I enjoyed a good one hour yesterday (Saturday 6th August 2005) between 10:30 and 11:30
am at Prospect Reservoir (approx. 40km west of Sydney CBD) despite
not seeing any of the target species for this year's August Regent Honeyeater
and Swift Parrot Survey.
A Coral Tree, Lemon-scented Gum (?) and a Narrow-leafed Ironbark
(Eucalyptus crebra) were in flower in the picnic area
attracting mainly White-plumed, Yellow-faced and New Holland Honeyeaters,
Eastern Spinebills as well as both Red and Little
Wattlebird. Other birds present around picnic area included a male Grey Goshawk
(heading towards and landing in its favourite large
fig tree), an immature female Brown Goshawk (like the Grey Goshawk also putting
on a very good show), Bar-shouldered Dove, Fan-tailed Cuckoo and Olive-backed
Oriole.
In the reservoir it self were 95 Hoary-headed, 100 plus Great-crested
(including a pair displaying with head shaking and other synchronised
movements) and smaller numbers of Australasian Grebe; a female Musk Duck (my
first sighting of one believe it or not at the reservoir) and at least 7
Whistling Kites.
I find that the best time to visit the Prospect Reservoir picnic area
during the winter is between 10 am (when the gates open) and around noon which
is when a lot of raptor activity takes place and there is always something
interesting to see.
Edwin Vella
