I twice heard the “check check”calls of the White-browed/Masked
Woodswallows over my house in Chapman today. The first at 12:20 was of
only a few high over heading ENE, while 12+ in a loose association at 16:40 were
heading WNW. They were lower, < 100 m and more easily identified by
their shape but without binos not identified to species level.
I have predicted that with the 70+ mm of rain we had earlier this week they
would move back to their more favoured inland, but Martin’s post earlier today
identified there were still good numbers at the Painted Honeyeater site near
Uriarra.
The furthest east I have seen them this year is at Durran Durra about 12 km
NNE of Braidwood on 3 November when doing the Landcare property surveys, where
at least 30 were both at ground level and also circling over. While I only
positively identified white-browed, I could not rule out some masked (viewing
conditions in the strong wind were rather poor).
Interestingly Dean Ingwersen, our excellent speaker on Wednesday evening,
told me they have hit Melbourne this year in big numbers, being seen as far
south as St Kilda (no doubt looking for a place in the AFL draft!)
Jack Holland
