To get to Ockley Reserve drive east on the Narrogin-Kulin Road for about 25km and turn right on to Armstrong Road (eastern edge of North Yillminning Nature Reserve). There is only single paddock between Ockley and North Yilliminning reserves, but they have many differences. Most of North Yilliminning Reserve is upland sand and stony gravel plain, with an extraordinary number of Cowslip Orchid/ Little Pink Fairy Orchid hybrids. Ockley is hillier due to a large south east/north west ridge with breakways with a northerly slope down to the road

​Ockley Reserve also has  more variable soils. Cowslip orchids are common on pale sandy soils, but I found no hybrids. The landscape is dominated by a high ridge on the southern side, which is associated with a mafic dyke (red brown loams and ironstone gravel), and north-west /south-east trending granite dykes (sandy and sandy gravel soils), which are fringed by breakaways
Water from the long slope flowing down to Armstrong Road from the ridge becomes part of the headwaters of the Yilliminning River.
The 145 hectare reserve has a triangle of uncleared private property containing a farm dam intruding on the road side, which is now effectively a part of the reserve. There are no roads or trails in the reserve.

I was unimpressed with this reserve when I visited it in 2020, because it hadn't had a burnt for decades and was very weedy.
There has been a dramatic change after the devastating February 2022 fire. Most weeds were cleaned out and there has been massive post-fire regrowth. I expect a great wildflower show for the next 5 to 10 years.

Number and range of regrowth has varied greatly with soil type, and I have set up photo monitoring points to record the changes in future years. I regret not keeping any images before the fire. Examples shown below show variable regrowth across the reserve.
Numbers on the map indicate locations of following photographs taken seven and sixteen months after the fire.

Reference Point 1 is a gravelly grass tree-Proteaceae gravel ridge. The sparse growth is mainly resprouting shrubs and germinating seedlings.

Reference point 3 is a red-brown loam valley adjoining a gravelly rise. Before the fire this area was an open mallee- red morrel woodland, with an understorey of bark litter and a sparse shrubs. Trees and mallees have now resprouted, and there has been a huge germination of fast growing shrubs, which depend on fire for seed germination. Thomasia foliosa, which is only occasionally seen in unburnt country predominates on red clay loams, with Gastrolobium poison plants more common on lighter soils

Reference point 4 is a potassium felspar granite outcrop with rock sheoak and wattle trees, which was infested with wild oats before the fire. Unfortunately weeds are rapidly coming back.

​Reference point 5 is a steep mafic breakaway with red morrell and brown mallet open forest.  Trees have resprouted with germinated Thomasia foliosa and Gastrolobium poison  plants below the breakaway.

​Reference point 7 is a low slope leading from a mafic gravel plateau. Before the fire this was red morrel (Eucalyptus longicornis) / brown mallet (E. astringens) open forest with no understorey. After the fire the red morrels have resprouted, dead brown mallets have lost their bark, and numerous brown mallet seedlings have emerged.

​Reference point 9 is a steep bowl shaped breakaway with brown mallet on the upper slope and wandoo- brown mallet below. As with other gravel areas, regrowth is limited to resprouting plants and small seedlings

​​Reference point 10 is a white sand upland plain with sandy kwongan deep sand and rock sheoak on sand over gravel. Before the fire, sand-loving low shrubs such as Banksia sphaerocarpa with the occasional Nuytsia floribunda Christmas Tree predominated. In the 2022 growing season, growth consisted of colonising native annuals, resprouting shrubs, Cowslip orchids, occasonal Red Beak, Caldenia varians and Caladenia discoidea spider orchids.
Interestingly There has been a widespread growth of Austrostipa (mollis?) native grass. This was surprising, because I associated native grass meadows with indigenous firestick farming on valley soils. I also noticed the same grass growth this year on grey sandy soil at Birdwhistle Rock.

​​Reference point 12 is situated on the northern woodland slope, consisting of wandoos on sand over clay soil, with small patches of red morrel/ mallee/ brown mallet on loamier soil. It was open woodland before the fire.
Most trees have resprouted and there has been a large germination of shrubs, particularly poisons and other pea plants.
​In a few years this slope will have a mass of pea flowers in spring. Last year there was a fine patch of Blue China Orchids in a waterway.

