FTB TRIP TO OURIMBAH CREEK VALLEY 10 SEPTEMBER 2000
The weather was decidedly warmer than usual as 11 birders (including a two
new birders and a visitor from Singapore) headed for the Ourimbah Creek
Valley for a days birding where our first stop was Askania Park and its
Forest of Tranquillity, a well know sample of Narrabeen Warm Temperate
Sub-Tropical Rainforest. Typical birds of this habitat like Brown
Cuckoo-Dove, Wonga Pigeon, King Parrot, Satin Bowerbird & Brush Turkey were
quickly found and all of these plus Eastern Rosella, 2 species of Corella
and Galah were soon coming to the bird feeders. Good views were had of all
these species. Then a walk into the rainforest where Large-billed and
White-browed Scrub-wrens were common in the understorey, along with a pair
of Yellow-throated Scrub-wrens building their nest over a watercourse, and
many Golden Whistlers and Brown Gerygones calling loudly. There were plenty
of Lewin's Honeyeaters and a lonely Olive-backed Oriole. However three
species that called loudly and persistently close by but were not seen were
Superb Lyrebird, Scarlet Honeyeater and a Fan-tailed Cuckoo. A Green Catbird
flew across the road near the entrance to the Park and Masked Lapwings were
guarding a chick near the morning tea spot.
We then drove up the Valley to the property Hidden Valley and walked into
Ourimbah Creek State Forest along the fire trail. Once again we were in a
good example of Sub-tropical Rainforest and the track skirts Ourimbah Creek
itself. Initially the noise of the Bell Miners was pretty overwhelming but
after a while as the canopy darkened, their numbers decline and we could
concentrate on Eastern Yellow Robin, Red-browed Finch, all the Scrub-wrens,
nesting Brown Gerygone and another Yellow-throated Scrub-wren nest. Grey
Fantail were found and Bul Bul, Brown Thornbill, White-throated Treecreeper
and Variegated Fairy-wren added to our list. Had we been another month
later, we then could have expected to find Black-faced Monarch and Rufous
Fantail, common birds at this site. We returned to Askania Park for lunch to
use their excellent picnic facilities and check out the bird feeders once
again!
Our first afternoon stop was the RTA Reserve at Ourimbah Exchange were the
Ourimbah Creek Landcare Group is doing an excellent job at re-planting and
regenerating the Galley Rainforest along this lower section of Ourimbah
Creek. The best birds here were great views of Scarlet Honeyeaters and a
female plumage Regent Bowerbird. Silverye and Eastern Spinebill were added
to our list while Swallows were nesting under the F3 overpast near where we
had parked our coach. Lewin's Honeyeater, Superb Fairy-wren and Red-browed
Finch were common at this site.
Our final stop of the day was at Chittaway Point, where Ourimbah Creek opens
out from its delta, into Tuggerah Lake. Plenty of Stilts around, including
a pair nesting. A lone Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, a Bar-tailed Godwit & 2 Pied
Oystercatchers were the only waders! However there were plenty of
Cormorants, a number of Darters in various plumage stages and both Great and
Little Egrets. Striped Honeyeater & Red Wattlebird were busy in the
casuarinas, 9 Caspian Terns were roosting with Crested Terns, and a pair of
Chestnut Teal were busy caring for 5 tiny ducklings. Plenty of other common
water and bush birds to end the day, with an overall count of 73 species.
--------------------------------------------
Birding-Aus is now on the Web at
www.birding-aus.org
--------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message 'unsubscribe
birding-aus' (no quotes, no Subject line)
to
|
