The Horsfield’s B Cuckoos must have just arrived, there were
also 2 calling away at Mulligans Flat today, didn’t hear any yesterday, several
Pallids in good voice as well.
cheers
Steve.
From: martin butterfield
[
Sent: Wednesday, 19 August 2009 2:36 PM
To: COG List
Subject: [canberrabirds] Outing to Urambi Hills and plan for next month
Gang-gang editors please include the items in next edition.
Outing to Urambi Hills 19 August
21 members and guests turned out for a trip led by Michael Robbins to his local
patch. Excellent weather was arranged, with birds to match. In
total 47 species were recorded comprising a mixture of Winter birds and
returning migrants.
The catalyst for going to this venue was Michael recently noting large numbers
of Flame Robins and some Diamond Firetails in the area. Despite the
reports of large numbers of Flame Robins in Namadgi and similar locales, we
spotted 3 brown birds of this species as well as at least 4 Scarlet
Robins. The Diamond Firetails were unfortunately elsewhere.
Honeyeaters were well in evidence with flocks of 4 and 6 Red Wattlebirds almost
certainly being returning migrants. Other honeyeaters seen were
White-eared, White-plumed, Yellow-faced and Eastern Spinebills. 3
Black-fronted Dotterels were seen on a dam and 3 Australian Pipits were chasing
each other on the hillside. Raptors were evident with Wedge-tailed Eagle,
Brown Goshawk and Nankeen Kestel seen over the hills.
Bird of the trip was a Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo. This was initially seen
clinging to a mullein stalk and later observed walking on the ground being
chased by a female Flame Robin. The bird then flew to the top of a dead
tree where it was further harassed by a White-eared Honeyeater. Both
assailants are listed in HANZAB as host species for this Cuckoo.
