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Martin - thank you for the
opportunity.
COG has again run a very strong and varied, well
attended program of field trips in 2004, most of them relatively close to
home, and with those in spring/early summer particularly successful with some
new spots visited and some excellent birds observed.
My birding has also been mostly close to
home this year. The undoubted highlight has been to return to Chapman
and find the bird life so active in the fire devastated areas, particularly in
terms of nesting. This continues and in the past couple of days I have
discovered new nests for the common bronzewing (my first for the area), crested
pigeon, willie wagtail, white-winged triller and dusky woodswallow, and
have seen my first peaceful dove within 1 km from home, as well as the
first restless flycatcher for many years. While the black-shouldered kite
young have well and truly fledged they remain in the area.
This all goes to prove that some of the best
birding can be close to home.
May I wish all subscribers the very best for 2005
and trust that your birdwatching will continue to be as rewarding as it has been
this year.
Last but not least, on behalf of all subscribers
and fellow COG members, I would like to again thank David McDonald for
developing and maintaining this marvellous chat line. I very much look
forward to reading about all your birding highlights for 2005 when
you post them on this line.
Jack Holland
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