Canberra Ornithologists Group
Visit to Green Cape NSW, 19-24 September 2011
Green Cape juts out into the Tasman Sea at the extreme SE corner of mainland Australia. It is just N of the border between the states of NSW and Victoria. The narrow tip of Green Cape points almost SE. To the W and SW is Disaster Bay and the coastline northwards from the cape runs roughly NNW. To seawards our observations include the area to the limits of visibility, which from the tip of Green Cape (the Point) involves about 320˚ of arc.
Figure 1: Google map of Green Cape
The Google image of Green Cape (see Figure 1) shows various tracks and the main dirt road to the lightstation together with the forest edge to the N of the heathlands, which are all clearly visible.
This was the fourth field trip to Green Cape organized by the Canberra Ornithologists Group.
Previous visits were in June 2004, October 2005 and October 2007 – see reports at: http://mipartners.blogspot.com/2004/06/green-cape-june-2004.html http://mipartners.blogspot.com/2008/07/green-cape-2005-cog-visit-to-green-cape.html http://mipartners.blogspot.com/2008/06/blog-post.html
Both cottages were occupied from Monday afternoon to Saturday morning. The party consisted of Lia Battisson, David and Kathy Cook, Peter Fullagar, Barry Gorman, Roy Harvey, Sandra Henderson, Muriel Story and Helen Topor.
Previous visits were in June 2004, October 2005 and October 2007 – see reports at: http://mipartners.blogspot.com/2004/06/green-cape-june-2004.html http://mipartners.blogspot.com/2008/07/green-cape-2005-cog-visit-to-green-cape.html http://mipartners.blogspot.com/2008/06/blog-post.html
Both cottages were occupied from Monday afternoon to Saturday morning. The party consisted of Lia Battisson, David and Kathy Cook, Peter Fullagar, Barry Gorman, Roy Harvey, Sandra Henderson, Muriel Story and Helen Topor.
Figure 2: Sea surface temperatures (°C) at Green Cape, 23 September 2011
Figure 3: Sea surface temperatures (°C) in isotherms, 23 September 2011
Sea surface temperatures off E and SE Australia at the time we were at Green Cape are shown in Figures 2 and 3, (two map versions from the National Meteorological & Oceanographic Centre website for 23 September 2011).
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| View to the Point from the balcony of the old lighthouse tower |
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| View through the door of the old lighthouse lamp room |
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| Modern lighthouse tower art Green Cape |
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| Old lighthouse tower at Green Cape |
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| Chimney pots |
Weather conditions for the week were mostly very good. On Monday it was overcast and dull when we arrived, with a strong NNE wind; but overnight this changed to strong southerly. At dawn it was still dull and heavily overcast with a noticeable swell lingering from the NE. However, during Tuesday morning it brightened a little although a few scattered showers, accompanied by dark clouds and distant thunder, occurred by the early afternoon and strong winds continued till dusk when viewing conditions out to sea improved. At dawn on Wednesday it was calm and warm with a flat sea and cloudless sky. The day continued to be warm and sunny (21°C) with only light breezes from the W or NW. The sea was calm and visibility remained crisp and clear to the horizon all day. Overnight the wind veered to the N and steadily increased to a strong breeze by midday on Thursday, although the sky remained clear all day. It was also cooler (19°C). On Friday the sky was clear at dawn but a strong southerly started from soon after dawn and continued all day. It remained clear most of the day with a gradual build-up in cloud. It was cool (15°C). On Saturday morning it was overcast and cold. At sea the swell was minimal with a moderate wind blowing offshore from the W. Rain was forecast. Overnight temperatures remained at about 10–11°C throughout the week.
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| Heathlands |
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| Some of the spectacular heathland flora this September at Green Cape |
Heath vegetation was notable for the spectacular displays of colourful flowering species. vivid yellow climbing guinea flower Hibbertia scandens; masses of gorgeous purple Pattersonia sp.; flowering coastal rosemary Westringia fruticosa along with unidentified species of Epacrids, Correa, Crowia, Hakea, Caladenia orchids, yellow Dillwynia parrot-peas and Leptospermum, all in flower.
The survey area
Green Cape and the adjoining heathlands constitute the main observation area. This area extends to as far north as the forest edge beyond the Pulpit Rock trail. We include the tracks down to City Rock and Pulpit Rock as well as the forest walk along the trail from Bittangabee.
