Highlights of lists from members of the Blue Mountains Bird Observers for
FEBRUARY 2000.
(March highlights will follow in a few days.)
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PACIFIC BAZA - Reported from Springwood during February.
SQUARE-TAILED KITE - One seen over Lapstone on 4/2 and another over
Blaxland on 26/2.
GLOSSY BLACK-COCKATOO - Only reports for the month were around Lapstone and
Glenbrook (3 birds).
YELLOW-TAILED BLACK-COCKATOO - Very common in small groups throughout the
area, largest group reported in Feb was 11 at Katoomba.
RAINBOW LORIKEET - Appeared suddenly in unprecedented numbers in the mid
and upper mountains where they are normally uncommon to rare. In upper
mountains, present at Wentworth Falls from 16/2 and at Katoomba from 19/2;
numbers were greatest between 25/2 and 29/2 when 50+ roosted each evening
just west of Katoomba. Highest/furthest west record was Medlow Bath on
28/2. The general feeling among observers here is that an exceptional
flowering season for Banksia serrata was the main cause of the influx -
their gradual movement up the mountains did seem to follow the peak
flowering of that species in each area. They were also reported feeding in
Eucalyptus oreades and on seed at the Echo Point bird feeders.
LITTLE LORIKEET - Reported at Lapstone where Grey Gum (E. punctata) was
flowering and several small groups around Pierces Pass on 24/2.
PALLID CUCKOO - Immature at Blackheath on 13/2 & 17/2.
COMMON KOEL - Plenty of young around following a very good season for this
species.
CHANNEL-BILLED CUCKOO - In contrast to the above, several observers
reported fewer than usual Channel-billed Cuckoos this year.
POWERFUL OWL - Only report for the month was at Mount Riverview, a regular
location.
WHITE-THROATED NEEDLETAIL - Often sighted around dusk throughout the area,
suggesting there are roost sites nearby (perhaps on the cliffs?). The
largest group reported was about 100 seen spiralling high above Sublime
Point (Leura) with Tree Martins during the morning on 8/2.
DOLLARBIRD - Reported in the lower mountains early Feb, but last sightings
were just west of the Blue Mountains on 29/2 - 1 at Hartley and 1 immature
at Lake Wallace (Wallerawang). There have been no reports by our observers
in March.
SOUTHERN EMU-WREN - In hanging swamp beside Wentworth Falls Lake.
NOISY FRIARBIRD - Along with Rainbow Lorikeets, these were present in
particularly large numbers, especially around Woodford-Hazelbrook.
SCARLET HONEYEATER - Several males heard in Birdwood Gully below
Faulconbridge on 22/2 but by 25/2 only a single female was seen. Also in
Jamison Valley and many in Pierces Pass on 24/2. Overall, many more this
season than usual in our area.
SPOTTED QUAIL-THRUSH - Seen at Yellow Rock on 8/2 and along Tableland Road
beyond the Queen Victoria Hospital (regular location for this species).
TREE MARTIN - One pair feeding young in an abandoned Fairy Martin nest at
Lake Wallace on 29/2.
SILVEREYE - Migrating flocks heard calling at night at Blackheath from 7/2.
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Carol Probets
Newsletter Editor, Blue Mountains Bird Observers
Katoomba NSW (100km west of Sydney)
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The Blue Mountains Bird Observers compile records of birds within the Blue
Mountains City boundaries, which includes the area between Hawkesbury
Heights, Mount Riverview and Lapstone in the east; Megalong Valley, Shipley
Plateau and Mount York in the west and Mount Wilson in the north.
Annual membership is $17 and all members receive a full list of birds
reported each month and a detailed monthly newsletter including trip
reports and members' observations.
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