Green Cape 2015

 



Canberra Ornithologists Group
Visit to Green Cape, NSW, 12-16 October 2015
Watercolor by Kathy Walter
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 an arc of about 320°.
Figure 1: Google map of Green Cape

The Google image of Green Cape (see Figure 1) shows various tracks, the main dirt road to the light station and the clearly visible forest edge to the N of the heathlands. This year most of the heathlands were recovering from an extensive burn that occurred more than a year ago. 

This was the sixth field trip to Green Cape organised by the Canberra Ornithologists Group. (Previous visits were in June 2004, October 2005, October 2007, September 2011and October 2013. Reports covering these previous visits can be found here for 2004, here for 2005, here for 2007 here for 2011 and here for 2013. Additional reports from two other (non COG) visits can be seen herefor June 2006 and  here for August 2008. A summary of seabird observations from the Green Cape to Gabo Island region was complied in 2007 from several sources, mostly published or at that time available from the www. This document can be downloaded here.

Historically, there was one much earlier COG visit in October 1977 when the party camped at Bittangabee. Attached at the end of this report is a summary of all COG observations from the first visit in 1977 to the present. 

This year we occupied the former head-keepers house, now refurbished to provide accommodation for up to 10 visitors (if two are willing to use the lounges overnight). The old cottage one and two are now partly occupied by the caretakers but can accommodate another 8. 

Our stay was from Monday afternoon to Friday morning. The party consisted of Kathy Walter and John Goldie, Peter Fullagar and Helen Topor, Gillian Carter, Sue Lashko, Sandra Henderson, Anne Carrick, David Letham and Paul Christie.
View to the Point and seaward from the former Headkeepers cottage
Looking NW from the balcony of the lighthouse tower with the former head keepers cottage in the foreground and the paired assistant keepers cottages beyond.
The Point and the present day light tower viewed from the balcony of the old lighthouse 
Seawtaching amy the Point shortly after dawn
Some of the group viewing disaster Bay from City Rock
Rest stop along the trail from Bittangabee to the Cape 
Weather conditions and sea surface temperatures off Green Cape

Weather conditions for the week were mostly very good, although not particularly favorable for good seawatching. On Tuesday there was a light NW to W wind at dawn and it was sunny by 7am remaining so until a light southerly change arrived by 5pm with a few light showers. On Wednesday morning the wind was again light from the N with a calm sea and clear sky. A sunny day followed but the wind strength increased towards evening reaching 25-30 knots. Thursday was fine and warm all day with light winds. Friday morning was warm with a light sea and clear sky. The wind was from the N at about 15 knots but few birds were to be seen at sea. 

Sea surface temperatures off E and SE Australia at the time are shown in Figures 2 (map from the National Meteorological and Oceanographic Centre website).

FIGURE 2 sea surface temperatures (°C) at Green Cape, 10 October 2015
Weather change and rainbow Tuesday evening  
Vegetation

The heath vegetation was not particularly spectacular and much of it was slow in recovery from an intense fire in 2014.

A planned hazard reduction burn at Green Cape was started on the morning of Monday, March 3 2014 but by the afternoon the fire had spread outside the containment lines and most of the heath from City Rock to Pulpit Rock Trail and south toward the Cape was burnt. Relatively little heath remained unburnt and this area was mostly confined to an area E of the entrance road to the Cape and N of the Pulpit Rock Trail. Recovery of the heathland vegetation has been slow in the 18 months since this unfortunate incident and little of the burnt heath had regenerated enough to be suitable habitat for Ground Parrots at the time of our visit.

Some of the small area of unburnt heath
Crossing regenerating heath on the walk from Bittangabee to the Cape
Walking through burned Banksia and Casuarina  heath
The survey area

Green Cape and the adjoining heathlands constitute the main observation area. This survey area extends as far north as the forest edge beyond the Pulpit Rock track. It includes 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 veranda and the lighthouse area, including occasionally from the Point itself. Sunrise was at about 6:15am and sunset at about 7:15pm.

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.

Coverage

On Monday 12 October little more than the Cape area surrounding the cottages was explored as the group gathered during the afternoon.

We looked for activity at sea from the Point each day, starting at 6:00-6:15am and continuing for about an hour.

On Tuesday 13th, after the dawn watch at the Point, we walked the Pulpit Rock Trail with stops along the way to search for typical heathland birds. The afternoon was mostly spent at the Cape. On Wednesday, after a dawn watch and breakfast, we walked the City Rock Trail until mid morning and then an unmarked trail nearer the lightstation that also leads down to the cliffs above Disaster Bay. The afternoon was generally spent watching for seabirds from the cottage veranda with several patches of food close in to the Point attracting small feeding groups of shearwaters and terns. On Thursday we drove to Bittangabee after breakfast and then walked back to the Cape through the forest and across the heathlands. The remainder of the day was spent mostly at the cottages or near the Point. On Friday a watch at the Point at dawn was the only activity possible before our departure at 10:00am. 

No attempts were made to listen for Ground Parrots at dusk because wind conditions were often not ideal.

Highlights

Our bird list total of 81 species was the best of the seven visits that COG has made to Green Cape. We added new to the list ten species: Brown Quail, Australian Pied Cormorant, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Collared Sparrowhawk, Latham's Snipe, Yellow-tufted Honeyeater, Bell Miner, Australian Magpie, Grey Burrawong and Leaden Flycatcher. Humpback Whales were moving S all week and we could see several off the Point most of the time.  Often they were in combination as mother and calf.

