Annual report: 2011 compared to 2010

While analysing the results of this project over the full 5 years I found that the analysis was hampered by the differing numbers of observers in the various periods.   Was a difference due to a real change in the birds' behaviour or simply an artefact of observer 'X' not being active at a point in time?  An earlier post discusses the issues of observer effort.  To overcome this problem I have decided to compile this post contrasting 2011 with 2010 where the level of observer effort was broadly similar.

Of the  167 species recorded in this project 157 species were reported in one or both of the years covered by this analysis.  Of these 157 species:

• 16 were reported in 2010 but not in 2011;
• 11 were reported in 2011 but not in 2010; and 
• 130 species were reported in both years.

Looking at the entire 157 species there is a very strong correlation (correlation coefficient 0.9006) between the number of months each species was reported in the two years.  Thus it can be concluded that the two data sets are reasonably consistent.

Of the species recorded in 2010 but not 2011, 15 were sighted in a single month while Red-capped Robin was seen in 2 months.  The species seen in 2011 but not 2011 include (of course) 5 species recorded for the first time in this project.  3 other species were seen once in 2011 after absence in 2010 while:

• Painted Button-quail were seen in 3 months (flushed from cover while walking our dog);
• Hardhead seen in 4 months; and
• Black-shouldered kite seen in 6 months.

The latter two observations show a return to more normal rates than 2010.

33 species were reported every month in both years.

The following table shows the aggregate number of months in which members of the broad groups of species were seen in the two years.

Category	2010	2011
1 Waterbirds	121	146
2 Birds of Prey	62	72
3 Parrots and Relatives	88	89
4 Kingfishers and other non-songbirds	125	131
5 Honeyeaters	97	90
6 Flycatchers and similar species	122	128
7 Thornbills, Finches and similar species	192	198
8 Other, smaller birds	109	114
9 Other, larger birds	95	94

The broad similarity of the results is clear, with the exception of:

• Waterbirds, reflecting the movement of many species in this group to the inland swamps in the wet of 2010 and their return in 2011; and
• Birds of Prey, reflecting the amount of 'action' on the Hoskinstown Plain in late 2011 due to the large amount of prey (such as mice).

The picture for the Honeyeater group is interesting since that is the only group in which 2010 exceeds 2011.  Of the 11 species in the group,

• 5 have the same (high) score in both years,
• Noisy Friarbird and (the relatively uncommon) White-plumed Honeyeater show 2011>2010; and
• the remaining 4 species (New Holland, Yellow-faced, White-plumed and Brown-headed Honeyeaters) show a higher reporting rate in 2010 than 2011.  The value for New Holland was unusually high in 2010 and I was surprised to see that none of us reported Yellow-faced in 2 months in 2011.

Links to other parts of the Annual Report
Overview, 2010 cf other 4 years; Breeding

December 2010

In  December  2010 a good score of  95 species of birds were recorded in the catchment area of the Gazette with 10 species recorded as breeding.  Thanks to several observers in: Hoskinstown; the Molonglo Valley, Radcliffe,  and Widgiewa Road.   

There continue to be reports of a good number of cuckoo species, perhaps balanced out by waterbirds being very low in diversity.  Apparently all the ibis are breeding in the Riverina!

Migrants are shown in italics below and species for which breeding (broadly defined) has been observed this month are underlined.

1  Waterbirds:  Australian Shelduck; Australian Wood Duck; Pacific Black Duck; Australasian Grebe; Little Pied Cormorant; White-faced Heron; Eurasian Coot; Masked Lapwing

2 Birds of Prey:  Brown Goshawk; Collared Sparrowhawk; Wedge-tailed Eagle; Little Eagle; Nankeen Kestrel; Brown Falcon; Peregrine Falcon.

