Forwarding this message for Marc Thibault (not a subscriber)
Dear all,
I will be in Darwin on 20 (that is tomorrow !) and 21st september, thus ending a 2-weeks trip in the Top End and would much appreciate if anyone on the list could help me with the following : – Rufous Owl : was it seen recently at the Botanical Garden ? If yes, where exactly ? If not, is there any alternative site around Darwin where I could look for it ?
– Little Curlew : have some flocks arrived and if yes, where ?
Thanks in advance for any help !
I take the opportunity of this message to inform about some of my recent sightings :
– there was a flock of ca. 20 Gouldian Finches on 17th september (late afternoon), just 300-500 m east of Chainman Creek crossing (Victoria Highway), where there is a road crest and a nearby sign ‘truck entering’. The flock comprised at least 4 perfectly plumaged males (2 red-faced and 2 black-faced). 4 Hooded parrots were also there. They were not seen again today morning when I briefly stopped at the site.
– Northern Shrike-Tit : I had 2 on 18th september along Gorrie Road ca. 7 km from the Stuart highway intersection, and more precisely : on the left of the road, 200 m past the highest crest on this road section. I also had 2 on 15th september at km 8,6 along the central arnhem road.
– A female Red Goshawk was on its nest yesterday at its traditional site in Mataranka and its behaviour suggests it is incubating.
– Spinifex Pigeon : had 2 along Policeman Point access track at Timber creek. Also saw 1 or 2 Spotted Nightjar there.
– I failed to see Rufous Owl in the Mataranka area, although night birding yesterday along the first 2 kilometers of the John Hauser Drive gave some consolation, with Tawny Frogmouth, Owlet-Nightjar and Southern Boobook all seen.
Marc Thibault (based in Arles, France)
