Hi Everyone,
I woke up very early this morning and travelled to the Painted Finch site at
the Yanco Creek, north of Jerilderie in the NSW Riverina.
I arrived at approximately 6:45am and saw the nest immediately. However it
wasn't till about 5 minutes later that the female appeared from a patch of
Boree (Acacia pendula) to the right of the nest. After a few minutes the bird
went into the nest and out came a much brighter bird, the male.
The male preened quietly on a low branch of a Black Box then flew low over the
road (Kidman Hwy) which had me very worried as there was a bit of traffic
about. After about 15 minutes of searching I found the male again about 250
metres north west of the nest in a patch of Boree. He was sunning himself in a
dead Boree which was very beautful in the early morning light. He then flew
down to the ground and began to forage for seeds in small tussocks and in an
old dry cow pat. The male the flew back to the nest directly (and high over the
road this time) and re-entered the nest. The pair swapped over and the female
flew into Black Box by the creek and I lost her. The swap over was an hour
after I arrived. The only call I heard the birds give was a low chattering.
Other birds around the site included many Zebra Finches which had nests as well
in mistletoe in the Boree. Crested Shrike-tit, Yellow Rosellas, Grey-crowned
Babbler, Red-capped Robin and two Spiny-cheeked Honeyeaters in the Boree.
As to the debate if the birds are genuine vagrants, I believe they are. Driving
up past Jerilderie there is not much except large Merino stations and vast
paddocks. I can't imagine where these birds would have escaped from nearby if
they were from an aviary. There were heaps on Zebra Finches around which can
also nomadic. One theory could be they arrived to this site with the Zebra
Finches from somewhere further west.
Driving back home I stopped at few spots and state forests I had always wanted
to check out. Spring has definately sprung in this part of the world and many
first returns for myself were observed. At the intersection of the Kidman Hwy
and Newell Hwy an Emu was seen with a chick, Brown Songlark, Pipits and
Bushlarks where singing in the grasslands and 8 Banded Lapwing flew overhead.
In Jerilderie itself I walked around the lake by Billabong Creek and found
Grey-crowned Babblers, first returns of Rufous Songlarks and Reed-Warblers and
more Spiny-cheeked Honeyeaters, which is getting fairly marginal for their
range here.
Outside of Jerilderie I stopped at Mairjimmy State Forest which was alive with
spring activity. Cockatiels, Pied and Grey Butcherbird, Grey-crowned Babblers,
and first spring returns of Rainbow Bee-eater, Fan-tailed Cuckoo and Western
Gerygone. More Rufous Songlark here and well as other great birds like Jacky
Winter, Red-capped Robin and more Spiny-cheeked Honeyeaters.
Heading towards Palmer State Forest between Jerilderie and Oaklands Blue
Bonnets were in the Boree along the roadsides. In Palmer State Forest itself
Chestnut-rumped Thornbill, Apostlebird and more spring birds such as Western
Gerygone and Rufous Whistler. A Black Kite was also here.
Nearing home I stopped at Kyffins Reserve on the northern (NSW) shore of Lake
Mulwala. Swamp Harriers, Peregrine Falcon and White-bellied Sea-eagles were
seen as well as many Fairy Martins which has returned in good numbers to the
district in the last week. Reed-warblers have also returned here and it was
good to see the resident Grey-crowned babbler group again. A Fan-tailed Cuckoo
was also heard calling.
Well done to the original finders of the Painted Finches, a terrific discovery.
Thanks to Dean Ingwersen as well who gave me some great advice on the birds. It
will be interesting to see in the next few weeks if any young fledge from the
nest.
Michael Ramsey, Wilby (VIC)
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