Generally we watched from the cottage verandas and the lighthouse area, including occasionally from the Point itself. We looked for activity at sea from the Point at dawn each day, starting at 6:00AM and continuing for about an hour.
We use the term ‘Cape’ to mean the general area surrounding the lighthouse buildings and ‘Point’ to mean the specific area at the tip of the Cape.
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| Birding on the heaths. Barry, Roy and David (Lia, Muriel and Sandra obscured) |
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| Sawn sea watching at the Point |
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| Roy, Kathy, David, Sandra and Lia at the Point |
Figure 4. Track of walk to Pulpit Rock from the lighthouse buildings, Green Cape
On 20 September we all took a morning walk to the Pulpit Rock and back (see Figure 4). This walk took 4 hours and covered 8 km, there and back. The highest point on this walk is at 65 m above sea level (asl). The cottages are at 30m (asl). At other times groups from the party explored various tracks on the nearby heaths but mostly returned to the Pulpit Rock track which is accessible by vehicle down to the cliff edge.
September 21 was spent at the Cape with a listening session beside the road at dusk for Ground Parrots on the heath (6:00-7:30PM). This was at a location 66 m asl at 37.15.02S: 150.01.50E.
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| Rock face at Pulpit Rock |
Figure 5. Track of walk from Bittangabee to lighthouse buildings at Green Cape
We walked the 8 km trail from Bittangabee to the lighthouse on 22 September (8:50AM -12:30PM). Our route is shown in Figure 5. The walk returns along the same trail used in part to reach Pulpit Rock from the Cape. On the walk in the forest area N of the track to Pulpit Rock the terrain again reaches a high point on the path at about 65 m (asl).
Highlights
Spectacular concentrations of Shy Albatross; huge Short-tailed shearwater rafts; large numbers of feeding Australian Gannets; Killer Whales and six species added to our Green Cape bird list (Brown Falcon, Barn Owl, Yellow Thornbill, Scarlet Honeyeater, Flame Robin and Tree Martin). Also the heathland flowering plants.
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| Hand painted |
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| Sturdy windows |
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| Cottage veranda detail |
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| View through the front door of cottage one |
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| Dawn from the Cottage veranda |
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| Head Keeper's Cottage |
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| Another view of the Head Keeper's Cottage from Cottage one |
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| The large Banksia clump that always attracts Little Wattlebirds |
Birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and butterflies recorded this visit
The names used here follow those recommended in Gill, F. and Donsker, D. (Eds). 2011. IOC World Bird Names (version 2.9) available for download from a website at:
http://www.worldbirdnames.org/
http://www.worldbirdnames.org/
Note: A bold font is used for the common names of species seen this trip. The list of birds includes all species known to have occurred at Green Cape or from the nearby sea area.
BLACK SWAN Cygnus atrata
A herd of 10 flew S past the Point early morning on 20 September.
LITTLE PENGUIN Eudyptula minor
WANDERING ALBATROSS Diomedea exulans
[NB Four species are now sometimes recognized within this taxon. At least two of these would occur off Green Cape. WANDERING (SNOWY) ALBATROSS Diomedea exulans and ANTIPODEAN ALBATROSS Diomedea antipodensis.]
NORTHERN ROYAL ALBATROSS Diomedea epomophora sandfordi
[NB Two subspecies are identifiable in the field and recently they have been treated by some authorities as species - NORTHERN ROYAL ALBATROSS Diomedea sandfordi and SOUTHERN ROYAL ALBATROSS Diomedea epomophora]
SOOTY ALBATROSS Phoebetria fusca
BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS Thalassarche malanophrys
A few individuals seen most days but never more than 5 on any day.
CAMPBELL [ISLAND] ALBATROSS Thalassarche melanophrys impavida
[NB Sometimes treated as a separate species Thalassarche impavida]
SHY ALBATROSS Thalassarche cauta subsp.
SHY ALBATROSS Thalassarche cauta subsp.
[NB Shy Albatrosses have recently been treated by some authorities as four species. Two of these are very similar: the TASMANIAN SHY ALBATROSS Thalassarche cauta and the AUCKLAND [ISLAND] SHY ALBATROSS Thalassarche steadi. They are not reliably separable in the field but both undoubtedly occur in the waters off Green Cape.]