For mammals we also added several new species. Agile Antechinus, Long-nosed Bandicoot, Brush-tailed Possum and confirmation of New Zealand Fur Seal. For reptiles we added Yellow-bellied Water Skink, Black Rock Skink, Cunningham's Skink, Southern Water Skink and the legless lizard, the Common Scaly-foot. We added Jervis Bay Tree Frog to our meagre amphians list and the Blotched Dusky-blue to our equally short list of butterflies.
The lighthouse and cottages viewed from the Point
The old Green Cape Light

Birds, mammals, reptiles and lepidoptera recorded this trip

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.

Taxonomy and names follow those used by eBird.

BIRDS

BROWN QUAIL Synoicus ypsilophorus
Two seen on the Pulpit Rock trail on 13th. A new species for our list.

BLACK SWAN Cygnus strata
LITTLE PENGUIN Eudyptula minor
Heard at sea late afternoon on 12th.
WANDERING ALBATROSS Diomedea exulans
[NB Five species are now sometimes recognized within this taxon. At least two of these would occur off Green Cape. WANDERING (SNOWY) ALBATROSS Diomedea exulans and AUCKLAND (ISLAND) ALBATROSS Diomedea gibsoni .]

NORTHERN ROYAL ALBATROSS Diomedea epomophora sandfordi
[NB Two subspecies of ROYAL ALBATROSS 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
CAMPBELL [ISLAND] ALBATROSS Thalassarche melanophrys impavida
[NB Sometimes treated as a separate species Thalassarche impavida]

WHITE-CAPPED (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.]
Not many seen this week with between 1 and 6 birds seen each day but 17 recorded on 14th.
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 

EASTERN YELLOW-NOSED ALBATROSS Thalassarche chlororhynchos bassi
[NB Two subspecies occur which are identifiable in the field. ATLANTIC (WESTERN) YELLOW-NOSED ALBATROSS Thalassarche c. chlororhynchos and INDIAN (EASTERN) YELLOW-NOSED ALBATROSS Thalassarche c. bassi.]

BULLER’S ALBATROSS Thalassarche bulleri
[NB Sometimes treated as two species but they are not separable in the field. Northern Buller’s Albatross Thalassarche platei and Southern Buller’s Albatross Thalassarche bulleri].

GIANT PETREL Macronectes sp.

NORTHERN GIANT-PETREL Macronectes halli
Two birds seen on 13th.
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
A few seen most days with the largest number (300) recorded on 15th.
BULLER’S SHEARWATER Ardenna bulleri
SOOTY SHEARWATER Ardenna grisea
SHORT-TAILED SHEARWATER Ardenna tenuirostris
Seen every day but numbers varied enormously and we did not always maintain a close watch to seaward every day. 
At dusk on the 12th birds were seen streaming S in good numbers. However, the largest number seen was next day when the passage south was constant from dawn until dusk but with noticeably fewer birds as the day wore on. Passage during our early morning seawatch was at the rate of 300 per minute for most of this time between 6:15 and 7:15am. There was a feeding frenzy of more than a thousand birds about 2km S of the cape towards the end of this seawatch. A number of counts during the day (for example streaming S at 50-100 per minute at 11am and 50-75 per minute at 4pm) suggested that a calculation based on 100 per minute for birds passing up to 3 km off the cape would give a reasonable overall estimate. This would give a figure of about 72 000 shearwaters moving south during the 12 hours of daylight today.
Passage on the 14th was much lighter with counts at dawn of 55, 27 and 43 per minute during an hour of seawatching from 6:30am. Overnight the wind changed to a light northerly that increased to a strong wind by the afternoon. Today birds were generally heading N by late afternoon. At this time there were several concentrations of birds at feeding patches with 500-1000 shearwaters visible E of the cape.
On the 15th little passage activity was noted with a count of 1500 birds for the sea area off the cape – particularly a feeding association with Fluttering Shearwaters close inshore in the early afternoon. By Friday morning only two birds were seen off the cape moving N during an hour of seawatching at dawn.
1500 estimated as present off the cape on 15th.   
FLESH-FOOTED SHEARWATER Ardenna carneipes
FLUTTERING SHEARWATER Puffinus gavia
Few seen except 13 on 14th and 600 in a feeding frenzy with Short-tailed Shearwaters close to the cape early afternoon on the 15th. But they dispersed following attention from a White –bellied Sea-Eagle. 
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
AUSTRALIAN PELICAN Pelicans conspicillatus
AUSTRALASIAN GANNET  Morus serrator
Few seen. Daily numbers ranged from 6-45 and these were mostly immature or sub-adults by plumage. Probably fewer than 30% were adult.
LITTLE BLACK CORMORANT Phalacrocorax sulcirostris
Two recorded at the cape late afternoon on 12th.
BLACK-FACED CORMORANT Phalacrocorax fuscescens
GREAT CORMORANT Phalacrocorax carbo
Between 2-11 recorded at the cape daily. 
PIED CORMORANT Phalacrocorax varius
One reported late afternoon on 12th at the cape. A new species for our list.
LITTLE PIED CORMORANT Microcarbo melanoleucos
Two birds seen regularly at the cape.
WHITE-FACED HERON Egretta novaehollandiae
EASTERN REEF HERON Egretta sacra
One seen at the cape 13th and 14th.
WEDGE-TAILED EAGLE Aquila audax
Two seen soaring over the forest area to the N of the Pulpit rock Trail in the morning on 13th and one seen from the City Rock Trail in the morning on the 14th. Surprisingly, this is a new species for our list
SWAMP HARRIER Circus approximans
GREY GOSHAWK Accipiter novaehollandiae
BROWN GOSHAWK Accipiter fasciatus
COLLARED SPARROWHAWK Accipiter cirrocephalus
A male seen at close range passing N at the cape during seawatch early morning 13th. A new species for our list.
WHISTLING KITE Haliastur sphenurus
One seen near the cape in the afternoon 13th. 
WHITE-BELLIED SEA EAGLE Haliaeetus leucogaster
Seen every day. Usually two adults but a maximum of 5 seen on 13th with 4 adults and a sub-adult. Late in the afternoon that day an adult takes a Short-tailed Shearwater from a group of shearwaters at a feeding frenzy, returning with a noticeably laboured flight to the cape.

