Summary and highlights of lists from members of the Blue Mountains
Bird Observers for MARCH 1999.
GENERAL COMMENTS
A good month with 128 species reported throughout the Blue Mountains.
Many species are on the move, most summer migrants have now left, but
RUFOUS WHISTLERS and RUFOUS FANTAILS are two that are still around.
Several observers reported GREY FANTAILS in great abundance
throughout the month. The YELLOW-FACED HONEYEATER migration started
slowly at the very end of March (but see my postings in April).
SCARLET and FLAME ROBINS are being reported more often after a dearth
during the last few months. Despite the recent sightings in Sydney,
there were no reports of Musk Lorikeets.
BREEDING
An extended breeding season for some birds - late breeding records
include PILOTBIRDS, GREY CURRAWONGS and SILVEREYES feeding young
during March, and later reports of an OWLET-NIGHTJAR nestling and
SATIN BOWERBIRDS feeding young in April.
AUSTRALIAN WHITE IBIS: Two flocks of 40 each flying east over
Blackheath on 31/3.
STRAW-NECKED IBIS: A flock of 20 seen high over Blackheath on 13/3.
WHITE-BELLIED SEA-EAGLE: 1 over Euroka Clearing near Glenbrook.
GLOSSY BLACK-COCKATOO: More reports than usual this month. Seen at
Lapstone, Glenbrook, Winmalee, Wentworth Falls, Blackheath and
Kedumba Valley. The Lapstone sighting of 3 on 5/3 was just days
before two 50 year old Forest She-oaks (Allocasuarina torulosa) were
felled, a reflection of the difficulties these birds face in many
areas.
YELLOW-TAILED BLACK-COCKATOO: Particularly common this month. Many
small groups throughout the mountains and at least one flock of 20-30
seen frequently at Blackheath and Katoomba.
PALLID CUCKOO: Juvenile reported at Lawson.
COMMON KOEL: Last adult heard at Woodford on 2/3, but an immature was
present also at Woodford until 27/3.
CHANNEL-BILLED CUCKOO: 1 at Woodford on 11/3, chased by a PEREGRINE
FALCON.
POWERFUL OWL: A pair at Mount Riverview on 25/3.
WHITE-THROATED NEEDLETAIL: Still far fewer than previous years. 15 at
Blackheath on 6/3; 5+ at Woodford on 7/3; 18+ travelling north at
Hazelbrook on 14/3 and 3 more seen there on 15/3; other than that
just occasional sightings of one or two birds. None since 27/3.
RAINBOW BEE-EATER: A flock of 8 flying north at Katoomba on 5/3.
SOUTHERN EMU-WREN: A group of 6 at North Hazelbrook on 14/3.
BLACK-FACED MONARCH: A late bird at Mount Victoria on 29/3.
SATIN FLYCATCHER: Last reported at Woodford on 22/3.
WHITE-BELLIED CUCKOO-SHRIKE: 1 at Woodford on 2/3.
MISTLETOEBIRD: 3+ at Katoomba on 21/3. This species is uncommon in
the upper Blue Mountains ? see February report.
TREE MARTIN: Several reports but noteworthy was a migrating flock of
c.50 at Kings Tableland (Wentworth Falls) on 27/3, together with c.6
DUSKY WOODSWALLOWS and 1 FAN-TAILED CUCKOO.
COMMON MYNA: An interesting report of one entering an observer?s
neighbour?s letterbox ? a large wooden box nailed to a gum tree ? at
Blackheath; and another, more reassuring report of one seen securely
in the talons of a BROWN GOSHAWK at Lapstone.
Carol Probets
Newsletter Editor, Blue Mountains Bird Observers
Katoomba NSW Australia
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