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A week ago (Sunday 20th Feb 2000), myself, Lorne Johnson,
Steven Edwards and Josh went birding in the Capertee Valley (about 3 hours drive
west of Sydney and north of Lithgow). As usual for this time of year fewer birds
were active - many Rufous Songlarks were about but none were singing as they did
last Spring. The highlights for the day were a flock of Plum-headed Finches at
the regular spot in the paddock with tree plantations at the corner of Crown
station Rd and Capertee Rd's aswell as a single Musk Lorikeet in the grounds of
the Glen Davis Museum (this is the first I've see in the valley - has anybody
seen them there before?). There were lots of Diamond Firetails about and in one
paddock, just a little east of the town of Capertee, we were impressed to see
about 3 pairs of Hooded Robins and saw another pair at Glen Alice. In the same
paddock we also observed closeby, a Little Eagle alight amongst a bunch of
Eucalypts and believed that there was a nest around as a young Eagle seemed to
have been calling for some time where the adult landed. However, we could not
further investigate this as it was private property. We also saw a pair of Brown
Falcons (one very dark bird like a Black Falcon with a more chochlate brown
bird) and Peregrine Falcon flying about the cliff face at Glen Davis. A few
Scarlet Honeyeaters were still about, but surprisingly only females were
seen!!!.
Last Sunday, I reallly enjoyed the Wollongong pelagic and
managed to score a lifer - TAHITI PETREL!!!. A very smart looking bird. It
was one bird I anticipated to see on the day, and that Sunday was my lucky day.
These trips are still fantastic just as much as the past winter ones - refer
Tony Palliser's report for more details.
Edwin
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