Hi All.
Golden Whistlers are common in Mulgoa Valley in winter, and Rufous Whistlers in Summer, the changeover usually occurs in Sept/Oct.. Rufous have been present for at least a month.
Yesterday a male Golden Whistler in full breeding plumage was seen on Mayfair Rd Mulgoa, as well as two Rufous which were about 100m above and below the Golden on the Mayfair Rd hill. The Rufous were whistling. The Golden was being chased by an unidentified honeyeater and gave a brief whistle only. Goldens are altitudinal migrants, perhaps the unusual weather confused it. It snowed in the mountains a week ago.
There has been some good birding, lots of song. Scarlet Honeyeaters, Mistletoe birds, White-throated Gerygones, Golden-headed Cisticolas, Jacky Winters (one feeding a fledgling) and European Goldfinches all singing, as well as Koels and Channel-billed Cuckoos, Whipbirds and Sacred Kingfishers calling. The resident group of Dusky Woodswallows flying very high before the wind.
Notably absent so far have been Olive-backed Oriole and Eastern Shrike-tit.
Cheers
Michael ===============================
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Hi Michael,
While some Golden Whistlers in New South Wales may be altitudinal migrants the majority of birds that I band on the NSW North Coast in the autumn-winter are from Tasmania – based on tail-wing ratios per Schodde and Mason – the Directory of Australian Birds, Passerines.
Regards
Greg Dr Greg. P. Clancy Ecologist and Birding-wildlife Guide PO Box 63 Coutts Crossing NSW 2460 0266493153 0429601960