Yes, there are still grid squares in the COG area of concern that have not been atlassed. With this in mind, Sue Lashko, Stuart Harris, Jonette McDonnell, Kathy Walter and I set off in two vehicles from Tharwa at 7.00am heading for Tantangara Dam, via Adaminaby. Once we had left the forested areas near Shannon Flat, we started atlassing in earnest. It was good to see a Southern Whiteface amongst the Yellow-rumped Thornbills. A little closer to Adaminaby we also saw a flock of 10 Diamond Firetails, as well as a host of songlarks in full song. Adaminaby provided a late-morning break before we continued along the Snowy Mountains Highway toward Tumut and turned north along the good unsealed road to Tantangara Dam. The dam itself is on the very edge of the COG area, whereas the road to get there is outside. We did several surveys at the rather empty dam before turning tail and heading homeward.
Lunch was in drifting misty rain in the quiet forest but for a lyrebird. Shortly before Adaminaby however, we couldn’t resist making the trip to Bugtown, a few kilometres northwest of Adaminaby. The road starts confidently, but after the creek crossing and a couple of gates, it lost its enthusiasm, and simply faded away. We bumped along on the grassy paddocks, Atlassing as we went, until it was evident that Bugtown was well passed its hey-day, and that it exists in name only. From Bugtown, we returned to Tharwa, via Adaminaby, (noting a pair of Wedge-tailed Eagles on a fence line). We completed 17 COG surveys, nine of which were in new cells, and four non-COG surveys, noting 48 species. A great day out!
Alistair Bestow