Wednesday Walk to Stoney Creek NR

["Mark Clayton" <>]

Having surveyed the Hall TSR during the “blitz” I can confirm it as a very good birding site. However something that certainly needs attention is the HUGE amount of Blackberry growing on site making it very difficult, if not impossible in places, to walk along some vague tracks. It is also a site that you need to be able to get over a gate, so not recommended if you have dodgy ankles like me.

 

Mark

 

From: Martin Butterfield [
Sent: Wednesday, 19 November 2014 2:26 PM
To: COG List; COG Wednesday Walkers; Roso, Darren; gang-gang
Subject: [canberrabirds] Wednesday Walk to Stoney Creek NR

 

The editors of Gang-gang may wish to use the following as the trip report.

 

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23 members and guests gathered at Urriara East Picnic ground.  After noting a Dependent Young Pied Currawong and White-winged Chough Nest with Young in the Allocasuarinas in the car park we headed off along the track above the Murrumbidgee.

 

A single Dollarbird was seen very early on and then a pair seen in a group of large dead trees appearing to defend them against all intruders.  These included a male Collared Sparrowhawk and a Sulphur-crested Cockatoo.  A surprising sighting in these dead trees was a pair of House Sparrows apparently utilising a nest hollow.  Other Summer visitors noted in this area were 4 Rainbow Bee-eaters and 3 Tree Martins (pursuing a female Collared Sparrowhawk

​)​

.

 

Somewhat further along the track a White-faced Heron nest complete with sitting bird was noted high in an Allocasuarina.  

 

Raptors were well in evidence during the walk.  We also observed a Brown Goshawk (by size, a female); at least 2 Nankeen Kestrels, a Brown Falcon and 3 sub-adult Wedge-tailed Eagles.

 

This walk at this time of year had been suggested as a check if Painted Honeyeaters had returned.  Alas. none were seen or heard during this walk.  Also missing were any Woodswallows: we didn't even record a Dusky Woodswallow let alone the horde of White-browed seen on our previous foray

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here.

​  However we did pick up 44 species which is quite good for a warm morning in a pretty open area.

 

​Thanks to Darren and

​o​

the

​r​

staff of CNP for arranging the gates so as to facilitate access.​

 

I have put photos of a few of these in my blog.  A full bird list (including car park birds) is attached, and it would be appreciated if that list could be added to the appropriate page on the COG website.

 

Could the editors of Gang-gang please include the following entry in the upcoming trips element of Gang-gang.

 

The December Wednesday Walk will be to Hall TSR.  Meet at 8:30am on the Barton Highway

​ about 150m past the junction with Victoria St.​

just before the State border

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Martin Butterfield

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