My Blitztour took me as 2times before around the lower
and upper western slopes of Mt Ainslie and the upper slopes on the East side
(thus getting no where near the Campbell
Park area). This path
takes me through some of the key areas for the Leaden Flycatcher (LF). But I
failed to find any although Noisy Friarbirds (the species the LF likes to
associate while nesting) were still common. The Rufous Whistler was also
absent, and Grey Fantails were encountered just twice. Thus Mt Ainslie
observations echo some of the impressions that Geoffrey and Barbara shared with
us. Mark’s account from the Grassland Reserves is also disappointing. I
would have expected at least Pipits.
Hopefully, data from grids in Canberra Nature Parks
that are monitored in the same way each year, can be used to give a measure of
the drought impact (and hopefully, in due course, of recovery).
On the positive side at Mt Ainslie, 3 singing males of
the Yellow Robin (more than ever before) , 1 pair of Speckled Warblers with 2
fledglings and a Little Eagle.
Michael Lenz
