The spring bird survey in the southern half of Goorooyarroo was done by Prue and I this morning in sunny, mostly still conditions. Hard to imagine that on the equivalent survey last year lots of snow was visible
on the Brindies. The reserve was looking pretty good, with plenty of water still in dams, and quite a few wildflowers out. We recorded a total of 54 species with 47 of those during our 10 minute counts, compared to 59 and 37 last year.
Raptors were quite prominent with a vocal
Brown Falcon, a couple of Nankeen Kestrels and displaying Brown Goshawks. Spring/summer migrants present were
Western and White-throated Gerygone, Rufous Whistler, Horsfield’s
and Shining Bronze-Cuckoos and Olive-backed Oriole. A highlight was seeing four male
White-winged Trillers feeding together in some eucalypt regrowth. Small birds were quite plentiful with thornbills, pardalotes and
Grey Fantails widespread. Eight species of honeyeater were recorded with small movements of
White-naped and Yellow-faced noted. There was a Mistletoebird at site 2,
Grey Currawong heard at sites 8 and 9, and up to nine Superb Parrots at site 3 in an area where they regularly nest. Breeding records included
Australian Magpie and Grey Butcherbird with active nests, a Laughing Kookaburra leaving a hollow,
Australian Raven, Yellow-rumped and Striated Thornbills carrying food, and a variety of parrots around hollows.
Other fauna included an Echidna, 5
Shinglebacks and 2 Eastern Bearded Dragons.
Steve
