Notes from: a Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater hosted citizen science event.
The expected wet weather didn't come on our bird survey (that was a bonus), but we came prepared with gumboots, and we definitely needed them. The ground is still sodden from a few months of wet weather, so any rain causes low points to fill with water, and flow. In cool, but not cold, mostly overcast conditions, our citizen science team of 11 people recorded 43 species of birds, 2 frog species, 2 Swamp Wallabies and a couple of beautiful butterflies that I'm sure were wondering what happened to summer. Or was that just us? A great morning, as always, with fabulous people. And the Christmas biscuits, and rum-n-raisin chocolate with plenty of rum were pretty good too :)
Some highlights? A pair of Gang-gang Cockatoos, Dusky Woodswallows, Sacred Kingfisher, Swamp Harrier... and everything else!
Notes from: a Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater hosted citizen science event.
Although it was overcast for much of the morning, it wasn't cold and the wind stayed away. Our flora survey was off to a good start! We ventured into the dry slope of the newest acquisition for Yellingbo Nature Conservation Area, for our first survey here. We focussed on the plants, but also recorded the birds. Why wouldn't we?
We surveyed a small section of a 40+ hectare block dominated by a canopy of Stringbarks and a scattering of Peppermints (Eucalypts). Eight people, including 2 new people to our flora surveys, recorded Onion Orchids dotted throughout this patch, more Blue Pincushions than I've seen elsewhere in the reserve, Bird Orchids, Sun Orchids that had finished their flowering (we'll be back next year to see what they are!), and much more! It was nice to see some insect life, after seeing very little over the recent wet months. Highlights, you ask? It would have to be the shared laughter, conversations and joy of spending a morning out in the bush, sharing our ID knowledge and queries with fabulous people :)
Usá ArgentiNat con app iNaturalist
