jacky Winter | Microeca fasinans
  • Scarlet Robin | Petroica boodang
  • Red-capped Robin | Petroica goodenovii
  • Hooded Robin | Melanodryas cucullata
  • Silvereye | Zosterops lateralis
  • Welcome Swallow | Hirundo neoxena
  • Tree Martin | Hirundo nigracans
  • Fairy Martin |  Hirundo ariel
  • Common Blackbird | Turdus merula
  • Common Starling | Sterns vulgaris
  • Mistletoebird | Dicaeum hirundinaceum
  • Zebra Finch | Taeniopygia guttata
  • Red-browed Finch | Neochmia temporalis
  • Beautiful Firetail | Stagonopleura bella
  • European Goldfinch | Stagonopleura guttata
European History

The major­i­ty of the park was pre­vi­ous­ly owned by the late Mr V Cox of Ash­bourne, who pre­served the area in a nat­ur­al state for over­win­ter­ing his hon­ey bees. The land was pur­chased from Mr Cox in 1969 on con­di­tion that he was allowed to keep bees in the park for as long as he required, which was upheld until he passed away. Fur­ther small­er addi­tions to the park were made in 1977 and 1982.

National Parks and Wildlife Service (SA) | Cox Scrub Conservation Park

References

  • Government of South Australia: Department of the Environment and Water 2023, BDBSA SuperTables – Overview, viewed on 28 August, 2026, <https://data.environment.sa.gov.au/Content/Publications/bdbsa-supertable-overview-fact.pdf>. This 3 page PDF provides an overview of the Biological Databases of South Australia super tables.
  • Government of South Australia: Department of the Environment and Water 2023, Biological Databases of South Australia – Overview, viewed on 28 August, 2026, <https://data.environment.sa.gov.au/Content/Publications/bdbsa-overview-fact.pdf>. This 3 page PDF provides an overview of the Biological Databases of South Australia.
  • Government of South Australia: Department of the Environment and Water 2026, BDBSA SuperTables – Field Definitions, viewed on 28 August, 2026, <https://data.environment.sa.gov.au/Content/Publications/bdbsa-supertable-field-definitions-fact.pdf>. This 7 page PDF contains a list of descriptions of Biological Databases of South Australia  super tables
  • Government of South Australia: South Australia 2026, Cox Scrub Conservation Park, viewed on 28 August, 2026, <https://southaustralia.com/products/fleurieu-peninsula/attraction/cox-scrub-conservation-park>. This page provides information about the Cox Scrub Conservation Park.
  • Government of South Australia 2025, Map: Cox Scrub Conservation Park, viewed on 19 August, 2026, <https://cdn.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/docs/cox-scrub-conservation-park/cox-scrub-conservation-park-map.pdf?v=1610572420>. This map in PDF provides navigation information for Cox Scrub Conservation Park. 
  • Government of South Australia 2026, Cox Scrub Conservation Park, viewed on 19 August, 2026, <https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/parks/cox-scrub-conservation-park>. This page provides information about access to the conservation park.
  • Gower, P. 2012, Fleurieu Birds: What to see and where to see them, Axiom Australia, Stepney (Adelaide)
  • iNaturalist AU 2019, Cox Scrub Conservation Park, SA, AU open space, viewed on 28 August, 2026, <https://www.inaturalist.org/places/cox-scrub-conservation-park>. This is a list of observations taken in Cox Scrub Conservation Park of Native fauna and flora.
  • WalkingSA 2026, Hikes in Cox Scrub Conservation Park, viewed on 19 August, 2026, <https://www.walkingsa.org.au/walk/find-a-place-to-walk/park/cox-scrub-conservation-park/>. This page provides information about the types of walks, their duration and what to expect in terms of elevation. 

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