Wednesday walk along Molonglo

[Martin Butterfield <>]

For Gang-gang:

21 members gathered beside the North Weston ponds for a foray along the banks of the Molonglo as far as the low level crossing and back.  The catalyst for this outing was a report on Cormorants and Darters nesting in the willows along the banks of the River.

Indeed breeding was happening.  All three locally common species of Cormorant (Great, Little Black and Little Pied) were seen on nests as were Australasian Darters.  It is to be hoped that these willows are retained.

Two checklists were made, one in each direction.   38 species were recorded on the outward leg on the South bank of the river(vide https://ebird.org/checklist/S61591346) and 34 on the Northside return (vide https://ebird.org/checklist/S61592593).  Overall we logged 48 species (thus adding 10 additional species on the return). 

In general terms, all the species seen were to be expected in such a location at this time of year.  Less common birds recorded were Skylark (as we started off); Grey Butcherbird (outbound) and Yellow Thornbill (concrete crossing on return).  In the not too distant past the flock of Little Corellas see as we started, and 6 Superb Parrots (seen by a member hurrying to catch up) would have been very exciiting

In hindsight it was surprising that no cuckoos were recorded.

The editors of Gang-gang may wish to note in the forthcoming trips section this from the COG website

Wed 18/12/2019

Wednesday Walk to AIS and Bruce Ridge

Martin Butterfield

Meet at 0830 in the AIS arena car park

A few photos and broader comments are here.

Martin Butterfield

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