G’day Shaun,
I know the area you mean even though I
have never really spent much time there (I don’t go in that general direction
very often). If the ironbarks are in flower, and I have been told that they are
somewhat further north in the Griffith to West Wyalong area, then it is not unusual for so many
species of honeyeaters, and other nectar loving species like lorikeets and
Swift Parrots, to be present. Also keep your eye open for Regent Honeyeaters
which are occasionally found there. This time of year the numbers quite
possibly could be augmented by migrating Yellow-faced and White-naped
Honeyeaters. I know from the times when the ironbarks at our banding site at
The Charcoal Tank NR near WW do their thing, both species of friarbirds can be
deafening, not to mention downright painful when we catch dozens of them –
they have VERY good claws. Hopefully we will find these sorts of concentrations
this weekend when we go out banding to CTNR.
Cheers,
Mark
From: shaun bagley
[
Sent: Wednesday, 25 October 2000
12:35 AM
To: Mark Clayton
Cc:
Subject: Re: [canberrabirds]
honeyeater odds and sods
Regarding NF observations: Was down at Albury during the
weekend and chanced upon the Chiltern Park Rest Stop on the Hume Highway (heading south in Victoria). The 15 minute
walk into Chiltern-Mt.Pilot
Park advertised from this
rest stop turned into a 2 hour exercise. Have never experienced so many
Honeyeaters in one place. Principally, a cacaphony of Noisy Friarbirds, but
included a mass of Yellow-tufted, many Red Wattlebirds, Fuscous, White-plumed,
Brown-Headed, White-naped, Black-chinned as well as a few Little Friarbirds and
even the odd YFHE. Unbelievable riot of song silenced by advancing rain.
Retreated to Rutherglen for rumination of this flood of birds and purchase of
stickies...
Next day were still several NFs in the area around Chiltern
but nowhere near the cacaphony. Was this "normal" or did I catch a
wave of birds in migration from other parts?
