An overcast morning, promising showers, saw 11 COG members meet at the intersection of the Monaro Highway and Tralee St, Hume. We searched this area and found Noisy Miners carrying food, and recent arrivals, Sacred Kingfisher, Olive-backed Oriole and Noisy Friarbird. The Dollarbirds, usually here, had not yet arrived.
We drove 1.5 kms to the end of Tralee St. and parked near the stockyards. This area is at the southern end of the Hume industrial estate. It is flat, with a good tree cover and small creeks draining the Tralee Hills to the east. There is a Travelling Stock Reserve, Pound and a number of horse paddocks with public access. No one had been to this area before and some said they would be coming again. We walked up the T.S. Route to the railway reserve and south about 2 kms. A total of 50 species was recorded, with Leaden Flycatchers near Gilmore and Grey Currawongs, Red-rumped Parrots and Magpies breeding in a gully near the stockyards.
There are good tracks on either side of the railway and rich plant communities that were in full flower. The southern end of the track has good views over the Tuggeranong Valley to the west and the hills on the eastern side are thickly wooded, from Sandra's Lookout to Bow Mountain. The clouds cleared, the morning was fine and a leisurely stroll was enjoyed by all.
Bill Graham