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Geoffrey, largely agree with your comments, though
I have seen the Rufous Songlark several times in winter over the years,
including at Kelly Road. However, it can pose real identification
problems, as it doesn't call then, and is a very plain bird, with the
rufous rump the best feature.
The Grey Fantail is another species for which
a few may overwinter. One trap, however, is believing species are
absent when it's only true for the particular patch where you spend most of your
time observing, the sightings of honeyeaters etc subscribers have been posting
over the past week or so are certainly not around the area Chapman and Cooleman
Ridge where I do most of my local bird watching.
In my view the Sacred Kingfisher is another species
which is a definite complete migrant. I've never seen the White-winged
Triller here after about early February, but again when they are in eclipse
plumage and silent they can be easily overlooked.
To me one of the more remarkable features
of some migrants' arrival in spring is how suddenly they seem to come,
often overnight and quite noisily.
Jack Holland
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