Hi Robin
Looks like Yellow-winged Locust (Gastrimargus musicus), see http://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_grasshoppers/YellowWinged.htm
A widespread and common species in eastern and northern Australia. They occasionally occur in plague numbers – this might be a big season for them. They also come in a brown morph.
Steve
From: Robin Hide [
Sent: Sunday, 5 January 2014 3:20 PM
To: Canberra Birds
Subject: [canberrabirds] not birds ...Googong grasshopper query
Yesterday walking along the grassy western foreshore at the northern end of Googong every step saw tens/hundreds of these grasshoppers (about 30-40 mm in length) take dramatically to the air, with a few flying into ones face etc.
Any suggestions re identification?
Few birds seen - Pipits, White-faced Herons, and on the water, coots and a few gulls.
Robin Hide
