Several visits to the
Pinnacles area up behind Hawker in the last week have been interesting.
The flycatchers have given way to Whistlers (Rufous and Golden), I've
seen a couple of Scarlet Robins - one female and one immature, YFHEs
both solitary (last Wednesday) and in small groups (last Friday), also
B-F. Cuckoo Shrikes, Noisy Friarbirds, lots of Pardalotes - mostly
Spotted but the occasional Striated also, and what appears to be an
explosion in the Gray Fantail population. I dunno, maybe their numbers
go up like this every year, but they seem to be everywhere. (Or maybe
they just follow me around!) I also saw 8 or so R. Lorikeets in company
(or so it seemed) with about twice that number of E. Rosellas.
Also watched a pair of Wedge-Tailed Eagles soaring (?) above the ridge
this afternoon. The one I got the binos on seemed to be completely
motionless as I watched it, only its rapidly diminishing size showed
that it was actually climbing rapidly into the strong sou-westerly. It
started out just above treetop level close enough to see the sun
reflecting off its beak and rapidly dwindled to a dot, all without
(apparently) moving a muscle. Amazing stuff.
John Brannan
--
36 Challinor Cres., Florey, Canberra ACT 2615, Australia
Ph.: (+612) 6258 6038 Fax: (+612) 6258 6238
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