Red-phase Tawny Frogmouth

[Andy Burton's Bush Tours <>]

Last weekend I visited Artarmon Reserve 33°  48.645´     151°  11.500´, near the centre of Sydney, a narrow strip of suburban bushland surrounding a sports oval and bounded on one side by a railway line, on another by an expressway and the remainder by housing. A  pretty sad remnant of what was once a wonderful birding area (Southern Emu-wrens, Eastern Bristlebirds, Beautiful Firetails, Tawny-crowned Honeyeaters etc.etc., all locally extinct).

Managed to get 9 species, mainly Noisy Miners, Pied Currawongs, Welcome Swallows, Rainbow Lorikeets and other 'rarities'.

However the highlight was two Tawny Frogmouths, one below eye-level the other a little higher, close alongside the track. Nothing unusual in this, they are relatively common here though not often seen. However one was a red-phase bird in a richly, coloured plumage. The only other 'red' birds that I know of locally are the ones in Cremorne. How common is this phase in Sydney? Where is it common? Any takers out there even if you have to say that no, you haven't seen them often?

Regards, Andy

--
Andy Burton's Bush Tours
12/8 Cambridge St,
Cammeray,
NSW  2062
Australia

Ph 61 2 9954 0893

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