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

4 Kingfishers and other non-songbirds: Emu; Stubble Quail; Brown quail; Rock Dove; Common Bronzewing; Crested Pigeon; Tawny Frogmouth; Common Koel; Channel-billed Cuckoo; Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo; Shining Bronze-cuckoo; Pallid Cuckoo; Fan-tailed Cuckoo; Southern Boobook; Laughing Kookaburra;Sacred Kingfisher; Dollarbird;

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

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

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

8 Other, smaller birds:  White-throated Treecreeper;; Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike; Olive-backed Oriole; Dusky Woodswallow; Skylark; Australian Reed-warbler; Rufous Songlark; 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

Birding Locations: Yanununbeyan   

There are two large Reserves (a State Conservation Area –SCA - and a National Park –NP) and a smaller, largely inaccessible, Nature Reserve.  The SCA is accessible from the southern end of Woolcara Lane (be careful to stick to the road, and watch out for stock, when traversing private property). Some distance into the SCA, Spring Creek trail runs off eastwards to the NP (before hitting a gate to private property which should not be entered).  The NP can also be accessed from Captains Flat Rd at the Wombat Bridge (just after Sinclair Rd) although that involves some steep ridges.

71 species of birds have been recorded in these areas during my forays (usually >30 species in a visit) and other reports to the Atlas ofNSW Wildlife.  Many of these are the common birds reported through the area with the few waterbirds possibly reflecting the absence of large dams in the Reserves.  Nankeen night-heron and Eastern yellow robin have been reported from the Queanbeyan River which traverses the SCA.

There are a few birds reported which are not common – or are unreported -in the wider area.  These probably reflect the Reserves being a large area of woodland/forest (eg Powerful owl, Spotted quail-thrush, Crested shrike-tit, Brown treecreeper) or being somewhat higher than the area in general (Wonga pigeon, Red-browed treecreeper).

November 2010

In  November 2010 a very good score of  97 species of birds were recorded in the catchment area of the Gazette with 19 species recorded as breeding.  Thanks to several observers in: Hoskinstown; the Molonglo Valley, Primrose Valley, Radcliffe,  Wanna Wanna and Widgiewa Road.   

As well as the relatively unusual (for this area) species of Little Corella, Superb Parrot and Channel-billed Cuckoo (and the Common Myna unfortunately seen in Hoskinstown), three new species have been added to the list this month.  The Scarlet Honeyeater is unusual away from the Coast, while Latham’s Snipe and Whistling Kite are both quite common in the ACT.  These reports from the Hoskinstown Plain are the first made to me for this area.

Migrants are shown in italics below and species for which breeding (broadly defined) has been observed this month are underlined.

1  Waterbirds:  Australian Shelduck; Australian Wood Duck; Grey Teal; Chestnut Teal; Pacific Black  Duck; Australasian Grebe; Little Black Cormorant; Little Pied Cormorant; White‑faced Heron; Eurasian Coot; Masked Lapwing; Latham’s Snipe.

2 Birds of Prey:  Whistling Kite, Brown Goshawk; Wedge-tailed Eagle; Little Eagle; Nankeen Kestrel; Brown Falcon; Australian Hobby; Peregrine Falcon.

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

4 Kingfishers and other non-songbirds: Stubble Quail; Common Bronzewing; Crested Pigeon; Tawny Frogmouth; Channel-billed Cuckoo; Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo;Shining Bronze-cuckoo; Pallid Cuckoo; Fan-tailed Cuckoo; Brush Cuckoo; Southern Boobook;; Laughing Kookaburra; Sacred Kingfisher; Rainbow Bee‑eater; Dollarbird;

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

6 Flycatchers and similar species: Rufous Whistler; Grey Shrike-thrush; Grey Fantail; Willie Wagtail; Leaden Flycatcher; Magpie-lark; Flame Robin; Hooded Robin; Welcome Swallow; Fairy Martin; Tree Martin

7 Thornbills, Finches and similar species:  Superb Fairy-wren; White-browed Scrubwren; Speckled warbler; Weebill; White-throated Gerygone; Striated Thornbill; Yellow‑rumped Thornbill; Buff‑rumped Thornbill; Brown Thornbill; Southern Whiteface; Spotted Pardalote; Striated Pardalote; Silvereye; Double-barred Finch; Red-browed Finch; Diamond Firetail; House Sparrow; European Goldfinch

8 Other, smaller birds:  White-throated Treecreeper; Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike; Olive-backed Oriole; Dusky Woodswallow; Skylark; Australian Reed-warbler; Rufous Songlark; 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

Birding Locations    

Rather than going out and about this month, I will draw attention to two internet sites that I think are of value to people in this community.  They are both quite new and will get bigger and better as people and organisations submit records to them.

