Hi all,
I've just returned from a two week trip to Mallacoota and Croajingolong
National Park. A full list of the birds seen at Croajingolong can be
seen at http://www.eremaea.com/Lists.aspx?List=38511. Most of the time
was spent down the beach swimming and surfing with family, however I did
manage to get out birding on most days. On the way to Mallacoota I spent
2 days in Marlo and birded (and swam) at Cape Conran. I also visited
Tanja (NSW) for 2 days.
During the trip Birds Australia - Victoria conducted a series of birds
surveys at Shipwreck Creek and Howe Flat. Participants included Tim
Dolby, Fiona Parkin, Euan Fothergill and Arlene Buchan. Two bird
species I'd not recorded at Croajingolong NP (or in Victoria) before
were White-headed Pigeon and Australian Figbird. This season Figbird
nested in the main street of Mallacoota, the 1st nesting record for
Victoria.
It is interesting to note how site consistent birds are, even our east
coast forest migrants. For example a few years ago I recorded Beautiful
Firetail and White-throated Gerygone on Watertrust Rd near a small
heathland area about a km from Mallacoota Rd. This year as soon as I got
out the car I heard both species calling in almost exactly the same
spot. A similar situation occurred with Topknot Pigeon, Eastern Reef
Egret and Cicadabird, all seen at exactly the same sites I'd seen them
previously.
AT CROAJINGOLONG NATIONAL PARK BIRDS OF NOTE WERE:
- White-headed Pigeon: 5 birds seen flying from the walking track west
of Gypsy Point boat ramp (end of Macdonalds St), and another 5 roosting
briefly in trees. Unlikely to be same birds. (10 birds recorded Fiona
and Euan east of Gypsy Point boat ramp.)
- Topknot Pigeon: 15 birds seen on walking track east of Gypsy Point
boat ramp (end of Macdonalds St).
- Eastern Reef Egret: grey-phased bird seen over a number of days, once
in transit, and also on rocks south of tip beach - probably same bird.
Another birder said he'd seen a grey bird several days earlier on rocks
at Bastion Point.
- White-bellied Sea-Eagle: several birds seen around Mallacoota Inlet,
and 5 birds (including nest) north east of the Goodwin Sands, seen while
on the the 'Loch-Ard' (see http://www.cruisemallacoota.com).
- Glossy Black-Cockatoo: 2 birds seen on New Bins Rd near intersection
of Duncan Rd, just inside the Victorian border.
- White-throated Needletail: flock of 50+ birds seen flying above dunes
at Howe Flat, occasionally only several feet above the dune. Also
smaller flocks at Shipwreck and Mallacoota).
- Scarlet Honeyeater: reasonably common at the moment, although in
smaller numbers than previous few year.
- Eastern Bristlebird: 1 male bird seen well at Howe Flat on Howe Flat
Track 100 metres up from small boardwalk.
- Pilotbird: possibly one bird heard at Bastion Point in heathland
immediately behind Bastion Point beach. This needs confirmation - I
heard it while I was in the surf, so perhaps my mind playing tricks with
me. At first I thought it was a Eastern Bristlebird, which would be
amazing. This needs confirmation also!
- White-throated Gerygone: single bird heard on Watertrust Rd (shown as
Pipeline Rd on Google Map), opposite the heathland area on right hand
side.
- Cicadabird: single male bird called in Davis Creek, near bridge on
Betka Rd. One bird Howe Flat.
- Beautiful Firetail: one bird heard first and then seen on Watertrust
Rd (known as Pipeline Rd on Google Map) in grassy area between road and
heathland (about 15 feet in). Another bird heard in reedy creek near
locked gate on Watertrust Rd.
- Australian Figbird: one bird heard then seen at campground on
foreshore just north of Cpt Stevensons Pt, and one bird heard near house
at Shady Gully bridge.
BIRDS CAPE CONRAN:
- Masked Owl: single owl on the Cabbage Tree Conran Rd, near Cape
Conran.
- Square-tailed Kite: seen a couple of times (possibly same bird) along
Marlo Rd, on north side about 2 km west of Cape Conran. A local birder
indicated that Square-tailed Kite where being recorded regularly around
Marlo. For example said a bird has been visiting his home veranda (in
Marlo).
BIRDS NSW:
- Osprey: single bird seen at Wapengo Lake (half way between Bermigui
and Tathra) in NSW.
- Keol: Tanja.
- Channel-billed Cuckoo: Tanja.
- White-headed Pigeon: Tathra main street.
- Little Tern: Mogareeka.
- Australian Figbird: near Bermigui.
Cheers,
Tim Dolby
==============================www.birding-aus.org
birding-aus.blogspot.com
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