Prue and I did our winter survey in the southern half of Goorooyarroo over the last couple of days, after the first day ended early when a gate giving access to some sites was unexpectedly found to be locked.
There was a lot of water around with some creeks flowing. 48 species were recorded over the two days, a very good total for winter, with 31 of these found during 10 minute counts at our 9 survey sites.
Sunday the 19th was cool, sunny and still. Snow was clearly visible in the distance on the Brindabellas. Small mixed flocks were encountered at a few of our sites featuring such species as
Striated, Brown and Buff-rumped Thornbills, Silvereye, Superb Fairy-wren, Golden Whistler, White-eared Honeyeater, Grey Fantail, Weebill
and Spotted and Striated Pardalotes. A White-plumed Honeyeater was with a small flock at site 8, and a
Mistletoebird heard at site 2. Incidental records included Brown Goshawk, Nankeen Kestrel, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Common Bronzewing
and Speckled Warbler. Western Gerygone and Australian Owlet Nightjar were both heard. There was one breeding record; a pair of
Yellow-rumped Thornbills were busy building a nest in a large Box Mistletoe in a Yellow Box.
We completed our last 3 sites on Monday the 20th..
It was still and heavily overcast to begin with, then mist and drizzle drifted in and stayed for most of the morning.
Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos were heard at site 4 and a Nankeen
Kestrel seen at site 3. Interesting incidental records included 2 Brown Goshawks together near the carpark (and a single seen later), a
Collared Sparrowhawk flying over, Gang-gang Cockatoos, Superb Parrots, and a
Golden-headed Cisticola in the paddock nearest the carpark. A sizeable mixed flock was encountered on the walk out which included a similar range of small species to those seen yesterday.
Steve
