Rain always threatened but fell only once, and then briefly, during this afternoon walk round the observatory and northwards along the ridge of Mount Stromlo. Seventeen participants noted about the same number of species.
The main attraction occurred early in the walk when a young man, exercising his dog, kindly led us to a Satin Bowerbird's bower situated on the edge of a road, in somebody's garden. Bits of blue were in evidence, but I was struck most by the architectural quality of the structure, and its general air of neatness and ingenuity.
Fairer weather would have probably produced more birds and better sightings of them, especially along the slopes, but the views to the Tidbinbillas and the Brindabellas were there to be enjoyed and I was able to indicate one or two interesting trails leading off the route we actually followed.
My warmest thanks to Marie Gittens for making the following bird list:
Thanks to all those who took part. I have a list of almost 60 species for this area and I am happy to supply a copy to anyone interested.
Richard Mason