It was a brilliant day, and we started bright and early just after the sun appeared over the horizon in superb bird watching conditions. Grenade Range site was a little busier than usual, with an unusually high count of 20 Eastern Rosellas, but also 40 Common Starlings. A single Australian Hobby was perched on a dead tree, clutching its prey, which appeared at a distance to be a Starling. I would have been interesting to stick around to see developments when the grenade throwing began at 9:00 am. But we were under orders to clear the area well before then.
Grey Butcherbirds were present at 3 of the sites, with a Pied Butcherbird heard not far from one site. Unfortunately there were no Hooded Robins sighted, although the Defence Environmental Officer thought she spotted one while driving, but nothing further was seen after that. There were no Brown Treecreepers spotted, but good views were had of a juvenile Brush Cuckoo. Honeyeaters were a little more prevalent than usual, with Yellow-faced and White-eared Honeyeaters at two sites, and Noisy Miners, Noisy Friarbirds and Eastern Spinebills also observed.
Common Bronzewings were spotted at two sites, and there was one mixed flock (Weebills, pardalotes, Buff-rumped and Striated Thornbills, Scarlet Robin and White-eared Honeyeater) at another site.
As well as the Grenade Range activity, there was a veritable fusillade on the main target range, so we had to make a wide detour around the eastern and northern perimeter, high up among the ridges and gullies, along twisting rocky tracks. A great 4 wheel driving experience! The drive was worthwhile, because the three northern sites yielded excellent bird watching, including a flock of about 30 Yellow-rumped Thornbills at one site.
Cheers
Paul
Paul Fennell
Editor Annual Bird Report
COG Databases Manager
026254 1804
0407105460
