Hoskinstown Plain this morning

[martin butterfield <>]

I went for a prowl in the Plain this morning.  Very loud Eurasian Skylarks everywhere, but Australasian Pipits were still in groups (biggest seen was 9)   A female Flame Robin was good to see as were 4 Double-barred Fnches.  One Australian Shelduck was scrounging left over horse tucker, but when disturbed (by the stockman replenishing said tucker) headed off to the nearby lucerne paddock.  The stockman reported that there were usually 2 Shelduck present.

Only one Yellow-faced Honeyeater was heard, which given my view of this part of the migration path means that, like the ladies of the court of King Caractacus, they have just passed by!  

Also MIA were most other waterfowl.  The stretch of Molonglo through the property was almost devoid of any waterbirds whereas I would normally expect to tick 5 or 6 species along the river.

Martin