Autumn in the Valley

A short trip to our property in the Capertee Valley for some weeding, was also an opportunity of some bird watching. With the change of season the birds are changing too. Some are coming some going. The break in the drought has transformed our property, we've never seen it look as good, there is so much ground cover that its hard to find a wallaby track to walk along. Honeyeaters are arriving, Black-chinned, Spiny Cheeked, Yellow-tufted, Noisy Friarbird and Red Wattlebird joining the resident White-plumed, Fuscous and Noisy Miners.

Yellow-tufted Honeyeater

Plenty of parrots too, Eastern and Crimson Rosella, Gang Gang and Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, King and Red-rumped Parrot and Little Lorrikeet. Other birds seen Crested Shrike Tit, Black-faced and White-bellied Cuckoo Shrike, Grey Shrike-thrush, Common Bronzewing, Peaceful and Crested Pigeon, Jacky Winter, Superb Fairy Wren, Brown Treecreeper, White-browed Babbler, Rufous Songlark, Diamond Firetail and Plum-headed Finch, Welcome Swallow, Fairy Martin, Willy Wagtail, Striated Pardalote, Dusky Woodswallow, Magpie, Aus.Raven, Pied Currawong, Pied and Grey Butcherbird.

Striated Pardalote

A small flock of 14 Rainbow bee-eaters were on the move and when the wind picked up the Little Eagle took to the sky for a look around. Overnight the Barking Owls started calling at sundown and on and off till sunrise. Timothy heard the Barn owl and I, the Owlet Nightjar along with a Tawny Frogmouth it was a good evenings birding.

On the way home we saw 2 Wedge-tailed Eagles soaring low over a neighbours property, a couple of white Winged Coughs, some Zebra Finch and most surprising, on a dam at the Nile Road turn off, a flock of 40 Straw-necked Ibis with a couple of juveniles amongst them.

Straw-necked Ibis at Nile Rd Dam

At this time of year the Valley to my mind is at its best, cooler weather and lots of birds.
There is no better place.

   

Comments

[tom]

Not to mention the huge flock of noisy SC cockatoos at Glen Davis, tearing the place to pieces...

[Lynda]

Hi Tom,
Luckily they haven't found us yet, our property is in the northern end of the valley and only get a few stragglers and the occasional Little Corella.
A different story in the Blue Mountains SCC's here are known as the "Vandals" and are constantly on a Seek and destroy mission.

[Tim Dolby]

Great site Tim, with lots of great birding stuff. Regent Honeyeater drinking from your bird bath - not bad! FYI have a look at:
http://tim-dolby.blogspot.com/

Cheers,

Tim Dolby

[Lynda]

Hi Tim,
Your site is great.
It reminded me of a great trip to the South Coast we had in 2004, we have also been down there again this year, Love it. .
I should do a belated trip report.
Lynda