AUSTRALIAN PIED OYSTERCATCHER Haematopus longirostris
One seen flying past on 13th and again in the afternoon on 15th.
SOOTY OYSTERCATCHER Haematopus fuliginosa
Seen daily with a maximum of 8 in the afternoon on the 15th.
MASKED LAPWING Vanellus miles 
Two adults with 3 downy chicks seen every day close to the lightstation buildings.
BAR-TAILED GODWIT Limosa lapponica
RUDDY TURNSTONE Arenaria interpres
LATHAM'S SNIPE Gallinago hardwickii
One flushed from W of the lightstation in the afternoon on 13th. A new species for our list.
SOUTH POLAR SKUA Stercorariuus mccormicki
BROWN SKUA Stercorarius lonnbergi
POMARINE SKUA Stercorarius pomarinus
ARCTIC JAEGER Stercorarius parasiticus
Three seen on 13th and three also seen on 15th – in both instances far off and heading S fast.
LONG-TAILED JAEGER Stercorarius longicaudus
SILVER GULL Chroicocephalus  novaehollandiae
Only a few seen and never in large numbers. Some days none were recorded – for example during the daily seawatches at dawn none were recorded.
PACIFIC GULL Larus pacificus
One recorded on 12th in the late afternoon at the cape. Surprising that this species was not as conspicuous as it has often been in the past.
KELP GULL Larus dominicanus
SOOTY TERN Onychoprion fuscus
GREY TERNLET (Noddy) Procelsterna albivitta
CASPIAN TERN Hydroprogne caspia
Seen most days with a maximum of two at any one time.
WHITE-FRONTED TERN Sterna striata
Ten seen foraging at sea off the cape during the afternoon on 15th.
COMMON TERN Sterna hirundo (longipennis)
ARTIC TERN Sterna paradisaea
CRESTED TERN Thalassius bergii
Conspicuous at sea with 100-300 visible daily. Mostly, they were seen feeding at sea off the cape and in Disaster Bay.
BRUSH BRONZEWING Phaps elegans
One recorded along Pulpit Rock Trail on 13th; one seen at the forest edge on the way to Bittangabee on 15th and one near the lightstation on 16th. Presumably different individuals.
WONGA PIGEON Leucosarcia melanoleuca
Two heard calling from the forests to the N of Pulpit Rock Trial on 13th and two heard calling in forest areas during the Bittangabee walk on 15th.
FAN-TAILED CUCKOO Cacomantis flabelliformis
Two records of single birds 13th and 15th.
HORSFIELD’S BRONZE-CUCKOO Chrysococcyx basalis
One heard and seen along Pulpit Rock Trail on 13th.
SHINING BRONZE-CUCKOO Chrysococcyx lucidus
One near the lightstation on 12th. One on the City Rock Trail on the 14th; one on the Bittangabee to the cape walk on 15th and again one calling W of the lighthouse cottages on 16th. 
NANKEEN KESTREL Falco cenchroides
BROWN FALCON Falco berigora
One near the lightstation in the afternoon on 13th.
PEREGRINE FALCON Falco peregrinus
Male seen fly over during the early morning seawatch on 13th. 
GLOSSY BLACK-COCKATOO Calyptorhynchus lathami
YELLOW-TAILED BLACK-COCKATOO Calyptorhnchus funereus
GANG-GANG COCKATOO Callocephalon fimbriatum
GALAH Eolophus roseicapilla
CRIMSON ROSELLA Platycercus elegans
One recorded during the walk from Bittangabee to the cape on 15th.
EASTERN GROUND PARROT Pezoporus wallicus
AUSTRALIAN KING PARROT Alisterus scapularis
RAINBOW LORIKEET Trichoglossus haematodus
One recorded from Pulpit Rock Trail on 13th and plentiful in the forest areas during the walk from Bittangabee to the cape on 15th.
EASTERN BARN OWL Tyto delicatula
LAUGHING KOOKABURRA Dacelo novaeguineae
SUPERB LYREBIRD Menura novaehollandiae
Heard singing from forest area to the N of Pulpit Rock Trail on 13th and again in forests on the Bittangabee to Cape walk on 15th.
SATIN BOWERBIRD Ptilonosrhynchus violaceus
Two recorded on the Bittangabee to Cape walk on 15th.
WHITE-THROATED TREE-CREEPER Cormobates leucophaea
Two recorded on Bittangabee to Cape walk on 15th.
SOUTHERN EMU-WREN Stipiturus malachurus
Seven recorded from unburnt heaths on N side of Pulpit Rock Trail on 13th. 
SUPERB FAIRY-WREN Malurus cyaneus
Recorded every day from a wide range of habitats.
EASTERN SPINEBILL Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris
One at the cape early morning on 13th and two more seen during the walk from Bittangabee to the cape on 15th.
LEWIN'S HONEYEATER Meliphaga lewinii
Two calling in the forests during the Bittangabee to Cape walk on 15th.
YELLOW-FACED HONEYEATER Caligavis chrysops
Seen regularly during early morning seawatches from the cape, with small flocks often circling about the point, undecidedly. Also seen and heard frequently on the heaths and in the forests .
YELLOW-TUFTED HONEYEATER Lichenostomus melanops
One seen at the end of an unnamed track S of the City Rock Trail running down to the cliff edge and nearer the lightstation. Persistent unfamiliar call was eventually tracked down in burn Melaleuca thickets by Sue Lashko with a brief view and identified.
BELL MINER Manorina melanophrys
Heard calling from forest area N of Pulpit rock Trail on 13th.
LITTLE WATTLEBIRD Anthochaera chrysoptera
Seen or heard on the heaths but not specially noisy or conspicuous.
RED WATTLEBIRD Anthochaera carunculata
Four recorded from the forests during the Bittangabee to Cape walk on 15th.
SCARLET HONEYEATER Myzomela sanguinolenta
Seven recorded in the forest areas during the Bittangabee to Cape walk on 13th.
TAWNY-CROWNED HONEYEATER Gliciphila melanops
Always on the heaths and not particularly conspicuous with 10 being our largest day count seen during the Bittangabee to Cape walk on 15th.
CRESCENT HONEYEATER Phylidonyris pyrrhoptera
NEW HOLLAND HONEYEATER Phylidonyris novaehollandiae
Seen only on the heaths or near the lightstation with 10 being the largest single count during the Bittangabee to Cape walk on 15th
WHITE-NAPED HONEYEATER Melithreptus lunatus
A few heard or seen at the cape and two found during the walk from Bittangabee to the cape on the 15th.
BROWN-HEADED HONEYEATER Melithreptus brevirostris
One noted during the Bittangabee to Cape walk on 15th.
NOISY FRIARBIRD Philemon corniculatus
Five recorded in forests during the walk from Bittangabee to the cape on 15th and two in the tall unburnt Melaleuca N of the cottages on 16th.
SPOTTED PARDALOTE Pardalotus punctatus
Heard from forests N of Pulpit Rock Trail on 13th, on the City Rock Trail 14th and again during the Bittangabee to Cape walk on 15th.
STRIATED PARDALOTE Pardalotus striatus
WHITE-BROWED SCRUBWREN Sericornis frontalis
Seen every day in small numbers. Pair seen feeding a dependent young at the cape during early morning seawatch on 14th.
STRIATED FIELDWREN Calamanthus fuliginosus
Two seen in same area of unburnt heath 13th -14th to the N and towards the end of the Pulpit Rock Trail.

