Twenty members and friends gathered at the former Aranda shops on a sunny, warmish and slightly breezy day. The group was so large that we split; Horst started first with half the group, and I took the other half a few minutes later (meeting down the track for a morning tea break). We walked slowly up the Aranda Spine and into the Aranda Bushland. The parrots and cockatoos were noticeably visible inspecting hollows, especially Red-rumped Parrots, Crimson Rosellas and Galahs. Eastern Rosellas, and Gang-gang and Sulphur-crested Cockatoos were also about. White-throated Treecreepers were calling, and finally located as they worked their way up the tree trunks and branches. One Horsfield’s Bronze-Cuckoo was heard in the distance, but two Fan-tailed Cuckoos called persistently above us and one eventually provided us with a good long look. Also heard and seen were the Grey Shrike-thrush and Grey Currawong, giving us good identification tools of simultaneous sight and song. Both Golden and Rufous Whistlers were present, males and females showing their striking sexual dimorphism. Two Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrikes flew over. Unfortunately the Speckled Warbler that Horst and I saw and heard singing its sweet song on Thursday was not available on Sunday.
The open, grassy paddock with a dam and a few large trees, located between the bushland and Bindubi Street, provided us with some additional species. Amongst the Eastern Grey Kangaroos were at least 100 Starlings, as well as Magpies, Magpie-larks, a lone Dusky Woodswallow, and an overhead flock of 30 Australian White Ibis. Both groups saw a combined total of 25 species during the morning, which apparently was enjoyed by all.
— Kay Hahne