Wednesday Walk

[martin butterfield <>]

Hopefully the following will suffice for Gang-gang also.

25 members and guests gathered just off the Monaro Highway to visit this site which used to be a popular venue for COG outings.  As we totalled 43 species on our walk it is easy to see its attraction.

We gathered just over the railway line and spent some time looking into the paddocks alongside which we had parked.  Highlights were Diamond Firetail (2) Brown Treecreeper (1, but posing brilliantly) and Southern Whiteface (4).  Many Dusky Woodswallows - several independent young were still in very young plumage - Fairy Martins and Rufous Songlarks were flying overhead,  The day's only Cuckoo (a Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo) was heard calling in this area.

After walking down the road a short distance we drove for about 3 kilometres to TSR 31.  A number (>3) Stubble Quail were calling in the TSR but  didn't flush, even when a 'roo bounced though.  Another Diamond Firetail was seen perched high in a dead tree.  At least 3 Sacred Kingfishers were recorded and we eventually achieved excellent views of Fuscous Honeyeaters.  Fly-throughs were accomplished by 5 Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos and 2 Wedgetailed Eagles.

A full list of the species seen will be published on the COG website.

Note that the venue for next month is not yet decided.  I will attempt to sort that out soon and announce that in Gang-gang with a reminder trough the chatline.

Martin