On Monday 22nd September the weather was perfect for bird watching, and after our annual induction to the Firing Range, Barbara Allan and myself, escorted by environmental officer Gareth Evans, proceeded to survey the eight sites on the range. There was a profusion of flowering ground cover, but particularly noticeable on some sites were the Spider Orchids. There was a good cross-section of birds expected in spring, with White-eared Honeyeaters and Scarlet Robins still about, but with Rufous Whistlers, Tree Martins, White-throated Gerygones, Grey Fantails, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrikes, and Shining-Bronze and Fantail Cuckoos also present.
Species observed also included Grey Shrike-thrush, all the local thornbills except the Yellow Thornbill, Striated and Spotted Pardalotes, Grey Butcherbird, and White-throated Tree-creepers. Very few Noisy Miners observed, and there were no observations of White-winged Chough, which was a little unusual. A Wedge-tailed Eagle was observed soaring over Site 4, being chased by a very energetic magpie.
In recent surveys we have observed one or two Diamond Firetails near the Range Control buildings on our way out, and once again we were not disappointed.
All in all a satisfying morning of bird observation.
Paul Fennell
Editor Annual Bird Report
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