On 19 September small numbers of this species were present offshore, most of them moving N. Much the same situation was evident early on 20 September, but by mid afternoon that day a spectacular concentration of what appeared to be exclusively this species was massed along the horizon. At least several thousands must have been present. However, because they were at the limits of visibility it was difficult to make a count or even estimate numbers sensibly. Only the closer examples could be positively identified, but similar albatross with the same strikingly white underwings were obviously this same species to the limits of our vision. We concluded that at least 8000, maybe more, were strung out along an arc of 90ยบ extending from N to E. Very few were seen on 21 or 22 September. On 23 September another spectacular movement S was observed in the late afternoon. Counts between 1630 and 1730 indicated a passage of more than 3700 individuals. Four sample counts of this movement gave an average of 77 passing per minute in the period up to 17:00PM. Four more counts in the next half hour gave an average of 48 passing per minute. Passage then diminished rapidly. No albatross were seen at dawn on 24 September.
SALVIN'S ALBATROSS Thalassarche salvini
[NB Identifiable in the field from all other Shy Albatrosses and now usually treated, as here, as a full species. Another, but very distinctive Shy Albatross, the CHATHAM [ISLAND]ALBATROSS Thalassarche eremita is also now regarded by most authorities as a full species. This Shy Albatross has not so far been reported from the waters off Green Cape.]
GREY-HEADED ALBATROSS Thalassarche chrysostoma
YELLOW-NOSED ALBATROSS Thalassarche chlororhynchos
[NB Two subspecies (sometimes treated as two species) occur which are identifiable in the field: ATLANTIC (WESTERN) YELLOW-NOSED ALBATROSS Thalassarche c. chlororhynchos and INDIAN (EASTERN) YELLOW-NOSED ALBATROSS Thalassarche c. carteri.]
[INDIAN] EASTERN YELLOW-NOSED ALBATROSS Thalassarche c. carteri
One or two seen in the evening on 19 September but no more after that time.
BULLER’S ALBATROSS Thalassarche bulleri
[NB Sometimes treated as two species (Northern Buller’s Albatross Thalassarche platei and Southern Buller’s Albatross Thalassarche bulleri) but they are not separable in the field.]
GIANT PETREL Macronectes sp.
One juvenile seen off the Point most of 20 September and another seen during 23 September. Species not determined.
NORTHERN GIANT-PETREL Macronectes halli
SOUTHERN GIANT-PETREL Macronectes giganteus
SOUTHERN FULMAR Fulmarus glacialoides
CAPE PETREL Daption capense
ANTARCTIC PRION Pachyptila desolata
SLENDER-BILLED PRION Pachyptila belcheri
FAIRY PRION Pachyptila turtur
GREAT-WINGED PETREL Pterodroma macroptera
WHITE-HEADED PETREL Pterodroma lessoni
PROVIDENCE PETREL Pterodroma solandri
GOULD’S PETREL Pterodroma leucoptera
WHITE-CHINNED PETREL Procellaria aequinoctialis
BLACK PETREL Procellaria parkinsoni
STREAKED SHEARWATER Calonectris lecomelas
WEDGE-TAILED SHEARWATER Ardenna pacifica
BULLER’S SHEARWATER Ardenna bulleri
SOOTY SHEARWATER Ardenna grisea
SHORT-TAILED SHEARWATER Ardenna tenuirostris
A group of three or four seen moving about to the E and off the Point during most of 20 September. By late afternoon 21 September a continuous stream of some thousand shearwaters (obviously this species) was seen at the horizon going S. Late in the day a feeding frenzy of several hundred birds was seen E of the Cape much closer inshore. No passage of shearwaters was visible at dawn on 22 September but a steady passage N was observed for a time during the morning on 23 September. At dawn on 24 September large rafts of this species were drifting offshore. At least 18 rafts, amounting to about 25 000 birds, were seen at 6:00AM on a relatively calm sea with little swell. They stretched across an arc of about 90°from the NE to the SE. Presumably these were overnight roosting rafts. Counts of 2000, 500, 500, 7000, 1000, 1000, 2000, and 1000 were noted along with another 10 rafts with a total of another 10 000 birds. They began to disperse from these roosting flocks at about 06:15 but there were still some flocks at 7:00AM although many by then were on the move. All had gone by 8:00AM.
