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Cape Hawke is a the northern end of Booti National
Park near Forster on the mid north coast of NSW. NPWS are regenerating
the littoral rainforest on the slopes of Cape Hawke. There is a well
constructed path leading to a tower at the highest point.
On the 3rd April,I had some time spare
while at Forster on business so a walk up to the lookout seemed a good
idea. I took my bins so see what was around and saw the usual
suspects- Large-billed Scrubwren, Lewins HE,
Eastern Yellow Robin, Grey Fantail and Brown Thornbill. About halfway along the
track, I saw a movement on the ground and gasped in amazement when a Noisy Pitta
hopped into view. I had excellent views for about 5 minutes.
Now you will tell me Noisy Pittas are as common as
chooks and they are reported reasonably regularly from as afar south as the
Illawara, the Watagans behind Wyong and from Copeland Tops near
Gloucester. However, this is the first one I've seen in NSW. My first
sighting was the blue wing flashes as I flushed one off the
Pensioner's Track at O'Reilly's and the second one was a rustle in the
bushes at Iron Range when we were chasing the Red-bellied Pitta. I finally got a
decent view of one on Ron Stannard's lawn at Kingfisher Park on the Atherton
Tableland.
Make the effort to do this walk if you are in
Forster. It is clearly sign posted of the Lakes Way on the
southern side of Forster near the High School. The view is absolutely
stunning. It was a clear, still day when I was there and the 360 degree panorama
was breath taking. To the north you could see up the coast to Crowdy Head- to
the South to Seal Rocks. To the east is the sea but to the west in the
foreground is Forster and Wallis Lake and in the background the Great
Divide featuring Barrington Tops. To see such a fabulous view after seeing
such a gem of a bird really lifted my spirits and made my week.
Allan
Allan Benson
Niagara
Park
NSW
43627189
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