LIVERPOOL PLAINS WOODLAND BIRD SURVEY UPDATE 3
(9-12/11/01)
A Birds Australia project funded by the World Wide Fund for
Nature (WWF),Natural Heritage Trust (NHT) and the Threatened Species Network
(TSN)
3rd Survey (9-12/11/2001)
The 3rd Liverpool Plains surveys concentrated on the
south-western to south-eastern section of the Liverpool Plains. On
9th November, Philip Brook and myself conducted surveys in Trinkey
SF, which lies west of Spring Ridge. Trinkey SF is one of the larger tracts
of forest within the Liv. Plains. A total of 43 species were recorded
here. Some of the species included Varied Sittellas, Stubble Quails,
White-throated Treecreepers, Striated Pardolotes, Weebills, Western Gerygones,
Eastern Yellow Robins, Buff-rumped Thornbills, Yellow Thornbills, Striped
Honeyeaters, Brown-headed Honeyeaters, and Speckled Warblers. A single
Southern Boobook flew from its daytime roost, and a Cicadabird, a
first for the Liverpool Plains Atlas surveys, was also observed. This species
has been recorded from time-to-time in the Kaputar and Warrrumbungle Ranges that
lie to the north and north-west (A. Morris pers. comm.).
Later that day surveys were conducted near Curlewis en route to
Breeza SF, Breeza Waterhole and Lake Goran. At Curlewis Brown Quails, Rufous
Song Larks, Brown Songlarks, Double-barred Finches, Restless Flycatchers
were among the birds recorded in a small patch of grassland and remnant
woodland. At Breeza Waterhole, large numbers of waterbirds were present
including Black Swans (100+), Eurasian Coots (200+), Musk Ducks, Pacific
Black Ducks, Grey Teal, and Australasian Shovelers. Highlights here were the
Great-crested Grebes performing mating acts, and a flock of Plumed
Whistling Ducks (39) an uncommon species in the Liverpool Plains. Just south
of Breeza SF, en route to Goran Lake, a single Emu was recorded. This
part of the trip proved to be the most exhilarating with the boggy black soils
of the Plains proving almost impenetrable in the Subaru. Thanks to local
birdwatcher, Tim Scrace who managed to chip away at the mud from the back wheels
in order for us to get moving again! In the evening at Breeza SF, Australian
Owlet-nightjars and Southern Boobooks were calling, as were
Koalas and Common Brushtail Possums.
On Saturday, an enthusiastic team of birdwatchers assembled at
Jim McDonald’s property at Warrah Ridge. The team comprised of local
birdwatchers Craig Watson, Kelvin Wykes, Steve Corbett, Charlotte
Drake-Brockmann (Murrurundi) as well as Sue Kitchen, Geraldine McCarthy
and Philip Brook from Sydney. The morning surveys were conducted amongst
80ha of forested country comprising White Box, Cypress Pine, and Kurrajong, with
some areas comprising a shrubby understorey of Acacias. This area yielded
Jacky Winters, Rufous Song Larks, a Brown Goshawk, Striped Honeyeaters,
Mistletoebirds, Weebills, Australian King-Parrots, Crested Shrike-tits
amongst many others. After this, a relatively small patch of remnant forest
comprising predominately Red Gum (in flower) and Cypress Pine was surveyed. This
patch proved to be an important site for a number of smaller bird species
including Superb Fairy Wrens, Crested Shrike-tits, Eastern Yellow Robins,
Diamond Firetails, and many Thornbill species. Juvenile
Mistletoebirds were present and there were fantastic views of juvenile
Dusky Woodswallows, much to Sue Kitchen’s delight. Of interest was a
Superb Fairy Wren feeding an immature Horsfield’s Bronze-Cuckoo. The
absence of aggressive birds such as Pied Currawongs, Butcherbirds,
Noisy Miners and White-plumed Honeyeaters, and the presence of
many breeding species, particularly smaller bird species in this patch,
highlight the importance of such patches in farmland vegetation.
With all that birdwatching we had worked an appetite, and we
returned to the homestead to find Jim, Katrina McDonald and family putting on a
BBQ for us. This was greatly appreciated!!! Due to some heavy rain in the
afternoon, surveying was kept to a minimum, however, we were able to
conduct some surveys on the western edge of the property.
On the Sunday morning, the team headed to the ‘Tennison’
property at Colly Blue, just to the west of Spring Ridge and conducted a number
of Atlas surveys. In the afternoon, locals Tim Scrace and Kelvin
Wykes joined me for some surveys of Spring Ridge SF. Among the birds
recorded here were Leaden Flycatchers (four pairs in adjacent
territories), White-browed Woodswallows, Diamond Firetails, Rufous Song Larks,
Sacred Kingfishers, and a single Red-winged Parrot.
In all, a great weekend was had by all and the team managed to
conduct many Atlas surveys across a variety of habitat types. On behalf of Birds
Australia, I would like to thank to the McDonald family for permitting us
conduct field surveys and their generous hospitality in putting on a lovely BBQ
lunch!! Thanks to the survey team: Sue Kitchen, Geraldine McCarthy, Charlotte
Drake-Brockmann, Tim Scrace, Philip Brook, Kelvin Wykes, Craig Watson, and Steve
Corbett. Without your assistance the surveys would not have been
possible.