The first is the Atlas of NSWWildlife which is rather focussed on the flora and fauna of official reserves in NSW.  It is run by an element of the NSW Government.  However it is possible for individuals to add data from their own sightings to this database.  As well as birds the site also collects data on plants and other types of animals.  It can also be sarched so that people can find what has been recorded in an area.

The second site is very new in that it was only launched in the last month.  This is the Atlas of Living Australia which is managed through  CSIRO.  The site includes a facility to access all records within the Atlas within a 5km radius of your home.  Again, it is possible for individuals to provide data.

October 2010

In  October  2010 a very good score of 97 species of birds were recorded in the catchment area of the Gazette with 16 species recorded as breeding.  Thanks to several observers in: Hoskinstown; the Molonglo Valley, Primrose Valley, Radcliffe, Wanna Wanna and Widgiewa Road.   

Migrants are shown in italics below and species for which breeding (broadly defined) has been observed this month are underlined.

1  Waterbirds:  Australian Shelduck; Australian Wood Duck; Grey Teal; Chestnut Teal, Pacific Black Duck; Australasian Grebe; Little Pied Cormorant; Little Black Cormorant; White-faced Heron; Eurasian Coot; Masked Lapwing

2 Birds of Prey:  Brown Goshawk; Collared Sparrowhawk; Wedge-tailed Eagle; Little Eagle; Nankeen Kestrel; Brown Falcon; Peregrine Falcon.

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: Rock Dove; Common Bronzewing; Crested Pigeon; Tawny Frogmouth; Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo; Black-eared Cuckoo; Shining Bronze-cuckoo; Pallid Cuckoo; Fan-tailed Cuckoo; Brush Cuckoo; Southern Boobook; Laughing Kookaburra; Sacred Kingfisher

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

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

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

8 Other, smaller birds:  White-throated Treecreeper; Spotted Quail-thrush; Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike; Olive-backed Oriole; Dusky Woodswallow; Skylark; Australian Reed-warbler; Common Blackbird; 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

Birding Locations    

This month the location is the part of Cuumbeun Nature Reserve which hosted the Annual Wildflower Walk.  The flowers were great, the hospitality was great but as reported in the Bulletin the birds were mostly hiding from the wind.  Here follows the list that I compiled, with the help of others in the party.

Crested Pigeon; Little Pied Cormorant; Crimson Rosella; White-throated Treecreeper, Superb Fairy‑wren; Striated Thornbill; Yellow-rumped Thornbill; Spotted Pardalote; Yellow-faced Honeyeater; Red Wattlebird; Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike; Rufous Whistler; Olive-backed Oriole; Australian Magpie; Grey Fantail; Australian Raven; Leaden Flycatcher.

September 2010

In  September 2010 86 species of birds were recorded in the catchment area of the Gazette with 15species recorded as breeding.  Thanks to several observers in: Hoskinstown; the Molonglo Valley, Primrose Valley, Radcliffe and Widgiewa Road.   The return of birds mentioned last month has continued: most migrants are back and the waterbirds continue to be well reported.

Migrants are shown in italics below and species for which breeding (broadly defined) has been observed this month are underlined.

1  Waterbirds:  Australian Shelduck; Australian Wood Duck; Grey Teal; Pacific Black Duck; Australasian Grebe; Little Pied Cormorant; White‑necked Heron; White-faced Heron; Eurasian Coot; Masked Lapwing

2 Birds of Prey:  Brown Goshawk; Wedge-tailed Eagle; Nankeen Kestrel; Brown Falcon

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

 4 Kingfishers and other non-songbirds: Common Bronzewing; Crested Pigeon; Rock Dove; Tawny Frogmouth; Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo; Shining Bronze-cuckoo; Pallid Cuckoo; Fan-tailed Cuckoo; Southern Boobook; Powerful Owl; Laughing Kookaburra;

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

6 Flycatchers and similar species: Golden Whistler; Rufous Whistler; Grey Shrike-thrush; Grey Fantail; Willie Wagtail; Magpie-lark; Scarlet Robin;, Flame Robin; Eastern Yellow Robin; Welcome Swallow; Fairy Martin.

