BAYBOCA Bulletern
Extract BAYBOCA Bulletern
ExtractThe following article is from the October 1997 edition of the BAYBOCA newsletter, the BAYBOCA Bulletern, which is mailed to all members.
The weather didn't give much indication of what was in store. It was rather cloudy, although not ominous, on the warm side of mild, with a light breeze. Eleven members turned up to accompany me on the outing to Moorooduc Quarry. As we moved from the carpark, the bird list started - Common Starling in the branches of a tall dying eucalypt, Welcome Swallows overhead, a Rainbow Lorikeet perched on a distant branch and, yes!, a Brown Goshawk appeared from over the trees and drifted slowly across the expanse of the picnic ground. As we paused to watch the goshawk, more birds were added to the list - Willie Wagtail on a pile of mulch, and Australian White Ibis and Silver Gull in the distance. A small flock of Rock Doves flew briskly overhead. A Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike undulated into a tree and shuffled its wings. We turned again towards the entrance to the reserve only to be brought to a halt by a chattering call from above - Dusky Woodswallow. What a great start to the bird list!
Moving through the gate we found ourselves on a narrow path through bracken and dying eucalypts. These trees are being killed by a colony of Bell Miners who drive off other birds, exposing the trees to insect attack. A Superb Fairy-wren popped into view carrying some nesting material. Hopping around a small bush it seemed undecided whether to fly past us or wait until we moved on. A Grey Shrike-thrush was calling in the distance and the "tink" of Bell Miners was beginning to be heard. From behind us came the "roood" call of a female Fan-tailed Cuckoo, shortly followed by the downward trill of the male. Quickly retracing our steps, the male cuckoo was seen briefly before it flicked out of sight through the trees. A White-browed Scrubwren scolded from the top of a dense bush. We continued on our way, flushing a Spotted Turtle-Dove from the path.
We took the path that leads up the right-hand side of the quarry. Slowly climbing the steps we checked constantly for any new birds. Brown Thornbill, Eastern Yellow Robin and Eastern Rosella were added to the list. As we paused at the trail to the first lookout to allow everyone to catch up, I glanced up and saw a large koala in the tree looking directly at us. Once he had our attention he turned his head and studiously ignored us. Down the path to the lookout. This was the first place to check for Peregrine Falcon. A pair nests in the quarry so we had a good chance of seeing them. A pair of Pacific Black Duck were seen down in the water. The trees were diligently searched and there, across the quarry, was a Peregrine Falcon, perched on a jutting branch with its white throat making it easy to spot. It may have realised that itself, as it turned around on the perch so that the slate grey back was towards us. It made it very difficult to point out but fortunately it sooned turned around again and then flew.
Back to the main path and up more steps. The clouds had disappeared and the day was bright and sunny and warming up. We came to the path that leads across the top of the quarry and paused again. White-naped Honeyeaters were calling in the trees and a White-eared Honeyeater was seen checking the bark for insects. As we searched and finally found the White-naped Honeyeaters, we also saw a Yellow-faced Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, Grey Fantail and Common Blackbird, with Spotted Pardalote calling nearby. Digressing briefly to check the small dam which is just up from the junction, we found a pair of Black-faced Cuckoo-shrikes flitting through the trees, and a female Golden Whistler drinking from the dam. The area was full of birds, and before leaving we also discovered the nest of a Red-browed Finch, with finches zipping to and fro, and an Eastern Yellow Robin's nest complete with very small baby.
We next headed across the top of the quarry with its magnificent views of the countryside. This is a splendid place for pardalotes and today was no exception with superb views of several Striated Pardalotes in the saplings along the edge of the quarry. An Australian Magpie flew high overhead and Little Ravens were seen calling in the distance. Red Wattlebird, White-plumed Honeyeater and Grey Shrike-thrush were also seen. We continued along to the next lookout and found the Peregrine Falcon back on its perch, and a male Golden Whistler was a stunning sight in the tree above the lookout. A brief amble along the path that leads back into the trees only added Magpie-lark to the list, although an unusual call by an Eastern Yellow Robin had us guessing for ten minutes before we worked out what it was.
Down the steps on the other side of the quarry, we found Eastern Yellow Robins everywhere. A pair of Eastern Spinebills held us captivated for the all-too-short time they were visible. And then, "orry-orry-orry-ole" from some nearby trees - an Olive-backed Oriole! We had wonderful views from only a dozen feet away and whilst everyone was gasping with excitement, a message from the back of the group - Crested Shrike-tit!
Once we reached the bottom of the steps we followed the path into the quarry. The water level was rather low, leaving some very dead-looking reeds exposed. As we looked around, a Peregrine Falcon flew twice around the walls of the quarry, landing briefly on a branch, only to fly again. It then settled just above a clump of vegetation halfway up the rockface. From the white-wash staining the rock it was obvious this was the nest. The bird appeared to hunch down, perhaps brooding eggs or nestlings. After pointing the spot out to everyone, we quickly left so as not to disturb the bird further. We arrived back at the picnic area for a very late morning tea, and managed to add Horsfield's Bronze-cuckoo and Common Myna to our list over a cuppa. A total of 41 species with some real stars amongst them.
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