The last day of winter was cool and blustery with rain about as 12 hardy souls
met at the intersection of William Hovell Drive and the Coppins Crossing
road. After a repacking of vehicles and managing the difficult entry into the
site we were met by a group of at least 30 Dusky Woodswallows and many
Tree Martins hawking in the windy conditions. Unfortunately the weather
kept the birds quiet but most of us were able to pick out the colour bands on
the individually marked Brown Treecreepers. A Brown Falcon had us worried
with its uncharacteristic flight pattern in the blustery conditions whilst
Striated Pardalotes, Galahs, Eastern and Crimson Rosellas, Red-rumped
Parrots, and Sulphur-crested Cockatoos were busy sorting out the ownership
of tree hollows for the forthcoming breeding season. Seven Brown
Treecreepers were observed in addition to the Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike,
Buff-rumped and Yellow-rumped Thornbills, Weebills, Superb Fairy-wrens
and Australasian Grebe.
Twenty-five species were, according to my count, recorded including an Australian Raven nesting on one of the electricity pylons. Although the tally was disappointing the participants were pleased to have had the opportunity to visit the site and to see for themselves why there has been so much effort to conserve the area for future generations.
Chris Davey