FLESH-FOOTED SHEARWATER Ardenna carneipes
FLUTTERING SHEARWATER Puffinus gavia
HUTTON’S SHEARWATER Puffinus huttoni
WILSON’S STORM-PETREL Oceanites oceanicus
GREY-BACKED STORM-PETREL Garrodia nereis
WHITE-FACED STORM-PETREL Pelagodroma marina
COMMON DIVING-PETREL Pelecanoides urinatrix
WHITE-FACED HERON Egretta novaehollandiae
One at the Point 21 September on rock platform. Two at Bittangabee on 22 September.
PACIFIC REEF HERON Egretta sacra
AUSTRALIAN PELICAN Pelecanus conspicillatus
AUSTRALASIAN GANNET Morus serrator
Present every day with several rafts, including one of 80 or more, seen settled on the calm water to the S of the Point on 21 September. Adult birds dominated with very few juveniles to be seen – suggesting juveniles constituted less than 1% of those present. A large feeding frenzy – at least 1000 birds – gathered far out to the NE by mid afternoon on 21 September. This was at about the same distance and in part of the same area that we had seen the huge collection of Shy Albatross spread along the horizon the day before. Gannets were again seen in a couple of distant feeding frenzies at dawn on 22 September but not in great numbers. On 23 September distant feeding groups were seen occasionally but none to the extent of those seen on 21 September. Early morning on 24 September there were few to be seen.
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| Gannet cruising to and fro past the cottages! |
LITTLE PIED CORMORANT Microcarbo melanoleucos
A flock of about 50 seen going S early morning 20 September. One at Bittangabee on 22 September.
BLACK-FACED CORMORANT Phalacrocorax fuscescens
LITTLE BLACK CORMORANT Phalacrocorax sulcirostris
AUSTRALIAN PIED CORMORANT Phalacrocorax varius
GREAT CORMORANT Phalacrocorax carbo
A large flock of 50 seen flying N over the sea early morning 21 September. Two at Bittangabee on 22 September.
WHISTLING KITE Haliastur sphenurus
One seen to the E of the access road, about 1 km from the Cape on 23 September.
WHITE-BELLIED SEA EAGLE Haliaeetus leucogaster
An adult seen at Pulpit Rock 20 September. Three adults circling over the campsite at Bittangabee on 22 September (12:45PM) and an adult and sub-adult seen at the Cape later in the afternoon. Two adults and a sub-adult seen again at the Cape on 23 September and an adult seen attempting predation on shearwaters off the Point that afternoon. One sub-adult at the Cape at dawn on 24 September
SWAMP HARRIER Circus approximans
One seen 21 September over heathlands and again on 22 September from the Pulpit Rock track.
GREY GOSHAWK Accipiter novaehollandiae
BROWN GOSHAWK Accipiter fasciatus
One seen 21 September at the Cape and another low over the heath to the N of the Pulpit Rock Track early morning on 23 September.
NANKEEN KESTREL Falco cenchroides
One seen at the Point on the automatic light tower 20 and 21 September.
BROWN FALCON Falco berigora
One seen (c. 9:00AM) on the track just beyond the car park as we left the Cape on 24 September. NEW RECORD.
PEREGRINE FALCON Falco peregrinus
PIED OYSTERCATCHER Haematopus longirostris
SOOTY OYSTERCATCHER Haematopus fuliginosa
SOOTY OYSTERCATCHER Haematopus fuliginosa
Two seen at the Point most days on the rock platforms.
BAR-TAILED GODWIT Limosa lapponica
RUDDY TURNSTONE Arenaria interpres
GREY [NODDY] TERNLET Procelsterna albivitta
SILVER GULL Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae
Two seen on 19 September and a small group of about 10 birds S of the Point on 21 September and 5 flying N late afternoon on 23 September. Conspicuously absent for the rest of the time.
PACIFIC GULL Larus pacificus
Two adults regularly at the Cape or along the cliffs to the S of the lightstation. Not yet nesting but courtship displays seen early morning 20 September. Male flying up with slow flapping flight while circling and then descending steeply to the female with bill pointed downwards, followed by standing side by side both with lowered heads, bills almost touching the ground at their feet and giving a mutual ‘long call (?)’.
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| Adult Pacific Gull loafing at the Point |
CASPIAN TERN Hydroprogne caspia
At least two present each day near the Point and another three seen at Bittangabee on 22 September.
[GREATER] CRESTED TERN Thalassius bergii
A few seen at sea each day.