BROWN THORNBILL Acanthiza pusilla
A few seen every day.
YELLOW THORNBILL Acanthiza nana
STRIATED THORNBILL Acanthiza striatus
A few seen in forested areas along the Bittangabee to Cape walk on 15th.
BROWN GERYGONE Gerygone mouki
One seen during Bittangabee to Cape walk on 15th.
EASTERN WHIPBIRD Psephodes olivaceus
Heard every day and at leats 8 heard or seen during the walk from Bittangabee to the Cape on 15th.
DUSKY WOODSWALLOW Artamus cyanopterus
A few seen most days
AUSTRALIAN MAGPIE Gymnorhina tibicen
One seen at bittangabee on 15th. New to our list.
PIED CURRAWONG Strepera graculina
One seen 12th near cottages and two seen Bittangabee on 15th.
GREY CURRAWONG Strepera versicolor
One seen during walk from Bittangabee to the Cape on 15th. New to our list.
BLACK-FACED CUCKOO-SHRIKE Coracina novaehollandiae
One seen along Pulpit rock Trail on 13th and another recorded during the walk from Bittangabee to the Cape on 15th.
WHITE-BELLIED CUCKOO-SHRIKE Coracina papuensis
VARIED SITTELLA Daphoenositta chrysoptera
Six seen on the City Rock Trail 14th. 
CRESTED SHRIKE-TIT Falcunculus frontatus
GREY SHRIKETHRUSH Colluricincla harmonica
A few seen or heard most days.
GOLDEN WHISTLER Pachycephala pectoralis
Six recorded during the walk from Bittangabee to the Cape on 15th. No other records.
RUFOUS WHISTLER Pachycephala rufiventris
A least 2 seen or heard near the cottages on the first two days and one laong the Pulpit rock Trial on 13th. Three recorded during the walk from Bittaqngabee to Cape on 15th. New to our list.
OLIVE-BACKED ORIOLE Oriolus sagittatus
One recorded along Pulpit Rock Trail 13th and two  during the Bittangabee to Cape walk on 15th.
GREY FANTAIL Rhipidura albiscapa
A few seen every day
BLACK-FACED MONARCH Monarcha melanopsis
One heard and seen creekside in the forest during the walk from Bittangabee to the Cape on 15th. 
LEADEN FLYCATCHER Myiagra rubecula
On heard and see in the forest during the Bilttangabee to Cape walk on 15th.
AUSTRALIAN RAVEN Corvus coronoides
On seen at Cape 12th and another along the Pulpit Rock Trail on 13th. Three recorded during the Bittangabee to Cape walk on 15th.
SCARLET ROBIN Petroica boodang
Male seen at the Cape early morning on 13th. New to our list.
ROSE ROBIN Petroica rosea
FLAME ROBIN Petroica phoenicea
EASTERN YELLOW ROBIN Eopsaltria australis
One near the cottages at the Cape on the 12th and another seen along the City Rock Trail on 14th  and 4 recorded during the walk from Bittangabee to the Cape on 15th.
WELCOME SWALLOW Hirundo neoxena
Seen every day in small numbers. A pair with a nest above the back door of one of the the Cottages had four eggs on 12th and were brooding four nestings in the morning of 16th. 
Welcome Swallow iincubating/brooding on nest above our doorway!


