A very small party of three travelled together to Mittagong stopping at the Cecil Hoskins Reserve on the Wingecarrabee River in mid-afternoon. Despite the overcast conditions we saw or heard 24 species, including Swamp Harrier and Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo. We had very good views of Striated Thornbill, which obliged by cavorting for some time within a few metres of where we were standing. The only evidence of breeding was Brown Thornbill feeding young.
We then drove on into Mittagong and stopped at Lake Alexandra. All the usual waterbirds were there, as well as Australasian Grebe, Hardhead and Little Pied Cormorant. Australian Wood Duck had several young. A walk along the nearby track produced Waratahs in bloom, as were many other species of wildflower. It was a very pleasant walk indeed. 25 species, including Golden Whistler, Satin Bowerbird, Eastern Spinebill, Laughing Kookaburra and Eastern Whipbird were observed. The only breeding record was an Australian Magpie on a nest.
We had sufficient time then to book into our motel and relax for a little while before meeting again at the Spanish restaurant, where we enjoyed a chat over tapas and a glass of wine. We arranged to meet at 8am in the morning and retired to bed at a reasonable hour.
It had rained overnight, but the clouds held off for our walk along the Darch Track on Sunday morning. We spent 45 minutes there and observed 23 species in all, including a Rock Warbler, albeit fleeting glimpses. Other highlights included Red-browed Finch, Shining Bronze-Cuckoo and a Southern Boobook, sitting quietly in a Casuarina.
At 9am we arrived at the car park at the Box Vale Track and before we left the carpark we had seen about 10 species. As the morning wore on it warmed up to a very nice day. On Welby Dam we saw 12 species, including Black Swan and Musk Duck. Further along the track we heard a Pilotbird and saw Varied Sittella, Olive-backed Oriole and Red-browed Treecreeper, amongst other things. Again, there were many wildflowers in bloom, and we were fortunate to have good views of a koala which one of the locals had located.
It was a most enjoyable weekend. Thank you, Jack, for organising.
— Lia Battisson