Outing Report Bellbird Hollow, Brooloo, 30/10/2021

BIRD OF THE DAY - White throated Nightjar [Vince Lee]

A fine but overcast day greeted the 24 birders to Bellbird Hollow last Saturday, 19 members and 5 visitors, including folk who traveled from Brisbane and Gympie. Hosts Allan and Dianne Pratt and son Steven welcomed us and Allan gave a brief introduction to their 5 acre property of 12 years, Allan apologizing in advance for the absence of Bell Miners which had mysteriously packed-up and left earlier this year. 

BIRD OF THE DAY - White throated Nightjar [Vince Lee]

Allan and Steven then commenced the walk by leading the group along tracks through the small rainforest and adjoining waterways. There was more bird listening ( the Eastern Koel being the dominant background call) than watching early on as the rainforest birds choose to keep hidden but this changed as we approached the house and began the slight ascent through the drier habitat. Honeyeaters of the Dusky, Brown, New Holland and Yellow-faced varieties were found in flowering shrubs along with the larger Little Wattlebird and Noisy Friarbirds.

 A party of 10 Variegated Fairy-wrens included many freshly coloured young males were seen by the stragglers in the group. We spent some time on the road behind Bellbird Hollow as it afforded high views over the surrounding countryside. Rainbow and Scaly-breasted Lorikeets flew overhead, a lone Sulphur-crested Cockatoo did half-rolls above us,a pair of Chestnut-breasted Mannikins were spotted along a fenceline, whilst Rufous Whistlers, White-throated Gerygone, Tawny Grassbird, Golden-headed Cisticola and Pheasant Coucal were either seen or heard by most observers. 

 Returning by the same route, a couple of birders took a short side track and flushed a nightjar from the ground revealing a single egg which was then observed from a safe distance. Questions as to which nightjar species were quickly resolved when the characteristic weird call of a White-throated Nightjar was heard close-by, and further identification was made when a few folk hung around and got photos of the bird as it returned close to the egg. Allan excitedly announced that this was a new species for Bellbird Hollow, pushing the site total to over 160 species. 

Others returned much later to find the bird sitting tight on the egg.

Although no formal vote was taken, the nightjar was undoubtably the Bird of the Day (and is probably a contender for property Bird of the Year for Allan).

Little Shrike-thrush [Steven Pratt]

 More birds appeared near the house with the large pines affording great views of Woompoo, Rose-crowned and Topknot Pigeons, along with Bar-shoulded Dove. During morning tea we were treated to views of 4 Dollarbirds flying overhead making their raucous calls, and Little Shrike-Thrush, Eastern Yellow Robins and an Azure Kingfisher zipped along the little creek. Raptors were noticeable by their absence, and we never did find the Barking Owl heard by early arrivals, despite some thorough searching by Steven in its usual haunts. 

Rose crowned Fruit dove dwarfed by a Topknot [Steven Pratt]

 Bird call found that we had identified 67 species for the morning, and the outing concluded with thanks to the Pratt family for showing us their wonderful property.

- Russ Lamb