Birdwhistle Rock is a historic site, which was a notable picnic, bird watching and wildflower spot. Noongars, shepherds, and sandalwood cutters, used the rock as a stopping place from Murramucking Well on the track to Harrismith, or to Wayluring Spring and on to Dongolocking. There was water from a spring coming from the side of the rock, which abruptly stopped after the 1968 earthquake, and a walled well that was buried by silt. A line of Noongar gnamma holes is on top of the rock.

​There are no facilities.

​One can drive (about 31kms from Narrogin, with 12km of gravel road) via Yilliminning Rock, or Boundain North Road past The old Yilliminning townsite and reserve.

Unlike the Yilliminning Rock inselberg, the Birdwhistle granite outcrop has extensive geological fractures and an east - west trending dolerite dyke on the southern side.  As a result there was patchy vegetation cover over much of the rock , which was full of dead trees and weeds from decades without any fire. A bomb waiting to go off.
A huge wildfire in February 2022 apparently destroyed all vegetation and wildlife. I have been able to witness how intense fire can split rocks and cause the equivalent of thousands of years of rock 'weathering' in a single event.
​
​The rock is roughly an inverted U shape, with a central valley flowing south.
On the western side of the car park is a 40 ha triangle of grass tree kwongan.

​Some good news about the fire is that it was so intense that most wild oat seeds were incinerated, which gave native plant species a chance to reestablish. 
There was little plant cover in 2022 apart from some fire colonising species, moss, limited tree / shrub regrowth, and some orchids. Caladenia flava, Caladenia integra, and lots of Pyrorchis nigricans.

By mid April 2023 there has been prolific regrowth of wandoos, which are over a metre in height / diameter and prolific seedling growth of acacias, Kennedyia prostrata, rock sheoak and other species. A funky post fire coloniser Gyrostemon subnudis and Stypandra glauca / Lamb Poison native lily are particulary prolific.There will be a mass of blue Lamb Poison flowers this spring, and it will be interesting to see how many orchids flower this year.

with each succeeding year new plant species will become promininent until a balance is reached in about a decade. I am setting up reference sites to photograph the procession

The reserve is 52 km east of Narrogin. Drive on Yilliminning Road, turn right on to Line Road (gravel) past the old Toolibin townsite and park next to the old dam at the  Wedin North Road Intersection. 

​Most of the reserve is on either side of Wedin North Road. There is a small section adjoining Wedin Road on the south side of the railway line, which adjoins a large area of salmon gum -  wandoo bush on private property. Ruins in the bush are  remains of the abandoned Jensen farmhouse (visiting not permitted).
The reserve has very smooth landscape, which is typical of the area. From a ridge at the highest point at the north-west corner, the land slopes smoothly down to open forest flats adjoining Line Road. Vegetation changes due to slight and usually unnoticeable changes in slope or soil type form a mosaic with many different types of wildflowers. Blue lines show old drains to the dam. They can be handy in finding your bearings in the bush.

Numbers shown in Map 3 show spots of interest.

Spot 1 is mainly an open Wandoo sand over clay flat, which is the best orchid country. Look for ​Caladenia hirta subsp rosea / Pink Candy Orchid Caladenia polychroma / Josephs Spider type orchids, Caladenia falcata / Fringed mantis orchid. Caladenia flava / cowslip orchid, greenhood orchids, sun orchids and a leek orchid.

Spot 2 on the western corner has a beautiful mosaic of sand over gravel kwongan shrubland interspersed with patches of lovely spindly Eucalyptus albida. To visit this spot you can park in an old gravel pit on the eastern side.  

If you follow the second drain from the west, you will come to spot 3 where  the slope changes  from the valley to the ridge. This is scenic country, which is dotted with flowering shrubs in spring. 

Spot 4 is a fire access track at the top of the reserve with a wide range of kwongan shrubs which change and alternate with mallee scrub as you drive along the track. I found purple enamel orchids near the eastern end.

Spot 5 is  Red Morrell - mallee open forest with few understorey shrubs growing on dolerite clay loam soil, which adjoins ironstone gravel with scattered gravel pits.

