Wednesday Outing to Callum Brae

[martin butterfield <>]

This is intended to be a submission to Gang-gang also.

15 members met at the main entrance to Callum Brae on a pleasant and warming morning.  Many thanks to Sandra for her reconnaisance on the previous day and her advice about the prevalence of grass seeds and various tall species of thistles.  Despite these impediments and the generally soggy conditions she led us on a most enjoyable outing.

A total of 43 species were recorded with highlights being Superb Parrot (1); Dollarbird (2) White-winged Triller (2) Varied Sitella (2 small flocks), Sacred Kingfisher (2) Double-barred Finch (3+) and magnificent views of a male Mistletoebird.  An Australian Reed-warbler in one of the overflowing dams was a slight surprise!  The only raptor seen was a Nankeen Kestrel: the goshawk had obviously decided that an armistice was due.  Missing in action were all cuckoos; Noisy Friarbird and Rufous Songlark.

Breeding records were Crimson and Eastern Rosellas (both DY) and Willie Wagtail and Magpie-lark (both ON)

Also for Gang-gang
Next months outing will be on 19 January and head to Kelly Road, Williamsdale, meeting at the turn-off from the Monaro Highway (just past the ACT border) at 9am.  I suggest the Kambah Village shops as a convenient place for those not coming through Queanbeyan to carpool.  A reminder email will be sent approximately  week before the walk.

Martin