At Laughtondale Gully, along Laughtondale Gully Rd (about 60 km north-west of
Sydney CBD) today, had great looks at 6 Turquoise Parrots, just
about the exact place where Keith Brandwood initially saw them, over a week ago.
They were feeding on roadside grasses beside heath. Like Keith, I was amazed
with th amount of orange on their belly. I have seen Turquoise Parrots with this
belly patch before, but not the amount as in these birds. Also close by, were 2
Bar-shouldered and some Peaceful Doves,
Double-barred Finches and a good variety of honeyeaters attracted to 3-4
species of flowering banksia. These Honeyeaters included Yellow-tufted,
White-eared, White-cheeked and New Holland Honeyeaters as well as Little
Wattlebirds and Eastern Spinebills. The drive down the road through
Murra murra NP to the Hawkesbury River was great and very scenic.
At Wisemans Ferry, there were a few Blue-faced Honeyeaters about the
golf course. There were Mugga Ironbarks in flower along the golf course, but
only the Blue-faced Honeyeaters and Noisy Miners were feeding on them.
Driving back towards Cattai, I think I went past the Holden Torana Club, as
no less than 25 went passed me, one after the other.
At Cattai NP (about 50 km, north-west of Sydney CBD) there were atleast 2
White-throated Warblers, 1 or 2 Rufous Fantails, a female/Immature
male Cicadabird and a Spangled Drongo.
Going pass Longneck Lagoon (near Pitt Town), I was pleased to see 2 machinery
making a lot of effort to get rid of the heavily infested duck weed – at
last!
Edwin Vella
