Highlights of lists from members of the Blue Mountains Bird Observers for
AUGUST and SEPTEMBER 1999 (covering the area from Lapstone-Mt Riverview to
Mt Victoria).
Apologies for this report being later than usual - I?ve been busy and the
lists arrive by snail mail anyway. Please view this for what it is meant to
be ? as a record, not an up to the minute hotline. I will posting the
November highlights in about a week.
Cheers,
Carol
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RAPTORS - August was a good month for raptors, with 9 species reported in
the area (Pacific Baza, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Brown Goshawk, Collared
Sparrowhawk, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Little Eagle, Aust. Hobby, Peregrine
Falcon, Nankeen Kestrel). By contrast, only 3 were reported in September.
PACIFIC BAZA ? Seen at Sun Valley on 3/8. Sun Valley is a regular location
for this species.
LITTLE EAGLE ? Circling above Springwood on 26/8.
AUSTRALIAN HOBBY ? Seen at Mt Riverview in August.
LITTLE BUTTON-QUAIL ? A concussed bird was picked up by WIRES on the south
side of Wentworth Falls on 25/9 and released 28/9. There have been a number
of LBQs found at Wentworth Falls in the past, and one at Leura in December
98.
LATHAM?S SNIPE ? A bird flushed from beside a pond at Wentworth Falls Golf
Club on 10/9.
WHITE-HEADED PIGEON ? Continuing their incursion into the upper mountains,
with records at Wentworth Falls (Aug-Sept), Katoomba on 15/8 and at
Blackheath throughout Sept. Also reported nesting at Springwood.
BROWN CUCKOO-DOVE ? At Blackheath on 2/8 and 6/9.
GLOSSY BLACK-COCKATOO ? A pair on the western escarpment at Katoomba on 6/8;
also seen flying over Lapstone on 24/9 looking for the two Allocasuarina
torulosa trees which were felled in March. In Katoomba, recent evidence of
feeding on A. distyla.
YELLOW-TAILED BLACK-COCKATOO ? 100+ reported at Woodford on 11/8.
PALLID CUCKOO ? Arrived Mt Riverview 18/9.
COMMON KOEL ? Generally later than last year. First arrivals 25/9 at Valley
Heights and 27/9 at Glenbrook. Not reported yet in the upper mountains.
CHANNEL-BILLED CUCKOO ? Also later than last year. First arrivals: 13/9 at
Faulconbridge; 14/9 at Hazelbrook; 16/9 at Mt Riverview and vocal ever
since. On 25-26/9 seven observers reported their first CBCs at locations
from Lapstone to Katoomba. The species finally arrived at Blackheath on the
30/9.
SACRED KINGFISHER ? A very early arrival at Springwood on 10/8. Otherwise,
first sighting was 2 at Blue Gum Swamp near Winmalee on 26/9.
WHITE-THROATED GERYGONE ? First birds reported 5/9 at Faulconbridge and 6/9
at Mt Riverview.
YELLOW-FACED & WHITE-NAPED HONEYEATERS ? The return southward migration has
been rather disappointing, not surprising after the meagre autumn migration
earlier this year. The first migrating flocks were noted at Katoomba on 11/8
(both species).
SCARLET HONEYEATER ? A one day visitor at Lapstone in August. Reported at
Faulconbridge 19/9. Have also been present at the Native Plant Reserve,
Glenbrook (no dates available).
JACKY WINTER ? Reported at Hazelbrook in August and passing through Lawson
?on one occasion only? in Sept.
RUFOUS WHISTLER ? A pair at Woodford on 7/9 were the first arrivals.
BLACK-FACED MONARCH ? Arrived 25/9 at Hazelbrook. Also reported at Sun
Valley in Sept (no date).
RUFOUS FANTAIL ? The only report was at Valley Heights in Sept (no date
available).
DUSKY WOODSWALLOW ? Three seen at Blackheath on 31/8 amongst migrating
honeyeaters. No other reports for Aug-Sept.
MISTLETOEBIRD ? At least 2 flying south over Katoomba on 29/9. Not a common
bird in the upper Blue Mtns but sightings of flying birds in autumn and
spring suggest some seasonal migration.
ZEBRA FINCH ? Again at Glenbrook during August (see July report).
TREE MARTIN ? Some overwintering birds have been present in the region but a
Faulconbridge observer reported three on 4/9, ?almost the same day of return
as last year?.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Carol Probets
Newsletter Editor, Blue Mountains Bird Observers
Katoomba NSW
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