K2C Surveys

COG will continue with the K2C surveys that have been running since April 2010. The surveyed properties have healthy populations of many of the rarer woodland birds such as Diamond Firetail, Hooded Robin and Speckled Warbler. We will be visiting the same sites to continue the monitoring and see if we can add to the property lists with spring-summer migrants. The surveys will be undertaken in ‘blitz’ fashion; that is, observers in small groups will visit a number of sites on one or more properties before regrouping for lunch and a sharing of the survey’s findings. Less experienced observers are welcome to join in the survey as each team will have at least one experienced observer. Anyone interested in participating is asked to contact Nicki Taws before Wednesday 7 October . Email:ntaws@bigpond.com or 0408 210736.

Some great breeding records were a feature of the 12th K2C surveys held in lovely spring conditions. Teams of 2-3 observers covered 44 sites on 21 properties from Williamsdale to south of Bredbo and recorded an impressive total of 98 species.

All the expected spring migrants were recorded ; particularly vocal were four species of cuckoo, Rufous Songlark, Rufous Whistler, Grey Fantail and Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike. The return migration of Yellow-faced and White-naped Honeyeaters was evident at one site, with an estimate of 500 passing through. A highlight for the birders at this site was seeing two Yellow-tufted Honeyeaters mingled in with the more common honeyeaters. The older revegetated sites are often some of the most abundant in bird species in the surveys, and now support breeding efforts by species such as White-winged Chough, Brown Thornbill, Yellow-rumped Thornbill and Grey Fantail.

Important breeding records include sightings of immature Hooded Robin, a recent Flame Robin fledgling, Scarlet Robins carrying food, and a Brown Treecreeper family carrying food to a hollow. A Buff-rumped Thornbill was seen leaving its cleverly-concealed nest in a bark crevice only half a metre off the ground. Honeyeaters are not always easy to find nesting but a Brown-headed Honeyeater was seen feeding chicks in its woven hanging nest, and both Fuscous and White-plumed Honeyeaters were seen feeding young. Black Swan, Pacific Black Duck and Grey Teal were seen with very young ducklings/cygnets. A Southern Whiteface was observed carting grass stalks to the centre of a dead Boxthorn. The many parrots and cockatoos were observed coming in and out of hollows.

Thank you once again to the COG volunteers, the landholders for their continued support, and to Bush Heritage for hosting us and covering the lunch prepared by Snowy Mountains Gourmet Food. The next K2C surveys will held on 10 April 2016.