My fears that this first (to my recollection) COG/National Parks Association (NPA) joint outing would be a disaster, first of all due to the low interest until mid week and then to hot, dry, windy weather, were dispelled when about 20 participants set off in warm but still conditions at 9 am for the first session. We travelled pretty slowly at first as the early parts of the 2.5 km walk, adapted from the Cooleman Ridge Nature Trail but avoiding the steeper ascents and descents, promised the most birds. A good variety was seen by all participants, before we picked up speed and also enjoyed the views, particularly the 360 degree views afforded from the top of Cooleman Trig. Despite the hotter conditions a much smaller second group which did the second circuit at 11 am also had very good views of a number of species, including a couple not observed by the first group.
In total over 30 species were seen for the morning in an area which most participants had not visited before. An early highlight was a Wedge-tailed Eagle high overhead, and both groups had good views of Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrikes, Grey Fantails, Red-rumped Parrots, and for the first group, two adult Australian Wood Ducks with week-old ducklings in the centre of a dam surrounded by black cattle currently being agisted. The second group had great views of a White-plumed Honeyeater, a Noisy Friarbird (only my third sighting for the area this spring) and a male Rufous Whistler. These are all common birds with which beginners may not be familiar. Less common birds seen were a number of Dusky Woodswallows, several Southern Whitefaces (two lots were seen by both groups at two spots) and White-winged Trillers (a female by the first and two males playing chasey by the second).
While the morning was successful, the main purpose of the joint exercise, to introduce members of the public to both birdwatching and bushwalking was less so, as the majority of participants were either COG or NPA members. Nevertheless it's an ideal spot for the bird watching/walking combination and worth repeating during the next Parks/National Bird week, perhaps with some wider publicity. My thanks go to the NPA, particularly to Beverley Hammond, for the help in organising and running this event.
Jack Holland