What's New?

What's new - Here we intend to post the latest updates, i.e. what has changed during the last few months and, very importantly, current, topical information, such as the next working bee or meeting, or what is flowering just now, or the latest special visitor.

1.2.2012:: For details of the latest (January) Bird Survey click here. This survey had to be s postponed for what turned out to be a near perfect day.

31.12.2011:: For details of the latest (December) Bird Survey click here. This survey on the eve of the New Year has been fairly good; it even included the sighting of a Pacific Black Duck in the creek just inside Somers Trail, having safely made its way through the culvert under Fuller Street.

1.12.2011:: For details of the latest (November) Bird Survey click here. As already noted last time Crested Pigeons - common for a long time in Simpson Park - seem to be now also moving into the area surrounding Somers Trail.

1.11.2011:: For details of the latest (October) Bird Survey click here. Crested Pigeons - common for a long time in Simpson Park - seem to be now also moving into the area surrounding Somers Trail.

2.10.2011:: For details of the latest (September) Bird Survey click here. A couple of Wood Ducks are still about; seen toward the Cochrane Street Scout Hall. During the night of 21/22 September (about 0300) the call of the Powerful Owl was heard in the Chasta Crs/Fuller St area.

4.9.2011:: For details of the latest (August) Bird Survey click here. A couple of Wood Ducks - him and her - are still about; seen toward the Cochrane Street Scout Hall during the survey..

4.8.2011:: For details of the latest (July) Bird Survey click here. Included is the sighting of several Wood Ducks high up on a bare limb, obviously investigating last year's breeding roost; in this they were challenged by a couple of Little Corellas. Also observed a couple of the smaller birds (rather too rare in our area): Brown Thornbill and Eastern Spinebill.

31.3.2011:: For details of the latest (March) Bird Survey click here. Also included is the surprising encounter with a Bronzewing (not previously recorded here, though not uncommon at Yarran Dheran and Bellbird Dell. Gang Gangs are still regular visitors. Little Corellas are now regular visitors, often in substantial numbers.

28.2.2011:: For details of the latest (February) Bird Survey click here. Also included is the incidental observation, pre-dawn, on 13 February of the call of a Tawny Frogmouth; however there has been no visual confirmation so far. After their absence during the last three surveys, Gang Gangs have again been observed on a regular basis.

1.2.2011:: For details of the latest (January) Bird Survey click here. Also included are a couple of incidental observations, most notably that of the Tawny Frogmouth mentioned earlier; regrettably no further/new observation of a Frogmouth.

1.1.2011:: The New Year starts off with the sad news that a Tawny Frogmouth

was found dead in Cochrane Street near the Scout Hall. Earlier on (about 5:20 am) the call of a Tawny Frogmouth

had been heard in the open section of Somers Trail and a short time later several shots (of an air rifle?) had been heard in the direction of the Scout Hall.

4.12.2010:: For details of the latest (November) Bird Survey click here. Unfortunately, despite extensive enquiries and several suggestions, the mystery bird mentioned earlier (cf. 5.11.2010) remains just that.

5.11.2010:: On two occasions an unusual, yet to be identified bird call was recorded. As soon as the bird has been identified, the mystery bird will be listed here. Meanwhile we only have the call

, as the bird, inspite of several attempts, could not be spotted.

31.10.2010:: For details of the latest (October) Bird Survey click here. Compared to the September survey the tally was disappointing, however the Wood Ducks were again spotted. In fact there were at least three. What was not clear whether there were two pairs or only the three working out who would go on which tree.

30.09.2010:: For details of the latest (September) Bird Survey click here. The Wood Ducks were again spotted; also an Eastern Spinebill.

31.8.2010:: For details of the latest (August) Bird Survey click here. Included is the sighting of several Wood Ducks high up on a bare limb, obviously getting ready to breed. Also observed a couple of the smaller birds (rather too rare in our area): Brown Thornbill and Eastern Spinebill.