Callum Brae and Isaacs Ridge (Mugga Lane) surveys

[sandra henderson <>]

Surveys at both sites have been done this week.

Callum Brae was quieter than usual, with less than 50 species in total. The highlight was two perched Wedge-tailed Eagles in a dead tree, only a couple of hundred metres from the entrance. The most unusual was a Peron's Tree Frog calling loudly from well up a small tree next to my 4th survey mark. Three Scarlet Robins were noted, and there were Australasian Grebes on three of the nine dams I visit (three on the old zoo dam visible from the fence line). A large flock of Little Corellas and Galahs was moving between the Callum Brae farm and the reserve. A single female Leaden Flycatcher was seen moving quietly through the foliage at nursery corner. Despite recent rain, the smallest dam is now dry. Work on the pump station and access track is proceeding, and looks to be quite substantial.

Isaacs Ridge (site is across the road from the Boral quarry/cement works) was surveyed in cool, still slightly foggy conditions, with every bush and tree festooned with cobwebs. There are no proper tracks, so the surveyor spent much time untangling from the cobwebs! The Speckled Warblers were very vocal, with at least five putting in an appearance and scolding loudly. A mixed flock with at least ten Grey Fantails (many of them feeding on the ground, which was unusual), many Yellow-rumped, Buff-rumped and Striated Thornbills, a Scarlet Robin, Spotted Pardalotes and a couple of Black-faced Cuckoo-shrikes delayed progress between sites. An accurate count of the small birds was impossible - they were all moving constantly. 

Sandra Henderson