To view a google Photos album of Wedin wildflowers click this link

​Tutanning Nature Reserve is a 2381 area of remnant vegetation on a broad ridge 25km east of Pingelly. This relatively infrequently visited reserve offers a remarkable and diverse display of flora and fauna for visitors, and short stay camp style accommodation for limited numbers at the Percy Marshall Field Study Centre.

It is a great place to

• Enjoy the  peacefulness and solitude of a secluded area with basic facilities.
• See a wide range of plants, animals and birds.
• Walk the Tutanning walk trail and internal roads
• Go spotlighting for animals on foot or by 4WD vehicle.
• Drive or ride your mountain bike on internal roads. 4WD vehicles with good clearance are strongly recommended when driving in the reserve. Internal roads are narrow and often rough, with some very sandy and rocky sections.

Cars and wagons can drive in but the entry is too narrow for caravans and large RV campervans.
​As this is a class A nature reserve,camping and pets are not permitted.
See this website for more information on accommodation and activities at Tutanning

The reserve is elongated with a very uneven boundary because it is the rocky remnant of a divide between  the Avon and Hotham River catchments called the Dutarning Range. Farmers have cleared most surrounding arable land leaving an undulating rocky and gravelly upland. A relatively recent addition is the Annexe, which was purchased and connected to the main block by a narrow corridor. Apart from an impressive grove of Red Morrell trees, the landscape is similar to the main block. There are some winter wet areas so use a 4WD if going there.
This blog describes the southern part of the main block, which is easily accessable from the house and is fairly representative of the reserve.

Granite basement rock varying in quartz (sand) content, has been intruded by lines (dykes) of dolerite and then cracked by continental movement to create (mainly) southwest-​northeast and northwest-southeast patterns. You can see this from river flow directions. About 100 million years ago a lateritic gravel surface formed. In succeeding dry and wet weather cycles the laterite eroded and reformed many times to create an upland with ironstone and gravel ridges and breakaways, kwongan gravelly sand upland bowls and mixed soils on slopes and valleys.
Soil and landscape variability underpins the amazing 750 species of native plants, and the many birds and animals in the reserve. Diversity is greatest in the upland kwongan heathlands, which have mixed shrub communities.
Vegetation is a good indicator of soil type, although Rock Sheoak trees (Allocasuarina heugelii) are gradually invading other plant communities

Click this link for a  Google Photos album containing images of wildflowers and landscapes.

The map below shows internal roads and the walk trail. The roads are fire access tracks, which are annually maintained, and many no longer have signposts. My 2-wheel drive ute can negotiate most of them, but some sections marked in red are only suitable for 4WDs. Many are narrow, rutted and stony and it is difficult to turn around if a problem is encountered. If you are unsure, it is a good idea to walk or ride your bike ahead to avoid getting stuck. I get good WIFI reception with my Telstra phone , but the nearest reliable assistance is in Pingelly.

Tutanning is excellent hiking country, and internal roads make good (occasionally bumpy and sandy) mountain bike trails for the moderately fit. The map below shows three interesting circuits. 

A 3km Class 3 walk trail (yellow), which crosses Bandicoot Road takes up to 2 hours to complete. You may encounter minor natural hazards such as short, steep sections, steps, shallow water crossings and unstable or slippery surfaces. A good level of fitness is recommended.
As the southern section, which is mainly lateritic breakaway and gravel country  is more difficult and has less wildflowers, many prefer to only walk the northern section and return via Bandicoot Road (2.2km).

​A longer but easier (green 3.5km level 2) walk along Bandicoot, Possum and Echidna Roads features many shrub wildflowers on white and yellow sand, and gravel kwongan shrubland. Vehicle sand hazard.

The south-eastern corner of the reserve is interesting country, which features relict jarrah trees, impressive breakaways,  granite outcrops and attractive views of neighbouring farmland. A 6km level 2 circuit via Jarrah Road and the southern boundary (blue) is a good walk to see this country. The length of the walk can be reduced by cutting south down Numbat Road or a poorly marked track at the jarrahs. Bandicoot Road up to Jarrah Road is car friendly, but do not drive down Jarrah Road.

