Robins and currawongs in the Victorian high country

“The miracle of the “Swallows” of Capistrano takes place each year at Mission San Juan Capistrano, on March 19th, St. Joseph’s Day.” They’re not swallows as in the famous story, but Flame Robins returned to the Victorian high country yesterday in significant numbers. A week ago I saw no robins at Mt Buller. On Saturday I saw one and heard another. Yesterday they were all over the highest reaches of the mountain – on low shrubs, on the snow, flying between vantage points, even up to the very summit snows. I saw at least a dozen and there must have been many more. Interestingly, whereas Pied Currawongs are normally common around the village at Mt Buller, at the moment most of the currawongs up there are Grey and many are in the trees away from the village. Richard NOWOTNY Port Melbourne, Victoria