I was in the Capertee Valley on the weekend mainly to check on my new
cabin which has replaced the one that burnt down (yes, finally!) and
to plant some more trees on my block. The valley received a welcome
16mm of rain while I was there. Apart from this I managed to get up
to the back dam on Saturday afternoon, which proved to be THE place
to be.
The water was a constant hub of activity with countless honeyeaters -
Fuscous, Yellow-tufted, Black-chinned, Yellow-faced, White-naped and
Brown-headed - diving in and out, chattering, chasing, sipping,
swooping, arguing and whooshing past my head. As I sat under the
shrubs on the bank, a Diamond Firetail came to drink right by my feet
at the water's edge, while a male Spotted Pardalote peered at me
through the branches. A Grey Fantail perched on a stick in the middle
of the water, doing nothing but watching the activity all around it.
It seemed to be mesmerised, like me. In the hour or so I was at the
dam, there was never a moment when birds weren't zipping in and out
of the water.
Best of all, the Painted Honeyeaters had arrived and were calling
loudly as they moved around the dam. Their sweet deliberate call is
always such a thrill to hear. At the same time, a Dusky Woodswallow
sat atop a dead tree mimicking the Painteds and adding to the
confusion of sounds. The first Rufous Whistler was also singing,
Little Lorikeets were everywhere and a Scarlet Honeyeater could be
heard in the treetops. A pair of Turquoise Parrots came to drink as
the sun glowed red on the cliffs above. Birdwatching doesn't get much
better than this.
Cheers
Carol
Blue Mtns/Capertee Valley
Central Tablelands, NSW
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