The weather this month has been getting ever cooler, but is still rather mild pleasant. On the most part this is a brilliant time of year for bush birds, however I hadn't been out much at all. Some interesting news has came out this month... two migratory waders which are generally numerous Australian visitors have been listed as critically endangered and endangered in their breeding ranges - Curlew Sandpiper and Eastern Curlew. The Curlew Sandpiper suffering an 80% decline in only recent years!
I didn't make it to the port survey this month (mainly because I was lazy and slept in), and after hearing the report from the morning I was kicking myself for not being there. 7 Red-necked Avocets showed up as they seem to do at the same time every year. I'd be interested to know where else they go in the region. One of the avocets however fell prey to the juvenile Peregrine Falcon, which would no doubt be a spectacular show of nature. A few other raptors were about also that morning, including Swamp Harriers, Brown Falcon and Brown Goshawk. The most exciting bird from the survey is the site's first record of Plum-headed Finch!
Nev and I decided to go out to Stockyard Crk since we were bored at home, though we managed to pick one of the windiest days of the month. Bird activity was pretty light-on and quiet. Despite the circumstances we still saw Azure Kingfisher, Common Bronzewing, Spectacled Monarch, Golden Whistler, Fuscous Honeyeater and Wedge-tailed Eagle. Also while driving around trying desperately add birds to the list were Brown Falcons, Australian Hobby and Nankeen Kestrel.
Chris Barnes visited Cordalba again this month, which always produces nice birds. Along with the usual birds such as Yellow-tufted Honeyeaters, a Speckled Warbler made an appearance as well as a single Little Woodswallow amongst flocks of Dusky Woodswallows and Tree Martins. One of the Square-tailed Kites of the area showed up and disturbed a Glossy Black-Cockatoo from its feeding.
The club's campout this month was around the Mount Perry region, in the brigalow country north-west of Bundaberg. Some birds that are generally brigalow specialists seen on this trip include White-eared Honeyeater, Speckled Warbler and Varied Sittella. At night the only thing around was a calling Australian Owlet-nightjar. Overall 77 species were seen on the outing, which isn't impressive but not as disappointing considering blossom in the trees was minimal.
