Finch Central < White-fronted Chats at Coppins Crossing

[Julian Robinson <>]

I didn't find any chats, but was surrounded by an astonishing number of
small birds including dozens of both firetails. In my short time birding
(must be about my 1st birthday, so within the last year) I've failed to
comprehend the possibility that the Diamond Firetail could conceivably be
at any risk, it being one of the most reliably seen birds for me in rural
ACT.  I guess they must be on the increase here. Today was
exceptional, minimum 20 but probably 30-50 of them, many immature. 
With Tree Martins and swallows overhead, Diamond and Red-browed
finches/firetails seemingly in every blackberry, 'butter-bums"
adding to the colour (departing mixed flocks of thornbills and firetails
were spectacular, there being no trees all these were on or near the
ground. When they all took off it was bright red and yellow backsides
everywhere) and a m+f pair of Red-capped Robins popping up regularly,
along with a couple of Double-barred and Goldfinches, many fairy wrens,
one wagtail and a furtivement of Pipits, it was very entertaining. 

Some of the flavour of the spot in these pics, the last shows a pair of
immature Diamond FTs, the other three still look sub-adult. 
Hopefully DFTs are making a comeback.

At 01:22 PM 20/05/2007, Leo Berzins wrote:
> A pair of White-fronted Chats
> this morning near the south-eastern edge of the fence around the old
> sewage ponds west of Coppins Crossing (on the northern side of the
> Molonglo River, grid reference FA846935 on the 1:25000 Canberra map
> 8727-3N). Also nearby, a Red-capped Robin, Flame Robins, Richard's Pipits
> (if that's what they're still called) and Goldfinches.

Cheers

Julian
Canberra
Australia