7 Thornbills, Finches and similar species:  Superb Fairy-wren; White-browed Scrubwren; Weebill; Western Gerygone; White-throated Gerygone; Striated Thornbill; Yellow‑rumped Thornbill; Buff‑rumped Thornbill; Brown Thornbill; Southern Whiteface; Spotted Pardalote; Striated Pardalote; Silvereye; Double-barred Finch; Red-browed Finch; House Sparrow; European Goldfinch

8 Other, smaller birds:  White-throated Treecreeper; Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike; Olive-backed Oriole; Dusky Woodswallow; Skylark; Rufous Songlark; Common Blackbird; Common Starling; Mistletoebird; Australasian  Pipit;

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

Birding Locations

The location this month is the Stony Creek Nature Reserve adjacent to Captains Flat Road, with the entrance opposite Clydesdale Rd.  This has been described by a prominent local naturalist as a “gem” and it certainly has the potential to be a great area for birding with a good range of old trees providing sites for hollow nesters such as Parrots, Cockatoos and Kingfishers.  

However, neither my personal list of birds seen in the area, nor that in the NSW Wildlife Atlas are extensive.  One possible reason for this is my bad luck with weather (either wet and windy or very hot) during my visits! Whatever, a first point is to ask if anyone else who visits the Reserve could send me a list of the birds which they see!  

There is little surface water in the Reserve which makes the dam just inside the entrance an attractive site for birds during the warmer months.  However the dam is not big enough to support any water birds and these are mainly those feeding on insects in the water.  This includes Grey fantail, Willie Wagtail and Honeyeaters (which despite their name also eat a lot of insects).

The shrub layer is also not extensive, with most ground cover being low grasses or herbs.  This restricts the number of thornbills and similar species recorded, as they like the shrubs to provide shelter.  Hopefully the excellent Winter rains this year will encourage the shrubs that are present to ‘kick on’ and provide a mid storey. 

August 2010

Due to my absence overseas in late June the birding column for June was compiled by other observers.   I thank them for filling in for me.

In  August 80 species of birds were recorded in the catchment area of the Gazette.  Thanks to several observers in: Hoskinstown; the Molonglo Valley and Widgiewa Road.   Highlights for the month have been the return of several migrant species (including 3 of the 6 likely cuckoo species) and waterbirds returning to the (well-filled) dams and swamps of the area.

Migrants are shown in italics below and species for which breeding (broadly defined) has been observed this month are underlined.

1  Waterbirds:  Musk Duck; Black Swan;  Australian Shelduck; Australian Wood Duck; Australian Shoveler; Grey Teal; Pacific Black Duck; Australasian Grebe; Little Pied Cormorant; White-faced Heron; Purple Swamphen; Dusky Moorhen;  Eurasian Coot; Masked Lapwing

2 Birds of Prey:  Brown Goshawk; Wedge-tailed Eagle; Nankeen Kestrel; Brown Falcon; Peregrine falcon.

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

4  Kingfishers and other non-songbirds: Rock Dove; Spotted Dove; Common Bronzewing; Crested Pigeon; Tawny Frogmouth; Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo; Pallid Cuckoo; Fan-tailed Cuckoo; Brush Cuckoo; Laughing Kookaburra;

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

6 Flycatchers and similar species: Golden Whistler; Grey Shrike-thrush; Grey Fantail; Willie Wagtail; Magpie-lark; Scarlet Robin; Flame Robin; Hooded Robin; Welcome Swallow;

7 Thornbills, Finches and similar species:  Superb Fairy-wren; White-browed Scrubwren; Speckled warbler; Weebill; Striated Thornbill; Yellow Thornbill; Yellow-rumped Thornbill; Buff-rumped Thornbill; Brown Thornbill; Southern Whiteface; Spotted Pardalote; Striated Pardalote; Silvereye; House Sparrow; European Goldfinch

8 Other, smaller birds:  White-throated Treecreeper; Varied Sitella; Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike;; Olive‑backed Oriole; Common Blackbird; 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

Birding Locations

The location this month is the road South from Hoskinstown to the Foxlow Bridge.  The land through which the road passes is private property and must not be entered but the roadsides and area visible from the road are very good for birding (taking care to leave the road clear).  Several species regarded as at risk in the area can often be seen along here.

