What to target Sep-Oct

In 2006, we set up the inaugral Challenge to see if we could collectively record 250 species during the year in the club's survey area. How did we go? Extremely well considering the drought... Plenty of unusual and rare birds .... some great records from non-members too. It was a fascinating year. And a worthwhile exercise which we encourage other groups to follow. See for yourself...

Moderator: Mick Atzeni

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Mick Atzeni
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Joined: Sun Dec 11, 2005 9:08 pm

What to target Sep-Oct

Post by Mick Atzeni »

Plenty of interesting historical records for this period, the most popular time of the year for birds and birders:

Jabiru, Glossy Ibis - 28/9/96 Hood's Lagoon, Helidon
Red-necked Stint - 25/9/91 Hood's Lagoon
Oriental Plover - 25/9/91 Karrasch's Lagoon, near Gatton (Rod Hobson) - outside club area
Topknot Pigeons - various Toowoomba sightings often in Camphor Laurels - Moloney St, Hume St, Prince Henry Drive, Herries St, over DPI&F Tor St. Years: 1993, 1994, 2003
Diamond Dove - 4/9/94 Helidon Dip
Letter-winged Kite - nesting 5/9/95 Bowenville (outside club area)
Painted Snipe - 6/9/00 Bill Gunn Dam, Laidley (outside club area)
Noisy Pitta - 8/9/84, 22/9/84, 24/9/83, 1/10/89 - Redwood Park - heard more often than seen!
Squatter Pigeon - 8/9/89 Helidon Dip
Forest Kingfisher - 19/9/94 Toowoomba Waterbird Habitat
Buff-banded Rail - 18/9/94 Toowoomba Waterbird Habitat
Common Sandpiper - Helidon Spa, Sep-Oct 1996
Black Swan- Helidon Spa, 19/9/96
Regent Honeyeater - nest-building along McIntyre Brook, Cement Mills, near Gore, 18/9/99 (outside club area)
Black-faced Woodswallow - Wyreema 4/10/86
Masked Owl 4/10/90 pair Redwood Pk (Rod Hobson, Pt McConnell, Keith Treschman). Powerful Owls heard next night around 6:15pm when looking for the Masked Owls again. No luck with the latter.
Black Honeyeater - 4/10/94 Helidon in flowering callistemons along creek, Back Flagstone Ck Rd
Musk Duck - 5/10/86 Hood's Lagoon
Satin Flycathcer - 5/10/86 Redwood Park
Budgerigar - 6/10/94 Helidon
Banded Lapwing - 7/10/89 Reynolds Lane, Helidon
Chestnut Teal - 7/10/89 Hood's Lagoon
Michael Atzeni
7 Woden St, Murphys Creek 4352
Mob: 0499 395 485
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Mick Atzeni
Posts: 1843
Joined: Sun Dec 11, 2005 9:08 pm

Woodswallows - look up!

Post by Mick Atzeni »

Forgot to mention Masked Woodswallow is a definite chance this time of year when large mixed flocks of Masked and White-browed Woodswallows pass over Toowoomba, often very high up. Pat McConnell saw a flock passing over Highfields 3/10 but was unable to get a good enough look to identify which species.

Often the first indication of their presence is their chattering calls above. If you're not familiar with identifying woodswallows in flight, check your field guides to learn how to tell them apart, particularly the tail and breast features.

Keep your ears and eyes open, especially anywhere along the escarpment over the next couple of months.
Michael Atzeni
7 Woden St, Murphys Creek 4352
Mob: 0499 395 485
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