Whilst out today in the Hawkesbury area (approx 55 km north-west of
Sydney CBD, I checked out a number of my favourite spots. Today (a public
holiday for us in NSW) was quite humid and storm clouds could be seen around
Sydney?s outskirts, though no rain
fell on me. Some of birds seen included:
CATTAI NATIONAL PARK ? Quite a number of Satin Bowerbirds feeding in the
figs as well as the Olive-backed Orioles and Lewin?s Honeyeaters. Saw a
Dollarbird and a couple of Sacred Kingfishers calling in the tall
eucalypts.
MITCHELL PARK, CATTAI ? Lots of Leaden Flycatchers (at one spot, there
were 2-3 pairs calling in the tall eucalypts beside the swamp). Also Sacred
Kingfisher, a Rufous Fantail, Black-faced Monarch, a Bassian Thrush, Crested
Shrike-tit, Wonga Pigeon, Brown Cuckoo-dove, Peaceful Doves and a few
Woodswallows (White-browed/Masked) flying overheard. I only heard one Scarlet
Honeyeater call but the Melaleucas are starting flower and I expect them as
usual to be loaded with these Honeyeaters.
PITT TOWN LAGOON ? one Hoary-headed Grebe (much more were present in the
winter), a few Sharp-tailed Sandpipers (would have been more but many were
hiding in the reeds), 7 Marsh Sandpiper, a Red-kneed Dotterel, a Great Egret,
Baillon?s Crakes (2), a Swamp Harrier, 3 Rainbow Bee-eaters flying overhead (to
add a bit of colour) and 15 Whiskered Terns (many still in stunning breeding
plumage). A Rufous Songlark was heard calling along Pitt Town Bottoms Rd
nearby.
McGRATH?S HILL STW ? 5 Glossy Ibis, a Plumed Egret, 2 Darters, 2-3
Latham?s Snipe, 2 Red-kneed Dotterel, 20 plus Hardhead and 10 plus Australasian
Shoveler, another Swamp Harrier amongst the usuals in the wetlands. In the
planted trees up the hill were 2 Rufous Songlarks and a White-bellied (Little)
Cuckoo-shrike (dark morph with almost complete dark hood and barring below
hood). Another birdo, said he had 5 White-winged Trillers in these trees earlier
on. A Horsfield?s Bronze-cuckoo was being attacked by two White-plumed
Honeyeaters forcing the cuckoo to crash to the ground and only a few centre
metres in front of my foot. It stayed like this for a few seconds than took
off.
SCHEVILLE ? a Brush Cuckoo (was seen going off with its loud calls), a
Pallid Cuckoo and another Dollarbird.
MARALYA ? lots of White-browed (atleast 100) and a few Masked
Woodswallows were flying above and below the tree line (some to high above the
ground) heading eastwards along Dural Rd). They were flying about in circles for
a while and later disappeared.
RICHMOND TURF FARMS ? an Australian Hobby, a Black-shouldered Kite,
Yellow-tailed Black-cockatoos, a few of both Rufous and Brown Songlarks, a few
White-winged Trillers (including one male chasing a female after calling some
time in a Kurrajong), 3 Zebra Finches and Nutmeg Mannikin and a few Rainbow
Bee-eaters.
I scored a total of 130 species (for ¾ of the day) without too much
effort and missing a number of easy ones.
Edwin Vella
