Hello all,
I've just returned from a short trip out to the Central West of NSW. I had
a job interview out at Griffith on Tuesday, so I decided to combine it with
a quick visit to Round Hill NR, north of Lake Cargelligo. As the list can
sometimes become clogged up with enormously detailed trip reports
especially of places that most people know of I'll just detail a few of the
highlights. I recommend that those interested in how to get to Round Hill
etc check out the Birding-Aus archives- there's quite a bit of info on
Round Hill.
INTRODUCED BIRDS.
I had a few quick searches for Tree Sparrows and Greenfinches as I passed
through towns between Bathurst and Griffith. In particular, I spent an hour
or two with Chris Dwyer of Orange, thanks Chris. Unfortunately we didn't
have much luck with either species. However, I am reliably informed that
Greenfinches are in Orange, Tree Sparrows possibly aren't. I came across
Greenfinches in Bathurst directly outside the Bathurst Gaol. I risked
arrest and interrogation by the gaol staff to observe them through
binoculars. Honest, I wasn't the getaway car! At all other towns I stopped
at were House Sparrows, no Tree Sparrows. That's not to say that the Tree
Sparrows aren't there- just that I didn't see them during my quick informal
searches.
BELBIN SF
Adjacent to Weddin Mts NP. Hooded Robins, Speckled Warblers, Brown
Treecreepers, Striped Honeyeaters and Emu. The Speckled Warblers were
wonderfully vocal.
CHARCOAL TANK NR
10 km S. West Wyalong. Shy Heathwrens were calling well and quite easy to see.
SOUTH OF MT HOPE
A small flock of ~10 Diamond Firetail.
MT HOPE
Hooded Robin
ROUND HILL NR
They had a day or two of rain last week and there was a lot of water lying
about with quite a few puddles on the tracks that would worry a 2wd car. I
camped two nights which were very cold. Shy Heathwrens and Southern
Scrub-robins both located without too much trouble. Both species were
calling well during the first hour after dawn. I spent most time along the
"wheat paddock" road. There seems to be some confusion with regards to this
area. The true "wheat paddock" is about 15 km in from the Lake Cargelligo
road. Its now starting to grow over with shrubs and is adjacent to an area
of relatively tall woodland. Old farming equipment remains in the area.
Mind you this area didn't seem to be as productive bird-wise as within a
couple of km of the Lake Cargelligo road. Honeyeaters were sparse with the
only flowering being occasional eucalypts. Grey-fronteds and White-eareds
the most common near the LC road. The only Yellow-plumeds that I found were
about 7 km in from the LC road. I saw single White-fronteds at two spots. I
was disappointed not to see or hear any Chestnut Quail-thrush.
One pair of Pink Cockatoos at the Whoey Tank site.
There were no Chats at the Chat "swamp" that is often referred to in Round
Hill reports.
~5 KM EAST OF EUGOWRA
Between Forbes and Orange. I spent a chilly and wet half hour before dark
sitting underneath some huge River Red Gums watching a male Glossy
Black-cockatoo feeding a begging a female. As there were numerous large
hollows in the trees thereabouts I was thinking that the female would be
about to fly to a nest hollow. Unfortunately I had no such reward! Just as
it went dark both birds flew off over the road and out of sight. It may
have been little more than courtship behaviour.
BLUE MOUNTAINS
I had intended taking a look at a few spots that were recommended to me by
Carol Proberts, thanks Carol. Unfortunately I passed over the mountains at
midday on the way out and on the way back with time limited so I wasn't
able to do them justice. I spent a pleasant few minutes watching and
photographing Bassian Thrushes pulling earthworms out of lawn at Mt Wilson.
A dark phase Little Eagle flew overhead while I was at the Waterfall
Reserve at Mt Wilson. Is this unusual for the area Carol?
LAUGHTONDALE RD, WISEMANS FERRY
I took a quick squizz at where the Turquoise Parrots have been of late by
Edwin Vella and others. Alas, my luck was out.
Other points of note. No Superb Parrots or Mulga Parrots. Numerous
Bluebonnets between Griffith, Mt Hope and Forbes, excepting the Round Hill
and Nombinnie Nature Reserves themselves. Anyone wondering when to visit
Round Hill in- I'd recommend leaving it for a while until there is more
flowering, especially if honeyeaters are a target.
Cheers,
Mick Todd
Michael Todd
Toronto, NSW, Australia
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