Hi Tim and fellow birders,
I went to Jervis Bay and Surrounds last weekend (6-7Feb) and during Australia
Day weekend (23-24 Jan). I went to places as suggested by Charles Hunter (thank
you Charles) and later by your this report. I did not see as many birds as you
did, mainly because I was after the Bristlebird and also last weekend was the
wettest weather I have ever experienced in Australia in many years.
Just like to add on my observations of the Eastern Bristlebirds. On 23-24Jan
when the weather was better, I encountered Eastern Bristlebirds while driving
in Booderee National Park along Wreck Bay Road (2 birds along the fence of
military airport, despite the vegetation was very thin apart from those growing
along the fence); within 30 meters after turning to Stony Creek Road (at least
4 birds); one bird along Cave Beach Road before the Botanical Garden. So on
good day it is possible to tick a Bristlebird while driving but be careful not
to run it over.
I too visited the "St George Ave" track as in Tim's report on 06 Feb and and
despite in late 11am morning there was a bristlebird right at the entry gate.
Among these sites I find the best spot for Eastern Bristlebird is Cape St
George Lighthouse ruins carpark. The track leading to the lighthouse is a good
spot. (I met a Canadian who was also after the Bristlebird at the lighthouse
but he did not have luck). Here I am using Tim's link to illustrate the track
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hBPfsrI5yTA/S2fTTXxeGwI/AAAAAAAAEgI/KuGmAonBv1E/s1600-h/BB2.JPG
There was a presumably male bird calling often at the right hand side of the
heath as in the photo but it was more often heard than seen. Further 20 meters
where there is a turn to the cliff edge south of lighthouse, is the best spot
for bristlebird. The reason is the very sparse vegetation make it easy to spot
the bird foraging in the health without having to wait for it to cross the
exposed path. I was one time following a bird foraging in area where further 5
meter was the bare rock of the cliff top.
Sometimes, very outrageously, the bird just turned up right in the middle of
the car park and once inspected my car engine at the bottom. Judging from some
garbage found around the carpark, though not much an eyesore as they are mostly
concealed under the vegitation, I had suspected that the Bristlebird was
scavanging on human's leftover food. This was confirmed on last Saturday
afternoon when a bird dashed out to the car park area for few moments to peck
something on the ground and I later found that it was after some instant noodle
leftover!!! I wonder if some signboard will be put up to remind visitors that
this site is not just historically interesting but also ecologically sensitive.
I have seen similar signboard in Berrara to warn visitor against dumping food
for the welfare of shorebird (I think mainly for Hooded Plover).
I too visited Berrara on 24Jan, Ulladulla's Racecourse Beach 24Jan and 7Feb,
Tabourie Lake 24Jan and 7Feb and saw no Hooded Plover, despite I saw them at
the later 2 sites mid last year. So I wonder if the Hooded Plovers disperse
after the breeding. Or maybe I have no luck but judging from recent reports of
many successful breedings I hope it will be easier to find them in NSW South
Coast.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tunpin/tags/jervisbay/
Best regards,
Tun Pin ONG
__________________________________________________________________________________
Yahoo!7: Catch-up on your favourite Channel 7 TV shows easily, legally, and for
free at PLUS7. www.tv.yahoo.com.au/plus7
==============================www.birding-aus.org
birding-aus.blogspot.com
To unsubscribe from this mailing list,
send the message:
unsubscribe
(in the body of the message, with no Subject line)
to:
=============================
|
