Walk from Point Hutt to pine Island and return

[Martin Butterfield <>]

Gang-gang may wish to use this as the trip report.

17 members and guests gathered at the Point Hutt picnic area for a walk to Pine Island and back.  The wisdom of doing the walk in that direction was indicated by piles of automotive glass at Pine Island.

When suggesting this outing I had wondered if we might see the start of honeyeater migration and it is possible that we did with 12 Red Wattlebirds (one group of 6) being seen moving down the Murrimbidgee.  5 Yellow-faced Honeyeaters were seen but they did not seem to be moving on, while the 6 White-eared Honeyeaters  may have moved out of the ranges.  No Noisy Friarbirds were recorded.

8 Black-faced Cuckoo-shrikes were record: 2 groups of 3 birds and one of two birds.  Raptors were reasonably well represented with 3 Nankeen Kestrels (2 of which were males and had a right hard aerial battle), 2 Brown Falcons and 2 Wedge tailed Eagles.

Bird of the day appeared when we were almost back at the Point Hutt picnic area, with an Azure Kingfisher seen flitting amongst the bushes just out from the shore line.

In total we recorded 45 species for the day.

(I have done a blog post with some supplementary commentary and a few photos.)

Gang-gang may wish to use this as the notice for the April WW.

The April Wednesday Walk will be to O'Connor Ridge, with an extension to the Easter portion of Bruce Ridge possible if time and enthusiasm permit.   Meet at 9:00am on Dryandra St, about 100m past the entrance to the tourist park.

Martin Butterfield

http://franmart.blogspot.com.au/