Sixteen members of MUAB started the day very early at 8am at Grants Picnic ground Kallista. Dr Alex Maisey led the group for about 4 hrs -8km through Sherbrooke forest hoping to show us a lyrebird displaying. Sadly because it was windy the male birds did not perform their display but we were able to get very close to one -nicknamed Mr Pretender, to see him scratch around the forest floor and produce his array of other bird songs. His repertoire included kookaburra, currawong, whipbird, blackbird and harmonious thrush. Apparently different males have the same repertoire so females can judge the best performer and be attracted to him to mate!!
Alex knew so much about the flora and fauna of the forest so was able to point out many interesting things as we walked around. We all adjoined to the Kallista Tea rooms for lunch and fortification!
