Report - Brooks Hill Reserve (Sat 6 April 2002)

Ten dedicated Coggies made their way to Brooks Hill Reserve which is about 4km short of Bugendore on the Kings Highway on 6the April. The woodland on the slope is a mixture of dry woodland and rehabilitated quarry, with a great deal of replanting having being done by members of the Bungendore community. The walking track around the reserve follows the old highway up the slope from the carpark at the bottom. The most interesting birds were seen near the carpark, which included a good view of a two brilliant male Scarlet Robins, four species of the thornbills and a Shining Bronze-Cuckoo which was caught skulking in the mistletoe. Five Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos were seen flying purposefully and methodically overhead, and disappeared over the hill to the north. We also had excellent close views of the White-throated Treecreeper, including being able to see the orange spot on the female and the very long rear claw. Migrating honeyeaters could be heard chip-chipping overhead. There was not much activity at the dam - well, alright none to be exact - but it is a pleasant spot in any case. It is a pleasant reserve made possible through volunteer work, and well worth calling into, on your way to the coast, so stop off, have a break, and see what is there for yourself.

Alister Bestow