A cold and foggy morning with only 27 species in total was one of the quietest days we have had in the 10 years of the survey. However, low records are still important to a long term project like this. There were a few Scarlet Robins around and the usual mix of common (winter) species, Spotted Pardalote, Striated Pardalote, Weebill, Buff-rumped Thornbill (one flock around 50 birds), White-eared Honeyeater, White-throated Treecreeper, but otherwise no species of interest such as the local decliners. The highlight of the morning was a large flock of Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos in the reserve; around 30 were seen in the woodland near the Large Dam and another 20 flying at another location, with a couple of observations of pairs flying over; we cannot be sure of the total number, it may have been around 30 or could have been around 50. Interestingly, on the winter survey last year, a flock of around 100 of these cockatoos was around the western ridge and northern end of the reserve. The distribution patterns for this species have certainly changed radically since the January 2003 bushfires, with groups of these birds foraging widely in and around Canberra's urban and woodland reserves. Some of the large Yellow Box trees have budded up, so maybe this spring we might get some flowering!!! Thanks to Noel Luff, Martyn Moffat, Steve Holliday, Kay and Horst Hahne, Suzi Bond, Jack Holland and Sue Lashko for doing the surveys with me.
The next survey date is Sunday 26 September 2004 - regular volunteers note your diaries.
Jenny Bounds