A marvellous day (both weather and birdwise) was had by myself, Graham Turner
and visiting Victorian birdos, Richard Nowotny and Diana Bryant on Sunday
21st October in the Hawkesbury area (approx 50km north-west of
Sydney).
Some of our highlights were as follows:
Mitchell Park, Cattai – a Pacific Baza (these raptors appear
more common in the Sydney area these days, and are quite easy to see this time
of year), Rufous Night Heron, Dollarbirds, a Bassian
Thrush, an Azure Kingfisher, a pair of Leaden Flycatchers (a
pair nest building seen through Richard’s scope), White-bellied
Cuckoo-shrike, White-throated Gerygones, many Scarlet
Honeyeaters and with both Cicadabird and Brush Cuckoos heard
calling.
Pitt Town Lagoon – a Black-tailed Native Hen, fantastic views
of a Buff-banded Rail (feeding out in the open on the mud, only a few
metres in front of us), an Australian Crake, 20 plus Sharp-tailed
Sandpipers, 2 Red-necked Stints, about 10 Red-kneed Dotterels
and a sub-adult White-bellied Sea-eagle.
Windsor/Richmond Turf Farms – A Stubble Quail, 2 Banded
Lapwings, 4 male White-winged Trillers, 2 Rufous Songlarks, a
Brown Songlark, Rainbow Bee-eaters and an Australian
Hobby.
