Fourteen members/guests joined me on this relatively warm late autumn morning outing sailing up the Molonglo River on the all electric boat, the “E.L. Cygnet”, to look at late nesting darters and cormorants. I led the early shift, while Anthony Overs helped guide the second boat.
And we weren’t to be disappointed, with Darters surprisingly still at most stages of nesting. Four female birds were still sitting very tightly, another nest had two still very downy chicks on it, while there were several nests with well developed non-downy young either still on them or within a metre or two. However, the undoubted highlight was one nest where two very small young could be seen continually snaking and spiralling their necks up past their mother’s breast towards her bill. This nest had the male brooding when the second group went past both on the way up and on the way back. All in all over 35 Darters were seen, again spaced over the length of the Reach. In contrast to last August’s trip most were either in female or immature plumage, and less than one third were adult males. Despite the nesting activity the latter were generally not in full breeding plumage, with limited red-brown colouring on their necks.
Great, Little Black and Little Pied Cormorants were also seen, but only two of these species were still nesting, both at a very advanced stage. In one spot fairly close together there were at least 6 nests of the Little Black Cormorant, with up to 15 advanced young either still sitting on the nest or nearby. Amongst this group was one Great Cormorant nest with a fresh green twig, but containing 3 advanced young, one of which was seen being fed. This is the first record of this species nesting here in the two years that Jim the skipper has been taking his boat up the Reach, and completes the recorded nesting of all 4 species in this period.
Of the rarer ducks one female Hardhead was seen by the first group, and there were several Pink-eared Duck on the eastern shore of East Basin, close to where the Reach flows into it. Several Australasian Grebe were also seen, but again no confirmed Hoary-headed Grebe, surprisingly considering the relatively deep water, though each bird needed to be examined closely given the identification difficulties that their non-breeding plumages present. Also on the eastern shores of East Basin two Black-fronted Dotterel, which alerted us to their presence by their “dinking” call.
Round thirty five species were seen for the morning, again testament to the richness of this area. These included a number of land birds, the highlight of which was an accipiter species that allowed us very good views while perched on a tree on the bank. As usual this posed some identification difficulties, and consensus was not reached as to whether it was an immature male Brown Goshawk or female Collared Sparrowhawk, though I favoured the former based on the fairly short, solid and well feathered legs and largish head with a hint of a brow rather than a stare. This was confirmed as a first year male Brown Goshawk, by the second group, which also got a good look at it.
The second group had a Whistling Kite soaring around for most of the two hours they were out. Early on, it was chased by a female Nankeen Kestrel, and at one stage it was eating something from its feet while on the wing. On return it tried three times to catch one or two juvenile moorhens on the eastern shore of the basin. This was very close to the boat, and participants had great views.
Finally, 4 late migrating Dusky Woodswallows, in a tree on the eastern shores of East Basin, were seen by the first group. By contrast two Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos were flying over the lake from Bowen Park on the second group’s return, both fitting farewells to a very enjoyable morning.
This is the fourth trip COG has had of this kind within a year, but it continues to be popular and rewarding. For those who missed out, there will be further opportunities next breeding season.
In fact a further trip was arranged at short notice on Saturday 15 May when some 38 Darters were seen, including good numbers of juveniles and immatures. Two females were still on nests; there were at least three nests with still-downy young, one lot was being fed as we passed (the same group as reported on above, but much grown, according to Jim the skipper); and three just fledged had been still nest-bound last week - hopelessly clumsy still. One overbalanced and fell in as the group watched, but came up safely. Another great trip, in watery sunshine, but with a wintry nip in the air. A few surprises - Dusky Woodswallows were still around; a perched Brown Falcon; and the Whistling Kite put in another appearance.
Jack Holland