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In this beautiful mild winter weather how can any
birdo retiree resist the call of a midweek outing that teases of the possibility
of ...Rose Robins, Red Browed Treecreeper and Lewin's Honeyeater. We
joined the mid-week BOCA group on Tuesday at Donnelly's Weir (north of
Healesville)for a most enjoyable meander through tall forest. Other than the
treecreepers, many Striated and Brown Thornbills and occasional Lewin's the
sounds of the forest were fairly quiet. Despite our scouring of the area where
the Rose Robins had last been seen there was no success but the friendly company
made up for the lack of birds.
A quick couple of looks by several people at
the rich brown back and rufous side of a bird got some of us all guessing
- definitely a whistler because of the unique striated folded wing pattern, a
rufous whistler we thought, but on reviewing 4 different guides I now feel
confident it was an Olive Whistler.
Rob and I then went to Badger Creek for some more
walking and robin searching. We hadn't been out of the car for long when a
colony of birds in the low shrub caught my eye. Of course I had a cup in one
hand and food in the other and couldn't get the binos up in a flurry as
with great excitement I had noted the brilliant pink of a busy robin. He was
chased along by other small birds but we both were able to follow and have great
views of his splendiferous coloured rose pink belly and chest. What a joy - our
first pink Robin in 4 years - definitely worth staying home this winter
for.
Now my next winter challenge of first
sightings are the Orange Bellied Parrot and a Pilotbird .
Regards,.
Jacqui
Sheppard
Edithvale
Melbourne
Victoria
Australia
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