An outing in two parts. The first was wet, the second fine. But Bob Rusk our fearless leader managed to salvage the expedition and also show us some of the delights of Ulladulla and surrounds. A stroll up Millards Creek, a quick visit to Milton’s figtree and a stroll around Wardens Head filled in the first day.
Millards Creek would have been good on a good day but unfortunately the rain kept most of the birds tucked up in bed. The figtree revealed an Australasian Figbird and an Eastern Koel being fed by an overworked Red Wattlebird.
Wardens Head had Wedge-tailed Shearwaters and Australasian Gannets off the lighthouse point and White-throated Needletails overhead. Glossy Black-Cockatoos were feeding on Allocasuarina below one of the lookouts while Sooty Oystercatchers patrolled the rock ledges below.
The next day was considerably better and Bob took us to the Yatte Yattah Nature Reserve, a small pocket of rainforest just off the Princes Highway. This was a delight and rainforest birds were in abundance. Some of the highlights were Topknot Pigeon, Green Catbird, Brown Cuckoo-Dove, Black-faced Monarch, Lewin’s Honeyeater, Large-billed Scrubwren and Brown Gerygone.
This was followed by another trip to the lighthouse at Warden Head, this time in more ideal conditions. The Wedge-tailed Shearwaters and Gannets were still there and were joined by Fluttering Shearwaters, Sooty Terns, Pomarine Jaegers and Arctic Jaegers.
At the caravan park, five Long-billed Corellas entertained us and yet another very busy Red Wattlebird was feeding a squawking Eastern Koel. In the streets of Burrill Lake a very large juvenile Channel-billed Cuckoo was keeping a Pied Currawong very busy trying to keep the food up to it.
On Monday Bob had a final delight to show us in Lake Meroo. This is a pretty little freshwater lake tucked in behind the sand dunes in Meroo National Park. Upon it were Musk Ducks and over it a Whistling Kite was chased by Australian Ravens. The bush near the lake held more Glossy Black-Cockatoos, Rufous Fantail and Red-browed Treecreeper.
From such a dismal start (weatherwise) the weekend developed into a very enjoyable and sunny occasion. In no small way this was made possible by our genial leader. Thanks again to Bob Rusk for a great weekend.
Noel Luff