Malleefowl Forum, Spring Sightings and a Free Coffee Cup

Just returned from the 5th National Mallleefowl Forum held over the weekend at Western Plains Zoo at Dubbo. A good crowd for the first forum to be held in NSW and as usual some really interesting presentations – each time I leave the forum my head is filled with more and more ideas on the complexity of managing these interesting birds. Drove up from my base in Albury on Friday and returned today (after stopping in Forbes last night). Plenty of good birds about with a summary of threatened and interesting birds as follows: Blue-billed Duck – a pair with 3 chicks is present at Gum Swamp at Forbes (as reported on BirdLine by Warren Chad). I saw the adults on Friday, and the female with one chick this morning (the chick was diving just like an adult) – I suspect very few breeding records of this species. All the usual suspects, including at least half a dozen Freckled Ducks were also present, with 5 raptors this morning (best was a Peregrine hammering through and upsetting all the Feral Pigeons). Missed the Plum-headed Finches by about 10 minutes on Friday (apparently an unusual record and may have been a flock passing through?) Superb Parrot – plenty in small numbers between Uranquinty and south of Forbes (best was five at the latter site). Many more were seen today, with a number of pairs between Temora and Junee. Musk Lorikeet – lots around Dubbo, with a small flock feeding on lerps (like a Swift Parrot!) on Mountain Creek Road (see below). Grey-crowned Babbler – a number of birds seen, including two separate groups at Mountain Creek Road (and birds yahooing while sitting in the conference room while at the zoo on Saturday). On Saturday afternoon needed a leg stretch after sitting all day so drove towards Parks (original intention was Mogo SF) and stopped at a patch of bush at Mountain Creek Road. As well as the sightings above also had 3 Ground Cuckoo-shrikes and my first Pallid Cuckoo heard for the year. At least four species of orchids were present with Glossodia major in particyular being common. White-breasted Woodswallows are returning – 1 heard at Gum Swamp and a number in Parkes on Friday evening, and one crossed the road near Wyalong this morning. A couple of Duskies were the only Woodswallow recorded. Plenty of Rufous Songlarks on wires (but they were in the eastern Riverina by late August this year). I was intrigued that Brown Honeyeaters were so common in Dubbo (I could hear at least four from my motel). Apparently they have increased significantly in the last ten years or so, but this is my first record on visits in the last few years. If you have got this far, I managed to leave my reusable Keep Cup on the fence post at the front of the bird hide this morning. Not particualrly worried, and would be happy if another birder claims it (sorry it is in Cronulla Sharks colours). Otherwise, I am intrigued to see if this network will track down its final owner. Cheers, Peter