K2C bird surveys 14 April 2014
The seventh K2C bird survey was held on a fine warm morning, perhaps the last
in an extended warm dry autumn period. A general comment from the COG observers
was on the absence of the small insectivorous birds at many of the remnant
sites. Despite this a total of 81 species was accumulated from the 39 surveyed
sites and the properties during the morning. This includes almost all the
species expected to be seen at this time of year but fewer incidental records
of waterbird species.
The autumn honeyeater migration was in full swing at a couple of sites, with
more than 700 Yellow-faced honeyeaters counted in 20 minutes streaming along
one creekline. The summer migrants had left and the winter altitudinal migrants
such as Golden Whistler, Gang-gang Cockatoo and Flame Robin were recorded at
several sites.
Perhaps the most encouraging records were those of Scarlet Robins, listed as
Vulnerable in NSW, at 12 of the 39 sites. It seems to have been a good year for
this species in the local region. There were six records of the Brown
Treeceeper at sites where they are regularly found. Three Hooded Robins were
seen, two of those on properties where they've not been recorded before in K2C
surveys. At the same time this species was not found at some of its usual
sites. Diamond Firetails were not seen as frequently as in previous surveys.
Two other threatened species, the Speckled Warbler and Varied Sittella were
found at three sites each.
A big thank you to the 15 COG volunteers, and to the landholders for ongoing
access to the sites. It is very gratifying for the volunteers to see the
interest the landholders have in the birds on their properties. Thank you also
to Bush Heritage Australia for sponsoring the post survey lunch.
The next survey will be held on Sunday 13 October.
Cheers
Nicki Taws
02 6251 0303
0408 210 736
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