Re: Blitzing the Molonglo Gorge etc

[Martin Butterfield <>]

With an early start this morning I manged two sites in Kowen before reporting to the Ainslie Hoppers for a Vets Handicap run.  On the way home I did a ride down the Newline Lane.  That totalled 47 species, giving me 67 for the two days.

• The first site was the ANU geophysics site on Whiskers Fault, at the Eastern end of Kowen.  23 species with highlights Scarlet Robin and Grey Butcherbird.  Sulphur-crested Cockatoo inspecting a hollow; Common Starling Nest with Young.
• The Pound at Kowen seemed quiet, but 20 species were recorded.  Breeding was display (male call and female response) by Pallid Cuckoo and Common Starling Nest with Young.  The display of flowers there was magnificent: unfortunately the St John's Wort is also growing vigorously.
• After I had waddled I spent a few minutes checking the birds.  The day's highlight was a Dollarbird which seemed very interested in a dead tree behind the mobile phone tower.  Not quite interested enough to earn a breeding record.  Dependent Young Noisy Miner was the only breeding record.
• Newline Lane produced 21 species with Sacred Kingfisher and Olive-backed Oriole the more interesting.  Breeding records were Crimson Rosella inspecting hollow; and at least 3 occurrences of Common Starling nest with young.
  

Martin

Martin Butterfield

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

On 24 October 2015 at 17:38, Martin Butterfield <> wrote:

I did three sites along the Molonglo Gorge this afternoon.  About 30 sp in total, withe best birds being Sacred Kingfisher and Eastern Yellow Robin.  For the general naturalists, I thought the flowers were rather spiffy.

Having a little time to spare I waded through the wild oats of Beard to look down into pond 3 of the queanbeyan poo pits.  Still a lot (387) of Coots but 2 Pink-eared duck and 1 male Musk Duck were the highlights.

Total 48 sp. for the day, and 4 sheets submitted and shared by eBird.

Martin Butterfield

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