TREE MARTIN Petrochelidon nigricans
SILVEREYE Zosterops lateralis
Twenty recorded at the Cape in the late afternoon 12th but generally numerous W and N of the Cottages in the Melaleuca thickets and noted as especially vocal in these thickets on 15th. Bird seen carrying nesting material on 16th.
BASSIAN THRUSH Zoothera lunulata
MISTLETOEBIRD Dicaeum hirundinaceum
BEAUTIFUL FIRETAIL Stagonopleura bella
RED-BROWED FINCH Neochmia temporalis
AUSTRALIAN PIPIT Anthus australis
Single birds seen at the cape 12th, along Pulpit Rock Trail 13th and along the un-named trail between the lightstation and City Rock Trail on 14th.
BEAUTIFUL FIRETAIL Stagonopleura bella
One seen on 15th near the cottages.

EUROPEAN GOLDFINCH Carduelis carduelis




MAMMALS

SHORT-BEAKED ECHIDNA Tachyglossus aculeatus
AGILE ANTECHINUS Antechinus agilis
DUSKY ANTECHINUS Antechinus swainsonii
BANDICOOT sp.

LONG-NOSED BANDICOOT Perameles nasuta
COMMON WOMBAT Vombatus ursinus
COMMON RING-TAIL POSSUM Pseudochirus peregrinus
BRUSH-TAILED POSSUM Trichosurus vulpecula
EASTERN GREY KANGAROO Macropus giganteus
RED-NECKED WALLABY Macropus rufogriseus
BLACK (SWAMP) WALLABY Wallabia bicolor
EUROPEAN RABBIT Orytolagus cuniculus
HOUSE MOUSE Mus musculus
BUSH RAT Rattus fuscipes
DINGO Canis lupus familiaris
FERAL CAT Felis cattus
AUSTRALIAN FUR SEAL Arctocephalus pusillus (doriferus)
NEW ZEALAND FUR SEAL Arctocephalus forsteri
An individual of this species seen close while hauled out on rocks at the point on 15th. Other seals present (numbering less than 20) were not specifically identified.

COMMON DOLPHIN Delphinus delphis

COMMON BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN Tursiops truncatus
HUMPBACK WHALE Megaptera novaeangliae
As usual at this time of the year, a steady stream of individuals, or females with calf, moving S each day and often close to the Point.

KILLER WHALE Orca orca

Some images of Humpback Whales cavorting in the waters off the Point at Green Cape during our visit this year. Note that in several pictures there is a female and large calf.








REPTILES

LACE MONITOR Veranus varius


JACKY LIZARD Amphibolurus muricatus
Photo by David Letham
YELLOW-BELLIED WATER SKINK Eulamprus heatwolei
SOUTHERN WATER SKINK Eulamprus tympanum
BLACK ROCK SKINK Egernia saxatilis

CUNNINGHAM’S SKINK Egernia cunninghami
EASTERN BROWN SNAKE Pseudonaja textilis
COMMON SCALY-FOOT Pygopus lepidopodus (legless lizard)
Photo by Kathy Walter
AMPHIBIANS

BROWN FROGLET Crinia signifera - HEARD
JERVIS BAY TREE FROG  Litoria jervisiensis- HEARD

BUTTERFLIES

PAINTED LADY Vanessa kershawi
BLOTCHED DUSKY-BLUE Candalides acasta
Widespread and common on the heathlands.






Postscript 
The following is the report prepared for and published in Gang-gang, the newsletter of the Canberra Ornithologist's Group. 


Imagine waking up at dawn to the sound of waves crashing at the base of the cli outside the window, scrambling into your clothes, grabbing your binoculars (and maybe a co ee) and heading to the point to iden fy the passing parade of seabirds. This is how the ten lucky COG members started each day at Green Cape.

I’ve never done much seabirding but I quickly learnt to spot an albatross from a shearwater from a tern under the guidance of guru Peter Fullagar and his team of expert helpers. Seabirds I saw included Shy Albatross; Short -tailed, Wedge-tailed and Flu ering Shearwaters; and Caspian, Crested and White-fronted Terns. A feature of Green Cape seabirding during October is the steady stream of Short-tailed Shearwaters heading south on their annual migra on to fa en up in Antarc c waters before breeding on islands o southern Australia. White- bellied Sea-eagles have learnt to pick up an easy meal by hun ng the migra ng shearwaters and many in our group saw a sea-eagle take a bird from a ra of shearwaters feeding just o the point.

A er an hour or so, it’s me to stroll back to the co age for a leisurely breakfast on the veranda, where we were regularly entertained by mother Humpback Whales and their babies as they headed south close to the cli edge on their annual migra on. An cs included breaching, tail slapping, ipper waving, rolling or otherwise having a good me.

