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Southern Mornington Peninsula (vic)

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Subject: Southern Mornington Peninsula (vic)
From: "bette" <>
Date: Tue, 1 May 2001 11:33:04 +1000
Our regular Hooded Plover counts along the rugged coastline of the Mornington Peninsula National Park have proved worthwhile  this breeding season with 16 juveniles successfully raised. This is a record number since surveying began 10 years ago so we are delighted.
 My section from Pt Nepean to Sorrento on our last count produced the usual pair of Peregrine Falcon, undisturbed by our presence at this time of year. What a different story in a couple of months when breeding commences and the pair swoop and menace us until we vacate their territory.
A Common Sandpiper was seen perched precariously on the rock face. I see the C.S  in the same spot every year passing through on migration.
8 Sooty Oystercatchers were feeding on the rock platform, a sign of the approaching winter as we only see Sootys here in the non breeding season.
A Little Egret seen in the shallows at Sorrento was an unusual sighting and is the first record of this species for me. 
I have some impressive "once only" sightings in 9 years of surveying.
 
In my garden the Flame robins have returned, always a joyous occasion for me! Spiny cheeked, New Holland and Singing Honeyeaters are daily visitors to the bird bath and the Correas. I only plant indigenous species and I find this keeps the balance between the aggressive Wattlebirds(Red and Little) in check and there is no evidence of bullying.
Grey Shrike Thrush and Golden Whistler are resident here as are the family of Superb Blue Wrens that live around the house.
The Grey Fantails are in pre migratory flocks just now and I counted 10 a few days ago, a wonderful sight to see them gracefully flitting through the bush. They move off in the winter ( I would love to know where "mine" go!)
Willie Wagtails are here all year and the occasional visit from a Brush Bronzewing is exciting given that this species is declining on the peninsula. 
A resident Brown Goshawk is doing a good job in keeping the sparrow population in check. It is often seen perched near a known roosting bush of the sparrows and one morning I found it perched on an outside chair just inches from our window and we eyeballed each other for a few seconds, awesome!! The Black- shouldered Kite in the outer regions of the block is constantly patrolling and hopefully keeping the House Mouse population in check.
Brown Thornbills and W.B. Scrubwrens bathe every day and the Mistletoe bird is a regular visitor infesting a few of my Acacias which in turn provides nectar for the honeyeaters.
This morning a Wedge tailed Eagle flew high over the house heading for nearby Greens Bush where they are known to breed.
A large group of Eastern Rosellas have taken up residence for the winter and seem in a constant state of agitation contrasted with the delightful family groups of Yellow rumped Thornbills that pass through every day.
Magpies are engaged in daily aerial battles, trying to sort out their territories.
Life is never boring as a birdwatcher.!!
                             Bett Mitchell      
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