Prue and I did our last woodland survey for the year this morning. Conditions were fine, mild and partly cloudy with a variable breeze. It was boggy in places with gently flowing water in creek lines. Plant life was prolific with the usual
mix of native and exotic forbs and grasses flowering. 38 bird species were recorded during our ten minute counts and 54 overall.
Interesting records during counts included a surprise Rufous Fantail at site 9, a
Stubble Quail calling at site 1, Brown Quail heard at site 3 and 2
Wedge-tailed Eagles over site 5. Incidental records included Diamond Firetail (heard),
Speckled Warbler and Brown Goshawk.
Fewer species of summer migrants were around than usual for December, these included a very vocal
Horsfield’s Bronze-Cuckoo, Noisy Friarbirds, Mistletoebird,
Western and White-throated Gerygone and Leaden Flycatcher. Just a single
Rufous Whistler was seen, with none heard. Breeding records included an
Eastern Rosella nest in a spout in a fallen dead tree with 4 eggs visible, an active
Yellow-rumped Thornbill nest and Brown-headed Honeyeaters with recently fledged young.
Other fauna included a Swamp Wallaby, 2 Long-necked Turtles basking at one of the dams and a family of
Cunningham’s Skinks. Amongst 9 species of butterflies and day-flying moths were a
Yellow Ochre and a Golden Sun Moth. Common Browns were flying in big numbers.
Steve
