I surveyed the SE section and northern boundary of Sector 2 this morning. This is the first survey to date that I saw no Noisy Miners!! These species are one of the most aggressive, competitive and exclusive of all species on the east coast. They are usually associated with edge habitat and habitat that has undergone considerable impact. The absence of Noisy Miners was due to the intact nature of much of the habitat I surveyed this morning! As a result, compared to Sector 1 that I surveyed just 3 days ago, there were vastly more small insectivores and honeyeaters. The presence of a Brown Goshawk along the northern boundary kept the Pied Currawongs very vocal and restless; together keeping all other species away (Currawongs are also somewhat aggressive and recognised nest predators). The Currawongs tried many times to chase off the Goshawk, to no avail! The only other highlight was the late presence of a female Leaden Flycatcher. They are seasonal migrants and travel to northern Queensland and Papua New Guinea for winter, before returning to breed in spring. The sexes are di-morphic, and in contrast to the usual case with birds, the female is the more colourful one. The female is characterised by the orange throat and chest, whereas the male has a somewhat crested dark head and back with white belly. The Leaden Flycatcher is very difficult to distinguish from the Satin Flycatcher, although the Satin Flycatcher is found in more mesic (rainforest-like) habitat. The Satin Flycatcher is ‘darker’ black and ‘shinier’ I colour than the Leaden, although if the light is not right, this is very hard to tell in the field. JUST as I finished the survey, the heavens opened up, and it rained real heavy! It was perfect timing, and an interesting experience to see the already saturated ground on which I was walking, turn into a number of trickles, then streams flowing around me. Got back to the car unscathed, albeit rather wet.
Date: 27th November 2008Time: 0535 - 0740
Sector: 2
Number of species seen: 22
Number of birds seen: 143
Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike (4)
Brown Goshawk (1)
Cicadabird (2)
Common Mynah (1)
Grey Butcherbird (6)
Grey Shrike-thrush (1)
Laughing Kookaburra (1)
Leaden Flycatcher (1)
Mistletoebird (1)
Noisy Friarbird (9)
Pied Currawong (11)
Rainbow Lorikeet (20)
Rufous Fantail (1)
Scaly-breasted Lorikeet (30)
Spangled Drongo (1)
Spotted Turtle-dove (3)
Striated Pardalote (6)
Torresian Crow (4)
Variegated Fairy-wren (15)
Weebill (3)
White-throated Honeyeater (9)
Yellow-faced Honeyeater (13)
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