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Hi all, We live at Blaxland NSW in the lower Blue
Mtns. We live on the escarpment with a bush gullies behind & at the end
of the street. We've had fires across the road, the top in late October -
the bottom & the end gully in the last few days & thankfully none in the
back gully.
We have been recording birds for the last 2-3
yrs & last year first found Spotted
Quail-Thrush, Chestnut-Rumped Heathwren, White-Browed Scrubwrens & had
the return of Variegated Fairy-Wrens across the road on the escarpment. We
feared the worst for the Heathwrens after the October fires but found them
again in unburnt areas down the road in December. This area has now been
burnt extensively & we haven't found them in brief reckys around the
back gully - hopefully they have made it round like the Fairy
wrens.
Importantly, we located & had pleasure watching
4 Lyrebirds (Male & 3 females / imm.) in the back gully. The
male quite vocal, which to our ears is unusual for this time of year. He
was also quite vocal shortly after the October fire.
The resident Collared Sparrowhawk has been
frequently patrolling the area & neighbours spotted 2 large raptors (
Little eagles, Pacific Bazas, Whistling Kites & Wedgies have been
infrequently recorded - even had a White-Bellied Sea Eagle fly over once on
return to the Nepean River) - otherwise the Grey Butcherbirds, Kookaburras
& Pied Currawongs have been very active. Regretfully, Common Mynas,
which have been slowly progressing down the street, have been most visible -
(any suggestions for methods of removal).
Have visited friends at Warrimoo whose houses are
ok but damage to property & surrounds (some of their neighbours not
fairing so well) - varied conversations about the damage to bush
& surrounds thankfully punctuated by frequent bird calls & visits -
bird baths must have never looked so good.
Matt
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