​Greetings fellow foxies,
Harrismith reserve adjoins the township of Harrismith, 73 kilometres east of Narrogin and 55 kilometres south-east of Wickepin. . The Oasis Hotel has accommodation, lunches, drinks and snacks. With an adjoining caravan park, Harrismith is a good spot to camp overnight and enjoy the wildflowers. 

The reserve differs from others closer to Narrogin in having little woodland. It is on a broad ridge near the divide between the Swan-Avon and Blackwood River catchments.
The landscape is a lateritic gravel plain that formed millions of years ago when the climate was wetter. Unusual circular hollows were once wetlands overlying granite base-rock.
As the climate became drier, wetlands dried out and were colonised by eucalypt and sheoak trees. Lateritic heath persisted on the surrounding gravelly plain and built up a raised  doughnut shaped edge around each hollow.
Soils are mainly shallow lateritic ironstone and gravels with deeper white sandy topsoils in broad depressions. They are infertile and have poor water retention.  
It is first class kwongan heath plain. Many heath plants flower after woodland wildflowers in other reserves have finished.

The 3.5 kilometre gently sloping trail (level 2) is an easy walk, or cycle using a mountain/comfort bike. There is also a drive trail. The airport section has particularly good wildflowers but keep to the side as it is a working airstrip.
The best time to visit is from mid-August to November, with October being peak time for verticordias and other flowering shrubs. As there are few trees on this walk take water and walk at cooler times on hot days.
Ignore the small redundant sign at the trailhead that indicates three walk trails and follow the blue arrows/tall red-banded posts. Orchids flower in early/mid September, but many kwongan plants flowers later. At least 2 trips are needed to see the full wildflower spectrum.
This document contains a pictorial list of wildflowers in the reserve.

​Numbers on the diagram indicate described trail sections

Section 1 is a gently sloping gravelly track through medium to tall kwongan shrubland, which is interspersed by small rock sheoak and cypress pine trees. Check for jug orchids (Pterostylis recurva) and green spider orchids (Caladenia falcata) in September.

Section 2 starts at the picnic table where shrubland opens out at a very broad yellow sand hollow containing a few groves of eastern wandoo (Eucalyptus capillosa) trees). I found a few stark white spider orchids (Caladenia longicauda subsp. eminems) in early September Beautiful Verticordias picta, roei, and serrata flower in late September to October.

An unmarked trail goes east from the picnic table to open wandoo and rock sheoak woodland (Section 3). Chameleon spider orchids (Caladenia dimidia), sugar orchids (Caladenia saccharata), common donkey orchids (Diuris corymbosa) and cowslip orchids (Caladenia flava) flower here in early to mid-September. Return to the main track to avoid getting lost, because the side trail continues for a long way before becoming a dead end. 

The trail continues to a slight grey sandy slope (section 4) containing sphere banksia (Banksia sphaerocarpa), Lambertia ilicifolia), and roadside tea trees (Leptospermum erubescens) interpersed by rock sheoak and spindly mallees. Check the ground for cowslip orchids and painted sundew (Drosera zonaria). 

At section 5 the trail passes through prickly gravel scrub. This is the rim of 'doughnut' valley to the south, where you can see tree branches.
​There is no trail down to the valley, but a moderately easy 20 metre scramble down the slope reveals attractive woodland. There is a variety of everlastings and other flowers on the slope and valley. if you are lucky, you may find the cowslip/little pink fairy orchid hybrid.
​
Cars can reach the picnic table on the trail adjoining the airstrip by using the drive trail. 

​Section 6 follows the airstrip. You can see sheet ironstone at about 40cm below the surface. It is amazing that such a variety of of plants grow here. large shrubs flourish because they have taproots, which penetrate cracks in the ironstone.
Vegetation on the uphill side of the airstrip is larger because of a chemical overspray, which killed large shrubs on the downhill side. Surprisingly there appears to be little long-term damage as smaller shrubs have already compensated. However, some kwongan plants depend on fire for seed germination and may not regenerate until this occurs.
There is a wonderful show of flowering shrubs by the airstrip in late September and October. Walk down the eastern airstrip to meet the track and return.

Conclusion
Harrismith reserve is a great spot for wildflower enthusiasts in spring. The trail and Toolibin Nature Reserve would make a good day trip from Narrogin or Wickepin.