Monga National Park

Inspired by trips led to this park by David McDonald, David Dedenczuk will lead a day outing to this area of wet forest just before the escarpment around 20 km east of Braidwood off the Kings Highway. Target species include Red-browed Treecreeper, Superb Lyrebird, Black-faced Monarch, Pilotbird, Olive Whistler, Bassian Thrush and Pink and Rose Robins. Meet at 8.00 am in the Spotlight carpark in Queanbeyan, for carpooling. Suggested contribution to drivers from each passenger: $10. Bring lunch and drinks. Registration for this trip is essential: please phone David Dedenczuk on 0417 222 154 or email ddedentz@bigpond.net.au

The COG party arrived at Monga to be met with challenging conditions.  As we commenced birding the Dasyurus picnic area, we were met by a delegation of very raucous local cicadas.  So loud was the racket made by the cicadas that barely a bird call could be heard.  This noise, combined with a breeze, and light diminished by some high cloud, gave rise to feelings of pessimism in the leader.  Nonetheless, as COG members are known to do, they persevered.  With some patience and determination, the party was able to find 25 species at this site.  Highlights included a Shining Bronze-Cuckoo, a Rose Robin and a Crested Shrike-tit.

The party then drove around to the Mongarlowe picnic area and did the short, but scenic, walk down to the happily babbling and pristine river, and then proceeded along the road and bush track to Penance Grove.  In this area, the cicadas were fewer in number, but the leeches were common, with the latter taking an unhealthy interest in the birders’ ankles. This irksome distraction aside, the party found 24 species along at this site.  Highlights included both Yellow-throated and Large-billed Scrubwrens, a Red-browed Treecreeper and a Black-faced Monarch.

We were rewarded with encounters with wonderful rainforest flora, including ancient plumwood trees, tree ferns and Monga Waratah.  The enthusiastic cicadas and leeches notwithstanding, we had a good day.