COG Gambles on Molonglo Gorge


11 members gathered at Gambles TSR on Sutton Rd where the coordinator had great trouble in counting same - not aided by one member walking across the  circle.  The entry to the Reserve is a bit tricky as the gateway is narrow and hard to see from a road with 100 kph speed limit.  

Here is the route we followed.
The Reserve is however well worth a visit.   While the understorey has been overgrazed in much of the Reserve there are many magnificent eucalypts which were proving good habitat for a wide range of bush birds.
At one point we found a strange deposit in a hollow in the rocks.  Members with a long memory said this was an after effect of  something called "rain".
As we set off early sightings included White-plumed, White-eared. White-naped and Yellow-faced Honeyeaters.  In the same family, but somewhat larger Red Wattlebirds and Noisy Friarbirds were seen and heard.  Also heard were several Rufous Whistlers
 ...  and White-throated Gerygones.   Less common species included a single White0browed Woodswallow overflying the group and at least two Mistletoebirds.

Parrots and relatives were thin on the ground (and not much more apparent in the trees).
Breeding was happening.  A Yellow-rumped thornbill was constructing a nest in a eucalypt and a Collared Sparrowhawk was occupying a nest.  White-throated Treecreepers were seen investigating a hollow.

In total we recorded 44 species at this (quite small - I think about 4Ha) site.  The size is suggested by this snap taken at the back fence, in which Sutton Rd (the front of the Reserve) is clearly visible.

A full list is at this eBird page.

7 of us  then moved to the Molonglo Gorge area, walking up the Kowen Forest out-road 
... hoping to find Spotted Quailthrush recently reported from that area. 

We failed in that objective but added a few species to our list including Wedge-tailed Eagles .  One was initially seen being beaten up by an Australian Magpie and subsequently two soaring birds with daggy primaries – whether this was due to the attention of the Magpies was not certain.
A Noisy Friarbird posed nicely in silhouette.
 A little post editing shows a bit more of the detail of the plumage.
Buff-rumped Thornbill and Weebill were added to our day list with 19 species in total here and a respectable 46 species for the day.

Few Honeyeaters were seen in this second walk, which was a tad surprising as some trees had a lot of blossom ...
 .. and we found one of the longest mistletoes I can recall seeing.


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