A total of 11 COG members travelled to the Riverina and camped the week at Woolshed Flat in Cocoparra National Park some 30 km NE of Griffith, NSW. Weather remained dry but with periods of rather trying high winds. The park and other non-irrigated areas nearby were still very much in drought. Within the park a total of 82 species were seen with a number of breeding records. Among the memorable highlights were flocks of hundreds of Masked and White-browed Woodswallows swooping down to feed on bands of locust hoppers which has recently emerged. These were joined by many Rainbow Bee-eaters and some Budgerigars. In a nearby bush were a group of a dozen or more Crimson Chats, looking as one member put it, like ripe apples in a tree! Groups of Splendid and Variegated Fairy wrens were observed. A Red-backed Kingfisher was seen on the Road to Mt Bingar.
Near the campground was a dam which contained some water. A succession of birds were seen coming to the water including Bar-shouldered Doves, Common Bronzewings and a number of honeyeater species including the Black Honeyeater. Night birds were in evidence, with Tawny Frogmouth, Southern Boobook, Spotted Nightjar and Australian Owlet-nightjar either seen or heard. Along the edge of the park were Emus, Blue Bonnets and Blue-faced Honeyeaters. Australian Ringnecks (Mallee form), Red-rumped Parrots and Spiny-cheeked Honeyeaters were everywhere.
A visit was made to Fivebough swamp in Leeton. This is an amazing place which was stuffed full of water birds. In spite of very high winds among the thousands of birds present were hundreds of Glossy Ibis, Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, Black-winged Stilt and Red-necked Avocets were present. Other waterbirds of note included Marsh Sandpiper and Freckled Duck. Both Swamp and Marsh Harrier patrolled the marsh. In a nearby paddock hundreds of Whiskered and a few White-winged Black Terns were seen feeding on another hopper band.
A trip was also made to the Griffith area. Of special note was a trip to Binya State forest. In a patch of beaten up calitris forest cluttered with rubbish and the odd burned out car the group saw more Painted Honeyeaters in half an hour feeding in Mistletoe than most of us had previously seen in a lifetime! Many Mistletoebirds were also seen. In all a highly successful and memorable trip and thanks to Trevor and Joan Lipscombe for organising it.
David Rees