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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