Late this morning while doing a rekkie for tomorrow’s nest workshop at
Campbell Park, one of the first things I heard was the “check, check” of the
white-browed/masked woodswallows. I estimated there were at least 50
mainly circling around, but Julian Robinson who was also there said he had seen
at least 100. Interestingly he said they weren’t there first thing, but
had moved down from the higher areas mid morning.
Due to poor light I wasn’t able to estimate the % of white-browed compared
with the masked though the half dozen or so I saw perched were all
white-browed. No surprise to see them arrive in Canberra, given the dried
out conditions out west, whether more will come and they stay to breed is not
able to be predicted given we’re also very dry. Some rain would certainly
help.
An added bonus was a very large shingle back right in front of us snapping
off and eating flowers. As opposed to the blue tongue I’ve rarely seen
this in the ACT, though Cogger does show we’re on the eastern edge of its
range. Julian took a heap of photos which he may share with us.
Jack Holland