A first “hotspot” is the sharp left hand bend about 2.5km South of Hoskinstown.  The hawthorns here provide good shelter for finches (Red-browed and Double-barred) and Diamond Firetails.  Going up the hill after the bend often produces sightings of Southern Whiteface and coming down towards the Rossi turnoff the sky is often graced with Nankeen Kestrel.

Taking the right fork, and climbing up the hill (steep if on a push bike) gives a chance to look down onto Foxlow Lagoon.  This can be particularly rewarding when other dams in the area are low: it is the only site in the area where I have seen Black Swans, Black‑winged Stilts and Musk Ducks.  At times up to 4 White‑necked Herons have been seen here.  Continuing southwards other dams can produce less common waterfowl including Australian Shoveler and Australian Shelduck.  

Approaching the Foxlow Bridge the paddocks have some fallen timber in them.  These areas may produce Brown Treecreeper (not known elsewhere in the area); Hooded Robin and Southern Whiteface.  The surrounds of the bridge have held high numbers of Flame Robins on occasion.

July 2010

In  July 77 species of birds were recorded in the catchment area of the Gazette.  Thanks to several observers in: Hoskinstown; the Molonglo Valley and Widgiewa Road.   Highlights for the month have been the first report (since I moved to the area) of a Barking Owl from the Hoskinstown Plain and a Yellow‑tufted Honeyeater in Hoskinstown.  An Emu continues to be spotted in the general vicinity of Hoskinstown and Australian Shelduck are appearing throughout the area.

Migrants are shown in italics below and species for which breeding has been observed this month are underlined.

1  Waterbirds:  Australian Shelduck; Australian Wood Duck; Grey Teal; Pacific Black Duck; Australasian Grebe; Little Pied Cormorant; White-faced Heron; Eurasian Coot; Masked Lapwing

2 Birds of Prey:  Brown Goshawk; Collared Sparrowhawk; Wedge-tailed Eagle; Little Eagle; Nankeen Kestrel; Brown Falcon.

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

4  Kingfishers and other non-songbirds: Emu; Rock Dove; Common Bronzewing; Crested Pigeon; Tawny Frogmouth; Fan-tailed Cuckoo; Barking Owl; Eastern  Barn Owl; Laughing Kookaburra.

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

6 Flycatchers and similar species: Golden Whistler; Grey Shrike-thrush; Grey Fantail; Willie Wagtail; Magpie-lark; Scarlet Robin; Flame Robin; Hooded Robin; Welcome Swallow; Tree Martin.

7 Thornbills, Finches and similar species:  Superb Fairy-wren; White-browed Scrubwren; Speckled warbler; Weebill; Striated Thornbill; Yellow-rumped Thornbill; Buff-rumped Thornbill; Brown Thornbill; Southern Whiteface; Spotted Pardalote; Striated Pardalote; Silvereye; Red-browed Finch; House Sparrow.

8 Other, smaller birds:  White-throated Treecreeper; Skylark; Common Blackbird; 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

Seasonal issues

Although it is still cold as I write this there have been a number of indications that birds believe the season is changing.  The most obvious of these are the onset of breeding activity by a number of species and the arrival of some species regarded as migrants.

There are many definitions of what is meant by breeding.  The ‘purest’ definition is when a nest is found and the young birds are known to have achieved independence.  However most species take care to conceal their nests and it can be disturbing to them to search for the nest.  So other indicators are used (in these reports and more generally). These range from males displaying to females, bird carrying nesting material, carrying food to the nest to feeding young birds out of the nest.  7 species have been observed undertaking some form of breeding activity this month.  I’d welcome any observations of breeding activity from readers.

In this area most migrants are those which arrive in the warmer months to feed upon the insects and nectar.  

The two largest groups are in the flycatchers and similar birds and the cuckoos.  The first cuckoos (Fan-tailed Cuckoo and Tree Martin) have already appeared.  However there are a few species (Golden Whistler and the ‘red’ robins) which find our Winter weather more amenable than that of their breeding areas up in the mountains: they will head back up as the weather warms, but are currently still being reported in this area.