Spring Migrants Galore: Bellenden Street

["Marnix Zwankhuizen" <>]

This afternoon was one of those awesome moments in birding, which I havent experienced in Canberra for a while. I walked along Bellenden Street from 4 to 5pm. This road runs from the Barton Hwy to Mitchell, passing FM104.7 , CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems and Norwood Park Crematorium

 

Highlights were over a dozen Dusky Woodswallows and a lone White-browed Woodswallow, which sat perched for ages near me in a dead tree. While I was watching no less than 5 Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoos (HBC), in the grass feeding on grubs, I heard a familiar 'krrraaaak' and a Superb Parrot flew over my head flying in a southerly direction disappearing over CSIRO. A pair of HBCs mated briefly on the fence while I watched. 4 Tree Martins joined the airborne woodswallows. A Pallid Cuckoo called continuously from close to Norwood Park. In the field below a Rufous Songlark vocalised and provided good views. Other birds included a male Rufous Whistler (not calling) and a Grey Currawong. On the drive home I passed 2 Fairy Martins by a bridge culvert along Flemington Rd.

 

Cheers

Marnix