During the day, there is something for everyone. If you’re a seabirder, the veranda is a perfect vantage point to watch the passing parade. If you’re a landbirder, there are varied habitats to explore nearby, including teatree/ melaleuca scrub, heath and forest. To take advantage of this, the group undertook a number of excursions. On Tuesday, we walked the Pulpit Rock Track, where among other birds we saw three groups of Southern Emu- wren, Striated Fieldwren, Tawny-crowned Honeyeater, Brown Quail and Brush Bronzewing. The next day, we visited Saltwater Creek, where we searched the heath without success for the elusive Ground Pparrot. On Thursday, we did the Bi angabee Bay to Green Cape walk, where the birds of interest included Scarlet Honeyeater, Leaden Flycatcher and Black-faced Monarch and I saw a Beau ful Firetail on a dead branch above my head!
Green Cape has so much of interest in addi on to birds. If you’re a botanist, the heath area has a huge variety of wild owers on display in October. If you’re a photographer or ar st, there are plenty of subjects to photograph, draw or paint. If wildlife is your thing, there are Humpback Whales, New Zealand Fur Seals (with extra-long whiskers), snakes and lizards to watch by day, and Common Ringtail Possums, wombats and antechinus to spot at night. If you’re a historian, you will be fascinated by the history of the lighthouse and co ages, built around 1880 (we has an excellent tour of the lighthouse by NPWS). And if you’re all of the above, well you will just need another week at Green Cape.

Not that any of us are the slightest bit compe ve, but we raised the benchmark for Green Cape for all groups (not just COG) to 81 bird species. This was even more noteworthy given the absence of any storms to drive the rarer species within sight from land!

A big thank you to all group members who shared their knowledge and experience with those of us who are less experienced birders. And special thanks to Peter Fullagar who organised the birding and Sue Lashko who managed the logis cs.

Gillian Carter 

APPENDIX to the report on the COG 2015 visit to Green Cape NSW 

A list of all birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibian and butterflies seen at Green Cape 1977-2015


