The
third K2C bird survey was held on Saturday 9 April 2011. The survey monitors 39 sites across 25
properties in an area stretching from Williamsdale in the north to south of
Bredbo. The survey aims to monitor birds in woodlands and grassland where
conservation actions are being undertaken, and to provide feedback to
landholders involved in K2C (Kosciuszko to Coast) on the outcomes of their
conservation actions.
This
year the survey was held in conjunction with the Birds Australia campout based
at the Bush Heritage Australia property ?Scottsdale?. The 14 COG participants were joined by 21
BA members and grouped into small teams, each to survey a number of sites across
two or more properties during the morning. Conditions were foggy to begin with
for some sites but this soon cleared to a sunny day although with increasing
wind later in the morning.
A
total of 89 species were recorded for the morning, which included 46
woodland-dependent species, 8 waterbird species, and 7 Threatened species. Nine
of the species had not been recorded previously in K2C surveys: Australian Owlet-nightjar, Brown Goshawk,
Chestnut Teal, Double-barred Finch, Little Black Cormorant, Olive-backed Oriole,
Rock Dove, Satin Bowerbird and
White-winged Triller.
Honeyeaters
were migrating during the morning, although not as consistently across the sites
as last year, possibly because of lingering fog. The most noticeable migration
was at sites in the Michelago area where several hundred birds per 20 minute
count were recorded. Flocks were made up almost entirely of Yellow-faced
Honeyeaters with only the
occasional White-naped, and a couple of small flocks of Red
Wattlebird.
Spring/summer
migrants still lingering in the region included many Dusky Woodswallow, a few Noisy Friarbird, Rufous Whistler, Fan-tailed and Pallid Cuckoo, Olive-backed Oriole, Leaden Flycatcher
and White-winged
Triller.
Other
significant sightings were Hooded Robin on six properties, Diamond
Firetail on seven properties, Brown Treecreeper (four properties), Gang-gang Cockatoo (2 properties)
Speckled Warbler (three properties), Scarlet Robin (seven
properties), Varied Sittella (2
properties), Southern Whiteface (four properties), Restless Flycatcher (7 properties) and
Crested Shrike-tit (1 property).
Another interesting sighting over Guises Creek at Williamsdale was of a flock of
300 Little Raven flying northward
(to Canberra?)
The
survey finished at Scottsdale for a wrap-up of the morning?s findings and a
barbeque lunch hosted by Bush Heritage Australia in celebration of their
20th birthday. A big thank you to the 35 COG & BA participants,
the landholders involved, and Bush Heritage Australia.
The
Spring survey is scheduled for Sunday 16
October.
