I paused at midday today as I passed along Coppins Crossing Rd
and had a quick look at the COG spot known as “Finch Central” - more
in the hope of raptors in the wind than finches. And raptors there certainly
were – Wedgies, a Brown Goshawk, a kestrel. The blackberry patch was
entirely devoid of bird life; the river supported fairy-wrens and scrubwrens
but not much else; but the patch of trees to the left of the track and some 200
m along lived up to its name. I counted 26 Double-bars on the ground together and
there could have been double that number as they swirled around; there were at
least 15 Red-brows and 3 Diamond Firetails; a pair of Flame Robins; White-eared
and Fuscous Honeyeaters; pipits; wrens; etc. Should be worth a longer look in
better weather. b
