The Robin Twitchathon was outstandingly successful in the face of cold, cloudy weather and an uncertainty of recent robins. Our eventual tally included six out of eight possible robin species (Jacky Winters included), or six out of five likely species. To this can be added excellent views of Spotless Crakes and Bassian Thrushes. AND the outing was directly responsible for some significant rain.
The party of 24 set out in two buses from the National Library for Tharwa Sandwash. By the time we reached this first destination we had Flame, Scarlet and Hooded Robins in the bag, mostly seen on the hill overlooking the river just before you descend to the Sandwash. There were both sexes of each although one group missed the female Scarlet. Also seen were a fair number of Diamond Firetails at the corner of Tidbinbilla and Point Hut Roads.
Then to Namadgi Visitors Centre where the entire group wandered out to the dam to see three immature Spotless Crakes fossicking in the mud in full view for a considerable time, for the most part oblivious to the antics of the crowd.
At the Botanic Gardens two smaller groups (but not everybody) saw Yellow Robins, and a female Rose Robin was seen high in a eucalypt by two participants. The Bassian Thrushes did their thing for as long as we wanted to watch, including one instance of one bird feeding the other.
After lunch we headed to Newline Paddock where the rain set in just as we spied a pair of Jacky Winters perched perfectly in front of the entire group. Those who did not head straight for the buses also saw two Brown Treecreepers before calling it quits and heading for home.
Thanks to Jack and Jenny for leading and driving on this enjoyable winter's outing.
Julian Robinson