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The undoubted highlight of the BASNA honeyeater
migration/fire recovery trip today was first one and then three (within a metre
or so of each other) shining bronze-cuckoos feeding on caterpillars within
the Tidbinbilla waterfowl enclosure. One of the latter had a brown
stripe through the eye (much more pronounced on one side) which some white
above, which opened up the intriguing possibility of a horsefield's in the
group, but consultation of HANZAB on return home confirmed it was a juvenile
shining. A probable fourth bird with a much lighter face, and also
partly barred, suggested a second juvenile. Even so 3-4 birds together
including adults and juveniles is the most I can recall seeing together, apart
from the puzzle of a possible family group for this parasitic bird.
Perhaps the feast of caterpillars in the regrowth was the trigger to bring them
together. No begging or attempt to feed the juveniles was
observed.
A group of about 6 varied sittellas with the first
bird was also much appreciated, as was the platypus that very obligingly
surfaced repeatedly for 10-15 seconds in front of the group.
No honeyeaters, however, were seen at Angle
Crossing, and just 2 at the Tharwa Sandwash. It remains to be seen if the
former was due to the very windy weather or the felling and windrowing
of the pines above the ridge. These were still standing last
year when the lucky participants of COG's annual trip to view this
phenomenon witnessed such a spectacular migration. To find out join us on
the COG trip to this spot next Sunday 10 April, meeting at 8 am just past the
Tharwa Bridge.
Jack
Holland
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