The Sunday 25 July COG trip to Bungonia State Conservation Park, east of Goulburn, was described as an all day outing in winter with the option of staying over on Saturday night. Despite the forecast of showers and rain for the weekend six early arrivals, including our trip leader John Goldie, met at the camp ground on Saturday afternoon.
Arriving early had its rewards. Despite the light rain, the area around the camp ground yielded Striated and Buff-rumped Thornbills, White-eared and White-naped Honeyeaters, a pair of Scarlet Robins, a Spotted Quail-thrush and two Red-necked Wallabies. Before dark we drove to Bungonia Lookdown and during the short walk saw a Swamp Wallaby. After a convivial evening in the camp kitchen the group went on a spotlighting walk around the camp ground. Nothing else was stirring.
We awoke on Sunday to find the day grey and overcast and a small mob of Eastern Grey Kangaroos grazing quietly nearby. Two of the party also observed a male Spotted Quail-thrush about 15m up a tree calling repeatedly and displaying its pure white belly. After meeting the Sunday morning arrivals at the Ranger Station the total party of eleven drove to the David Reid car park, the beginning of the first of the scheduled walks for the day. Walking between the car park and Bungonia Lookdown we were delighted once again to see a pair of Spotted Quail-thrush, most people having good views. From the lookouts we could see Bungonia Creek and the Shoalhaven River, as well as the large scar of Marulan quarry. On the return walk toward the car park we were treated to the sight of a female Superb Lyrebird scratching in the litter. We were able to observe her for several minutes and so could note two spots on her wings as well as the colouring of her back and underparts. When we disturbed her she ran off into the scrub in characteristic lyrebird fashion. We were further delayed reaching the start of the planned walk by the proliferation of birds in the trees around the car park. As well as Brown and Striated Thornbills and small brown mice cunningly disguised as Superb Fairy-wrens, the highlight was the Varied Sitellas and White-throated Treecreepers displaying their contrasting feeding habits.
Our walk then took us through the karst area and a variety of vegetation types to Mount Ayre, where we enjoyed more views of the gorge area. We continued in a circle back to the parking area, having seen only White-winged Choughs and Eastern Grey Kangaroos during the walk. Moral: stay in the car park where the best bird life can often be found. On the way out, a Pied Butcherbird was seen in the campground.
The group saw a total of 29 species during the weekend, a reasonable number given the weather. Our thanks go to our competent and knowledgeable trip leader John, who was ably supported by Kathy. John not only lead the walks, but also supplied the wood for the open fire in the camp kitchen.
Margaret Robertson