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Hello young birders whenever you are…
John Brannan and myself completed the Majura Firing Range survey between 7.30 and 11.15 on Monday 24 September. We surveyed 7 sites but were unable to reach Site 10 because the road was far too rough for my brand new Mazda CX5. It does not have
the same off-road capability as the Toyota Prado it replaces.
It was a lovely morning with a gentle breeze and lots of sunshine. We recorded 36 species, with the highlights being two Mistletoe birds and at least a dozen Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos. There was only one Rufous Whistler, one sighting of
Noisy Friarbird, one Pallid Cuckoo and one Olive-backed Oriole and a few Yellow-faced Honeyeaters, and quite a few records of White-throated and Western Gerygones.
A couple of Golden Whistlers were present. No raptors were seen, and most of the species observed were just the usual suspects, with a couple of exceptions - Brown-headed Honeyeaters seen, and a Speckled Warbler heard. Not many Noisy Miners and
no Pied Currawongs. There were quite a few Striated Pardalotes calling, and perhaps slightly fewer Spotted Pardalotes. Buff-rumped Thornbills were observed at a couple of sites, fewer than usual, as well as Brown Thornbills. Normally White-wing Choughs are
observed at different sites about the Range, but on Monday the only group heard was right at the northern end.
There was only one breeding record, of Striated Thornbills carrying food.
Large kangaroos were abounding, with many family groups observed. The grass has been grazed back to about a nanometer long, all over the range. It is severely overgrazed in widespread locations, both north and south.
All in all a reasonable morning’s birding, but nothing to get too excited about.
Paul
Paul Fennell
Editor, COG Annual Bird Report
0407105460
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