A successful trip was held to Pauline Wicksteed’s property and Travelling Stock Route (TSR) 48 at Bellmount Forest. Although only a short distance apart, the two sites had quite distinct birdlife, no doubt due to the different plant communities at each site. Pauline’s property has a mixture of natural woodland and planted areas, whereas much of TSR 48 is more like a parkland with large isolated eucalypts scattered through a grassy open area. About fifty species were observed on the day. Being springtime, many birds were calling throughout the morning and a number of nests were observed.
Some of the highlights at Pauline’s property included the small Australasian Grebe, one of which was sitting on a nest on the dam. Wood Ducks and Masked Lapwings were also nearby, as was a Nankeen Kestrel. Birds seen in the woodland included Varied Sitellas, White-throated Treecreepers, Rufous Whistlers, Leaden Flycatchers and White-throated Gerygones. The latter two species were in the process of nest building. A lone Olive-backed Oriole was spotted and a Noisy Friarbird was perched in a position which allowed people to get good views.
At TSR 48 several Brown Treecreepers were seen and good views were obtained of a Little Eagle soaring overhead. Also present were several White-winged Trillers. It was interesting to learn that they have a call which sounds quite similar to the Rainbow Bee-eater. A female Hooded Robin appeared to be nesting but her mate was not sighted. A lone Diamond Firetail was spotted carrying nesting material to a partially built nest at the top of a small eucalypt. Some Dusky Woodswallows were also in the area, as were a number of Tree Martins.
Peter Holbery