October Wednesday walks

[Martin Butterfield <>]

11 members gathered at Gambles TSR on Sutton Rd.  The entry to the Reserve is a bit tricky as the gateway is narrow and hard to see from a road with 100kph speed limit.  It is however well worth a visit.   While the understory has been overgrazed in much of the Reserve there are many magnificent eucalypts which were proving good habitat for a wide range of bush birds.

As we set off, early sightings included White-plumed, White-eared. White-naped and Yellow-faced Honeyeaters.  In the same family, but somewhat larger Red Wattlebirds and Noisy Friarbirds were seen and heard.  Also heard were several Rufous Whistlers and White-throated Gerygones.   Less common species included a single White-browed Woodswallow overflying the group and at least two Mistletoebirds.

Breeding was happening.  A Yellow-rumped thornbill was constructing a nest in a eucalypt and a Collared Sparrowhawk was occupying a nest.  White-throated Treecreepers were seen onvestigating a hollow.

In total we recorded 44 species at this (quite small) site.  A full list is at https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S60654749

7 of us  then moved to the Molonglo Gorge area, walking up the Kowen Forest out-road hoping to find Spotted Quailthrush recently reported from that area. 

We failed in that objective but added a few species to our list including Wedge-tailed Eagles .  One was initially seen being beaten up by an Australian Magpie and subsequently two soaring birds with daggy primaries – whether this was due to the attention of the Magpies was not certain.

Buff-rumped Thornbill and Weebill were added to our day list with 19 species in total https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S60655741 here and a respectable 46 species for the day.

The walk for November will be along the Molonglo, starting from Kirkpatrick St Weston (near the RSPCA as shown on tte COG Website

Martin Butterfield

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