Hi Mike and Birding-aussers.
There were 20+ Spine-tailed Swifts over the wetland this morning. Possibly a
couple of Fork-tailed among them. Conditions were overcast, very humid,
still and hot.
Channel-billed Cuckoos and Koels were calling, probably revving up for the
return trip. Tawny Grassbirds are a bit like sparrows, everywhere!. There
are 2 breeding pair with flighted young which are involved in aerial chases
and dive bombing one another over the reeds. Dollarbirds have young and were
hawking below the swifts. I reckon there are 3 pair of Sacred Kingfishers,
at least 2 pair with young.
Rufus and Golden Whistlers are calling as are the White-throated Gerygonies.
The reedwarblers have stopped calling but I saw 2, so they are still there.
Missing is the Swamp Harrier and the Grey Goshawks which I have not seen for
2 or 3 visits. The coucals have disappeared although I did hear coucals
calling on the upper reaches of Deep Creek 3 weeks ago.
For those contemplating a visit the second boardwalk is now fully completed
and visitors can now walk right around the wetland. Early morning is the
best time.
Bob Way, Colin Scouler and I went to the Richmond Lanes near Winsor to try
for the Red-chested Button-quail which we dipped on. We (I) saw a
button-quail but not well enough to pick the species. We saw all the true
quail including 5 King Quail. My exposure to King Quail is not that
extensive and normally I would be delighted to see them but on this occasion
they were just a nuisance, being the same size as the target bird.
Bruce.
Bruce Cox on Sydney's Northern Beaches.
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