Horst and I led the walk in our home stomping grounds on a delightful, clear, calm, sunny winter morning. We started at 9 am, which seemed to be just right. The birds were very active by then and it was not quite so cold. Eight members joined us and in the first half-hour along the Aranda nature strip walkway up to the beginning of the Nature Park we saw 19 species in the first half hour! We had good close up views of a White-throated Treecreeper while it was calling, a lone White-eared Honeyeater, two lovely Eastern Spinebills chasing each other, an elusive Gang-gang which we heard but couldn’t get a glimpse of, and of course House Sparrows, Starlings, Blackbird and Common Mynas. Thankfully these last four were not seen in the Bushland itself, but closer to habitation. In all we sighted an even 30 species.
Down at the bottom of the hill in an open area we had our real treat of the day. For several minutes we watched a pair of Scarlet Robins flying down to the grass and then perching up on a rosebush or small eucalypt saplings. In amongst the robins on the ground were a total of five Speckled Warblers pecking and feeding. Also we had a good view of an immature Golden Whistler, a male Superb Blue Wren in the sunshine, three White-winged Choughs conversing (where were the rest?) and noted the very different call and the smoky grey look of a Grey Currawong compared to the Pied Currawong, which were also present.
Kay Hahne