Hi all
I spent yesterday morning visiting a few locations in the
northern part of the Hawkesbury Region (NSW approx. 50-80km NW of Sydney CBD)
as follows:
DHARUG NP – I was entertained by at least 4 Glossy
Black-Cockatoos while a Superb Lyrebird next to me was giving a perfect imitation
of a Yellow-tailed Black-cockatoo (I thought I had both Black-Cockatoos as the
Lyrebird was making the YTBC call only. It sure fooled me). There was also a
Rufous Fantail, Channel-billed Cuckoos, Wonga Pigeons, Brown Cuckoo-dove, Satin
Bowerbirds, a Rock Warbler and several Leaden Flycatchers about. However, there
were also too many noisy people about to spend too much time here. I think they
even scared away the local Brush Turkeys as well. I just posted a few of my
Glossy Black Cockatoo photos on the Australian Bird Image Database Website (www.aviceda.org/abid/).
LAUGHTONDALE GULLY – I thought I heard Grey-crowned
Babblers here but it was the Grey Shrike-thrushes that fooled me. If they made
such a good imitation of the Babbler, I thought that the GCB’s maybe
still around this part of Sydney (well
Turquoise Parrots have survived here!). A Collared Sparrowhawk put on a good
show. There was also quite a number of Honeyeaters here as well including
Little Wattlebirds; White-eared, Yellow-tufted, Yellow-faced, Brown-headed
Honeyeaters and Eastern Spinebills.
MITCHELL PARK, CATTAI – a brief stop here produced an
abundance of Scarlet Honeyeaters (as often this time of year, their calls
dominated the scene), Sacred Kingfishers, a Dollarbird, Bassian Thrush,
White-throated Gerygones etc
Also on Saturday, was surprised to see a light morph Little
Eagle being chased away by Ravens and flying low over St Martin’s
Village Shopping Centre in Blacktown (approx. 40
km west of Sydney CBD).
Edwin Vella
