Prue and I did our winter survey in the southern half of Goorooyarroo this morning under heavy grey skies, but managed to finish just before the rain began. It was a pleasant morning, only slightly spoiled
by the constant traffic noise, regular explosions from the Majura Firing Range, and the occasional loud, low aeroplane. Creeks were flowing, a rare treat, and dams that had been dry for a long time now have plenty of water. We recorded 37 species during our
counts and 41 overall.
Site 1 was probably the standout, with at least 8 Red-browed Finches (the first for our surveys in a long time), 3 Diamond Firetails, Southern Whiteface (heard), a reddish Brown Falcon and a good number of
other species of small birds. Elsewhere there were Scarlet Robins at 4 sites, Speckled Warblers also at 4 sites, and a couple more Diamond Firetails between sites. Mixed flocks featured in a few places with White-eared and Brown-headed Honeyeaters, Yellow-rumped,
Brown, Buff-rumped and Striated Thornbills, both pardalotes, Weebills, Scarlet Robins, Golden Whistlers and Grey Fantails present in some or most of these flocks. Mistletoebirds were heard and seen in a few places as were Grey Currawongs.
A mammalian highlight was a small female Wallaroo at site 2, while there is a resident population further north in the reserve, this was the first time we had seen one near any of our survey sites.
Steve
