The spring bird survey in the southern half of Goorooyarroo was done by Prue and I this morning in pleasant conditions. The reserve was looking green after decent winter rainfall, with dams partly full and
some creeks still with puddles. There were plenty of wildflowers out, with Early Nancy prominent, and, amongst others, Creamy Candles, Billy Buttons, Tall Sundew and Common Woodruff. We recorded a total of 48 species for the morning with 38 of those during
our 10 minute counts, a bit lower than last year’s totals of 54 and 41.
Interesting records included a
Nankeen Kestrel at site 5 where they have nested in previous years, 3 Varied Sittellas at site 9, and a
Grey Currawong at site 8. Spring/summer migrants present were Noisy Friarbirds,
Western and White-throated Gerygones, Rufous Whistler, Shining Bronze-Cuckoo,
and a Sacred Kingfisher. Grey Fantails and Yellow-faced Honeyeaters were in good numbers at some sites, other small birds noted included
Striated and Spotted Pardalotes, Brown-headed Honeyeater,
Weebill, Superb Fairy-wren, Buff-rumped Thornbill and White-throated Treecreeper. There were single records of
Golden Whistler and White-eared Honeyeater. Interesting incidental records included
Mistletoebirds, a Straw-necked Ibis flying over, a Common Bronzewing and two
Wedge-tailed Eagles.
Other fauna included an Echidna, a
Cunningham’s Skink and five species of butterfly including Long-tailed Pea-blue.
Steve
