Yesterday and again today I paddled the
Molonglo River from the Hospice to well beyond the ski
area (no power boats operating yesterday), could only find 5 active
Darter nests. The first of these would be clearly visible from the
newly reconstructured section of the bike path, and contains 4 young
chicks. Both male and female adults were attending the nest. There
were two nexts in close proximity in the middle section of the reach
and a fourth near the first bridge. The last one was located well
inside the ski area. Each of these nests had a bird "on". There was
no sign of any Cormorant nesting activity although there were
probably 50 - 60 Little Blacks in the area and perhaps 10 - 12
Greats.
A couple of other interesting nesting or possible nesting
activities:
1. Yesterday I noticed a rough grass ball in a thin scraggly
blackberry bush dangling about 30 - 40 cms above the water. As I
approached a Double-barred Finch exited from the opposite side of
the nest (I couldn't actually see an opening) and flew off into the
surrounding shubbery. When I cautiously approached the area again
today there were 2 D Bars in the very near vicinity, but not
actually at the nest.
2. I was alerted by the call of a Sacred Kingfisher and just as I
located the bird perched on a dead tree it flew of to a large,
gnarled old tree trunk remnant where a second Kingfisher had its
head protruding from one of several hollows.
In addition to these there were several mud nests (presumably
Magpie-larks) and a smallish grass nest in a in a flimsy willow
branch about a metre above the water. I although this was
apparently unoccupied I strongly suspect it was a Reed Warblers nest
and had not long been vacated.
Yesterday I estimate there would have been easily a hundred or more
Wood Ducks along the ski stretch of the river while today about 20
Masked Lapwings were congregated along the extreme eastern shore of
the lake. Major highlight however was excellent views an adult
White-bellied Sea Eagle perched in the same area.
Cheers
Rod
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