Hasties Swamp Monthly Bird Survey: December 2024

Lesley Deacon | Guest Contributor

The last survey for 2024 was held on Friday, 6 December. Bird observations began in the Hasties Hide carpark when we were greeted by Eastern Yellow Robin, Willie Wagtail and White-browed Scrubwren. They are not shy of human activity and they provide great patient subjects for photography.

One of the photogenic Eastern Yellow Robin. Photo by Barry Deacon.

A Willie Wagtail resting from its insect catching forays. Photo by Barry Deacon.

Storms and heavy rain in the preceding week filled the lagoon with water with a subsequent exodus of waterbirds. There was not one single Australasian Grebe to be seen, only one cruising Australian Pelican left, and very low numbers of Duck species and Magpie Geese.

The still serene beauty of early morning birdless Hasties Swamp after rain. Photo by Lesley Deacon.

The warm temperatures and plenty of water have initiated breeding behaviour in many bird species. There was much chasing and flapping and calling, and immature Silvereye, Eastern Yellow Robin and Honeyeaters were everywhere.

A wing-fluttering Silvereye. Probably part of a courtship routine. Photo by Peter Valentine.

The Spectacled Monarch nest that was quite close to the ground has failed, but there are still Black-faced Monarch, Willie Wagtail, Brown Gerygone and Eastern Yellow Robin sitting on nests. The busiest of the birds, and the most difficult to count, were large groups of the tiny Silvereye and Brown Gerygone.

A Brown Gerygone caught still for a moment. Photo by Barry Deacon.

Summer conditions have also produced some prolific tree flowering with the Creek Cherry (Syzygium australe) and Pink Evodia (Melicope elleryana) providing great food sources for the Honeyeaters and Lorikeets as well as the gorgeous Zodiac Day Moths which appear almost as large as birds.

An unusual sighting of a Brown-capped Emerald Dove searching for food very high in a tree. Photo by Barry Deacon.

We were thrilled to see a pair of Wedge-tailed Eagles flying majestically far over the Herberton Range. Is it because they are our largest raptors, or because they are not particularly common here, that we were so enthralled by their gliding and soaring?

One disturbing sighting was a very large black cat blatantly stalking at the edge of the park. The vagaries of weather test the birds’ young-rearing abilities. It is disappointing to think they also must contend with the dangers of feral animals.

Bird Call was held on Jen’s verandah at Kureen, where a fancy and festive Morning Tea was enjoyed to celebrate another year of surveys. All the regular bird spotters were in attendance. Coffee and the usual amaretti were provided with everyone bringing something delicious to share. It was a brilliant suggestion Jen, and thanks for your excellent hospitality.

Not a pair of binoculars in sight as the Hasties participants concentrate on something other than birdwatching. Photo by Jerry Browne.

The 61 species from Bird Call can be found on eBird entered for Hasties Swamp National Park by Lesley Deacon. See you at Hasties in the New Year!