Despite the well-known hazards of the botanical gardens such as the dangerous and therefore caged Wollemi Pine and the frightening sugar levels in the excellent cakes of the garden café, a courageous group of about 15 early birders met to learn about the scientific studies in the “Ornithological Gardens”. The participants proved their outstanding birdwatching skills by reading colour-bands of the Superb Fairy-wrens and the even more superb White-browed Scrubwrens (the guide’s study-species). Fairy-wrens are unique in that 90% of their nest contain at least one nestling fathered by another than the territorial alpha-male. We also had a chance to see or rather not see some old scrubwren nests. Despite the almost perfect hiding of the nest, scrubwrens suffer high nestling predation, probably due to the suicidally conspicuous begging behaviour.
Light entertainment in the breaks between the scientific accounts was provided by pair-wisely occurring Spotted and Striated Pardalotes, Rufous and Golden Whistlers and Red and Grey Fantails. The promise of the Tawny Frogmouth, however, must be fulfilled at another tour.
Golo Maurer