At the midweek orienteering this morning one leg, if you wanted
to do it like that, ran directly below the nest of the Wanniassa Wedgie.
A bird was sitting, eggs I presume, which caused a deviation on my part.
I think it just hunkered down, fortunately. Any disturbance of sitting birds
at this time of year can be quite dangerous to the prospects of the young.
From: martin butterfield
[
Sent: Wednesday, 15 September 2010 2:43 PM
To: COG List
Cc:
Subject: [canberrabirds] Wednesday walk report
Trip report for Gang-gang
A select group of 7 members attended Cooleman Ridge this morning in brilliant
sunshine but with a chilly breeze. Perhaps due to the breeze the
birds were not that obvious, although we did record 33 species all up which is
not a bad haul. Surprisingly no Cuckoos were seen (or heard).
We recorded 5 species of parrots/cockatoos with Eastern Rosellas being the most
numerous. A pair were closely inspecting a spout close to the start of
the walk, with one bird evenytually going inside. Other breeding activity
noted was an Australian Magpie building a nest and Common Starlings inspecting
hollows. A White-winged Chough nest was sen in a tree close to the start,
but although the nest appeared in good order it didn't seem to be in use at
present (we didn't see or hear any Choughs).
A full birdlist will be loaded to the COG website http://canberrabirds.org.au/index.htm
under "Trips" (click the pelican)!
Next months Outing for Gang-gang
Next month's mid-week walk will also be a drive! We plan to do a repeat
of the Mountain Creek Road TSR trip which we did last year. We will meet
on 20 October at Sromlo Forest park to carpool. I suggest we will move
off at 9:00am so those wishing to check out the White-fronted Chats may wish to
arrive closer to 8:30 for a brief prowl round the SFP area. Last year we
didn't pay much attention to Cavan TSR as it was the last we reached.
This year it is planned to go there first (about 25km from Urriara Crossing)
and work our way back through the Mullion and Tinker's Creek Reserves.
Notes (1) it has been raining so the Reserves may be a tad
squelchy. (2) The drive will include about 40kms of dirt road. If
there is significant rain (actual or forecast) in the days immediately
prior to the 20th the venue for the outing will be changed. An email will
be sent out on the 18th confirming arrangements. (3) Bring lunch and
water!
