Woodland surveys - Callum Brae and Mugga Lane

[sandra henderson <>]

The Callum Brae surveys were done on Friday 28th November. As noted in chatline message, the most extraordinary observation was the huge number of ravens, although not big numbers within actual survey sites. At two sites the noise from the cicadas was so loud it was almost impossible to hear any birds. The cicadas have also attracted straw-necked and white ibis, which are feeding on cicadas on the ground. There were significant numbers of juvenile ravens, Pied Currawongs, Australian Magpies and Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrikes around, but none appeared to be dependent young. The only nest-building observed was by a White-plumed Honeyeater.  Most disappointing was the sighting of a Common Myna, the first I've seen at Callum Brae for quite some time.

The saffron thistles are back in big numbers this year.

The sites on Mugga Lane were surveyed on Saturday 29th. Several Common Bronzewings were heard, as were Leaden Flycatchers. A couple of Speckled Warblers were sighted, but the most abundant birds in the surveys were Noisy Miners.

Sandra Henderson