Go South young folks

["martin butterfield" <>]

This morning started fairly early with a twitch to Kingston lookng for the drongo.  The only one in evidence was in a tinnie yelling at her rowing charges on the river.  Back home to run round Mt Taylor where few birds were recognised due to pain.

 

Then, at Frances excellent suggestion, we headed South. 

 

First to the Namadgi Visitors Centre  for a stroll to the Cypress lookout.  Very windy so not a lot of action in the higher parts.  However there was an immature grey butcherbird in the bit before the road and in the last paddock visible from the trail a LOT of action.  Highlights here were 2 flame robins; 3 white winged-trillers and a male hooded robin.

 

Because we were so close we swung by Tharwa Sandwash to look for rainbow-bee eaters.  We found at least 4 of them.  Other highlights were a collared sparrowhawk scaring the daylights out of the local parrots; a pair of hooded robins (OK - 1 male and 1 female very close together, I didn't check if they actually were 'an item') aq flock of about 100 (they didn't stay still long enough to count accurately but certainly >90) and the attached mystery bird. 

 

The mystery bird was very close to a silvereye (about 50% larger we thought) but the bill doesn't look right for a cuckoo.  Nearly all my reference books are in shipping containers in Fushwick or Los Angeles so if someone can ID this beast I'd appreciate it.

 

As we were about to leave the Sandwash carpark Frances spotted an echidna wandering about on the sand where the river should be: I have attached a piccie of this egg-layer.  If any monotreme enthusiasts want a larger pixcel-count shot please let me know.

 

Gee, it's good to be back!

 

Martin

 

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