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Since daylight saving was still in place so late in the year, Barbara Allan and I delayed the start until 8.00 am instead of 7.30. It was a lovely morning, temperate, sunny, and with little breeze. The range looked as good as it has ever been,
with all the bodies of water filled to the brim, and the ground cover very lush, with little sign of the overgrazing that was apparent in the last few years. There weren’t too many roos about, except for a mob of about 30 at sub-site 4. I had a brief view
of what I think was a red-necked wallaby at sub-site 7, but it disappeared rather quickly. There were no water birds seen except for the wood ducks and a lone Australasian Grebe on Mick’s Dam (sub-site 9). This is a little unusual.
We recorded 34 species at the sites, and only 6 other species between sites: Southern Whiteface (unusual for this area), Wedge-tailed Eagle, Nankeen Kestrel, Superb Fairy-wren, Australian
Wood Duck (about 12) and Laughing Kookaburra.
The range of species was that to be expected at this time of year, and there were flocks of little brown birds at 4 of the sites, including all the local thornbills (except Yellow), Weebill, Western and
White-throated gerygones, Speckled Warbler, and Grey Fantail ( but no Silvereyes). Some Noisy Friarbirds were observed, and one group of Yellow-faced Honeyeaters was heard passing through. The only other honeyeaters were a solitary Red Wattlebird, a few Noisy
Miners and a couple of eastern Spinebills. A few Black-faced Cuckoo-shrikes were observed, and one Grey Shrikethrush was heard. There was a single observation of 2 Scarlet Robins. Spotted Pardalotes were heard at most sites, but few were seen.
There were 60 Common Starlings at the Grenade Range at the southern end of the range not far from the airport. Not many parrots or cockatoos, but most of the local common species were observed here and
there. Australian Magpies were observed at most sites, and one observation of A Magpie-lark. A group of Choughs were heard at one site, as well as a single Rufous Whistler,
It was a pleasant morning with good conditions for birdwatching. A real highlight was the state of the roads, most of which had been recently regraded and resurfaced. After the recent rain there was little
dust. Bliss!
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