Went birding today with Trevor and Annie Quested in the Capertee Valley
(about 200 km north-west of Sydney). Despite the fairly cool weather and rain on
and off during the day, Rufous Songlarks, Pallid Cuckoos, Dusky and many
White-browed Woodswallows, aswell as various honeyeaters filled the air
just like any other Spring day. Some of the highlights for the day included good
views of a Little Eagle, Painted Button-quail, many Little
Lorikeets, splendid coloured Rainbow Bee-eaters, Barking Owl,
a few Little Cuckoo-shrikes, Singing Bushlark, Hooded Robins, White-browed
Babblers, great views of 3 Regent Honeyeaters, Striped Honeyeater and
a Black-chinned Honeyeater. It was also nice to get close up views of a
mixed flock of Double-barred, Zebra and Plum-headed Finches.
There are numerous Mugga Ironbarks, Red gums and Yellow Boxes in flower at
the moment throughout the valley, and future visits to the valley would be very
worthwhile indeed.
Edwin
