I did the seasonal survey of this woodland site on my own this time, and spent a rather pleasant three hours very early in the morning in overcast conditions walking the length of the site. Weeds and exotic grasses were well grown from the recent rains, although nowhere near the four feet high growth I experienced at this site in December several years ago - nevertheless gaiters are the order of the day at Newline at this time of year due to the grass seeds. I recorded 43 species on this visit. The regular pair of Brown Treecreepers were active in the front paddock. Highlights were one Diamond Firetail near site 4, a pair of Double-barred Finches and a Speckled Warbler near the dump, a Grey Butcherbird with two immatures at site 7 at the quarry end of the area, several pairs of White-winged Trillers and a couple of Dollarbirds. As at Mulligan's Flat, one Rufous Songlark only was recorded.
Jenny Bounds