Over the October long weekend 15 COG campers headed west into the Riverina on a campout guided by David McDonald. The group stayed in perfect weather at the Whitton Punt Reserve, a beautiful spot along the Murrumbidgee some 15 km west of Leeton.
The first and perhaps most abiding impression was one of greenness and also woodland carpeted with multi-coloured flowers, some native, others exotic; a shock to all after years of drought.
In the red gum forest surrounding the campsite we were treated to many views of Superb Parrots as well as Yellow Rosellas. A Spotted Harrier flew through as did a flock of Masked and White-browed Woodswallows. We all enjoyed the sweet song of Pied Butcherbirds. At night we listened to the calls of Southern Boobooks and the screech of a Barn Owl.
The first venture away from the campsite was to Billenbah State Forest where our first sighting of Red-capped Robins was made. Good views were had of a young Black-eared Cuckoo. Also present were Chestnut-rumped Thornbill, Western Gerygone and a party of Grey-crowned Babblers.
The group then spent the afternoon at Fivebough Swamp in Leeton, guided by local natural resources management expert, Mike Schulz, to whom we are very grateful for sharing his time and expertise. In terms of diversity of waterbirds that can be seen in one place this must be one of the premier sites in southern Australia. The list of birds seen was long. Most noticeable were the thousands of Black-winged Stilts. Also present were Ibis (Glossy, White and Straw-necked) and ducks - many including Blue-billed. We also enjoyed good sightings of Magpie Geese, Intermediate Egret, Spoonbills, Whiskered Tern, Baillon’s Crake, Black-tailed Godwit, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Red-kneed Dotterel, Black Kite, Swamp Harrier, Brown Quail and Little Grassbird. Alas, the Brolgas and Bittern the place is known to contain were not seen.
The following morning Mike guided us to Brobenbah Hills, a private property NE of Leeton. Here the woodland was carpeted with wildflowers and birds were plentiful, including Rainbow Bee-eater, Cockatiel, White-browed Babbler, Rufous Songlark, Jacky Winter, Pallid Cuckoo, Inland Thornbill and Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater. From there the party moved to Binya State Forest near Griffith, where a search was made for the Painted Honeyeater. One bird was eventually located and stayed perched for a long time allowing everyone to get a good look. Others of this species were heard. Also present there were Striped Honeyeater, Mulga Parrot and lots of White-winged Trillers.
On the way back to the camp, at Darlington Point, a farmyard was spotted invaded by thousands of Little Corellas. Nearby on the Sturt Highway a solitary Long-billed Corella was also seen.
A wonderful escape from Canberra.
David Rees