Cold birds seen at Charlotte Pass etc

[Julian Robinson <>]

I stayed at Charlotte Pass for an extra long weekend, we all being caught
in the sudden weather change and most spectacular snow storms - cold
enough for 30-50cm of fluffy flakes rather than the more usual (in my
experience) sludge, sleet and sago snow.  The birds were more
interesting than expected, including some I wasn't anticipating at this
time of the year and in these conditions.  Starlings were
everywhere, easily the most prolific bird between CP and Cooma.

HIGH
******
At Charlotte Pass (1800m)...

- small party 3M2F Flame Robins still around at the very top of
the road

- 2 or 3 WB Scrubwrens also right at the top of the pass, along
the boardwalk.

- 22 young Crimson Rosellas (none in adult plumage) also at the
top of the pass and later in the village

- Ravens and Magpies looking dismal in the snow, many starlings not
looking dismal at all, and a Pipit.

- and, as I was packing the car for an expedited departure with thick
snow still falling, I left the front door of the lodge open.  It
must have been inviting.  When I came back in, there, right inside
the large room, was a Grey Shrike-thrush sitting on a wooden bench
getting warm.

- on the Friday before the snow, in fine weather, there was a single
WT Eagle soaring about 100m directly above Mt Kosciuszko (the
highest bird in Australia? the highest WTE in the world?)

LOWER
**********
- Kookaburras at 1300m in light snow.

- Silver gulls and 2 Pelicans over Lake Jindabyne.

UNDER 1000m
*****************

- About 15 Dusky Woodswallows on the road past Eucumbene dam, with
one White-eared HE.

- 11 Aust Shelducks, 4 BF Dotterels amongst Black Ducks,
Grey Teal, Coots and more Flame Robins around a dam along the same back
road to Cooma.

Julian



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