WW to Tharwa Sandwash and Namadgi VC

[martin butterfield <>]

The editors of Gang-gang may wish to include this as the trip report.

> Wednesday Walk  to Tharwa Sandwash
> and Namadgi Visitors Centre
> 19 members gathered at the Sandwash at 8:30 and soon noticed
> that the policy of starting an hour early was endorsed by the sun having some
> heat in it.  However hot it got logging
> 65 species of birds by 12 noon was probably worth it!

 

> Despite the lack of rain recently and the warm weather there
> was still a reasonable amount of water in the river.

 

> Early excitement was generated by a pair of Tawny Frogmouths
> in the trees on the inland side of the car park and a Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike
> with young in nest (NY) on the River side! 
> 2 Dollarbirds were seen on the far side of the Murrumbidgee as was a
> Spotted Harrier. 
>  
> We then headed off for a stroll along the path
> upstream.  Good numbers (at least 20) of
> Yellow-faced Honeyeaters, including 2 Dependent Young (DY) were recorded at
> this location.  Another big flock was at
> least 20 Red-browed finches  which taken
> with a few other sightings that were confidently asserted to be different birds
> pushed the count for this species to 35 birds.

 

> For this site we totalled 48 species, before moving off to
> the Namadgi Visitors Centre.

 

> The main business at the Visitors Centre was Crakes and
> Rails.  The dam did not disappoint: almost
> as soon as we settled we observed a Spotted Crake and a Baillon’s Crake.  A little later we added more of these species
> and at least 3 Buff-banded Rails.  Those
> who had visited the site earlier noted that the amount of mud visible was
> considerably greater than a few days ago. 
> This made the spotting a little easier but the Baillons in particular
> wandedered about on the Ottelia ovalifolia leaves with no concerns about
> the sotto voce oohing and aahing and much clicking of shutters.

 

> Dusky moorhen families with a least 7 DY pottered around and
> while an Austalasian Grebe was on nest, another Grebe was very small and would
> clearly be a DY breeding record.  A
> Magpie-lark was sitting on a nest.  The
> final bird recorded here was a White-winged Triller.
> We recorded 30 species at this second stop.

A few of the photos I took - alas not of excellent quality in some cases - are at http://franmart.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/cog-does-tharwa-sandwash-and-namadgi.html

For February we are playing to try again for Warks Rd, depending on the weather situation.  An email will be posted to the chatline confirming (or amending) this closr to the date.  The editors of Gang-gang may wish to include the following in the upcoming trips section.  Could the trips Coordinator please arrange for it to be listed on the Website.

"20 February: It is intended to try again to visit Warks Road in the Brindabellas.  Meet at Striomlo Forest Park at 8:30am for car pooling.  Note that if the forecast weather is likely to be very hot a different venue will be selected.  If there is a fire ban for the ACT no walk will take place. A confirmatory email will be circulated to the chatline closer to the date."

--
Martin Butterfield

http://franmart.blogspot.com.au/