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Hi Birders,
Ihave been interested in the comments about the
presence of Beautiful Firetails in the Capertee Valley. Based on information
provided to the editors of the NSW Bird Reports, the first records for the
species in the Valley was 1 seen east of Capertee by Neal & Judy Russill on
30 April 1994 and one at the property "Rockview" Glen Davis on 7 August 1994,
seen by Barry Pascoe. It was noted at the time that this represented an
extension of the known range of the species. The previous known north-west limit
of range was from the Cox's River across to the Colo River and north to the
Widden Valley (Morris, McGill & Holmes 1981 Hndlist of Birds in New Sout
Wales).
Since 1994, the bird has been recorded gain at
"Rockview" Glen Davis when 4 were seen on 2 April 1995; 2 same place 5 April-25
May 1997 by Barry Pascoe, Elizabeth Karplus et al; In 1998 Chris Gladwin
recorded them in the "Capertee Valley" 1 June & 5 July, (I have not
completed compiling the 1998 Bird Report as yet so there may be more records for
1998 and also for 1999). However it looks as if the bird is well established in
the southrn part of the Capertee Valley at present. In 1997David Geering
recorded a further extension of range to the north east when he found them on
theWomerah Trail, Parr SRA on 18 April. This is the first occasion that they had
been found east of the Putty Road and north of the Hawkesbury River. It is most
probable that actual northern limit of their range has yet to be fully
defined.
I was surprised to read about the Brush Bronzewing
near Maroubra. At first I thought that surely there must be some records for
Botany Bay National Park around Cape Banks & Henry Head. However my research
showed no records for that stretch of the coast from South Head to Cape
Banks. However they are regularly sighted in bushland on the northern side of
Sydney Harbour and south of Port Hacking. As more sections of the coastal strip
between South Head and Cape Banks are permanently reserved and the coastal heath
allowed to grow back, maybe the Brush Bronzewing at Maroubra is the first of a
return to a resident population.
Alan Morris
NSWFOC Records Officer
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