Note change of date from 24 July
Meet at 8.00am in carparks near the corner of Flemington Rd and Randwick Rd., opposite the Canberra Racecourse. Both ponds are on Sullivan’s Creek. The eBird list has 87 species for Mitchell Pond including Double-barred Finch, Pink-eared Duck and Little Grassbird. The second pond is on the corner of Fleminton Rd and Morisset Rd., opposite the Belconnen Dog Obedience Club. 94 species have been recorded here on eBird, including Latham’s Snipe and Cattle Egrets. As there are stables nearby Little Corellas, Rock Doves and other grain eaters are often present.
Twelve members and friends attended in overcast conditions and light rain. We saw 26 species at Mitchell Pond with summer migrants Australian Reed-Warblers and a Grey Fantail present. The Flemington Road Pond was full and turgid with silt runoff. There were 21 species with the highlight being 2 Hoary-headed Grebes. The number of waterbirds was down with usual roosting sites under water. The last leg began beside the Bimberi Youth Detention Centre where an Olive –backed Oriole was calling and two Eurasian Skylarks were in full voice. We walked 500 metres along the Old Well Station Road where the fields had rivulets of water. Birds there included 2 Australasian Pipits and 3 Tree Martins. These sites were new to many and would be worth return visits. .