Year:–
1977
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2011
2013
2015
Month: –
Oct
Jun
Oct
Jun
Oct
Aug
Sept
Sept
Oct
COG visits: –
First
COG1
COG2
COG3
COG4
COG5
COG6
Species
BROWN QUAIL
Syndics ypsilophorus
x
BLACK SWAN
Cygnus atrata
x
x
x
LITTLE PENGUIN
Eudyptula minor
x
x
x
x
x
x
WANDERING ALBATROSS
Diomedea exulans
x
x
x
NORTHERN ROYAL ALBATROSS
Diomedea epomophora sandfordi
x
SOOTY ALBATROSS
Phoebetria fusca (1)
BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS Thalassarche malanophrys
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
CAMPBELL [ISLAND] ALBATROSS Thalassarche melanophrys impavida
SHY ALBATROSS
Thalassarche cauta subsp.
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
SALVIN'S ALBATROSS
Thalassarche salvini
x
x
x
GREY-HEADED ALBATROSS
Thalassarche chrysostoma
YELLOW-NOSED ALBATROSS Thalassarche chlororhynchos
EASTERN YELLOW-NOSED ALBATROSSThalassarche bassi
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
BULLER'S ALBATROSS
Thalassarche bulleri
GIANT PETREL
Macronectes sp.
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
NORTHERN GIANT-PETREL
Macronectes halli
x
x
x
SOUTHERN GIANT-PETREL
Macronectes giganteus
SOUTHERN FULMAR
Fulmarus glacialoides
x
CAPE PETREL Daption capense
x
x
ANTARCTIC PRION
Pachyptila desolata
SLENDER-BILLED PRION
Pachyptila belcheri
FAIRY PRION
Pachyptila turtur
x
x
x
GREAT-WINGED PETREL
Pterodroma macroptera
x
WHITE-HEADED PETREL
Pterodroma lessoni
PROVIDENCE PETREL
Pterodroma solandri
GOULD'S PETREL
Pterodroma leucoptera
WHITE-CHINNED PETREL
Procellaria aequinoctialis
x?
BLACK PETREL
Procellaria parkinsoni 
STREAKED SHEARWATER
Calonectris lecomelas
WEDGE-TAILED SHEARWATER
Ardenna pacifica
x
x
x
x
x
BULLER'S SHEARWATER
Ardenna bulleri
SOOTY SHEARWATER
Ardenna grisea
x
x
SHORT-TAILED SHEARWATER
Ardenna tenuirostris
x
x
x
x
x
x
FLESH-FOOTED SHEARWATER
Ardenna carneipes
x
FLUTTERING SHEARWATER
Puffinus gavia
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
HUTTON'S SHEARWATER
Puffinus huttoni
x
WILSON'S STORM-PETRE
Oceanites oceanicus
GREY-BACKED STORM-PETREL
Garrodia nereis
WHITE-FACED STORM-PETRELPelagodroma marina
COMMON DIVING-PETREl
Pelecanoides urinatrix
x
x
x
WHITE-FACED HERON
Egretta novaehollandiae
x
x
x
x
x
REEF HERON
Egretta sacra
x
x
x
x
AUSTRALIAN PELICAN
Pelecanus conspicillatus
(x) Eden
x
AUSTRALASIAN GANNET
Morus serrator
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
LITTLE PIED CORMORANT
Microcarbo melanoleucos
x
x
x
x
x
x
BLACK-FACED CORMORANT
Phalacrocorax fuscescens
x
x
x
x
x
LITTLE BLACK CORMORANT
Phalacrocorax sulcirostris
x
(x) Eden
x
x
AUSTRALIAN PIED CORMORANT
Phalacrocorax varius
x
GREAT CORMORANT
Phalacrocorax carbo
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
WEDGE-TAILED EAGLE
Aquila addax
x
SQUARE-TAILED KITE
Lophoictinia isura
x
WHISTLING KITE
Haliastur sphenurus
x
x
x
x
x
WHITE-BELLIED SEA EAGLE
Haliaeetus leucogaster
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
SPOTTED HARRIER
Circus assimilis
x (3)
SWAMP HARRIER
Circus approximans
x
x
x
GREY GOSHAWK Accipiter novaehollandiae
x
BROWN GOSHAWK
Accipiter fasciatus
x
x
x
COLLARED SPARROWHAWK
Accipiter cirrocephalus
x
LITTLE EAGLE
Hieraaetus morphnoides
x
NANKEEN KESTREL
Falco cenchroides
x
x
BROWN FALCON
Falco berigora
x
x
x
x
PEREGRINE FALCON
Falco peregrinus
x
x
x
PIED OYSTERCATCHER
Haematopus longirostris
x
x
x
SOOTY OYSTERCATCHER
Haematopus fuliginosa
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
MASKED LAPWING
Vanellus miles
x
x
x
BAR-TAILED GODWIT
Limosa lapponica
x
x
x
RUDDY TURNSTONE
Arenaria interpres
x
LATHAM’S SNIPE
Gallinago hardwickii
x
GREY TERNLET (Noddy)
Procelsterna albivitta
SILVER GULL
Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
PACIFIC GULL
Larus pacificus
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
KELP GULL
Larus dominicanus
CASPIAN TERN
Hydroprogne caspia
x
x
x
x
CRESTED TERN
Thalassius bergii
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
SOOTY TERN
Onychoprion fuscus
WHITE-FRONTED TERN
Sterna striata
x
x
x
x
x
x
COMMON TERN Sterna hirundo (longipennis)
ARTIC TERN
Sterna paradisaea
x
SOUTH POLAR SKUA
Stercorariuus mccormicki
BROWN SKUA
Stercorarius lonnbergi
x
x
x
x
x
POMARINE SKUA
Stercorarius pomarinus
x
PARASITIC JAEGER
Stercorarius parasiticus
x
x
x
LONG-TAILED JAEGER
Stercorarius longicaudus
BRUSH BRONZEWING
Phaps elegans
x
x
x
x
x
CRESTED PIGEON
Ocyphaps lophotes
x
WONGA PIGEON
Leucosarcia melanoleuca
x
x
x
x
x
x
GLOSSY BLACK-COCKATOO Calyptorhynchus lathami
x
x
x
YELLOW-TAILED BLACK-COCKATOO Calyptorhnchus funereus
x
x
x
GANG-GANG COCKATOO
Callocephalon fimbriatum
x
GALAH
Eolophus roseicapilla
x
x
x
x
RAINBOW LORIKEET
Trichoglossus haematodus
x
x
x
x
CRIMSON ROSELLA
Platycercus elegans
x
x
x
x
x
EASTERN GROUND PARROT
Pezoporus wallicus
x
x
x
x
AUSTRALIAN KING PARROT
Alisterus scapularis
x
HORSFIELD'S BRONZE-CUCKOO Chrysococcyx basalis
x
x
x
x
SHINING BRONZE-CUCKOO
Chrysococcyx lucidus
x
x
x
x
x
FAN-TAILED CUCKOO
Cacomantis flabelliformis
x
x
x
x
x
x
SOUTHERN BOOBOOK
Ninox delicatula
x
x
EASTERN BARN OWL
Tyto delicatula
x
LAUGHING KOOKABURRA
Dacelo novaeguineae
x
x
x
x
SUPERB LYREBIRD
Menura novaehollandiae
x
x
x
x
x
SATIN BOWERBIRD
Ptilonorhynchus violaceus
x
x
x
x
x
WHITE-THROATED TREE-CREEPER Cormobates leucophaea
x
x
x
x
x
SUPERB FAIRY-WREN
Malurus cyaneus
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
SOUTHERN EMU-WREN
Stipiturus malachurus
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
EASTERN SPINEBILL
Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris
