Walk on Red Hill this morning

[martin butterfield <>]

For Gang-gang also.

A convivial group of 21 members and guests met in the NW of the Red Hill element of Canberra nature Park this morning.  (The area became densely populated when we crossed with a slightly larger group from Walking for Pleasure!)  

The highlight was two sightings of Speckled Warbler, the first of which was carrying a dead moth.  Since it did so for some minutes and flew off with moth in beak it was generally agreed that this was a CF breeding record.  Other sightings which raised pulses were:

• a large flock of mixed Pardalotes (estimated as at least 60 birds, 50 Spotted and 10 Striated);
• a huge flock of Silvereyes (estimated as at least 100 birds);
• 10 Red Wattlebirds;
  
• 2 groups of Satin Bowerbirds including at least 2 blue birds (a resident showed us the last known site of a bower but although a lot of pegs and other blue material was visible  it appeared to be very overgrown); and
• 23 Little Ravens. 

We recorded 31 species overall, including 6 species of parrots/cockatoos.  The Eastern Rosellas were forming up into flocks with 19 the largest number seen at one time.  Gang-gangs and Australian King Parrots were present in good numbers.

Thanks to Marion for leading us round her patch.

For next month in Gang-gang and the website
The May walk will be on 18 May to Brooks Hill near Bungendore and the road to Smiths Gap.  Details including a map will be circulated to the chatline and to the WW email group   closer to the date.

Martin