Obviously spring is the best time to do birding and an hour
visit yesterday to Cattai NP (approx. 50 km north-west of Sydney) proved that
correct. Within that hour 63 species were seen/heard and about noon. Many spring
migrants have now arrived at Cattai including 5 species of cuckoo - Fan-tailed,
Pallid, Brush, Shinning (Golden) and Horsfield's Bronze-cuckoo's, a few
Dollarbirds and Sacred Kingfishers, Rainbow Bee-eaters, Fairy Martins and
numerous Rufous Whistlers, White-throated Gerygones and Scarlet Honeyeaters
(excellent views of the latter feeding on Red Bottlebrush). There are lots of
cuckoos about as were present last summer. It was nice to see 2 or 3
Dollarbirds attempting to evict a Indian Myna from a hollow. The figs were
attracting many Satin Bowerbirds and a male Regent Bowerbird seen by Keith
Brandwood earlier on the week. A pair of Whisling Kites, a Wonga Pigeon and
Common Bronzewing were also seen. Also Brown Quail and Owlet Nightjar was heard
during that time.
Edwin
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