The forecast was for yet another 30+ day but the 7.30am start and cloudy conditions made for comfortable walking. Starting in O’Malley, the 14 participants were ‘shuffled’ in some of the cars to Mugga Lane near the riding school to explore towards the eastern side of Isaacs Ridge. We enjoyed an abundance of avian song and activity there, the highlights being Speckled Warblers and a young Horsfield’s Bronze-Cuckoo feeding well on caterpillars. There were Double-barred Finches too – their disappearance from at least some former habitats make this species also worth a mention.
Back at Mugga Lane we ‘shuffled’ to the tank on Hindmarsh Drive at the northern end of Mount Mugga to walk the 3-4 kilometres back to the cars that had been left in O’Malley. Some were surprised to fins so much accessible bush in this area, but the development of East O’Malley will put paid to a portion of that. A Grey Butcherbird was an early find there, and a pair of Sacred Kingfishers. Further on, leader Geoffrey Dabb pulled a rabbit out of his hat and led us straight to a Peregrine Falcon sitting on top of the quarry wall.
This was a varied and interesting outing, spiced with entertaining Dabb anecdotes and garnished with somewhere near 50 species. Thanks Geoff.
Phyl Goddard