SOOTY TERN Onychoprion fuscus
WHITE-FRONTED TERN Sterna striata
One seen flying N at dusk on 19 September off the Cape.
COMMON TERN Sterna hirundo (longipennis)
ARTIC TERN Sterna paradisaea
SOUTH POLAR SKUA Stercorarius mccormicki
BROWN SKUA Stercorarius antarcticus (lonnbergi)
One seen flying N early afternoon on 20 September.
POMARINE SKUA Stercorarius pomarinus
PARASITIC JAEGER Stercorarius parasiticus
LONG-TAILED JAEGER Stercorarius longicaudus
BRUSH BRONZEWING Phaps elegans
Seen at Bittangabee on 22 September and occasionally elsewhere.
WONGA PIGEON Leucosarcia melanoleuca
Two seen at Bittangabee on 22 September and heard on several occasions each day.
GLOSSY BLACK-COCKATOO Calyptorhynchus lathami
Evidence in the form of ‘chewings’ found below Alocasuarina trees along the trail from Bittangabee on 22 September. No birds heard or seen.
YELLOW-TAILED BLACK-COCKATOO Calyptorhnchus funereus
GANG-GANG COCKATOO Callocephalon fimbriatum
GALAH Eolophus roseicapilla
Two seen near cottages early morning 21 September.
RAINBOW LORIKEET Trichoglossus moluccanus
CRIMSON ROSELLA Platycercus elegans
A few noted on the walk from Bittangabee on 22 September in the forested areas but not conspicuous.
[EASTERN] GROUND PARROT Pezoporus wallicus
Heard at dusk on 21 September.
AUSTRALIAN KING PARROT Alisterus scapularis
HORSFIELD’S BRONZE CUCKOO Chrysococcyx basalis
One on 20 September at the Cape and again heard in same area on 22 September.
SHINING BRONZE CUCKOO Chrysococcyx lucidus
One heard and seen near the cottages and to the W of them in the Westringia/Melaleuca thickets 20–24 September.
FAN-TAILED CUCKOO Cacomantis flabelliformis
One calling constantly from an area W of the cottages early morning 21 September. Also seen the day before. A few calling along the trail from Bittangabee on 22 September, including a pair with the female giving the chireee call. A bird still calling from the same clump of Banksia W of the cottages as on 21 September and two males present near the cottages on 24September.
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| Find the singing Fan-tailed Cuckoo! |
One seen on 22 September. Flushed from bushes at the start of the public track from the car park to the Cape and seen again later as it flew N out of this same area of tall brush to the west of the cottages. NEW RECORD
LAUGHING KOOKABURRA Dacelo novaeguineae
One heard from Pulpit Rock track on 21 September.
SUPERB LYREBIRD Menura novaehollandiae
More than one male heard in the forest areas during the Bittangabee walk on 22 September. Song desultory but including typical regional coastal type territorial calls, ‘twanging’ calls and ‘pilik’ calls along with soft mimicry.
SATIN BOWERBIRD Ptilonorhynchus violaceus
A few heard and seen in the forested areas on the Bittangabee trail on 22 September.
WHITE-THROATED TREE-CREEPER Cormobates leucophaeus
A few heard and seen in forest areas on the Bittangabee walk 22 September.
SUPERB FAIRY-WREN Malurus cyaneus
Several parties seen. Males in full colour and singing.
SOUTHERN EMU-WREN Stipiturus malachurus
Seen on 21 September along Pulpit Rock track. A few found again along the Pulpit Rock track early morning on 23 September. Not at all conspicuous this trip.
YELLOW-FACED HONEYEATER Lichenostomus chrysops
Up to 15 seen at the Point early morning on 21 September and similar numbers seen again at the Point on 22 September. Also heard and seen in small numbers in the forest areas along the Bittangabee walk on 22 September.
LEWIN'S HONEYEATER Meliphaga lewinii
One seen 20 September at the Cape and again on 22 September on Pulpit Rock trail.
BROWN-HEADED HONEYEATER Melithreptus brevirostris
Heard from Pulpit Rock trail on 21 September and seen at Bittangabee on 22 September.
WHITE-NAPED HONEYEATER Melithreptus lunatus
A party of 10–15 seen at the Cape near the car park on 19 September and 25–30 seen at the Point early morning 20 September. Occasionally seen again elsewhere over the next few days.
NOISY FRIARBIRD Philemon corniculatus
A few seen on Bittangabee walk 22 September in forest areas.
