Today just after 12:00 at the first bridge as you drive down into Mitchell
Park, Cattai NW of Sydney I heard the distinctive "few-few-few" call of a
little bronze-cuckoo. Making a direct line in the direction of the call I
imitated the whistle and the bird called again. Another imitation and this
time I picked it up flying towards me and it then landed in the crown of a
large Eucalypt about 70 metres on the far side of the bridge. It provided a
good view for about 10 minutes calling several times. The small size, red
eye ring, rich rufous undertail with broad dark subterminal band, pale
eyebrow contrasting with darker face. The chest was white with fine narrow
dark virtually complete barring. It ate several caterpillars. I think it was
also producing this very long high pitched pulsing trill. It ceased calling
and was eventually lost to view. I phoned Tony who was able to get the word
out quickly to Keith Brandwood. We searched for a while longer but the trail
had gone cold. Hopefully it will hang around. This species to my knowledge
does not occur regularly south of Kempsey. There is a record for the Putty
Road by Gerry Richards many years ago.
Went on to see the Blue-faced Honeyeaters at Wiseman's Ferry which have two
large chicks. They are most easily seen from the carpark in the Country
Retreat Resort close to the tennis court. This is just down the road from
the pub.
Great day birding
Dion
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