The consistent rains of the past three years set the scene for the 2022 spring bird count. Flooding of the Lachlan river did not directly affect proceedings but it was wet underfoot and some survey sites were inaccessible due to washed out roads. Bird numbers were up again after the previous years of drought. And farm crop yields are again expected to be high, as long as the ground isn’t too wet for harvest.
A highlight was the numbers of Superb Parrots present. On one site we saw a flock of eight and four of the eight sites surveyed had Superb Parrots. The numbers have definitely rebounded and there was talk as to whether they would retain their status as vulnerable in New South Wales given their success. This bird was photographed feeding at the Seed Orchard at Back Creek Reserve Road.
This Grey Shrike-thrush was calling early in the morning at the Cowra Holiday Park and seen later in the day on the old railway line behind the camp. Species seen at this site included Grey and Rufous Fantails, Rufous Whistlers, Noisy Friarbirds, Peaceful Doves, Double-barred and Red-browed Finches, Yellow-rumped Thornbills, a Dollarbird, a Black-shouldered Kite as well as introduced sparrows, blackbirds and starlings.
This Rufous Whistler offered some good opportunities for a photo, staying in the one tree for about fifteen minutes.
We saw several Black-shouldered Kites over the weekend. There was one ranging over the Common, in the centre of Cowra just to the north of the Japanese Gardens.
These Peaceful Doves were enjoying the early morning sun on the old Cowra rail line.
Dollarbirds had just arrived from the north and were seen on two sites over the weekend.