Description: Both dams are hotspots for raptors and waterbirds. The highlights include Great-crested Grebes, Musk Duck and Blue-billed Duck.
Meeting time and place: Netball Centre Lyneham at 7.00 am for carpooling. Suggested contribution to driver, $10. Please bring the correct money.
Walking distance: Pejar Dam (St Stephens Road 0.5 km, main picnic area 1 km, North Arm 1 km) and Jean Todkill Park 1 km. Degree of difficulty: easy
End time: 4.00 pm at Lyneham.
What to bring: water, morning tea, lunch, sunscreen, water, sturdy shoes, hat.
Participants must register with the leader by text on 0466874723 or email bsgraham1948@gmail.com at least 24 hours before, providing their name and mobile number, and the name and mobile number of an emergency contact.
Numbers limited to 16.
Only 3 people joined Bill for what proved to be a very enjoyable day out visiting Pejar Dam, Crookwell, and Lyells and Berrebangelo TSRs. Raptors sighted were limited to a Nankeen Kestrel and a Black-shouldered Kite. At Pejar Dam there were over 100 Eurasian Coot with small numbers of all grebes, while at Jean Todkill Park there was a group of 27 Hoary-headed Grebes and a flotilla of 11 Australasian Grebes drifting in a line. There were Musk Ducks on both dams including two males at Jean Todkill Park producing a fine splashing display. Other ducks seen were Hardhead, Australian Wood Duck and Pacific Black Duck. Australian Reed Warblers were present and vocal at both places. Small flocks of Red-browed Finch, Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Superb Fairy-wren and Welcome Swallow were seen near Pejar Dam.
As we were travelling, several groups of Straw-necked Ibis were seen in the fields with the largest group being a mix of 65 adult and immature birds at Grabben Gullen. There were also large groups of Sulphur-crested Cockatoo feeding and we counted 70 at Lyells TSR. Other than them and a flock of White-winged Chough at Lyells, the TSRs were relatively quiet. However, at Lyells there were a couple of very healthy brown snakes and 3 glossy shinglebacks. Unfortunately, there was also pig damage.
Other birds seen during the day were solitary or limited to small numbers. These included Spotted and Striated Pardalote, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Crimson Rosella, Red-rumped Parrot, Grey Fantail, Australian Raven and Red Wattlebird. Heard but not seen included Pied Butcherbird, Olive-backed Oriole, Rufous Whistler and Grey Shrike-thrush. Overall, 56 species were recorded and it was a lovely drive.
Sheila Hughes
