It was a glorious Canberra Winter's day and eleven of us (including 14 month old Patrick) met at the Ranger's Station at the northern end of Lake Googong. We spent some time there and found all five local species of Thornbills, plus the Weebill, present simultaneously within about 10 metres. A flock of 20 very excited Buff-rumped Thornbills that had found something interesting on the ground entertained us. We then moved on to the lower picnic area for the usual large flock of Red-browed Finches plus a few others and then on to the dam.
On the dam we were treated to the spectacle of a very large flock of Eurasian Coots (one estimate was as high as 650). They were lined up across the water almost single file until a White-bellied Sea-Eagle approached. Then they quickly formed a very tight group, then spread out again swimming towards us after this threat had passed. Four Diamond Firetails and three Hooded Robins appeared right on cue where we specifically went to see them, near the carpark above the dam. At lunch Philip's banana cake was coincidentally fitting, as it was Sue's birthday. Then we drove on to Fernleigh Park because that grid had not yet been surveyed. In spite of our best efforts, the residents were not keen to have us traverse their properties to arrive at the woodlands that were tantalisingly close. We surveyed from the roadside, achieving a modest 25 species in the allotted time. We then went to Tin Hut Bird Hide at the Southern end of the Lake to add several waterbirds at our leisure and Flame and Hooded Robins and then to London Bridge nearby. It was a most enjoyable day with sixty-six species in all and four data sheets done. Thanks to Philip for leading the outing.
Lia Battison