Prue and I did our quarterly COG survey in the southern part
of Goorooyarroo NR in beautiful conditions this morning. Total species count
was 34, quite low but there were some interesting records for the survey area.
Site 1 (nearest to Horse Park Drive) was really good, 2
Diamond Firetails were the first for the survey as far as I can remember, I
have very occasionally seen them in more central and northern parts of the
reserve but they may not be resident here. 2 Southern Whitefaces were with them,
these are probably residents but never easy to find. Also 3 Dusky Woodswallows and
at least 6 Willie Wagtails.
Elsewhere most interesting records were Scarlet Robin heard
at sites 7 & 9 (few woodland survey records from sthn part of Gooroo),
Mistletoebird, Golden Whistler, Grey Butcherbird, Eastern Spinebill. Absent
were raptors (usually get Wedgies or a Kestrel at least) and almost no evidence
of honeyeater migration. 3 Noisy Friarbirds flying north together was all. A few
Grey Fantails around but nothing like numbers reported elsewhere recently.
Also 6 spp of butterfly including Chequered Copper, Saltbush
Blue & Spotted Jezebel.
cheers
Steve
