Six COG members enjoyed a very pleasant ramble in perfect autumn weather to Square Rock in northern Namadgi. As expected, the small honeyeaters were very much in evidence moving northward in small parties. We spent a pleasant half-hour watching mostly Yellow-faced and White-naped, as well as a few White-eared in the Black Sallees surrounding the frost hollow. For a number of participants this provided a good opportunity to view these species up close. Other species in significant numbers were Striated Pardalote, Striated Thornbill and Grey Fantail, the latter included a short view of a recently-fledged juvenile still in remnants of its natal down. Good views of a number of Flame Robins also delighted the party, including a short view of an immature male.
Our lunch stop spent admiring the expansive views of the high Brindabellas from Square Rock had the added bonus of good views of a Wedge-tailed Eagle, and then a Brown Goshawk, circling low overhead. On the walk back we checked out the view from the Orroral Valley Lookout.
We had noted large numbers of stick insects dead along the track, and on the return walk came upon a flock of 40-50 Pied and Grey Currawong very animated in the tree tops and we surmised that a stick insect feast might be underway.
Our final walk back to the cars lengthened the day into the late afternoon when we came upon a walker from another party who had apparently broken his ankle at the top of the decent. He had bravely crawled halfway down, and after supplying a bandage we assisted him slowly down almost to the road where we were met by police rescue and ambulance crew-a dramatic end to a highly recommended walk.
Julie McGuiness