The outing to view migrating honeyeaters was held on yet another lovely autumn day, so typical of the season this year. However it was a bit too warm for the honeyeaters, and with a northerly breeze and some high cloud around, it was a definite no-show. We were positioned along Smiths Rd south of Tharwa at the northern end of the former pine plantation, a site that has proved worthwhile on good migration days, however only a couple of flocks of less than 20 birds appeared, and even they were confused as to where to go. In the end we counted more White-winged Choughs than honeyeaters – a large loose aggregation of at least 57 birds. The local Wedge-tailed Eagles and a male Flame Robin provided some interest in lieu of honeyeaters. We moved on to Tharwa Sandwash to improve the species list for the morning, though even here it was quieter than usual. The weather is the main factor in determining if there will be large honeyeater movement. Just the day before at the same location on Smiths Rd, when the morning was probably just one degree cooler but without the northerly breeze, the Field Naturalists counted at least 2000 in two hours. However, this season it also seems that the honeyeater migration began unusually early with large numbers reported moving in mid-March, something that hasn’t happened for several years now. Perhaps the prolonged dry summer has depleted food resources in the mountains.
Nicki Taws