Cooleman Ridge – Part 1 – Western Edge
This is the second of four field trips to sites on Canberra’s Western Edge. For more information see: https://conservationcouncil.org.au/western-edge/
Description: We will walk a loop that includes parts of the remnant and regenerating woodland that form part of a green corridor and provide habitat for a variety of birds, depending on the season. This walk will focus on the western section of the Ridge. Birds to be seen may include: Scarlet Robin, mixed feeding flocks including various thornbills, Silvereye, etc, pardalotes, rosellas, Australian King Parrot, Gang-gang Cockatoo, Australian Boobook, Tawny Frogmouth, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Peregrine and Brown Falcons, and other small raptors.
Meeting time and place: 0800 at Darrell Place, Chapman
Walking distance: Approx 3.5 to 4 km
Degree of difficulty: medium, but there are some quite steep, and sometimes slippery, sections of the track that we will take. Walking poles optional.
End time (approx.): 1100
What to bring: water, morning tea, hat, sunscreen, and wear appropriate footwear.
Registration :
- Participants must register with Angela at angkrb@gmail.com (at least 24 hours before the start of the field trip), providing their name and mobile number, and the name and mobile number of an emergency contact;
Numbers limited: to 15
Post event report
On a clear, mild, early autumn morning, Angela Booth led a group of 14 for a walk on the western section of Cooleman Ridge Nature Reserve. It included parts of the remnant and regenerating woodland that form part of a green corridor and provide habitat for a variety of birds. The walk started from Darrell Place, Chapman.
A total of 39 species were observed. The highlight was a male Scarlet Robin heard calling and finally observed in good light.
Large numbers of Galahs, Sulphur-crested Cockatoos and Crimson Rosellas were observed, along with smaller numbers of Eastern Rosellas, Rainbow Lorikeets, Little Corellas and Red-rumped Parrots.
There were also large numbers of Australian Ravens, Australian Magpies and Pied Currawongs. Grey Butcherbirds, Magpie-larks, White-winged Choughs, Laughing Kookaburras and a Sacred Kingfisher were also seen.
Satin Bowerbirds and Grey Fantails were seen constantly. Honeyeaters were confined to Noisy Miners, Red Wattlebirds and Noisy Friarbirds. Other birds included female Rufous Whistlers, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrikes and White-throated Treecreepers. Welcome Swallows and Tree Martins were seen overhead.
Weebills, Spotted and Striated Pardalotes, Yellow-rumped Thornbills and Superb Fairywrens were numerous, while Red-browed Firetails, Brown Thornbills and a Striated Thornbill and 2 Yellow-throated Gerygones, including one immature, were also seen.
The only raptors spotted were a Brown Goshawk and a Nankeen Kestrel.
Eastern Wallaroos were observed in addition to many Eastern Grey Kangaroos.
Thanks to Angela for organising and to Julie McGuiness for keeping the bird list and to Tee Tong Teo for the photos.
Evan Bitmead
