Hi everyone,
Having seen Carol Probert's write-up on the Whacked Out Woodswallow's 2006
Twitchathon adventures, I though I would get my act together and post the
Hunter Home Brewers story. Well, here it is, in 3 parts (I get very excited
when I write twitch reports), so thank you in advance to those who choose to
wade through it all. I hope it reads ok, I haven't checked over it.
Please be aware that it is written in the 3rd person as I have used my
pen-name, 'Jacqueline Winter', which I do each year for the HBOC Newsletter. I
trust it will still make sense!
----
Following a narrow defeat in 2005 at the hands of the merciless Whacked Out
Woodswallows (WoW), even after breaking the previous record, the Hunter Home
Brewers (HHB) were determined to return the favour in 2006. To this end, the
spade work started early – around November 2005.
By the time that October 2006 had come around, the boys (Mick and Steve
Roderick, Craig Anderson and Lucas Grenadier; aka Mick, Steve, Ando and Grena
Brew) were getting eager to twitch, again with Mick Brew making dashes out to
the western habitats to try and oil up an extra species or two (it was 2
species that had cost them the 2005 trophy). One key factor was emphasised
during the lead up to the 2006 Twitchathon – the impact of the drought in
western NSW. This was for two reasons – firstly, as it could possibly send some
more traditionally western species towards the western slopes on the Liverpool
Plains, where the HHB start their run – and secondly, as it was likely to
disadvantage the WoW, who start much further west in the nether-regions of the
Macquarie Marshes. The prospects of an ‘accidental occidental’ for the Brewers
and a dry route for the WoW had the team quietly self-assured. The mid-season
oiling added fuel to their confidence.
So by the time the Friday before the Thon came around, the lads were literally
beside themselves. The customary ‘Dummy Run’ revealed few surprises and if
anything, a number of dips, but the urgency on this practice run was never felt
and a reserved pace was set in lieu of imminent efforts the next day. One big
factor for the lower score was the strong westerly that blew for the entire
afternoon, but Grena Brew kept the spirits alive by assuring the lads that it
would drop off the next day.
It did indeed drop off, but only as a very temporary fixture, as a fierce
westerly grew during Saturday, reaching virtual unbirdable conditions by
mid-afternoon. Still, there was consolation in the fact that the chief woodland
patch was in a lee, and that the ever-reliable Painted Honeyeaters were
completely unperturbed by the conditions. At 2:30pm Mick Brew presented the
team with Brewer’s T-shirts, which were instantly donned in preparation for the
race. 3pm had arrived before long…
The Twitch Tab favourite for first bird, Mistletoebird, was pipped by
Red-rumped Parrot for the prize, quickly followed by Singing, Spiny-cheeked and
Painted Honeyeaters. The boys left their first ‘patch’ after less than a
minute’s birding as the key species had fallen. To their amazement, a male
White-winged Fairy-Wren confronted the gale-force westerly and perched
defiantly on a fence post. Suddenly a Singing Bushlark appeared out of the low
grass, hovering in front of the twitchers, as if begging to be ticked. A few
more important western species such as Cockatiel, Blue Bonnet and
Yellow-throated Miner fell before reaching the closest thing the Brewers have
to a western wetland. Most ducks were ‘to bed’ early on, freeing up time for
more important things on the Sunday run home.
The woodlands produced rapidly, with both Hooded and Red-capped Robins plus 3
species Woodswallow falling early. Several other woodland specialists were
conspicuous by their absence, particularly the Turquoise Parrots and the
seeming abundance of White-bellied Cuckoo-shrikes and Crested Shrike-tits seen
hours before the twitch. The last 30 minutes in the woodland only produced
‘common’ species, which essentially equated to a wasted half hour. Frustrated,
the brew-crew left the woodland but soon picked up a healthy consolation tick
in the form a Black Falcon, the first ‘brewers maiden bird’ for 2006.
The second woodland spot, in a much smaller remnant, produced 2 very handy
mop-ups in Turquoise Parrot and Inland Thornbill and although the nearby
homestead provided Southern Whiteface, the resident Zebra Finches simply could
not be located. Looking down the barrel of an awful dip, Mick Brew called for a
visit to a nearby homestead, which eventually yielded Zebs. Instant rejoicing
ensued, much to the bemusement of an onlooking cocky (not of the bird variety),
but literal pandemonium ensued seconds later as a male Red-winged Parrot
barrelled past. The Brewers had never been so relieved – picking up a possible
dipped gimme bird plus a relative bonus bird…the brewing juices were flowing.
The impetus was carried through to a large dam where a very handy trio were
seen. Whiskered, Caspian and Gull-billed Terns were all seen hawking over the
water – an amazing sight from the dam wall. Down on the creek below an Azure
Kingfisher was very welcome, although the even more ‘welcome’ White-backed
Swallow present the day before was nowhere to be seen. However, a flock of
White-throated Needletails where a reasonable consolation before setting off on
the long haul across the plains towards the ranges. (end 1)
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