K2C bird
surveys Sunday 22 April 2012
The
5th K2C bird survey was held on a cool overcast morning on 22 April.
We weren?t bedevilled by fog as on previous autumn surveys but we didn?t see
much sunshine either which seemed to keep the birds quiet at some sites. In
particular it was the sort of weather which doesn?t favour honeyeater migration
and there was almost no sign of the usual autumn mass movement apart from a few
flocks of Red Wattlebird.
Eight
teams from COG covered 35 sites on 21 properties from Williamsdale to beyond
Bredbo. Several sites could not be
visited on the day and were surveyed during the following week. A total of 75
species was recorded during the morning, with most of the expected autumn
woodland birds, but few waterbird species. Two species were seen for the first time
in the survey, both on the lovely ?Cockatoo? property. Three Painted Button-quail were flushed in
the survey site and three Spotted
Quail-thrush were seen on the walk in
Threatened
species were again a feature of many sites and are one of the reasons these
surveys are so enjoyable. Hooded
Robin, Brown Treecreeper, Diamond
Firetail, Speckled Warbler, and Scarlet Robin were seen in good
numbers, as well as Southern Whiteface
and Restless
Flycatcher.
Some of
the late-staying summer migrants included Dusky Woodswallow, Olive-backed Oriole
and Rufous Songlark. Winter migrants
such as Golden Whistler, White-eared
Honeyeater and Flame Robin were
conspicuous at many sites. Of interest was a spectacular flock consisting of 110
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo and 70 Little Corella all perched in the one
tree at ?Ingelara?. Black-shouldered
Kites were also prominent at many properties, hovering over grassy paddocks.
Sincere
thanks to the COG volunteers, landholders, K2C Facilitator Lauren Van Dyke, and
Greening Australia. Scottsdale Reserve was not available this time for our usual
post-survey gathering so we enjoyed lunch at the Snowy Mountains Café, courtesy
of K2C.
The next
survey will be held on 14 October 2012.
Nicki Taws
