blitz post mortem

[Julian Robinson <>]

Our blitz effort on Sunday (me driver, Sue Lashko observer) was in South
Namadgi along the upper Naas on Sams Fire Trail and around Back or Grassy
Creek area.  We found most of the missing Grey fantails and all of
the B Goshawks that weren't seen by anyone else.  I think it was 4
Goshawks including one on nest, about 1000 Fantails and plenty of Rufous
Whistlers.  There were clouds of insects so as suggested maybe 
the Fantails are following them.  The area was drier than the
country around north and central Canberra which is exactly the opposite
of last year when this part of Namadgi was a relative 
oasis. Plenty of Pipits, some Tree Martins in and out of hollows, a few
red Robins but not nearly as many as last year and none seen breeding
(three last year).

No Leaden Flycatchers at all, plenty of White-naped Honeyeaters and even
more Fuscous.  One WNHE had a nest under construction at eye level
50m from Hospital Ck Hut, it didn't flinch at our presence and installed
more spider web and sat in the nest for a bit right before our
eyes.

The large area we covered was almost entirely devoid of (calling) cuckoos
- we heard only two Fan-tails the whole day and no others, including no
Bronze-cuckoos.  Certainly nothing as exciting as witnessed by
Barbara etc.  

On the Saturday at the Jerra Wetlands there were over 50 species
including the same Red-kneed Dotterels spied by Harvey the next day (at
least they were on the same ponds), four Royal Spoonbills and a WB
Sea-eagle that returned later to fly off over the lake.  The area
was well checked -- while we were plodding the land side, Rod cruised
past in kayak checking out his Whistling Kite nest from last year. 
Our conclusion on the kite was that the nest has been receiving attention
but there is only one adult bird around.  One dollarbird on the
Molonglo.

A very enjoyable two days!