ANBG: Bassian Thrush

["Philip Veerman" <>]



I arrived at the ANBG today and came across Julian just leaving, complete with all his cameras. He requested that I didn't find the Bassian Thrush (or maybe that I don't tell him I did). However I did. It was about 2 metres in from the fence (dividing from the CSIRO site). As in along the path under the PO site to the end of the T then up the hill about 30 metres past the gate. ANBG Section 32. It was singing (like a Blackbird song) which alerted me to its presence. However in the 10 minutes I watched it, it was feeding voraciously. It gobbled up at least 2 worms, a hairy caterpillar, I think a large spotted slug and what looked like a small skink or gecko. I thought I saw legs on it. However what it caught went down the hatch so fast I didn't get any chance to double check. Certainly the tamest, closest and clearest I have ever seen a Bassian Thrush (not to mention the first time through Leica binoculars).

 

I also encountered a Crescent Honeyeater in ANBG Section 32 (higher up, near the Callitris garden and actually from the "bird watcher's seat". Didn't see the PO or the LW.

 

Philip