Gerry Richards and I took Peter Thompson from South Africa out today to the
Hawkesbury area west of Sydney and there were lots of good birds about.
Poor start at Mitchell Park as the Powerful Owl could not be found. However
we soon found some good birds. At Cupitt lane we trudged the paddock where
the quail were last August and we flushed 8 Stubble Quail, 4 Australian
Bushlarks, saw 4 Tree Martins, and on the wire, 42 Chestnut-breasted
Mannikins. At Bush's Lagoon we could not believe the changes a few weeks
have made to the waterfowl. Where did they all go? However there were
just enough Pink-eared Ducks and Hoary-headed Grebes. (4).
In Cornwallis Lane in the row of Poplars the is a pair of Australian Ravens
nesting.
We stopped in Londonderry Shopping centre to buy lunch and Little Lorikeets
and Swift Parrots flew into the tree above the car. We went to the local
park to eat and a flock of 20 Swift parrots flew into the trees above us.
It seems every tree in the school yard was in blossom and birds abound.
Off to Castlereagh Forest Reserve for the big finale and we saw a male
Red-capped Robin by the horse stud fence and at the exact spot Edwin Vella
found the Regent Honeyeaters all those weeks ago, we saw two easily. (No
bands on either of these adult birds). The Mugga ironbarks were still in
profuse blossom and were visited by many honeyeaters. Mostly Fuscous,
White-naped and Yellow-faced.
Peter's last wish was for a Bell Miner and now has it on his list AFTER
Regent Honeyeater.
Trevor & Annie Quested
Sydney, Australia
Phone +61 2 9955 6266
Fax + 61 2 9959 4005
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