Yass River, Wollogorang, Lake George - 18 June

I had thoroughly enjoyable day yesterday
driving the back roads just to the north of Canberra. Considering it is
winter and there isn't much happening in Canberra at the moment there was
quite a bit to see across the border. The route I took was basically the
following:

> N from Gungahlin along Barton Hwy,
right at Murrumbateman, onto Yass River Rd, right on to Back Creek Rd,
left on Gundaroo Rd, right on Marked Tree Rd, N from Collector to Breadalbane,
right on Wollogorang Rd, right onto Federal Hwy back along L George to
Gungahlin. Despite L George and most lagoons being dry (Rose & Wollogorang)
many waterbirds had dispersed to nearby dams instead. Wet Lagoon had some
water.

Highlights, with some standouts (total
for day in brackets):

• Emu (2) - captive?, on property along Marked Tree Rd.
• Brown Quail (1) - probably more, in Wet Lagoon.
• Musk Duck (3)
• Australasian Shoveler (8)
• Australian Shelduck (4)
• Yellow-billed Spoonbill (1) - first record for 2006 for COG Area of Interest? Unusual in winter?
• Brown Falcon (3)
• Black-fronted Dotterel (4)
• Brown Treecreeper (3)
• Yellow-rumped Thornbill (93+)
• Southern Whiteface (3)
• White-fronted Chat (16)
• Jacky Winter (2)
• Hooded Robin (1)
• Scarlet Robin (3)
• Flame Robin (20) - inc. 1male roadkill.
• Eastern Shrike-tit (5) - family? group of 5 birds inc. 2 males, 2 females and 1 begging (female) juvenile.
• Little Raven (430+)
• Diamond Firetail (7)

Almost no honeyeater activity apart
from White-plumeds and Wattlebirds. Some E. cinerea in flower.

Cheers

Marnix

 

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