This very popular trip attracted 30 or so members to make the modest journey of 75 km to the north of Canberra to Dalton. COG had not been there before, so it was a new experience for all of us. The property is owned by Gianni d'Addario, who was unfortunately unable to be there on the day. The energetic Mr. Lewis Merriman the caretaker however, spent a number of hours guiding the group around the property. The property has a great deal of fencing in order to keep foxes out, and several ponds to attract waterbirds. Besides a couple of Australian Wood Ducks, the only waterbird we saw, was a mute swan on one of the ponds. There were also several introduced ostriches and Cape Barren Geese inside the fenced areas. The surrounding area had good quality intact woodland, although there was a great deal of the invasive Cassinia bush in patches.
Over the course of the day were rewarded with 58 species. The day however, belonged to the bush birds. Several members saw their first White-browed Babblers (in the Cassinia bush!), Southern Whiteface (4) and White-fronted Chats (2), and a glimpse of Red-capped Robin (1M+1F). It was also pleasing to see both Scarlet and Flame Robins. Also of note was a Pallid Cuckoo and a Horsfields Bronze-Cuckoo making an unusual call. Lunch was had in a pleasant spot overlooking the view of the area, before the stayers were invited to walk the couple of hundred metres to the wetland. It was a little further than we thought, and several of us became geographically misplaced for a while. (-but we did have splendid 360 degree views out to Dalton and Gunning.) An Eastern Yellow Robin was near the wetland. After a memorable day, we all chugged off home. The COG Committee has agreed to provide Lewis with a Bird Field Guide as a gesture of thanks for the time he spent with us. For more information about Oolong can be found at the website www.pcug.org.au/~gianni.
It will be proposed to put another visit to Oolong next year in the Spring.
Alistair Bestow