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K2C bird surveys. Sunday 14 October.
The sixth K2C bird surveys were held in ideal
conditions, which was somewhat of a relief after the weather of the preceding
fortnight. Nine days before the survey the warm spring wind
had brought in White-browed and Masked Woodswallows from the inland to
the ACT region. A week later snow lay on the ground after one of the coldest
October days for a long time. It was therefore quite a surprise for one survey
team to come across a flock of these two woodswallow species perched
obligingly on a fence in the Michelago area.
A total of 95 species were recorded during
the survey morning with almost all the expected spring migrants; four cuckoo
species, both Gerygone species, Sacred Kingfisher, Rainbow
Bee-eater, Leaden Flycatcher, White-winged Triller, Rufous Songlark, Tree
and Fairy Martins, Dusky Woodswallow and lots of Grey Fantails. Ten honeyeater
species were recorded but there was no obvious migratory movement from the
Yellow-faced or White-naped Honeyeaters.
Robins were less prominent, as is often the case in
the breeding season. The most frequently reported was the Eastern Yellow Robin
with a couple of sightings of Hooded and Scarlet Robins. A pleasing record was
two Jacky Winters at one of the properties near Williamsdale. Brown Treecreepers
were recorded in good numbers at the sites where they are usually
found. And there were more sightings of Varied Sittella than in previous
surveys.
A couple of seasons of good rainfall have meant
that the revegetation sites which were first surveyed when they were little more
than tree guards in a sea of long rank grass and weeds now have trees and shrubs
starting to provide habitat for birds. Striated Pardalote and Grey Fantail
were both observed foraging in the young planted trees.
Thank you once again to the landholders for the
privelege of visting their properties, to the COG members for volunteering their
time, and to Bush Heritage Australia for hosting us for lunch at Scottsdale.
cheers
Nicki Taws
02 6251 0303
0408 210 736
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