Mt Ainslie East Summer woodland survey

[Michael Lenz <>]

The survey of the 9 sites was carried out on 10 December 2015 on a partly overcast, calm morning. It was finished by 9 h, well before it got warm.

The area was in much better condition than at the time of the spring survey, notable recovery of many eucalypts and mistletoes, the spread of weeds continues unabated. Significant number of Grey Kangaroos present through the area, at the northern part also high numbers of younger grasshopper stages.

Fifty-one species were recorded, of those 39 at sites, a further 12 between sites. Species numbers at sites ranged from 5 to 20.

Most widespread were Australian Magpie, Noisy Miner, Noisy Friarbird and Crimson Rosella (each at 6 sites). 

The most common species was the White-winged Chough with 33 individuals, followed by Noisy Miner (22), Red Wattlebird (17) and Crimson Rosella and Australian Magpie (14 each).

Of interest: 2x Brown Goshawk; 1 Brush Cuckoo slowly moving S to N, calling frequently; a flock of 15 Red Wattlebird roaming through the area.

Many small birds were rather quiet and hence more difficult to detect, if at all. Most migratory species for the area were still present (Dollarbird,White-winged Triller, Rufous Whistler, White-throated Gerygone, Leaden Flycatcher). Also Varied Sitella, Brown-headed Honeyeater and Speckled Warbler, Dusky Woodswallow)

Breeding: 2 Laughing Kookaburra very recently fledged, Willy Wagtail at nest with small young, Dusky Woodswallow with fledgelings.

Michael Lenz.