Sixteen members and friends of COG participated in this field trip to the delightful Monga National Park. After carpooling at Queanbeyan we drove to Braidwood and then, as we approached the park entrance, we were in thick, wet cloud, leading some participants to wonder if perhaps we should make a U-turn and focus on coffee and the galleries at Braidwood, rather than birding in the rain at Monga! The group agreed, however, that we can't have rainforest without rain, and so we persevered. As things turned out, the forest was at its best. Exquisite temperate rainforest with soft mist providing a beautiful ambience.
We commenced at the Dasyurus picnic area, noting the Monga Waratahs and marvelling at the beauty of the Mongarlowe River. At this point we spotted our first Rose Robin. Interestingly, despite seeing a number of these delightful birds, we did not hear any of their distinctive calls.
Later on we moved to the River picnic area where we could hear Pilotbirds and observed some other of the wet forest specialties. As always, a visit to the Pinkwoods and tree ferns at Penance Grove was a highlight. At this spot some of us saw a Bassian Thrush. Our stroll up Milo Road revealed a number of other species, including crippling views of Crescent Honeyeaters (the noisiest bird in the forest at that location) and more Rose Robins. Unlike COG's previous visit in November 2006, we dipped on the rare Pink Robin. Some fortunate members of our group caught glimpses of Pilotbirds dashing across the forest roads, as is their want.
Surprisingly, we observed only 15 bird species, a very small number compared with usual. Perhaps this reflects the fact that we visited in February rather than near the end of the year; we usually visit in the October to December period when the waratahs are in flower. Perhaps it was because of the mist? Nonetheless, it was a delightful visit with all participants seeing some of the special birds of the temperate rainforest that are so different from those of the parched Canberra region, and delighting in this everpopular remnant of the Gondwanan continent, just one and a half hours' drive from Canberra.
— David McDonald