canberrabirds

RE: Chestnut-rumped Heathwren at Pierce's Creek

To: <>
Subject: RE: Chestnut-rumped Heathwren at Pierce's Creek
From: "Steve Holliday" <>
Date: Sun, 3 May 2009 17:13:15 +1000

Hi all

 

A group of us (Alastair Smith, Frank Antram, Sue Lashko, Prue and I) went searching for the heathwrens this morning, and eventually got good views, after probably a couple of hours of hearing occasional calls and getting a few glimpses. Alastair had brought a recording of the call and I doubt we would have had much chance of seeing them well without it, they are very elusive little beasts. They seemed quite interested in the recording and came in close several times, although still difficult to get a clear look at. Hard to say how many there were in the area, although certainly 2, and maybe as many as 4 or 5.

 

This was on the slope on the other side of the road from the marker Alastair has left, but probably no more than 100 metres from it (see Ian’s message below for directions). Al also saw a Brush Bronzewing on his way in. There were quite a few parties of Yellow-faced and White-naped Honeyeaters moving through, and one group of half a dozen Dusky Woodswallows passed high overhead.

 

The Pierces Creek area was very quiet when we first arrived, about 8 am, but was busy with trail bikes by about 10ish.  Should be much quieter on a working day.

 

cheers

 

Steve

 

From: Ian Fraser [
Sent: Monday, 27 April 2009 12:58 PM
Cc: ; Alastair Smith home
Subject: Re: FW: [canberrabirds] correction - Chestnut-rumped Heathwren at Pierce's Creek

 

The site (where Harvey and I failed to find the bird, though did hear it/them a couple of times) is 400 metres past Concrete Crossing (that unlovely picnic area on Pierces Creek) on the road to Vanitys Crossing.The track is closed to vehicles and overgrowing, but Alastair has helpfully marked it with a plastic bag and red tape on a pole. If you're not familiar with that part of hte world, take the road that says 'Vanitys Crossing', about 2.5k along Paddys River Road from the site of the old Cotter Pub. It's a bit of a maze, but follow your nose and the more obvious track in each case and you should get to Concrete Crossing. It's easier to find coming from Vanitys (follow the newly-coined 'Yellow Rabbit' road from Warks Road) but these days that crossing is a bit challenging for smaller vehicles.

good luck

IF

Steve Holliday wrote:

Note - as Cotter Rd ends at the Cotter River the CRHW site must be off Paddy’s River Rd, not Cotter Rd.  The main track Al is talking about is presumably Vanitys Crossing Rd.

 

From: Steve Holliday
Sent: Monday, 27 April 2009 9:21 AM
To:
Subject: [canberrabirds] Chestnut-rumped Heathwren at Pierce's Creek

 

Morning all

 

Just had a call from Alastair Smith who was at Pierce’s Creek – and had just seen 2 heathwrens.

 

Possibly garbled directions – go Cotter Rd, past the signposted track to Pierces Creek settlement, then 2nd track on the right off Cotter Rd, a fairly major one. Al reckons he was probably 2 km in and had walked away from the track. There were 2 concrete water tanks visible on a hill nearby. Hopefully Al can give some more detailed directions later. GPS was 35 20 18 / 148 54 36. Best bet might be to use the coordinates with Google Earth and work it out from there.

 

A very good find in the ACT!

 

cheers

 

Steve



-- 
 
Ian Fraser, 
Environment Tours; Vertego Environmental Wordsmithing
GPO Box 3268, Canberra, ACT 2601
ph: 61 2 6249 1560  fax: 61 2 6247 3227
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