Wednesday walk to Baroona Rd

[Martin Butterfield <>]

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

7 members didn’t believe the BoM weather forecast and gathered at Baroona Rd for a guided tour by one of the owners of Illilanga of their property and the adjoining wetland.  While the wind was a tad gusty there was not a drop of rain during the outing!

 

We began with a loop around a woodland remnant particularly notable for interesting nest sites.  These included White-faced Heron (Occupied Nest); Brown Falcon (Nest with Young); Yellow-rumped Thornbill (Carrying Food); Easter Rosella and Common Starling (both Inspecting Hollow, with some disputation over ownership); and Dusky Woodswallow (Occupied Nest). 

 

Less common species observed, but not undertaking breeding activity , were Speckled Warbler, Rufous Songlark (interestingly silent and on the ground rather than noisily flying from treetops); and male White –winged Triller.  The only cuckoo observation was a brief call by Horsfields Bronz-Cuckoo.  A full list of the 28 species seen at this site is at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S50088909

 

We then proceeded to the large wetland on an adjacent property being developed as wildlife habitat.  The big-ticket item in this wetland was a male Musk Duck and he duly appeared (and as is normal for this species disappeared frequently beneath the water).  The only breeding activity recorded in this site was Golden-headed Cisticola where chicks were heard begging in a bramble when an adult entered the bush.

 

Less common species seen here also included 2 Black-fronted  Dotterels  seen on mud banks in the larger water body.  The full 22 species list is at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S50090195.

 

Overall we recorded 40 species for the day.

I have put some photos and other commentary in a blogpost

The editors of Gang-gang may wish to the December Wednesday Walk in the future trips section (its already on the website)

Meet at 0830 (NOTE SHIFT TO EARLIER TIME) on Percy Begg Circuit. As with the last time we came to this area we might extend to the nearby grassland if time, the weather and enthusiasm permits.  

Martin Butterfield

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