Sacred Kingfishers in Melbourne

[Neville Pamment <>]

I live in Clifton Hill, an inner Melbourne suburb. There is extensive
parkland nearby along the Yarra River and Merri Creek and much has been
done in recent years to revegetate this. Sacred Kingfishers occur along the
river and creek all through spring and summer. This morning (March 20th) at
least one bird was still present, and on consulting my data base I find
this is the latest autumn record I have for this bird in Melbourne (or
Victoria for that matter). Does anyone have a later, or even overwintering
record?

Another good bird seen in nearby Alphington a couple of weeks ago - a Black
Kite being harassed by Little Ravens. This may be a trash bird for you
northerners but it is the first I have seen in inner Melbourne in over
fifteen years. They are rare generally down here, though I have seen birds
occasionally at Werribee.