Last Saturday 11th Oct, accompanied by four visiting birders from the
Netherlands, I had my first sightings at the You Yangs for many years of
both Southern Whiteface and Peaceful Dove. [Three Southern Whiteface along
Toynes Rd just outside the park. One Peaceful Dove calling and then as a
fly-by near the Mountain-bikers' carpark off Drysdales Rd.]
These two species, when added to recent You Yangs reports (near Hovell's
Creek) of White-backed Swallow and Black-eared Cuckoo, add to the impression
of an influx of "drier country" species, presumably as a consequence of the
drought in SE Australia.
Not surprisingly it also seems that resident species' numbers are generally
down throughout the park.
The death of numerous trees throughout the You Yangs, now including large,
mature eucalypts in addition to the more vulnerable wattles and other
smaller trees, tends to confirm the escalating impact of the drought.
Richard NOWOTNY
Port Melbourne, Victoria
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