A few odd obs

[Martin Butterfield <>]

Last Friday driving along Buvelot St in (upper) Weston I was very surprised to see 2 groups eah of 6 Common Mynahs within 20m.  That is the biggest number in one place I have seen for several years.

On Sunday I was in Campbell Park for a Vets Athletics race and, before the start, heard a very melodic Butcherbird call.  As: 

• I have heard it said that Pied Butcherbirds are more melodious than Grey Butcherbirds; and
  
• Pied Butcherbirds are a major ACT bogey for me;
  

I rushed around to locate the bird and found a group of three very young looking Grey Butcherbirds singing in harmony .  They didn't appear to be strong fliers yet so I suspect they were bred in the area.

This morning I went for an exploration along part of the Naas Valley Fire trail starting from Caloola Farm.  Quite a good collection of birds but the highlight was at least 2 Brown Treecreepers (seen together at one time, with possibly 2 others calling from a separate set of trees) about 2.4kms from the gate into Namadgi.

I had called in to Namadgi Visitors Centre and failed to locate the Lewins Rail but did see an Australian Spotted Crake at the point of the pond closest to the building.

Martin

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Martin Butterfield

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