Gunning & District Historical Society

March Bird of the Month – the Red-capped Robin  Red-capped Robin (C) Chris Dubar 2017 birdlifephotography.org.au      This is the third in a monthly series inspired by Gladstone Weatherstone, a dedicated and knowledgeable amateur naturalist who lived on his property Lyndfield Park near Gunning from 1941 until his death in 1996.  He had a particular interest in birds. Between 1962 and 1981 Gladstone kept a notebook in which he recorded bird sightings on his farm and its near surrounds.   Each month we will look at one of the birds that Gladstone recorded, try to place it in context and see if we can glean any lessons about the recent history of our district. The Red-capped Robin Red-capped Robin female. (C) Anne Burgess birdlife photography.org.au Gladstone's single entry for 29 March 1980 says "First sighting have had here of Red-capped Robin and one with a very large red cap but did not stay long.” To see a Red-capped Robi...

Gunning District Bird of the Month for February – The White-fronted Chat White-fronted Chat at Werribbee Treatment Plant:  Image courtesy Russell Cockman http://www.russellsastronomy.com This is the second in a monthly series inspired by Gladstone Weatherstone. a dedicated and knowledgeable amateur naturalist who lived at Lyndfield Park near Gunning from 1941 until his death in 1996.  He had a particular interest in birds.  Between 1962 and 1981 Gladstone kept a notebook in which he recorded bird sightings on his farm and its near surrounds. Gunning District History Society [GDHS] holds a copy of Gladstone’s bird list transcribed by his son John. These articles will highlight some of the things Gladstone recorded, try to place them in context and see if we can glean any lessons about the recent history of our district.  Photo of Gladstone at right courtesy of his son Wayne Weatherstone. The White-fronted Chat  On 11February 19...

January Bird of the Month:    The Regent Honeyeater Regent Honeyeater (C)Bill Harding 2016 birdlifephotography.org.au Gladstone Weatherstone This is the first story in a projected monthly series inspired by Gladstone Weatherstone (pictured left Image courtesy Wayne Weatherstone ].  He lived on his property Lyndfield Park at Oolong near Gunning from 1941 until his death in 1996.  Between 1962 and 1981 this amateur (but very knowledgeable) naturalist and ornithologist kept a notebook.   In fine copperplate handwriting he recorded bird sightings - sometimes significant and sometimes commonplace – made on or near his property.  Although he began these records in 1962 his intimate knowledge of local birdlife goes back to 1941.   This notebook, together with Gladstone’s extensive bird egg and nest collections, has been accepted by the National Museum of Australia where they are expected to feature in an Australian Environmental Hi...