Despite not seeing any sign of either of the target species - Swift Parrots or Regent Honeyeaters in
yesterdays survey (14/5/05), It was still nice to be out and about for a couple
of hours in the early morning at Prospect Reservoir (approx. 35-40km west of
Sydney CBD near Blacktown).
There were very few Honeyeaters about in the picnic area, with only a
few Yellow-faced and White-plumed Honeyeaters as well as the Noisy Miners.
However, there were a number of raptors about including a pair of magnificent Wedge-tailed
Eagles (they put on a show for several minutes as they soared very low over the
tree canopy and even below), 3 White-bellied Sea-eagles (an adult pair and a
Immature bird), 4 Whistling Kites and Peregrine Falcon put on an excellent show
quite close and at eye level with me as I watched for several minutes from the
lookout (I never get sick of looking at Peregrines even though I can see them
at home everyday ! The one at home is probably the same bird as the one at
Prospect Reservoir).
Also on the Reservoir were 3,000 Coots, 3 species of Grebe (a raft of
about 40 Hoary-headed and there was at least one Great-crested Grebe in
non-breeding plumage. I have not seen one of the later in this plumage despite
seeing them just about every time the time at the Reservoir), 8 Hardhead, 35
Black Swan, 75 Australian Pelican and about 200 Silver Gulls. Bar-shouldered
Doves and an abundance of Red-whiskered Bulbuls were also about near the
lookout.
Last Sunday morning (8/5/05), I was also at Prospect Reservoir with the
bird banding team in the northern part of the Reservoir, where I also saw a
number of raptors including a Grey Goshawk (1), Swamp Harrier (1 female), White-bellied
Sea-eagles (2 adults), Whistling Kites (4) and a Peregrine Falcon. There were
also Fan-tailed Cuckoos, several Rose Robins, Crested Shrike-tits, Varied Sitellas, several Scarlet Honeyeaters (but not many other
species of Honeyeater) and Olive-backed Orioles amongst other birds.
Edwin Vella
