Prue and I, with David and Kathy Cook did our winter survey this morning, in fairly mild conditions. After the heavy rain overnight there was a lot of water around, with some creeks flowing strongly. 39 species
were recorded, a decent total for winter, with 34 of these during 10 minute counts. 28 species were recorded on the equivalent survey last year.
The species recorded were fairly standard for Canberra in winter, with a couple of mixed flocks encountered at sites 2 and 8; these contained such species as Yellow-rumped, Buff-rumped, Brown and Striated
Thornbills, both pardalotes, a Golden Whistler, Grey Fantails, a White-eared Honeyeater, Varied Sittellas, Scarlet Robins, Weebills and Speckled Warblers. A Grey Currawong was heard at site 2, and up to 8 Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos were seen, with 6 in
one group. Wedge-tailed Eagle was the only raptor recorded.
An interesting non-avian record was of some Wombat droppings, the first indication of their recent presence I have seen in the reserve.
Steve
