Pitt Town Lagoon and Mitchell Park 28/9/05

[David Stowe Photography <>]

Hi all
A great morning at Pitt Town and Mitchell Park (NW of Sydney) yesterday.
Unfortunately dipped on the crakes that Edwin had mentioned earlier but lots of the usual waterbirds.
Probably the most interesting birds were Yellow-billed Spoonbill and Red-kneed Dotterel and great views of Chestnut-breasted Mannikin, European Goldfinch and Clamourous Reed-warbler. (I know these are all pretty regular but nice birds all the same).

Mitchell Park was jumping in the few trees on the side of the road at the first grassy picnic area. A feeding flock of 40+ red-browed finches along with White-throated Gerygones, Yellow Thornbill, Silvereye, Spotted Pardalote, Superb wren, Yellow-faced HE, Lewins HE and Rufous whistler (male and female). The male Rufous Whislter happily sang less than 2 metres from us!
Another highlight was a passing Dollarbird. Don’t know if these have been seen in Sydney yet??
All up around 70 species for the morning wasn’t bad I reckon.

Dave Stowe
Nth Rocks, SYDNEY