Info on Spotted Quail-thrush please

[Scott Ryan <>]

Hi all,

Thanx to everyone for your info & suggestions. We left home before sun up this morning & headed for Mt Tennent after a suggestion from Con.We ended up driving 'behind' Mt Tennent & followed our noses to Booroomba Rock Walking Trail. I got a glimpse of a bird as it flew off the edge of the road which I thought was a SQT, with a Kookaburra following it. We heard a very quiet whistle that we thought was one, & I accidently flushed a pair that flew across a gully.

When we got to the carpark we heard a whistle again & found a beautiful male foraging near the toilet. We watched it for at least 5 mins but I couldn't get a photo good enough to publish!! We left feeling very satisfied, thanx again Con.

We then headed back to Namadgi Visitors Centre & headed along the Mt Tennent walking trail after a suggestion from Brendan Sheean. We walked along about 500 metres, across a little wooden bridge, up a handful of stairs & into an area of low 'ti-tree' type scrub. We could hear the birds calling fairly noisily & observed at least 3 birds.Very pleased with the mornings efforts

I agree with you Ian, it was a beautiful drive & I'll be doing it again soon.

As a matter of interest, I'm thinking of going spotting in the Booroomba Rock area for Powerful Owl. Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated.

Again thanx to all who offered suggestions

Scott Ryan

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From: Ian Fraser <>
To:
Cc: "" <>
Sent: Sunday, 9 October 2011 1:28 PM
Subject: Re: [canberrabirds] Info on Spotted Quail-thrush please

I think there's some unwarranted mythology about SQT in the ACT. I fully support Steve and Jeannie's suggestions, and might even go a bit further. I'd say it's almost impossible to drive along the Bulls Head - Mt Ginini road (at least during the week, and usually even on weekends) WITHOUT seeing them; it's just a matter of being aware of what's happening up ahead. They are almost always in pairs, and are often seen crossing or even feeding on the road. If you stop they will often keep pottering about their business, and even if they fly off it's likely to be initially just up onto the bank or a nearby log.

At the worst you'll have had a delightful drive in the Snow Gums, a drive we should all do at least once a season anyway to make the most of living in Canberra!

cheers all

Ian

On 8/10/2011 19:36, Scott Ryan wrote:

Hi All,

I was wondering if anyone could give me some info on where I could look for Spotted Quail-thrush & Chestnut-rumped Heathwren,  in the ACT & whether I was likely to find them at this time of year.

Thanks greatly,

Scott Ryan

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Ian Fraser, m("internode.on.net","calochilus51");" target="_blank" href="">
Environment Tours; Vertego Environmental Consultancy
PO Box 4148, Weston Creek, ACT 2611
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