No White-fronted Chats in their usual spot at Stromlo Forest Park this morning, under a low cloudy sky. Good numbers of Magpie-Larks, Crested Pigeons and Red-rumped
Parrots were feeding in groups on the ground – plus seven small brown birds that I initially assumed were pipits (Australasian Pipit, the species we used to call Richard’s Pipit) but the more I looked the less sure I was.
The birds appeared smaller and dumpier than I remembered for pipits, and were lower to the ground – they didn’t have that upright standing stance. My notes
say “obvious, pale yellow eyebrow – streaked breast and forehead – pale throat – white flash either side of tail when flying – legs and bill nondescriptly brown/pink”. Bill shape was probably important but sufficiently distinctive for me to note. Any chance
these were Horsfeld’s Bushlark? What should I look for if I return to Stromlo tomorrow?
Steve
