Directions: Follow Mulligans Flat Road between Forde and Bonner. The carpark is on the left after the last roundabout by Forde.
Meet at 9.00am. North Mulligans is dry woodland with Red Stringybark the most common forest tree. 113 bird species have been recorded. Highlights include Grey Currawong and Speckled Warbler. Wear sturdy boots, and bring morning tea.
Register with Bill Graham beforehand, giving name and phone number, at: graham.br63@grapevine.com.au or phone 0466 874 723.
Eighteen people attended the walk, some from as far as Queanbeyan and Forbes Creek in the Tinderries. The dams were overflowing and we had to pick our way across shallow streams. The wind was quite gusty so we headed north-west from the car park to the two dams in the middle. Most of the observing was in the sheltered areas around the top dam.
Two White-throated Gerygones were heard and one seen. A Horsfield’s Bronze-Cuckoo was heard and a Shining Bronze-Cuckoo was tracked down; the latter stayed in the one spot and the group had great views of its barring patterns and iridescent green. It changed positions and with full sun was truly a highlight of the day. A mixed feeding flock with many species stayed in the area beside the dam for some time and a juvenile Golden Whistler was identified by the light brown/tan on the wings. Scarlet Robins were seen in two locations and some of the group were lucky to see a Red-capped Robin.
In all, 36 species were observed on this most successful outing. A splendid panorama of NSW unfolded from the Centenary Trail as we headed back.