Meet at the Sanctuary entry at 8.30am. We will walk the loop track, which is an easy walk of about 2km, and with luck will catch up with some of the more interesting birds which have been seen in the Sanctuary this year, including
Eastern Shrike-tit, Azure Kingfisher and
Rose Robin. There’s also a chance of seeing Antechinus and Bandicoots. There is no entry fee for Tidbinbilla at present. Please register with Sandra at
shirmax2931@gmail.comBring water, hat and sunscreen, and wear sensible shoes.
Eighteen members and friends assembled at the Sanctuary car park in Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve for an exploration of the bird life, led by Sandra Henderson. The weather was mild and still, with light cloud. Noteworthy birds appeared very soon, including a Bassian Thrush, which posed for photographs, and a Crested Shrike-tit, while an Eastern Whipbird called loudly from dense undergrowth. At the first pond we visited, an Azure Kingfisher darted across our field of view into cover, but soon reappeared and was seen clearly by most of our party. Our route took us on a figure-of-eight along the Sanctuary’s footpaths and boardwalks. Honeyeaters called constantly, White-naped seeming to outnumber Yellow-faced. Several White-eared Honeyeaters were also heard, along with numerous Spotted Pardalotes and some Eastern Yellow Robins. Grey Fantails were easy to see, and one White-throated Treecreeper showed itself well. Some participants managed good, if brief, views of a Rose Robin. The resident pinioned Musk Duck gave an energetic performance, and a pair of Black Swans tended their nest right beside the boardwalk, untroubled by passers-by. Raptors were not in evidence, with the exception of a Brown Goshawk circling overhead. Sandra was able to inform us that one of two Little Pied Cormorants seen was a flightless specimen named ‘Garfield’. Towards the end of our walk, we came upon a sizeable flock of White-naped and Yellow-faced Honeyeaters, with some Silvereyes, busily plunging into the water of one of the ponds and perching to preen. As we were about to disperse, a Crested Shrike-tit (perhaps two?) made an appearance in some tall eucalypts and offered very good views.
Our thanks to Sandra for exceeding all our ornithological expectations. Some Southern Brown Bandicoots were a nice bonus.
Kevin Windle
