Wedgies (and other things)

["martin butterfield" <>]

About a week ago we saw 1 wedgetail soaring over Glenloch homestead, but didn't get a good look at it.  Today, coming back from the Cotter we saw three birds over the Western end of Bibaringa which is not that far from Coppins or Glenloch if you are an eagle.  I didn't get a good look at the third, but the two of which I did have very good views had a good lot of lighter brown both on the head and the underwings.  They were also very vocal.  It would seem that there might have been two successful nests just to the West of the City.

 

We were out that way because Frances and I had decided we needed an escape for a few hours and headed to Works Road, via Urriara Crossing and the eponymous Homestead dam. 

 

We went that way to check up on the Common Sandpiper.  It had obviously heard we were coming and decided to be elsewhere as it was not present.  Getting to the large dam at the Homestead there were at least 2 musk ducks visible (which was why we stopped there.).

 

Going down Blundell's Creek Rd was very quiet.  However as we started to walk up Warks Rd from the intersection things livened up considerably.  It was rather difficult to fit our feet between the flame robins - mainly brown birds but several lurid males as well.  My estimate was at least 12 birds.  Many yellow faced and white-naped honeyeaters grazing in the foliage with dy of the latter.  (1 white eared honeyeater on the way back.).  Hordes of grey fantails (inc dy) and 1 rufous fantail.  Rufous and golden whistlers.  On the way back one green satin bowerbird emerged from the epicormic growth of a eucalypt and it sounded as though others might have been lurking inside the growth.

 

Martin

[martin butterfield] 

 -----Original Message-----
From: Overs, Anthony (REPS) [
Sent: Monday, 28 February 2005 9:38 AM
To:
Subject: [canberrabirds] Wedgies

On Sunday afternoon I saw three Wedge-tailed Eagles soaring very low over William Hovell Drive just west of the entrance to 'Glenloch'. They were just above the pine trees on the property. All three were dark brown adult birds. This was the first time I've seen wedgies over WHD in ten years. I did see a pair down near Coppins Crossing once which isn't too far away.

Cheers
Anthony