Six thermal-clad birdos (some with two legs, some with four) headed up the path that leads to the still and pristine valley containing Nursery Swamp. No sooner had we left the carpark than we were frozen, observing Crescent Honeyeaters and Eastern Spinebills having breakfast. Birdsong was crisp and constant as we moved on, escorted by White-eared Honeyeaters and an Eastern Yellow Robin. Our leader deviously left us at this point only to re-emerge 20 minutes later proclaiming visions of three Spotted Quail-thrush and various other sightings.
The upward leg over, we descended into the tranquillity of Nursery Swamp, an area of ecological and indigenous importance. The wildlife sleeps in on Sundays here, so we took a premature lunch, which for some stretched into a two-hour sprawl akin to the local kangaroos under clear blue skies. A Grey Butcherbird broke the silence at one point and the main party returned with sightings of Scarlet Robin after a half-hour sojourn further down the swamp.
A handicap system was implemented on the homeward leg and all fragments of the group had reports of increased activity in the afternoon warmth. Red-browed Finches, White-browed Scrubwrens, Superb Fairy-wrens and White-throated Treecreepers were all conspicuous in the ear-shattering stillness. A few Superb Lyrebirds were heard, though not seen.
The highlight for most was a good five-minute gawk at those Spotted Quail-thrush alluded to earlier in the report. A new track is being built on the inward/upward leg that will replace the well-worn old one, and this is where the SQT were located. Thanks to the fearless, four-legged David McDonald for leading the walk that provided both rest and recreation for participants.
Stuart Harris