Twenty-two participants enjoyed the long-weekend in Nangar National Park near Eugowra. Most participants camped at Terarra Creek, whilst others stayed in Eugowra and Forbes. The weather was fine and about 120 species were seen over the weekend.
The Park vegetation is dominated by eucalyptus-blackpine, scribbly gum-blackpine and blackpine-ironbark.
In the Park about 80 species were seen. Some of the birds observed on ‘Bird Hill’ were large flocks of White-browed and Masked Woodswallows, nesting Dusky Woodswallow, Brown Treecreepers feeding young, Diamond Firetails, Crested Shrike-Tit, Hooded Robins and great views of Turquoise Parrots feeding young, as well as a Black-eared Cuckoo, the last two being lifers for some. Also seen in Nangar were nine species of honeyeater, including Spiny-cheeked, Striped and Blue-faced.
On Sunday we visited Back Yamma State Forest where about 50 species were recorded and then on to Gum Swamp in Forbes where another 50 species were recorded, including close-up looks at a Baillon’s Crake; a pair of White-bellied Sea-Eagles; and Straw-necked Ibis ‘circling the Moon’.
The Park was well worth the visit, despite the drought. On the way home some of the group stopped at Eugowra Rocks and heard about the hold up of the Cobb & Co coach by Frank Gardiner, Ben Hall and friends; and Conimbla NP which yielded Rainbow Bee-eater and Fan-tailed Cuckoo on the fringes.
The weekend was very well led, organised and researched by Margaret McJannett and Charles Bauer.
Pat Moffat