LITTLE WATTLEBIRD Anthochaera chrysoptera
Noisy and conspicuous. The most widespread and abundant honeyeater this trip but no large numbers involved.
RED WATTLEBIRD Anthochaera carunculata
Several noted in the forest areas at the start of Bittangabee walk on 22 September.
CRESCENT HONEYEATER Phylidonyris pyrrhoptera
NEW HOLLAND HONEYEATER Phylidonyris novaehollandiae
Not abundant but a few found on the heaths and at the Cape.
TAWNY-CROWNED HONEYEATER Gliciphila melanops
A few seen every day. A pair was feeding young at a nest in heathland near the end of the Pulpit Rock trail on 20 September and seen here again on 21 September. A few present at the Cape.
EASTERN SPINEBILL Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris
One seen early morning at the Point on 21 September. A few seen in forest areas along the Bittangabee trail on 22 September.
SCARLET [MYZOMELA] HONEYEATER Myzomela sanguinolenta
Two males calling and seen flying overhead at the Cape early morning on 21 September. NEW RECORD.
SPOTTED PARDELOTE Pardalotus punctatus
Heard from track to Pulpit Rock on 21 September and during the walk from Bittangabee on 22 September in forested areas.
STRIATED PARDALOTE Pardalotus striatus
One seen well at the Point early morning 21 September.
STRIATED FIELDWREN Calamanthus fuliginosus
Heard at dusk on 21 September and several seen 22 September on heaths and again at dawn on 23 September.
WHITE-BROWED SCRUBWREN Sericornis frontalis
A few seen on most days.
BROWN GERYGONE Gerygone mouki
Pair at nest seen on Bittangabee walk in forest area on 22 September.
BROWN THORNBILL Acanthiza pusilla
A few seen every day.
YELLOW THORNBILL Acanthiza nana
One seen well at the Point in the early morning on 21 September. Again seen at the point on 22 September and photographed by David Cook. NEW RECORD.
STRIATED THORNBILL Acanthiza striatus
EASTERN WHIPBIRD Psephodes olivaceus
Found several birds calling well at the Cape and along the trail to Pulpit Rock, especially in the thicker Melaleuca scrub. Also heard and seen often along the Bittangabee trail on 22 September.
PIED CURRAWONG Strepera graculina
One seen on Pulpit Rock track 21 September. Three seen at the Cape 22 September.
DUSKY WOODSWALLOW Artamus cyanopterus
BLACK-FACED CUCKOOSHRIKE Coracina novaehollandiae
WHITE-BELLIED CUCKOOSHRIKE Coracina papuensis
VARIED SITTELLA Daphoenositta chrysoptera
CRESTED SHRIKETIT Falcunculus frontatus
[AUSTRALIAN] GOLDEN WHISTLER Pachycephala pectoralis
Several seen along the forested areas of the Bittangabee trail with several males in good song on 22 September.
RUFOUS WHISTLER Pachycephala rufiventris
GREY SHRIKETHRUSH Colluricincla harmonica
Heard every day. Several heard calling along the trail to the Pulpit Rock on 20 September and the Bittangabee trail on 22 September. Always in timber or taller patches of vegetation.
OLIVE-BACKED ORIOLE Oriolus sagittatus
GREY FANTAIL Rhipidura albiscapa
Two seen at the Cape 20–21 September. A few seen on the Bittangabee walk on 22 September.
BLACK-FACED MONARCH Monarcha melanopsis
AUSTRALIAN RAVEN Corvus coronoides
Two seen at the Point 20 September and another over the Pulpit Rock trail on 23 September. A few seen and heard at the Bittangabee campsite on 22 September.
EASTERN YELLOW ROBIN Eopsaltria australis
One heard calling from a wooded gully on the return walk from the Pulpit Rock 20 September. Several seen and heard calling in the forested areas along the Bittangabee trail on 22 September and one on nest at Bittangabee camp ground 22 September.
ROSE ROBIN Petroica rosea
FLAME ROBIN Petroica phoenicea
A female seen E of the cottages late afternoon 22 September. NEW RECORD.
WELCOME SWALLOW Hirundo neoxena
At least three pairs at the Cape with one pair nest building on 20 September at a site beside the back door of cottage 2; another pair apparently building a nest under the veranda roof of the ranger’s house (Head Keeper’s Cottage).
