Yesterday (Saturday, 18th May), Alan
Morris, Phil Hansbro, David Mitford and myself enjoyed a good days birding
around Cessnock and Bulga in the NSW Hunter region (approx. 170km north-west of
Sydney CBD). The places visited and some of the highlights
were as follows:
Yesterday (Saturday, 18th May), Alan Morris, Phil Hansbro,
David Mitford and myself enjoyed a good days birding around Cessnock and Bulga
in the NSW Hunter region (approx. 170km north-west of Sydney CBD). The places
visited and some of the highlights were as follows:
QUORROBOLONG – Grey Goshawk, Gang-gang Cockatoos, Turquoise
Parrots, Brown Tree-creepers and an Owlet Nightjar (heard calling during the
day).
ABERDARE STATE FOREST (near Cessnock) – there were still at least
6 Swift Parrots in with 50 plus Little Lorikeets and at least 2 Black-chinned
Honeyeaters seen. Unfortunately none of the Regent Honeyeaters seen earlier in
the week were located.
BULGA, near Singleton (several interesting birds seen within a few
hours spent at Bulga) – a Spotted Harrier, about 6 Wedge-tailed Eagles;
Painted Button-quails; a pair of White-bellied Cuckoo-shrikes (both dark and
light-phase seen next to each other); 5 species of Robin including Rose,
Red-capped, Scarlet (a pair), Hooded and Eastern Yellow Robin; an
over-wintering male Rufous Whistler; Restless Flycatcher; Grey-crowned
Babblers; 5 Speckled Warblers; Brown
Tree-creepers; Striped Honeyeaters and about 6 Diamond Firetails.
It was certainly a good day and a great opportunity to visit some new
areas in the Hunter.
Edwin Vella
