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LIVERPOOL PLAINS WOODLAND BIRD SURVEY
- UPDATE
A Birds Australia project funded by
the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Natural Heritage Trust (NHT) and the
Threatened Species Network (TSN)
1st Surveys (13-14 October)
The first Liverpool
Plains surveys were conducted on the weekend of the 13-14th October. On the
Saturday (13th) a large area of the Liverpool Plains catchment was surveyed,
focussing firstly on the southern section of the catchment in the regions of
Spring Ridge SF, Pine Ridge, Caroona, Werris Creek working our way up to the
mid-sections of Breeza SF, Goran SF. Roadside verges and travelling stock routes
along the way to these locations were also surveyed. We were amazed at the
diversity of bird species in these regions, particularly in some of the larger,
floristically diverse sites that had greater structure and protection for
smaller bird species and as such, supported birds like Red-capped Robins,
Speckled Warblers, and Grey-crowned Babblers. However, the best record of the
day was revealed when we heard the ‘see-sue see-sue see-sue’ call from a Box
tree in a roadside remnant near Pine Ridge. That call turned out, of course, to
be that of the Painted Honeyeater, a species that up until now hasn’t been
recorded as part of the Atlas project in the Liverpool Plains catchment. This
one was a male feeding exclusively on a mistletoe that was attached to a Box
tree. A great record indeed! On the second day (Sunday 14th) we surveyed
roadside verges and travelling stock routes on our way to Black Jack SF,
Wondoba SF (south of Gunnedah) and Trinkey SF. During these surveys frequently
recorded the Rufous Songlark, Rainbow Bee-eater, Jacky Winter, as well as many
others (too many to mention!). To top it off we had great views of Koalas
(mother and young) during the day at Breeza SF and Wondoba SF and were
surrounded by Koala calls at night. A great weekend had by all.
This Weekend (27-28
October)
This weekend we are conducting Atlas
surveys at 4 separate properties at Curlewis (just south of Gunnedah). These
areas consist of around 300 ha of forested land, wetlands and grassland that
back onto hillside scattered with protruding boulders and sheer cliffs. We would
like birdwatchers to come along. A number of volunteers from Tamworth
Birdwatchers Inc. are coming along and we would dearly like to hear from those
who may be interested. We will survey on both Saturday and Sunday.
Accommodation
Accommodation can either be camping
on-site, at one of the many State Forests (Breeza SF is close by), Caravan Park
in Gunnedah, or at the Curlewis Hotel depending on the preference of the
volunteer.
Further Details
Peter Ekert
Birds Australia Project Co-ordinator
(Liverpool
Plains Woodland Bird Project)
The Wetlands Centre
PO Box 292
WALLSEND NSW 2287
Ph. 02 49516466 Mob. 0410566104 Fax. 02 49501875
Em.
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