TREE MARTIN Petrochelidon nigricans
One seen at the Cape on 21 and again on 23 September. NEW RECORD
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| Silvereye |
Small parties feeding in the Westringia/Melaleuca thickets W of the cottages most days. Not conspicuous elsewhere.
BASSIAN THRUSH Zoothera lunulata
MISTLETOEBIRD Dicaeum hirundinaceum
BEAUTIFUL FIRETAIL Stagonopleura bella
One seen W of the cottages in the thickets early morning 20 September and heard in same area on 22 September. Again, one seen near cottages early morning on 24 September.
RED-BROWED FINCH Neochmia temporalis
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| Australian Pipit |
AUSTRALIAN PIPIT Anthus australis
At least three pairs between the cottages and the Point. Some song flights in high wind from a bird at the Point at dusk on 19 September and occasional song flights seen at other times both here and from a bird that was often seen close to the cottages. A third pair was seen regularly to the W of the lightstation, in the hollow to the S and below the solar panel array.
EUROPEAN GOLDFINCH Carduelis carduelis
Mammals recorded
Names for mammals follow those used by Menkhorst, P. and Knight, F. (2001) A Field Guide to the Mammals of Australia (Oxford : Melbourne, Australia).
SHORT-BEAKED ECHIDNA Tachyglossus aculeatus
One seen on the access road to the Lighthouse 21 September.
DUSKY ANTECHINUS Antechinus swainsonii
BANDICOOT sp.
COMMON WOMBAT Vombatus ursinus
One seen sunning at the entrance to a large burrow W of the cottages early morning 21 September and again on 22 September. Up to four spotted by flashlight after dark 20 September near the cottages.
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| Wombat enjoying the early morning sun at burrow entrance |
COMMON RINGTAIL POSSUM Pseudochirus peregrinus
One found dead beside the path in the forested area along the Bittangabee trail 22 September.
EASTERN GREY KANGAROO Macropus giganteus
Three seen at Bittangabee campsite on 22 September and a few heard or seen from time to time at the Cape.
RED-NECKED WALLABY Macropus rufogriseus
BLACK (SWAMP) WALLABY Wallabia bicolor
Several individuals seen at the Cape most days. One seen at the start of the Bittangabee trail on 22 September and another at City Rock on 23 September.
AUSTRALIAN FUR SEAL Arctocephalus pusillus (doriferus)
At least 20 seals at the Point. Some are using the rock platform E of the cottages. It is claimed that New Zealand Fur Seals (A. forteri) are using this area and that pups have been born here in recent years. Identity not confirmed.
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| Fur seals on the rock platforms near the Point |
None seen.
BUSH RAT Rattus fuscipes
EUROPEAN RABBIT Orytolagus cuniculus
None seen.
KILLER WHALE Orcina orca
One seen 19 September in the afternoon off the Point. Another two seen well on 23 September and another for a short time following a pod of Humpbacks early morning on 24 September.
HUMPBACK WHALE Megaptera novaeangliae
Seen every day with pods up to four or five individuals but mostly singles or two individuals together. Mostly going S. A fine breaching display from one individual seen heading S on 23 September. A pod of three adults and a small calf going S early in the morning of 24 September off the Point. For a while a large-finned Killer Whale followed this pod.
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| Humpback Whale passing close to the cottages |
Reptiles and Amphibians recorded
Names for reptiles and frogs follow those used by Wilson, S. and Swan, G. (2003) A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia. New Holland Publishers: Chatswood, Austrlia) and Tyler, M.J. and Knight, F. (2009) Field Guide to the Frogs of Australia (CSIRO publishing: Collingwood, Victoria).
LACE MONITOR Veranus varius
One on access road close to the lighthouse on 22 September and another at Bittangabee same day.
JACKY LIZARD Amphibolurus muricatus
A few seen each day.
Unidentified small skinks seen a few times.
RED-BELLIED BLACK SNAKE
One basking at the Point late afternoon on 21 September.
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| Red-bellied Black Snake at the Point |
BROWN FROGLET Crinia signifera.
Heard calling from several wet areas on the heaths and also creek-side at several locations during the Bittangabee walk.
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| Painted Lady |
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| Cockroach on the heath |
Painted Lady (Vanessa kershawi) and a white, probably Cabbage White Pieris rapae, seen but only a few individuals in both instances.
Photo by Lia Battisson
