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I had the chance to visit the Budawangs
today. Moderate fall of rain overnight and the day before, (10 mm reported
at Sassafras over last 2 days). On the flat topped plateaux, the Banksia
ericifolias, although stunted in size, were in full flower (freshly opened
flowers, rich in nectar). With the recent rainfall, this will keep the flowers
in peak condition for several weeks.
There were YFHE and New Hollands and some
WNHE, and occasional Red Wattlebirds. But the main thing of note was the large
population of YFHEs. As we drove some 30 Kms along fire trails, it is not
possible to estimate numbers, but there were very many YFHEs
there. We kept "flushing" them as our vehicle passed along the bush tracks.
Numbers conservatively estimated to be in the thousands.
At Tianjara Creek, late in the afternoon,
tall Banksia ericifolias were also in full flower, but not many honeyeaters
in evidence there, but it was late in the day..
A nostalgic trip for me, as Tianjara was one
of Dad's (Steve Wilson's) favourite banding areas in winter, when the Banksias
were in full flower. Then, in the late 1960s the whole area was burnt
out in a legendary wildflower which burnt from behind Marulan through to the
coast.
Where I live, (in Robertson), I normally
have small travelling groups of YFHEs and Red Wattlebirds pass by, in autumn and
spring, but so far, this year, just two or three birds. Mrs Crowe in Berrima has
also not yet seen many YFHEs passing though there, either (as of 3 days
ago).
Now that I know the Banksias in the
Budawangs are in fresh flower (lots of nectar, judging by the bees), and
also Bloodwoods (Corymbia sp. I think) just coming into flower, it is apparent
that there is currently plenty of food for them, 60 Kms to the south of me.
Perhaps they will stay there for a while and then move north past me in a couple
of weeks, as the food supply drops off.
Cheers
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