Prue and I did our final survey for the year this morning in good conditions, although it was getting hot by the time we had finished. Some sites were very quiet but we still managed 51 species for the morning, with 44 being recorded during
10 minutes counts. The reserve was looking pretty dry and the wildflowers that were a feature of the spring survey were mostly finished. The formerly productive site 3 (nearest the Horse Park Drive carpark) again turned up very few small birds, there have
always been Noisy Miners in this area but perhaps they have increased to the point where they are starting to exclude some other species.
The highlight was a Pied Butcherbird heard at site 9, we have only a handful of previous records. Other sightings of interest included having 4 Wedge-tailed Eagles visible at once, presumably the resident pair with this seasons young, a
couple of Nankeen Kestrels, a Common Bronzewing, Mistletoebirds at several sites, and 3 species of cuckoo calling (Shining and Horsfield’s Bronze, and Pallid).
Summer migrants recorded included Leaden Flycatcher, Rufous Whistler, both gerygones, Tree Martins and Olive-backed Oriole. Amongst the honeyeaters were Eastern Spinebill, Brown-headeds (at several sites), and White-plumed. Breeding was
recorded for Noisy Friarbird (active nest), Yellow-rumped Thornbill (carrying food) and dependent young Magpies and Aus Ravens.
Other wildlife included Hares, a Swamp Wallaby and 3 Long-necked Turtles. 8 species of butterfly were noted, including hundreds of Common Browns, as well as Two-spotted Line-blue, Amethyst and Stencilled Hairstreaks, and a Spotted Jezebel.
Steve
