Though still showing large signs of drought, there were still a good
variety of birds to look at within the Hawkesbury area (approx 55km NW of
Sydney) today and as follows:
MITCHELL PARK – the Salvinia weed appears to be taking over this part
of Cattai Creek and something should be done soon to eradicate it. Birds were a
little quieter than usual, but I did manage to find a Common Bronzewing, a
Bassian Thrush, Rose Robins, Olive-backed Oriole, several Satin Bowerbirds, a
few Gang-gang Cockatoos (one I got within a couple of metres as it was feeding
a hakea so I was able to take a nice photo) and I heard a Collared
Sparrowhawk/Goshawk calling beside the creek (it sounded very close to where I
was standing but the rainforest canopy was between it and me). A Red-bellied
Snake was sunning itself beside the creek in the middle of the day. Not much
trees or shrubs in flower at Mitchell Park and therefore only the resident
Honeyeater species like Bell Miners and Yellow-tufted Honeyeaters were more evident
in the honeyeater group.
LONGNECK LAGOON – this appears in better shape than it has for
years with the removal of the salvinia weed. There were 4 Australasian Grebe,
Plumed and a Great Egret, a Yellow-billed and 8 Royal Spoonbill, 11 Hardheads,
a Black Swan on a nest amongst other common waterbirds. There was a Jacky
Winter and a Restless Flycatcher on a nearby fence and Peaceful Doves heard
calling.
RICHMOND-WINDSOR TURF FARMS – 200 plus Masked Lapwing beside
Fernleighs Lagoon (my highest count at this lagoon is 285 Lapwings this year.)
but lower number of other water birds due to the drought with only a Pacific
Heron, another Yellow-billed Spoonbill, 9 Plumed Whistling-duck among other
common waterfowl. There were 2 Wedge-tailed Eagles (flying over Richmond), a
Whistling Kite and the usual resident pairs of Black-shouldered Kites (at least
3 pairs) and Australian Kestrels. The sprinklers and tractor activity were
attracting good mobs of Cattle Egret (200 plus non-breeding birds),
Straw-necked Ibis, large numbers of White-faced Herons and hundreds of Magpie
Larks. I also saw a Varied Sitella on the edge of the turf farms beside the
River, a few Yellow-tailed Black-cockatoos and some Red-rumped Parrots (which I
almost trod over when they were feeding beside the road.
A total of 91 species for the list for about half a days birding and in
drought conditions.
A pleasant warm winter day in Sydney!
Edwin Vella
