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Yesterday, made a stop for a few minutes at
Laughtondale Gully (about 60km north-west of Sydney CBD), about half an
hour before dusk. Nothing has changed much since my last visit here 2 months
ago. There were still 5 Turquoise Parrots in about the exact
spot where Keith Brandwwod first reported them back in March. They were feeding
on road-side grasses near the reduce speed sign. The bansias (mainly banksia
ericafolia) on this ridge are still in flower and there is still plenty of bird
activity, especially with the honeyeaters.
I later continued on to Dharug National
Park (a few km north after passing Wiseman's Ferry) for a couple of
hours spot lighting. Both Masked and Powerful Owls where
briefly heard about the Mill Creek picnic area, as well as a few Owlet
Nightjars. Though there wasn't much activity in terms of birds, there
was never ending mammal activity during the first 2 hours after dusk.
Sugar Gliders were common, with over 10 individuals seen
and several others heard at Dharug. A number of younger (smaller) gliders
where present with some landing very close to me. One tall Eucalypt in the
middle of the Hazel Dell picnic area, had no less than 5 gliders feeding on its
flowering buds at the one time (this comprised a family of two adults and about
3 young gliders). Also in the tall forest behind the Mill Creek picnic
area, where a few Yellow-bellied Gliders. Had great views of 2
of these, one seen climbing up a tall Eucalypt and another followed
up after hearing its gurgling calls. The later posed nicely on a horizontal
branch for a few minutes looking down on me. Also seen at Dharug where 2
Common Wombats, atleast 2 Long-nosed Bandicoots
as well as both a Common Brushtail and Common
Ringtail Possum.
Edwin Vella
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