A Melbourne Cup field of COG members raced to Round Hill Nature Reserve for the Easter weekend. We were welcomed by an immense cloud of enthusiastic bushflies.
Perfect autumn weather and secluded shady campsites made up for the red dust underfoot. The drought is having a severe impact on the vegetation of the reserve. Very few plants were in flower and dead trees dotted the upper slopes of Round Hill. Bird numbers have been much reduced by the harsh conditions but a good total of 70 species was put together by our enthusiastic group of observers. Southern Scrub-robin, Gilberts Whistler, and Spotted Bowerbird were “big ticks” for several happy members.
The open woodland on the lower slopes of Round Hill was the most productive birding area. Grey-crowned and White-browed Babblers chattered in the shade of the wilgas, red gums held Striped and Singing Honeyeaters and an occasional Crested Bellbird lurked in the native pines. A highlight was the Red-capped Robins fluttering after moths from their perches on the dead timber. Many participants had their best birding in the late afternoon. As the shadows lengthened a flood of Southern Whitefaces scurried across the scalded flats around the campsite. Accompanying them were Speckled Warblers, Jacky Winters, Hooded Robins and Restless Flycatchers.
A quarry north of the Euabalong road still held some water. This was a magnet, morning and evening, for a big group of Common Bronzewings and a hundred or more Mallee Ringnecks. Bar-shouldered Doves, Peaceful Doves, Cockatiels, Mulga Parrots and Spotted Bowerbirds came in smaller numbers. A pair of Pink Cockatoos (Major Mitchell) drank there too. The “Wheatfields” area was very dry and quiet. We saw Splendid Wrens in eclipse plumage but careful stalking was needed to find Gilbert’s Whistler or Southern Scrub-robin.
The Saturday “potluck” dinner was a lot of fun. Geoff Dabb opened proceedings with hors d’oeuvres topped with what he assured us were fine slices of Lipscombes Sheath-tailed Bat. This now even rarer bat was made more palatable by a liberal dash of cayenne pepper. Entrees and mains were so yummy that few of us had room for Sue’s excellent fruit cake.
A notable event at this campout was the first use of the new COG dunny. This elegant but lightweight edifice will surely be a focal point of many future COG campouts.
Sadly Margaret Aston had a fall on Sunday evening and badly injured her shoulder. I’m sure you will all join with me in wishing her a swift recovery and an early return to COG outings.
John Goldie managed the large group in his usual quiet and efficient manner. Many thanks John!
Tom Green