Outing to Forde ponds

[Martin Butterfield <>]

The editors of Gang-gang could use the folowing as the trip report.

28 members and guests gathered at the Mulligans Flat car park.  The Coordinator apologises for some confusion which seems to have arisen about starting time for this walk and will strive to do better in the future.  

 

As we headed off a number of Superb Parrots were seen on the grass and in the trees.  Little Corellas were heard and seen as were Red-rumped Parrots as we walked along the bike path which follows the route of the old Gundaroo Rd.

 

On getting to the Creek we were almost immediately greeted by the sight of an Australian Spotted Crake skulking in the base of some reeds.  A little later a second bird was sighted a bit further away.  In terms of aging it was concluded we saw one adult and one juvenile.

 

On getting to the ponds in Bonner a number of Hardhead and some recently fledged Pacific Black Ducks were seen together with some stripe-headed Australian Grebes (ie also recent chicks).  Australian Reed Warblers were still evident in the reeds and Golden-headed Cisticolas were in the fringing vegetation.  The Fairy Martins appeared to be elsewhere and were not recorded.

 

Returning to the creek we got to the underpass and almost immediately saw a Buff-banded Rail.  Eventually two immature birds (determined by the incomplete development of the buff band) paraded - or dashed, I am not sure of the taxonomy of gaits - back and forth for our delight.

 

The total score was 41 species.

 For the future walks section the following could be inserted 

​The March WW will be to the Eastern section of Gigerline NR.  Meet 18 March 2015 at 9:00 am on the Monaro Highway  at the former service station at Wiiliamsdale (we'll shuffle a tad - about 400m - North to park beside the road 

​before entering the Reserve).  It will be about 4km walking with a steepish drop to the Murrumbidgee.  Hopes are good bush birds plus migration along the River.

I shall send a link to a blog post and the bird list later.  When same have been created!

Martin

Martin Butterfield

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