Merri BirdWatch Report November 2024

Little Raven, East Brunswick.   Photo: P. Mollison

Since October 2008, FoMC BirdWatch surveys have so far recorded a total of 148 species. Will we get to 150 species in 2025? The volunteer-run surveys are held four times each year, at ten sites between Clifton Hill and Craigieburn.

During the November survey, at galada tamboore, the surveyors were excited to see a flock of eight Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos flying over. A juvenile White-winged Triller and a Brown Songlark were highlights at galgi ngarrk (Craigieburn Grasslands Reserve). Breeding of small birds has been successful at galgi ngarrk, with a dozen Yellow-rumped Thornbills and a dozen Red-browed Finches recorded. Welcome Swallows were prolific at bababi marning (Cooper St Grasslands), where 33 were seen.

Nests of Red Wattlebird, Rock Dove, Little Raven (high on a power pylon) and Magpie-lark were spotted during the E Brunswick (Blyth St-Moreland Rd) survey. With large Eucalypts in flower, there were almost as many Musk Lorikeets feeding and flying about as the normally more numerous Rainbow Lorikeets. Both Pied and Grey Currawongs could be heard, each with distinctive calls that make them easy to distinguish.

Two fledgling White-faced Herons were perched in a dead tree in Merri Park, with their nest nearby. Also in Merri Park were an adult and a nestling Tawny Frogmouth.

Under dark and threatening skies, a Nankeen Night Heron flew over Coburg Lake. There were two adult Black Swans and five cygnets on the Lake. An Eastern Rosella was the first record for the Coburg Lake surveys, although they are seen regularly at sites downstream and upstream.

At bababi djinanang, a Nankeen Night Heron and a Collared Sparrowhawk flew low over the surveyors. A Sacred Kingfisher was heard.

While migratory species, like Sacred Kingfishers and Reed Warblers, come and go on a predictable annual circuit, other species appear and disappear irregularly.  Yellow Thornbill is an example. In November, two Yellow Thornbills were recorded at galgi ngarrk, the first time there since February, 2016. The species has been recorded in our surveys at galgi ngarrk only six times since November, 2008. Yellow Thornbills used to be recorded fairly regularly in our Clifton Hill surveys, but the last record was in November, 2013. They are very small, active birds, that forage in large shrubs, thickets and low trees such as Allocasuarina or Acacia. They have a diagnostic orange/russet wash on their throat, contrasting with the much more common Brown Thornbill, which has dark streaking on the throat and breast, and a rufous forehead with cream scalloping. Yellow-rumped Thornbills, which are often recorded at our four native grassland sites, show a bright yellow rump in flight and feed mainly on the ground.

One of our birders continued observing, while taking a break on one of the new seats along the Merri in Merri-bek. Photo: A. McGregor

A Brown Thornbill pauses briefly on a twig of Gorse, galgi ngarrk.  Photo: R. Kohn