COG's annual outing to the Brindabellas again attracted a full complement of birdwatchers on a beautiful summer's morning. Our meeting point at Uriarra Homestead Dam was again a great spot with 29 species "spotted" in just under an hour. The water level was as low as I have ever seen it, with now a large sandbank, and shallow water over much of the surface. The sandbank provided ideal habitat for both Black-fronted and Red-kneed Dotterels, identification of which was the highlight of our stop. Other waterbirds included Pacific Black and Australian Wood Ducks, Australasian Shoveler, Grey Teal, Hardhead and White-faced Heron. We also had good views of a flock of three Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos noisily flying overhead.
Our excursion to Blundells Creek and Warks Roads continued with our usual car shuffle which allows us to walk only downhill for several kilometres. The car drivers were greeted by a pair of Gang-gang Cockatoos showing great interest in a large hollow near our "car park".
Exactly six years since the large bushfire, it was exciting to see the ongoing recovery of the native vegetation and (except for the roadsides where fleabane, blackberries and dandelions thrive) native plants have now largely displaced the weeds.
Grey Fantails in big numbers teased us all along the road although we were lucky to get some fleeting views of the shy Rufous Fantails. Yellow-faced and White-eared Honeyeaters were quite common as were White-naped Honeyeaters especially along Lees Creek. Other species in surprisingly small numbers were White-throated Treecreepers, Pardalotes, Rufous and Golden Whistlers and White-browed Scrubwrens. The Flame Robins seen in the years after the fire seem to have gone, but it was great to record a flock of Scarlet Robins with Eastern Yellow Robins calling along the track. Other notables were a pair of Brown Goshawks, Australian King-Parrots with dependent young, Eastern Whipbird, Satin Bowerbird and Satin Flycatcher.
Overall, 50 species for the trip provided a delightful outing.
— Bruce Lindenmayer