SPRING HAS SPRUNG IN THE HAWKESBURY AREA (SYDNEY)
Many reasons why Spring has sprung in the Sydney's Hawkesbury Area yesterday
on the 23rd August.
1) Pallid Cuckoos have returned, and to my opinion, Spring only starts in
Sydney upon the arrival of this bird. Its loud ascending "ph-ph-phew..."
call echoed throughout Mitchell Park and Pitt Town. Several Fan-tailed and
Golden Bronze-cuckoos were also calling at Mitchell Park and at Scheyville
NP.
2) A male Grey Goshawk was displaying to a larger female at Mitchell Park.
It swooped up in the air, gave a few flicks with its wings then swooped
down. This display was repeated at times as it circled up in the air over
the ridge. The female Goshawk then was observed chasing the smaller male
showing clearly, their significant size difference.
3) A pair of Crested Hawks (Pacific Bazas) were seen maintaining their
existing nest at Maraylya where one chick fledged in December last year. The
pair was also seen crashing into the foliage of Eucalyptus trees nearby, in
the search for Phasmids and Tree Frogs. The pair were brought into view by
imitating their load "ee-chew, ee-chew" call. Probably they saw the
imitation as a threat to their nesting territory.
4)Chestnut-rumped Heathwrens calling with much mimicry at Mitchell Park.
Jacky Winters, Grey Shrike-thrushes and Golden Whistlers were also very
notable songsters yesterday.
5) Other recent spring arrivals included Rufous Whistler, several
Olive-backed Orioles, Dusky Woodswallows, Restless Flycatchers, Reed
Warblers and Fairy Martins (most of these however do overwinter in smaller
numbers).
6) Many Black Swans are showing off there cygnets at many swamps in the
Hawkesbury area.
In addition, a pair of Regent Honeyeaters were seen feeding in a single
Mugga Ironbark at Londonderry, and nearby at the Public School grounds, were
still 3 Swift Parrots (no doubt ready for their long return trip to Tassie).
Both having been present for over 4 months now in this part of Sydney.
A sunny, warm and enjoyable Spring Day !
Edwin Vella
P.S. Has Anybody else felt an early touch of Spring?
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