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MEGALONG VALLEY, BLUE MOUNTAINS NSW 15TH MARCH 1998

To: "" <>
Subject: MEGALONG VALLEY, BLUE MOUNTAINS NSW 15TH MARCH 1998
From: "Vella, Edwin" <>
Date: Mon, 16 Mar 98 07:13:00 PST
MEGALONG VALLEY, BLUE MOUNTAINS NSW 15TH MARCH 1998

Yesterday, I spent the whole morning in the Megalong Valley (near   
Blackheath) in the Blue Mountains.  (This being a change from spending   
the last four weekends in a row in the Newcastle area). The weather was   
overcast, but was mainly dry in the valley until mid-morning.

Many birds were on the move in preparation of the upcoming cooler   
weather, including hundreds of Silvereyes, Black-faced and   
Little-Cuckoo-shrikes,  Noisy Friarbirds and other Honeyeaters,   
Olive-backed Orioles etc. It is now also the time of the year, when male   
Superb Lyrebirds start to advertise there brilliant mimicry to passing   
females. Many males were singing about in the valley yesterday.

In the open country on the 6 foot trail, several Gang-gang Cockatoos,   
Jacky Winters, Scarlet Robins, Rufous Whistlers, Diamond Firetail and   
White-winged Choughs were present.

On the densely forested hillsides of the valley, several Red-browed   
Treecreepers were seen or heard and seem to outnumber the more regularly   
encountered White-throated Treecreepers. The former species tends to   
specialise on the smoother barked Mountain Blue Gums. Also, in this   
habitat, and in the upland Temperate Rainforest, were Rose Robins, Rufous   
Fantail and Large-billed Scrubwrens. A Pilotbird and a Bassian Thrush   
were also heard briefly in the Rainforest.

On the Shipley Plateau road, it was with great pleasure to see a showy   
pair or two of Flame Robins right beside the road. The males flame orange   
breast really stood out amongst the surrounding burnt timber.

As the weather was turning sour about noon, it was time to call it a day.

Edwin Vella

P.S. I will be leading a club outing to this beautiful area later this   
month for the Cumberland Bird Observers Club. If you are interested,   
please feel free to join. I will be meeting all members at Blackheath   
railway station car park at 9am, Sunday, 29th March. Lunch will be at the   
cars.






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