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The foggy start with the raised moisture levels
increased bird activity on the extreme NW end of Cooleman Ridge early on Friday
morning. While on dog walking duties at least 5 Rufous Songlarks were seen
or heard (they seem to have established territories very early this season) with
a similar number of Diamond Firetail (also calling), several Dusky Woodswallow
and a Pallid Cuckoo, which has been uncharacteristically hanging around the area
this year. A lone White-winged Triller was also calling, unlike the
northside (judging from the postings on this chat line) this species is
there in lower numbers so far this year. Perhaps like some of the other
migrants it is taking longer to get to the southside this year.
Interestingly the activity seems to be a bit
further up the slopes and over a wider area this year, compared with
the hot spot right on the foot of the slopes where all the activity had been
concentrated for the past 2 breeding seasons, particularly
2004-2005.
Jack Holland
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