K2C survey 8th October

[Nicki Taws via Canberrabirds <>]

The K2C surveys were held on 8 October on a relatively calm and mild spring day. After several of these surveys being interrupted by wet weather and covid, we were fortunate in being able to meet up at the Scottsdale Reserve for lunch after the morning’s surveys.  Three properties had to be done the following weekend but conditions were similar. We amassed a total of 97 species, which is close to the highest total we have had. The drying conditions inland were reflected in sightings of a flock of about 80 White-browed Woodswallow and a couple of Masked Woodswallow south of Bredbo. A Pied Butcherbird was sighted on one property near Michelago and records of this species are becoming regular from the region, although whether it is the same bird or several is not known.

 

We covered 34 sites across 18 different properties. As usual, the number of threatened and declining species recorded was encouraging: Dusky Woodswallow (11 properties), Speckled Warbler (6), Brown Treecreeper (7), Diamond Firetail (6), Hooded Robin (4), Varied Sittella (4, which is an unusually high number of records), Southern Whiteface (3), White-winged Triller (3), Flame Robin (2), Scarlet Robin (1), Jacky Winter (1), Restless Flycatcher (1). There were breeding records for Eastern Rosella, White-browed Scrubwren, Striated Thornbill, Dusky Woodswallow, Australian Magpie, White-winged Chough, and an interesting record of Southern Whiteface in a nest built in a shed between the sarking and the roof.

 

We are very grateful to the landholders for their ongoing support for and interest in the surveys. Thanks to the COG members who help out and to Bush Heritage for supporting us. The next surveys are in April 2024.

 

Nicki Taws

ATT00001.txt
Description: ATT00001.txt