Highlights of lists from members of the Blue Mountains Bird Observers for
MARCH 2000.
March produced a total of 126 species reported by our members including
many noteworthy sightings, despite the fact that for much of the month rain
made birding difficult.
STUBBLE QUAIL - One found in Katoomba's main street, uninjured and released
by WIRES. Also a pair at Woodford on 6/3.
BLACK SWAN - 17 at Wentworth Falls Lake on 13/3 - very unusual at this
location. They weren't there on other days.
PACIFIC BAZA - Reported again at Springwood.
GREY GOSHAWK - One, probably male, "harassing aviaries" at Hazelbrook.
LEWIN'S RAIL - In a backyard at Hazelbrook on 20-23/3. Another was heard at
North Lawson swamp on 24/3.
PAINTED BUTTON-QUAIL - 1 adult and 1 juvenile in a backyard, north
Wentworth Falls on 22/3.
BROWN CUCKOO-DOVE - All areas of the mountains, including at Blackheath on
6-10/3.
GLOSSY BLACK-COCKATOO - This month's records are all from Kings Tableland,
up to 7 birds.
RAINBOW LORIKEET - Numbers had dwindled to only occasional sightings in the
lower and mid mountains, but at Katoomba they continued to be seen
throughout the month, including 25+ around 12/3. A pair were still here at
the end of the month, last seen on 5th April, when a cold change arrived.
LITTLE LORIKEET - Small flocks at Yellow Rock on 3/3; Katoomba on 9/3; and
heard on Wentworth Falls Nature Trail on 1/4.
HORSFIELD'S BRONZE-CUCKOO - 3 on Braeside Walk, Blackheath on 2/3.
COMMON KOEL - Last dates reported: Mt Riverview 1/3; Springwood 16/3;
Woodford 23/3 and Katoomba 30/3. All immatures except Mt Riverview record.
CHANNEL-BILLED CUCKOO - No March records, which makes the last reported
sighting an immature at Springwood on 4/2.
BARN OWL - One seen by the side of a road at Lawson, at 9pm on 10/3.
AUSTRALIAN OWLET-NIGHTJAR - Heard during daytime near Winnicoopa Road,
Blaxland on 3/3.
WHITE-THROATED NEEDLETAIL - Seen on 9 days during March, in flocks of up to
30. Last known sighting so far was of 12 over Katoomba on 1/4.
WHITE-THROATED GERYGONE - Travelling through Katoomba on 12 & 14/3; present
just outside the Blue Mountains at Coxs River on 23/3 and Castlereagh
Nature Reserve on 31/3.
YELLOW-FACED HONEYEATER - Some migrating flocks were reported as early as
3-4/3 at Blackheath. Migration first noted at Springwood on 12/3 and
Katoomba on 14/3. Very few after that, and (as reported previously on
birding-aus) there have been no really large numbers at all this year in
our area. (On the best days so far during April they have been numbering
around 300 per hour at Katoomba, as opposed to the thousands per hour
counted in most years.)
RUFOUS FANTAIL - Many reports of birds moving through. Last dates for March
were 25/3 at Hazelbrook; 31/3 at Castlereagh Nature Reserve.
SPANGLED DRONGO - Most years we don't have any sightings of these in the
mountains, but during March we had two reports. One perched on a TV antenna
at Springwood on 2/3; and 2 near Wentworth Falls Lake on 29/3.
-----------------------------------
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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