K2C surveys near Bredbo

COG will continue with the K2C surveys that have been running since April 2010. The surveyed properties have healthy populations of many of the rarer woodland birds such as Diamond Firetail, Hooded Robin and Speckled Warbler. We will be visiting the same sites to continue the monitoring and see if we can witness the autumn migrations. The surveys will be undertaken in ‘blitz’ fashion; that is, observers in small groups will visit a number of sites on one or more properties before regrouping for lunch and a sharing of the survey’s findings. Less experienced observers are welcome to join in the survey as each team will have at least one experienced observer. Anyone interested in participating is asked to contact Nicki Taws before Wednesday 9 October. Email: ntaws@bigpond.com or 0408 210 736.

The Spring K2C surveys were held in fine weather and, although it wasn’t too warm or windy, the prolonged dry spell has meant some sites were looking quite parched. The expected summer migrants were present, and small flocks of Yellow-faced Honeyeaters were migrating through at a few sites. Highlights included White-bellied Sea-Eagle along the Murrumbidgee, the now regular Pied Butcherbird at a couple of sites, Brown Treecreeper breeding, White-winged Triller at a couple of sites, Varied Sittella at one site, Pink-eared Duck and Musk Duck on the large dam at Ingelara, and Jacky Winter at the same property. Hooded Robin and Diamond Firetail were recorded at only a few sites but both species were easily seen at Scottsdale, around the shed while we had our lunch. Thank you to the volunteers, landholders and Bush Heritage for hosting us for our lunch gathering. The next surveys will be in April 2025.

Nicki Taws