March 2017

The number of species reported in March (94) has declined as expected due to seasonal change.  We have recorded a few more species than in January 2016 but are exactly on the average.

The reports include a number of less common species, headed up by a Powerful Owl, heard calling on Wanna Wanna Rd on a couple of mornings. Other less common sightings (for some reason the first three are from Wanna Wanna Rd) have been:

• a flock of 11 Rainbow Bee-eaters  - almost certainly on migration; 
• Dollarbirds (a late record); 
• Satin Flycatcher - again almost certainly migrating from the high country; and
• from the Plain,  5 Australian Hobby - often rated as a migrant species although our records have then through the year.

It is rather more difficult to assess the situation of migrants (shown in orange below) departing than those arriving as they may also be recorded in later months (and thus not have departed).  However it seems that a number of migrant species have not been reported for the last two months and may thus be thought to have migrated.  In a number of cases, particularly cuckoos, this has been earlier than expected.  I suspect this may be due to the lack of rain in January and February reducing availability of insects for food. 

On the subject of feeding habits I found this report from Wanna Wanna "both interesting and amusing:

"... the roadworks people put netting down along some of the verges and then sprayed it with seed.   The parrots had several picnics.   But I did see seven Bronze Wings.

There have been a few sightings of dependent young birds which count as breeding records (these species marked in red below).

As always, thanks to the observers who have provided reports to me for the month.  These have covered sites in Whiskers Creek Rd, Widgiewa Rd, Knox Close, Radcliffe Circuit, Captains Flat Rd, Molonglo Valley, Wanna Wanna, and Hoskinstown Village and  Plain. I'm always happy to receive reports, my email address is martinflab@gmail.com.


1  Waterbirds (pt 1):  (pt 2); (Pt 3); (Pt 4): Black Swan;  Australian Shelduck; Australian Wood Duck; Pink-eared Duck; Australian Shoveler; Grey Teal; Pacific Black Duck; Hardhead;  Australasian Grebe; Hoary-headed Grebe; Little Black Cormorant; Little Pied Cormorant; White‑necked Heron;  White‑faced Heron; Nankeen Night Heron; Australian White Ibis; Straw-necked Ibis; Eurasian  Coot;

2 Birds of Prey:  Black-shouldered Kite; Brown Goshawk; Wedge-tailed Eagle; Nankeen Kestrel; Brown Falcon; Australian Hobby;

3 Parrots and Relatives: Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo; Gang‑gang Cockatoo; Galah;  Sulphur‑crested Cockatoo; Australian King‑parrot; Crimson Rosella; Eastern Rosella; Red-rumped Parrot

4 Kingfishers and other non-songbirds (Pt 1) (Pt 2) (Pt 3): Common Bronzewing; Crested Pigeon;  Tawny Frogmouth;  Southern Boobook; Powerful Owl; Laughing Kookaburra; Sacred Kingfisher; Rainbow Bee‑eater; Dollarbird; 

5 Honeyeaters: Eastern Spinebill; Yellow-faced Honeyeater; White-eared Honeyeater; Noisy Miner; Red Wattlebird; Brown‑headed Honeyeater; White-naped Honeyeater; Noisy Friarbird; 

6 Flycatchers and similar species: Rufous Whistler; Grey Shrike-thrush; Grey Fantail; Willie Wagtail; Leaden Flycatcher; Satin Flycatcher; Magpie-lark; Scarlet Robin; Eastern Yellow Robin; Welcome Swallow; Tree Martin

7 Thornbills, Finches and similar species (Pt 1) (Pt 2):  Superb Fairy-wren; White-browed Scrubwren; Weebill; White-throated Gerygone; Striated Thornbill; Yellow‑rumped Thornbill; Buff‑rumped Thornbill; Brown Thornbill; Spotted Pardalote; Striated Pardalote; Silvereye; Red‑browed Finch; Diamond Firetail; House Sparrow; European Goldfinch

8 Other, smaller birds:  White-throated Treecreeper; Varied Sitella; Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike;Dusky Woodswallow; Australian Reed-warbler; Common Blackbird; Common Myna; Common Starling; Mistletoebird; Australasian  Pipit;

9  Other, larger birds: Satin Bowerbird; Grey Butcherbird; Australian Magpie; Pied Currawong; Grey Currawong; Australian Raven; Little Raven; White-winged Chough