This was the second of the field trips this year to look at birds using re-vegetation sites. This site just near Gundaroo is around 10 years old and was planted by direct seeding which gives a more dense coverage than seedling planting; a mix of various species, mostly eucalypts and wattles, not all local species. The property owner had approached GA originally as some mature trees in the paddock were dying or showing signs of poor health. The existence of some dead and mature trees gives it a more varied structure.
Within 100 metres on the same property, is a mature woodland remnant on a hill, which gave some contrast in terms of bird species and diversity. This remnant is a mix of several local eucalypt species including Yellow Box on the lowest slopes, Argyle Apple (E. cinerea), Red Stringybark, Scribbly Gum, and Red Box (E. polyanthemos); the understorey is fairly sparse though.
We had a very good tally of 53 species for the morning, surprising given the rather windy conditions. Some highlights and contrasts between the re-veg plot and the native remnant:
Four of the thornbill species (Yellow-rumped, Yellow – very common in the wattle species with feathered leaves, Striated and Brown)
Weebill – although not usually common in plantings
Western and White-throated Gerygones
Rufous Whistler – common in plantings
Striated Pardalote – these universal pardalotes can be found in most kinds of native habitat and are common in re-veg sites
Crested Shrike-tit – common in plantings and close views of a male bird calling incessantly
White-winged Triller – also using the open paddock adjacent to the plot
Red-rumped Parrot
A flock of woodswallows in and around the re-veg plot, at least 30 White-browed Woodswallow and a dozen or so Masked Woodswallow as well as about 6 Dusky Woodswallow – great views of all of these.
Buff-rumped Thornbill – they prefer the mature woodland
Leaden Flycatcher – also prefer the mature woodland
Superb Parrot – a male in a large tree near the remnant
Varied Sittella
Laughing Kookaburra
Spotted Pardalote – they prefer mature woodland and are not usually found in the plantings; this likely relates to food preference
Tawny Frogmouth on a nest in a Yellow Box
Thanks to the property owner, Ingrid, for allowing us to visit, and to Nicki Taws for arranging and leading. We expect to have another GA site on the filed trips program in 2003 and members are encouraged to go on these visits – they add a different dimension of interest and education to birdwatching.
Jenny Bounds