A select group of ten coggies met on a cool cloudy morning on the western side of Uriarra Crossing. Our fearless leader was my good self, who was able to fill in for David who was unable to lead. After a short drive on Fairlight Road of about 1 km to the top of the river valley, we strolled down the fire trail as far as the river. Good views of the river were provided while descending through the tea tree vegetation. There were a few New Holland Honeyeaters about, Superb Fairy-wrens and also White-eared Honeyeaters.
We then continued by car as far as Mountain Creek Road, turned right and carried on for about 12 kilometers. TSR60 (Travelling Stock Reserve No. 60) is located at 35º 08" 27' S; 148º 52" 50' E . It is a patch of 241 acres (98 hectares) in size and is 'a grassy woodland with moderate structure comprising >20% shrubs and 10-50% cover of ground herbage, logs and litter'. It was calm although rather grey, and at one stage we sheltered under trees while a shower passed. Amongst the expected birds being magpies, Crimson and Eastern Rosellas, there were a few welcome specials including a Noisy Friarbird, three species of thornbills and two Speckled Warblers busy feeding on the ground - apparently quite unconcerned about their declining numbers! We noted 28 species for the site and had morning tea under a large eucalypt, packing up JUST before the rain really came down.
It was a location I had not been to before, and one to which I will certainly return.
Alistair Bestow