Last Sunday morning (14/8/05) at Prospect Reservoir (approx.
40 km west of Sydney CBD, near Blacktown) I saw the
male Grey Goshawk in its usual location and what I believe to be its nest (high
in a Forest Red Gum facing the morning light and beside a gully, this being a
typical nesting situation according to the literature). I have seen and/or the
female Grey Goshawks perch in this same tree on previous occasions, and have
seen both birds on most instances hanging about this same area. If they are
going to nest, it would be the early part of the breeding season.
Also in the same area as the Goshawk, were 2 SWIFT PARROTS flying
over but I could not get a glimpse of them as they passed over so quickly. I am
starting to think that Prospect Reservoir is on the flight path of at least
some Swift Parrots to and from Tasmania as I have
had them there or close by on several occasions.
Other interesting finds at Prospect Reservoir that day were at
least 200 Great Crested Grebes (including 150 in one group alone. I have had
200 of these spectacular birds at Prospect Reservoir on several occasions but I
have had even 300 birds there at one time), a brilliantly coloured
male Rose Robin, Scarlet Honeyeaters (like previous years, the Scarlet
Honeyeaters appear to be staying throughout the year at Prospect due to a
constant supply of nectar), Fan-tailed Cuckoos and several Olive-backed
Orioles. Several Mohagany’s, a Mugga Ironbark and other Eucalypts were in flower
attracting mainly Red Wattlebirds, Yellow-faced and White-plumed Honeyeaters.
No summer migrants so far at Prospect Reservoir, but I do
expect a few on my next visit.
Edwin Vella
