Despite the mainly cool, wet and gloomy weather, myself and two English
birdo’s, Stuart White and Vince Kinsler enjoyed the Sunday at various places in
the upper Blue Mountains (about 100 km west of Sydney). For both Stuart and
Vince, it was like a foot ball match, with the winner being the one with the
most lifers for the day. The winner was Vince who won 11 to 6. Anyway, both
Stuart and Vince went home happy with some good ticks.
We started the day in the Megalong Valley about the 6 foot trail
(which is open country of mainly cleared grazing land with patches of woodland)
and the heavily forested hillsides of Warm-temperate Rainforest and Wet
Sclerophyll Forests. Birds seen in the more open country included Pallid
Cuckoo, Rufous Songlarks, Jacky Winters, Scarlet Robins and Diamond
Firetails . It was interesting to see amongst a small group of
Yellow-tailed Black-cockatoos, one bird in pale-brown (instead of black)
plumage. (Yellow-tailed Brown-cockatoo). Birds seen in the later habitats
included several Red-browed Tree-creepers, a pair of Satin
Flycatchers, Black-faced Monarch and a pair of Rose Robins.
We then moved off to the lookout at Shipleys Plateau Rd and had great
views of a few Pilotbirds. One gave an interesting variation to its call
which sounded a bit like a Whistler (there is always a new call to learn).
The next move was through the clouds on much higher ground at Mt
Wilson, were we enjoyed a nice lunch at a tea house as it drizzled cold
outside. The open fire in the tea house was very much appreciated. We then
headed off further up the road, pass the ‘Cathedral of Ferns’ and was surprised
to see a Pilotbird feeding in the middle and edge of the roadside (quite
approachable) and was being accompanied by a Rufous Fantail and
White-browed Scrubwren. Other Pilotbirds also nearby, were filling the
forest with their loud "guinea-a-week" calls. Crescent Honeyeaters were
also seen in the same area, giving their distinctive "egypt" calls. A Wonga
Pigeon was also seen walking on the lawns of a large garden down the
road.
We later made a brief a brief visit to Pierces Pass (just off Bells
Line of Rd) where we saw another very inquisitive Pilotbird, again,
giving its loud and beautiful "guinea-a-week" call.
The last point of call was Mt Tomah were we finished the day
brilliantly with a nice pair of Flame Robins and Crested
Shrike-tits, with males of each birds seen in one binocular view -
stunning!!
A total of atleast 80 species were seen/heard for the day in the upper Blue
Mountains
Edwin
