Pauline Wicksteed welcomed 13 members to her property north of Gundaroo on a sunny spring morning. In the 24 years she has lived there, the natural woodland has regenerated and extensive planting has been carried out close to the house. Our walk through the woodland yielded 32 species including nesting Striated Pardalotes and Red Wattlebirds, as well as Olive-backed Orioles constructing a nest of fibrous bark. Spring arrivals included Pallid Cuckoo, Rufous Whistler, Leaden Flycatcher and White-throated Gerygone.
After morning tea, we visited ‘Nelanglo’ (TSR 48). No sooner had we gone through the gate to the lane leading down to the TSR than we heard the call of a Painted Honeyeater. The excitement didn’t end there, though; as we were following the calls of more Painted Honeyeaters we were distracted by a Red-backed Kingfisher which obligingly showed off its pale front, striped head and red rump. Other highlights in a list of 41 species included Rainbow Bee-eater, White-browed and Dusky Woodswallow, White-winged Triller, Restless Flycatcher, Brown Treecreeper and Diamond Firetail. A Jacky Winter on its impossibly small nest, Striated Pardalotes in their nesting hole and Willie Wagtails feeding young completed a perfect spring day.
Our thanks to Pauline for her hospitality and local knowledge.
Sue Lashko