The final Gooroo South woodland survey for the year was done by Prue and myself this morning in pleasant conditions – partly cloudy, mild to warm, and with light to moderate wind. The reserve was looking a lot greener than it was a couple
of weeks ago, with water in creek beds and dams. A total of 53 species were recorded, with 44 of these during point counts, compared to 50 and 42 for last year.
Interesting records included an incidental Pied Butcherbird heard, a
Speckled Warbler at site 9, a Grey Currawong at site 8 and a Golden-headed Cisticola calling near site 1.
Noisy Friarbirds were fairly plentiful, other summer migrants recorded were
White-throated and Western Gerygones, Leaden Flycatcher,
Sacred Kingfisher, Rufous Whistler and Shining Bronze-Cuckoo.
White-throated Treecreepers are normally thin on the ground in this part of Gooroo but were heard at 4 different sites today. Thornbills and other small birds were in rather low numbers. Breeding records included one of a pair of
Nankeen Kestrels entering a hollow and an Australian Magpie sitting on a nest, which seems rather late. Three
Wedge-tailed Eagles were seen flying over Old Joe Hill (two chicks were successfully fledged this season from a new nest in that area). The previous nest had been used every year since 2009 but increased human traffic nearby since the opening of the
information centre and café may have led to them relocating.
Steve Holliday
