Several COG members escaped Canberra's winter temperatures and stayed at Alesstree Cottage, a comfortable and historic building, on the Kameruka Estate. A few braver souls camped on the property. Lizzie Simkus led several Far South Coast Birdwatchers and the COGites on a tour to The Knob on the Candelo side of Bemboka Saturday morning. The wind was kicking up but we still managed to turn up several Bowerbirds, a Scarlet Robin, and a Grey Butcherbird.
The afternoon was spent testing the new boardwalk at Merimbula Lake, and yielded good looks of Bar-tailed Godwits, other common water birds, and for most, a colourful male Rose Robin. Saturday evening was highlighted by a BBQ at the cottage with all the 'fixens'. Sunday was spent under the leadership of the Scrygameours. Although besieged by showers, we walked through parts of the newly designated South-East Forests NP and observed Red-browed Treecreepers and Gang-gang Cockatoos.
We explored the rainforested COG 'sacred site' of the Sooty Owl sighting from a few years ago with no recurrences. We then enjoyed lunch at Timbarra on Myrtle Mountain followed by a guided tour of the property. During lunch a neighbour wildlife care-giver brought several young orphaned sugar gliders to show to Alan, providing everyone with close looks. The Crimson Rosellas, King Parrots, and White-winged Choughs mobbed the feeding station for our benefit. Monday morning was spent on a leisurely morning walk of the Kameruka estate, producing several Cattle Egrets, comparative observations and calls between the Australian and Little Ravens, and Little Correllas were mixed in with the boisterous Sulphur-crested Cockatoos. A total of 84 species were seen during this very relaxing weekend.
Charles Buer