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Another fitness walk today at Fairfield Regional
Park, west of Sydney, during lunch break saw/heard atleast 4
White-winged Trillers (possibly more) calling from the same trees and acacias
beside a dam as we walked past. They were very obvious, with male Trillers
chasing each other close to the ground. It appears now they have established
territories and most likely will nest there after being around the same spot and
being very territorial for the past week. There are probably other areas in
western Sydney where there is a good congregation of Trillers at the moment,
besides this area and the Richmond Turf farms.
I always see a few breeding each year in
Sydney, but some years, they can be in almost any patch of good habitat and
locally common. I would imagine any WW Triller sighting along the coast, esp.
over coastal Sandstone woodland or near the relative built up
Sydney's northern and eastern areas, are most likely birds on passage. They
would prefer more open habitat (usually amongst scattered Eucalyptus in open
paddocks or open woodland, esp. near water) typically found in Sydney's west.
I remember once at Round Hill Nature Reserve
(central-western NSW) seeing no less than I think, 200 WW Trillers pass through
(many stopping to feed on ants/caterpillers?) and seeing 8 nicely plumage male
Trillers all on the same termite mound. An awesome sight indeed. This was about
mid Nov. 98.
They are a very noticeable bird esp. if you
regularly pass through and live near their teritories, which I do. Their
calls are quiet loud and travel very far, and some calls are like that of a
canary. I would rate them as one of my favourite bush birds for their beautiful
call and striking pied plumage.
Edwin Vella
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