Greetings, with Alison Russell-French on Saturday, we did
2 ha surveys at regular Blitz sites in Mulligans Flat reserve. And on Sunday, I spent a short time in woodland in Gooroo north to target special species (which had been recorded there on the ANU bird surveys in the previous fortnight).
We ended up with 57 bird species total, around the average for a Blitz, and did not include the large dam for extra waterbirds this time. Compares with 2021 Mulligans Flat NR only - 53 species in
good weather conditions.
There were 3 highlight species this Blitz:
. 2 Brush Cuckoos in woodland patch north of the Woolshed
. Red-capped Robin (Gooroo north only, but there are a few around both reserves)
. Yellow Thornbill – uncommon at MFS.
Even though conditions were fine both mornings, Sat was rather cold, with early chilly breeze, and we thought the numbers of birds around and calling was quieter than usual. And some regular species
were not recorded at all -Dollarbird, Trillers seem to be absent/scarce this year. Dusky Woodswallows were also scarce. We missed out on a Jacky Winter in Mulligans; this had been active and calling in company of a WW Triller on the recent ANU survey, possibly
they had moved on.
My Blitz site 3 in the NE of Mulligans coincides with a Canberra Woodland Bird Quality Index point, and I managed to successfully enter that 20 min survey in the Canberra Nature Map (first survey
for that point). This included a Superb Parrot, Scarlet Robin (the only one recorded in this Blitz), and Yellow Thornbill.
Cheers
Jenny
