Twenty-third Birding NSW Survey Around Grenfell

By Mikla Lewis, compiled from the survey report by Elisabeth Karplus from Birding NSW.

Birding NSW has been conducting its twice-yearly bird surveys in the Weddin Shire since 2011. Surveys are conducted on thirty sites on both public and private land around Grenfell, in the South-West Slopes Key Biodiversity Area.

The latest survey took place on Saturday March 23, with over twenty surveyors travelling from Sydney. It was great to see some new surveyors from Grenfell as well.

The surveys target four special species – Superb Parrot, Diamond Firetail, Painted Honeyeater and Swift Parrot. Unfortunately only one of these – the Superb Parrot – was recorded during the official 20 minute surveys, with a total of 37 on six different sites including four sites on private properties. A Diamond Firetail was recorded on Saturday afternoon in Warraderry State Forest, after the surveys were completed.

There are 19 bird species considered vulnerable under NSW legislation, that we might see on our surveys. We recorded sightings of four of these listed bird species in addition to the Superb Parrots. Speckled Warblers were recorded on two sites, Grey-crowned Babblers were recorded on six sites, Hooded Robins (which have recently been added to the threatened species list in Australia) were recorded on one site and Turquoise Parrots were recorded on two sites.

Overall, we recorded 1,255 birds from the 30 sites. The number of species per site (species richness) varied from 5 to 19 while the number of birds per site (species abundance) varied from 7 to 138. At the site (Dodds Lane) with the highest species abundance, we recorded 80 White-winged Choughs! They arrived in separate groups but then settled in to feed in the stubble.

The surveys are a great way of getting to know our local birds while in the friendly company of experienced and dedicated bird enthusiasts. We make the weekend a social event, beginning with a picnic dinner at O’Brien’s Lookout on Friday evening and a barbecue at “Rosemont” on Saturday evening. Some surveyors come early for a spot of birding before the barbecue and we often see interesting birds during the evening, such as Superb Parrots.

Sunday mornings are spent bird watching while walking the tracks around Company Dam, before the surveyors head back to Sydney. We originally decided to do this to encourage locals to come along and enjoy the birds, bush and birders. On Sunday 24th March, in just two and a half hours, we saw an incredibly rich variety of birds – 40 species! This included 10 species of honeyeaters, as well as thornbills, whistlers, robins, finches, pardalotes and lots more small bush birds, many of which are on the decline. We also came across a Peron’s Tree Frog (Litoria peronii) which survived a close encounter with a Grey Shrike-thrush. 

This highlights the incredible diversity of birds in Grenfell and the importance of bushland areas such as Company Dam. What a treasure we have at Company Dam Flora and Fauna Reserve. It really lives up to its name.

A list of all the birds seen during the March survey is below.

The next Grenfell survey will take place on the weekend of September 27-29, 2024. Everyone is welcome to take part and we would love to have more locals come along. If you are interested you can contact Mikla on 0476 797 603 for more details.

Locals and visitors taking part in the Sunday morning bird watching walk at Company Dam Flora and Fauna Reserve as part of the 23rd Birding NSW Surveys around Grenfell.

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