x
x
x
x
x
x
LEWIN'S HONEYEATER
Meliphaga lewinii
x
x
x
x
x
YELLOW-FACED HONEYEATER
Caligavis chrysops
x
x
x
x
x
x
TELLOW-TUFTED HONEYEATER Lichenostomus Melanoms
x
SINGING HONEYEATER
Lichenostomus virescens
x
BELL MINER
Manuring melanophrys
x
LITTLE WATTLEBIRD
Anthochaera chrysoptera
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
RED WATTLEBIRD
Anthochaera carunculata
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
CRESCENT HONEYEATER
Phylidonyris pyrrhoptera
x
x
SCARLET [MYZOMELA] HONEYEATER Myzomela sanguinolenta
x
x
x
TAWNY-CROWNED HONEYEATER Gliciphila melanops
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
NEW HOLLAND HONEYEATER Phylidonyris novaehollandiae
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
WHITE-CHEEKED HONEYEATER Phylidonyris niger
x
WHITE-NAPED HONEYEATER Melithreptus lunatus
x
x
x
x
x
BROWN-HEADED HONEYEATER Melithreptus brevirostris
x
x
x
x
NOISY FRIARBIRD
Philemon corniculatus
x
x
x
x
SPOTTED PARDALOTE
Pardalotus punctatus
x
x
x
STRIATED PARDALOTE
Pardalotus striatus
x
x
x
WHITE-BROWED SCRUBWREN
Sericornis frontalis
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
STRIATED FIELDWREN
Calamanthus fuliginosus
x
x
x
x
x
x
BROWN THORNBILL
Acanthiza pusilla
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
YELLOW THORNBILL
Acanthiza nana
x
STRIATED THORNBILL
Acanthiza striatus
x
x
x
x
x
BROWN GERYGONE
Gerygone mouki
x
x
x
EASTERN WHIPBIRD
Psephodes olivaceus
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
DUSKY WOODSWALLOW
Artamus cyanopterus
x
x
x
x
GREY BUTCHERBIRD
Cracticus torquatus
x
AUSTRALIAN MAGPIE
Gymnorhyna tibicen
x
PIED CURRAWONG
Strepera graculina
x
x
x
x
x
x
GREY CURRAWONG
Strepera versicolor
x
BLACK-FACED CUCKOO-SHRIKE
Coracina novaehollandiae
x
x
x
x
x
WHITE-BELLIED CUCKOO-SHRIKE Coracina papuensis
x
x
VARIED SITTELLA
Daphoenositta chrysoptera
x
x
 CRESTED SHRIKE-TIT
Falcunculus frontatus
x
GREY SHRIKETHRUSH
Colluricincla harmonica
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
GOLDEN WHISTLER
Pachycephala pectoralis
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
RUFOUS WHISTLER
Pachycephala rufiventris
x
x
x
x
x
SPOTTED QUAILTHRUSH
Cinclosoma punctatum 
x
x
OLIVE-BACKED ORIOLE
Oriolus sagittatus
x
x
x
WILLIE WAGTAIL
Rhipidura leucophrys
x
GREY FANTAIL
Rhipidura albiscapa
x
x
x
x
x
x
BLACK-FACED MONARCH
Monarcha melanopsis
x
x
LEADEN FLYCATCHER
Myiagra rubecula
x
AUSTRALIAN RAVEN
Corvus coronoides
x
x?
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
JACKY WINTER
Microeca fascinans
x
SCARLET ROBIN
Petroica boodang
x
x
x
ROSE ROBIN
Petroica rosea
x
x
FLAME ROBIN
Petroica phoenicea
x
EASTERN YELLOW ROBIN
Eopsaltria australis
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
WELCOME SWALLOW
Hirundo neoxena
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
TREE MARTIN
Petrochelidon nigricans
x
SILVEREYE
Zosterops lateralis
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
BASSIAN THRUSH
Zoothera lunulata
x
x
COMMON  BLACKBIRD
Turdus merula
x
MISTLETOEBIRD
Dicaeum hirundinaceum
x
x
x
AUSTRALIAN PIPIT
Anthus australis
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
BEAUTIFUL FIRETAIL
Stagonopleura bella
x
x
x
x
x
x
RED-BROWED FINCH
Neochmia temporalis
x
x
EUROPEAN GOLDFINCH
Carduelis carduelis
x
164 species (including 23 seabirds not yet seen from the Cape) or 141 for the list
Number of species of birds seen
72
37
59
60
80
28
70
74
81(2)
New to the list each visit
72
10
13
13
13
1
6
3
10
Mammals recorded
SHORT-BEAKED ECHIDNA
Tachyglossus aculeatus
x
x
AGILE ANTECHINUS
Antechinus agilis
x
DUSKY ANTECHINUS
Antechinus swainsonii
x
BANDICOOT sp.
x
x
x
LONG-NOSED BANDICOOT
Preambles nasuta
x
COMMON WOMBAT
Vombatus ursinus
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
COMMON RING-TAIL POSSUM Pseudochirus peregrinus
x
x
x
x
x
x
BRUSH-TAILED POSSUM
Trichosurus vulpecula
x
EASTERN GREY KANGAROO
Macropus giganteus
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
RED-NECKED WALLABY
Macropus rufogriseus
x
x
x
BLACK (SWAMP) WALLABY
Wallabia bicolor
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
EUROPEAN RABBIT
Orytolagus cuniculus
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
HOUSE MOUSE
Mus musculus
x
BUSH RAT
Rattus fuscipes
x
DINGO
Canis lupus (familiaris)
x
FERAL CAT
Felis catus
x
AUSTRALIAN FUR SEAL
Arctocephalus pusillus (doriferus)
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
NEW ZEALAND FUR SEAL
Arctocephalus forsteri
x
COMMON DOLPHIN
Delphinus delphis
x
x
x
COMMON BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN Tursiops truncatus
x
x
HUMPBACK WHALE
Megaptera novaeangliae
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
KILLER WHALE
Orcina orca
x
Reptiles recorded 
LACE MONITOR
Veranus varius
x
x
x
x
JACKY LIZARD
Amphibolurus muricatus
x
x
x
x
YELLOW-BELLIED WATER SKINK Eulamprus heatwoli
x
SOUTHERN WATER SKINK
Eulamprus tympanum
x
BLACK ROCK SKINK
Eugenia saxatilis
x
CUNNINGHAM’S SKINK
Egernia cunninghami
x
RED-BELLIED BLACK SNAKE
Pseudechis porphyriacus
x
x
EASTERN BROWN SNAKE
Pseudonaja textiles
COMMON SCALY-FOOT
Pygous lepidopodus
x
Amphibians recorded
BROWN FROGLET
Crinia signifera
x
x
JERVIS BAY TREE FROG
Litoria jervisiensis
x
Butterflies recorded 
PAINTED LADY
Vanessa kershawi
x
x
CABBAGE WHITE
Pieris rapae
x
BLOTCHED DUSKY-BLUE
Candalides acasta
x
(1) Seabirds known from sea area but not seen from Green Cape highlighted yellow
(2) Highest trip list
(3) New species for the list highlighted blue-grey




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