The relatively small COG group who joined me on this joint outing with the Goulburn Field Naturalists Society (GFNS), were more than compensated for by the numbers of GFNS members as well as local Bungonia residents. After setting up camp we surveyed the birdlife in the Bungonia Village Park, the adjacent Bungonia Creek, and the nearby TSR. It was a warm though comparatively still afternoon, and bird activity along the creek was particularly good with many species using the pools of water to bathe or drink. This allowed for relatively relaxed birding as we sat or lingered in the shade, letting the birds come to us. In the later part of the afternoon we also examined some of the local sights in this historic village, such as the oldest still functioning Catholic church on the Australian mainland, and the ruins of an old inn and associated buildings such as a bakery and forge. Many GFNS members then joined us for a BBQ on a perfectly still warm moonlit evening, to top off a wonderful afternoon’s activity.
By nightfall we had already managed to pick up 47 species, and with some further birding early in the morning managed to increase this to 57. Highlights were good views of both the Yellow Thornbill and Clamorous Reed-warbler, as well as Shining Bronze-cuckoo, Restless Flycatcher, Double-barred Finch and Grey Butcherbird either seen or heard. The Jacky Winter, so prominent on a rekkie only 6 weeks earlier, was relatively quiet, perhaps nesting, and a Sacred Kingfisher only called a few times and stayed out of view. The lighter sleepers managed to hear the clear calls of the Southern Boobook close by at about 4 am, though almost everyone heard the Willie Wagtail, known to have a nest nearby, as it called all night, typical for this species when it’s a full moon. The local Peacock also called regularly, but the dawn chorus seemed to me to be predominately Yellow-faced Honeyeater, which together with the White-plumed, were very abundant along the creek line.
The following morning we moved onto a farm about 8 km south of the village, and on the edge of Morton National Park, where we did a circular walk of about 4 hours through the property, taking in some of the varied habitats including the best parts of the Jacqua Creek. Unfortunately the air was very dry and the wind soon came up, and though we mostly managed to keep out of it by sticking to the creek valley, bird activity seemed relatively quiet. Despite this we did manage to pick up 50 species for the morning, including Sacred Kingfisher (again quiet), both White-throated and Western Gerygone calling and Brown-headed Honeyeater. Good views of a Speckled Warbler, a listed species in NSW, were the definite highlight. One surprise was the paucity of spring migrants, with many species conspicuous in the ACT this spring not seen or heard.
As is appropriate for a joint outing, we also examined closely the local flora, including the argyle apple, Eucalyptus cinerea growing in its natural habitat. We also found a rare (for the area) Gippsland Water Dragon as well as an Eastern Swamp Tortoise along the creek. Some of the area’s very interesting geology was also examined, including the ancient sand hill that runs close by the house, and the evidence of a tsunami that had occurred in ancient times. Wombat holes/warrens abounded. While the rest of us were occupied watching a couple of skinks at the edge of a water hole, Julian photographed a Shining Bronze-cuckoo sitting quietly nearby that noone else had noticed, proof that at least some COG members aren’t solely fixated on birds.
Most of the group felt that due to the conditions we hadn’t been able to really properly sample the bird life which might occur over all the habitats on the farm, and that COG should return, this time camping on the farm to maximise the chances by also picking up birds over the afternoon and evening/night. This is preferred in spite of the excellent facilities at the Old Bungonia School with the external shower and toilet block, large BBQ, and room in which to eat, plus its proximity to Bungonia Creek. Again many thanks to Diana and Ken for making these facilities available free of charge to COG, and for being such generous hosts, by making the time available to show us around, both in the village as well as on their property.
Jack Holland