canberrabirds

Outing to the Lagoon with Many Names

To: 'COG List' <>, 'COG Wednesday Walkers' <>
Subject: Outing to the Lagoon with Many Names
From: Philip Veerman <>
Date: Wed, 21 Oct 2015 11:49:15 +0000

Curiously bird watchers and COG specifically, visiting that site was given a page one write up in The Canberra Times of Saturday 17 Oct. As for Swamp Harriers, patrolling mainly the Eastern side of the Lagoon..... probably nest building. It is not my information but what others have reported, presumably correctly, that this species among raptors is particularly intolerant of being disturbed at their nest (and the only Aus raptor to routinely nest on the ground). So best for the birds’ welfare to have no disturbance of them.

 

Philip

 

From: Martin Butterfield [
Sent: Wednesday, 21 October 2015 7:45 PM
To: COG List; COG Wednesday Walkers; gang-gang
Subject: [canberrabirds] Outing to the Lagoon with Many Names

 

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

15 members and guests gathered at the rest area and thanks to the kindness of the lessee parked in the woodland nearby, behind a locked gate.

 

​​

After noting a few bush birds (including a pair of Australian King-Parrots

)

we decided to give the Tiger Snakes a fair shot and moved out onto the bed of the Lagoon.  

 

​​

Two White-necked Herons were seen immediately and a single White-faced Heron soon flew in.  At least 8 Latham's Snipe flushed as we walked towards the Northern end of the Lagoon, flying off at high speed and altitude.  A small number of Australian White Ibis were seen and several flights of Straw-necked Ibis came in, totaling to approximately 100 birds.  Other waterbirds seen were 4 Masked Lapwings, 24 Australasian Swamphens and 2 pairs of Black Swans, with 2 downy cygnets. No Bitterns were seen or heard.

 

​​

The most obvious raptors for the day were Swamp Harriers, patrolling mainly the Eastern side of the Lagoon.  Allowing for birds spending a little time on the ground, and having three visible at the same time we concluded there were at least 4 birds present.  One was seen to fly in carrying a stick and landed in the reeds: probably nest building. Other raptors recorded were 2 Wedge-tailed Eagles, 1 Brown Goshawk, 1 Whistling Kite, 1 Nankeen Kestrel and 2 Brown Falcons.

 

​​

The most surprising passerines seen were a pair of Flame Robins.  Tree Martins were briefly visible as we approached the wooded areas in the face of quite strong winds.  A nest of a White-throated Gerygone was spotted by an eagle-eyed member.  A male Rufous Whistler was in full song.
The woodland area was noticeable for a massive amount of eucalypt blossom - some identifiable as E. pauciflora (Snow Gum) while other, very floriferous, trees were more tricky, seeming to be peppermints.  Despite this blossom, which attracted a good lot of potentially munchable insects, the only honeyeaters listed were a few Red Wattlebirds.

 

​In total we recorded 38 species.​

 

A full birdlist is attached.  It would be good if that could be inserted in the appropriate spot on the COG website.  A blogpost illustrating a few of the points above is here.

 

The November WW will be to Red Hill.  Meet at 9:00am on 18 November.  Details of the Meeting Place will be circulated later

 

 

 

<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>
Admin

The University of NSW School of Computer and Engineering takes no responsibility for the contents of this archive. It is purely a compilation of material sent by many people to the Canberra Ornithologists Group mailing list. It has not been checked for accuracy nor its content verified in any way. If you wish to get material removed from the archive or have other queries about the list contact David McDonald, list manager, phone (02) 6231 8904 or email . If you can not contact David McDonald e-mail Andrew Taylor at this address: andrewt@cse.unsw.EDU.AU