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2 highlights seen today whilst birding in the Hawkesbury area
(about 50km west of Sydney) with Lorne Johnson and Stuart White :
1) Square-tailed Kite - seen flying
very low within a few metres of the ground from Windsor High School and landing
on a small paperpark (in a similar manner as a Pacific Baza) in the grounds
of McGraths Hill STW. It then later took off, flying high in circles
over McGraths Hill and then headed off in a northerly direction towards the
river. Excellent viewing and my 4th record of this fantastic bird in Sydney.
2) Painted Button-quails - about 3-4
Button-quails seen about half-way along the ridge walk in dry-sclerophyl forest,
near the junction of the Old Man Banksia trail in Mitchell Park at
Cattai. One of the males was giving a booming call somewhat similar to the
call of a Pheasant Coucal (which I have heard on previous occassions).
Also of note was a very dark looking Swallow amongst a flock
of Welcome Swallows and Fairy Martins at McGraths Hill STW. It was completely
black apart from the white spots in the under-tail as in a normal Welcome
Swallow. Also at the STW were about 40 Hardheads and 10 Australasian
Shovelers.
Edwin
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