COG goes to Warks Rd

On 20 February the COG Wednesday Walkers went to checkout Warks Rd (and a few other spots) in the Brindabella Ranges to the west of Canberra.  22 of us, including some new faces, eventually gathered at the big dam beside Urriara Homestead.

 In a fairly brief stay we recorded 19 species here, with the highlights being Nankeen Night-heron (in willows); 3 Pink-eared Ducks and a Black-fronted Dotterel on the island .

We then headed off into the ranges with various observers spotting Wedge-tailed Eagle, Black-shouldered Kite (looking very much like certain other Grey Raptor(s) from some views); White-necked Heron and Dusky Woodswallow en route.

Turning down Blundell's Creek Rd we wondered why the sign for Namadgi National Park had disappeared. Any suggestions more definite than simple vandalism would be welcomed.  Throughout this stage we frequently marvelled at the regeneration of the forest after the 2003 bushfires so well described by Ian Fraser in a recent blog.  After a few hundred metres there seemed to be a few birds around so the convoy paused.  Highlights of the 14 species seen here were Rose Robin (a nicely displaying and calling male); Rufous Fantail; and Fuscous Honeyeater.

We then headed on down the road avoiding 4 bushwalkers  - sorry about the dust, ladies - and parked at the intersection with Warks Rd.

We walked up the road for some while seeing several good species.  After getting checked out by a Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo (the scout for a flock of 9) ..

... an early highlight was our first Red-browed Treecreeper.  We ended recording at least 4 of these high country residents.

Eastern Whipbirds were heard calling, but surprisingly it appeared to be only the males calling not the familiar duet.  Eastern Yellow Robins were also evident both in the creek and higher in the foliage.

Looking down on some tree ferns ...

... our view was enhanced by a pair of (unphotographed) Rufous Fantails.  Their Grey cousins were in large numbers with every large tree seeming to provide a perch for 3 or 4 of the latter species, many obviously juveniles.  Honeyeaters (mainly White-naped, but also including White-eared, White-plumed and Yellow-faced) were also very evident.  Some of the group saw a Pilotbird and an Olive Whistler: the rest of the group were envious!

We moved up the road stopping first to have a further look for the Pilotbird and Olive Whistler.   Hakuna ndege kidogo - or, ignoring the Kiswahili, no birds (ndege kubwa is aircraft).  Our next stop was to peer at a distant pair of Gang-gangs

and then stopping again where flowering Cassinia sp seemed to offer a prospect of birds.

The prospect was not fulfilled and we had to be satisified with a look over the forest canopy towards Mt Coree.

Our last stop was for a walk down Moonlight Hollow Rd.  The group were promised Flame Robins and a colourful male appeared within the first 20m.

The next thing to appear was a Parks truck, the driver of which advised us that they had been warned to get out of the area as a severe thunderstorm had been picked up on radar heading this way.  We took the hint and scarpered, heading to Bulls Head for an expected comfort stop and an unexpected but interesting chat with two CNP Rangers.

Total for the day (including species seen in transit) was 54!