The spring survey for Gooroo South was done by Prue and I, with Dave and Kathy Cook, this morning in excellent conditions. 57 species were recorded, 50 of them during 10 minute counts. Interesting sightings included at least 2 Diamond Firetails at site 1, Mistletoebirds in good numbers, a Brown Goshawk at site 7, a Varied Sittella at site 3, Superb Parrots in several places, a Grey Currawong near site 7 and Speckled Warblers at 2 sites. A Brown Falcon was seen carrying a large item of prey, which we weren’t able to identify. Returned migrants included Pallid and Shining Bronze-Cuckoos (both heard), a Rufous Whistler, at least 2 White-winged Trillers at site 3, Western and White-throated Gerygones and Noisy Friarbirds scattered throughout, a few Dusky Woodswallows and Tree Martins, and a couple of Olive-backed Orioles. Honeyeaters were fairly plentiful with small groups of White-naped and Yellow-faced moving through, a White-eared heard, and the usual species (Brown-headed, White-plumed, Eastern Spinebill, Red Wattlebird, Noisy Miner) all recorded. Thornbills were rather thin on the ground, with only Buff-rumped and Yellow-rumped found.
Breeding records were White-winged Chough and Australian Raven (both nests with well-advanced young), Black-faced Cuckoo-shrikes attending a nest, probably on eggs, White-plumed Honeyeaters nest building, and 2 small Wood Duck ducklings. Lurking suspiciously in and around hollows or banks were Spotted and Striated Pardalotes, Superb Parrots, Crimson Rosellas, Sulphur-crested cockatoos and Nankeen Kestrels. Young Australian Ravens and Yellow-rumped Thornbills were also seen.
Other wildlife was a little thin on the ground although we did hear five species of frog (including Peron’s and Verreaux’s Tree Frogs). One Swamp Wallaby was seen, also a couple of Long-necked Turtles and a few common species of butterfly. Wildflowers were good, still quite a lot of Early Nancy, and some dense patches of Billy Buttons and Bulbine Lily.
regards
Steve
