This a day trip to private property where there is plenty of bird activity and bush walks. A good number of migrants should have arrived by then (eg honeyeaters, whistlers, kingfisher, flycatchers, cuckoos.) There is also a good variety of regular residents, just beginning now to get very busy and vocal. After lunch, we will visit a section of Tallaganda SF.
Meet in the Spotlight carpark at Queanbeyan about 7.50am for carpooling, ready for departure no later than 8.00am. It is about a 50 minute drive to the property, with some of it on unsealed roads. If you have a UV hand-held radio, please bring it. Wear sturdy shoes, bring a hat, morning tea and lunch. Libby will provide a cuppa on arrival.
Please register with smlashko@gmail.com
Nine members enjoyed a visit to private property at Harold’s Cross where we were warmly welcomed by Libby and Ian. As we enjoyed a cuppa on arrival, we began our bird list in the garden where flowering grevilleas and wattles attracted a variety of species and a Superb Lyrebird called in the gully. Libby then guided us on a walk through the property which has a permanent creek and tall, wet forest species such as ribbon gum (Eucalyptus viminalis), brown barrel (E. fastigata), messmate stringybark (E. obliquia), narrow-leaved peppermint (E. radiata) and black sallee (E. stellulata). The most common birds were Yellow-faced and White-naped Honeyeaters, Grey Fantails, and Spotted and Striated Pardalotes, with most high in the canopy. Satin Bowerbirds, all green birds, were seen, as well as a bower carpeted with freshly gathered straw which was adorned with blue items.
When we stopped for lunch in the garden, honeyeaters obligingly came down low into the grevilleas and the bird baths, keeping the photographers happy and giving everyone their best views for the morning. A total of 35 species was recorded at Harold’s Cross.
We then moved on to Lowden Forest Park in Tallaganda State Forest. It was early afternoon and the wind had picked up but we still managed to record 13 species in about 45 minutes. Eastern Yellow Robin, Fan-tailed Cuckoo and Golden Whistler were new birds for the trip list, bringing the total to 38.
Many thanks to Libby and Ian for the invitation to their little slice of paradise and for their generous hospitality.
Sue Lashko
