The spring survey in the southern half of Goorooyarroo was done by myself, Prue Buckley, and David and Kathy Cook this morning. The day started windy
and cool and continued that way for the rest of the morning, with wind increasing. There was also the occasional spot of rain. The reserve was looking rather dry and overgrazed with not much in the way of spring wildflowers, apart from a few patches of Early
Nancy. Despite this we managed to find 50 species during the morning with 45 of these during our 10 minute counts.
The highlight was at least 8 White-browed Woodswallows at site 1. Raptors were prevalent with a Wedge-tailed Eagle being buzzed by a Brown Falcon, a
pair of Brown Goshawks circling together, with possibly a third different bird seen later, and up to 3 Nankeen Kestrels. Other interesting records included Varied Sittella, White-throated Treecreeper, a female Rose Robin, Speckled Warbler, Mistletoebird, large
numbers of Grey Fantails (35 counted) and at least 9 Golden Whistlers. Summer migrants included Pallid, Fan-tailed and Horsfield’s Bronze-Cuckoos, Dusky Woodswallows, Western and White-throated Gerygones, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike and Rufous Whistler. Surprising
misses were Olive-backed Oriole, Noisy Friarbird and Superb Parrot.
Also seen were an Echidna, 2 Wallaroos and 2 Swamp Wallabies; reptiles seen were 2 Shinglebacks and a Jacky Dragon
Steve
