Birdline Victoria Update -20/05/01

[Stuart Cooney <>]

Birdline Victoria Update for the week ending 20/05/01

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The Birdline Victoria site has been improved over the last week (I hope), with the important stuff at the top and some faster graphics replacing slower pictures.  I hope the changes improve your visit to Birdline and I'd love to get some feedback.

More White-fronted Honeyeaters this week, they seem to be the flavour of the moment, turning up right across northern Victoria.

Also a great report of a Hoopoe Upupa epops comes from Susan Ellis, it flew from the garden into a river bank tree behind the National Trust Clergy House at Alfriston in East Sussex!

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15 May
A Square-tailed Kite was observed at the Bemm River Caravan Park, south west of Cann River in East Gippsland, thanks Philip Veerman

13 May
A single Red-rumped Parrot was seen at Sandringham Golf Course and near Sandringham Harbour on the 4th, these Autumn records are unprecedented for the Bayside suburbs, thanks Michael Norris

12 & 13 May
White-fronted Honeyeaters seen in box-ironbark forests and grassy woodlands at Morrl Morrl State Forest, Illawarra State Forest and Lake Lonsdale crown land, all in the Stawell area, well south of their usual range, thanks Simon Kennedy

12 May
An Azure Kingfisher was seen in Willows on the Yarra River, about 1km upstream from the Studley Park Boat-house, along with six Gang Gang Cockatoos heading towards the city, thanks Grant Palmer

12 May
3 Painted Button-Quail in leaf litter of woodland between Yarra River and Yarra Boulevard in the Yarra Bend Park, 450 m east of the Studley Park Boat-house, thanks Grant Palmer

12 May
3 Australasian Bitterns, the first for winter, were seen at Edithvale Wetlands, thanks Mike Carter

12 May
A Brown Quail was seen at Edithvale Wetlands, this is only the second record for this reserve, thanks Mike Carter

12 May
4 Freckled Ducks observed, both preening and swimming at approx midday at Austin Rd lagoon at Weribbee Treatment Plant, thanks Joy Tansey

11 May
16 Gang Gang Cockatoos are still in Sugar Gums on Creswick Road/Were Street and another 6 were seen at Elsternwick Golf Course, thanks Michael Norris

7 May
An extremely southerly sighting of a Peaceful Dove comes from Hamilton in South-Western Victoria, thanks David Cameron

6 May
An Australasian Bittern was seen at Seaford Swamp, thanks Peter Lansley

6 May
On a pelagic trip off Port Fairy, Antarctic Prions and Slender-billed Prions were the highlight along with good sightings of Buller's Albatross, thanks Mike Carter

5 May
A Barn Owl that may have been disturbed by Federation celebrations, flying over the Williamstown Marina, being mobbed by Ravens and Silver Gulls, thanks Paul Rose

3 May
A Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater was seen around Newport Lakes, thanks Paul Rose

3 May
A Banded Stilt was seen at the Hazelwood Pondage near Churchill in Gippsland feeding in the shallows alongside Switchback Road. There is only one Victorian record east of Western Port and it is also unusual to see this species by itself and on fresh water, thanks Richard Loyn

Birdline Victoria is a service for birdwatchers to report and find out about rare and unusual birds in Victoria and is brought to you by the VicGroup of Birds Australia. Birdline can be contacted on (03) 9882 2390 or on the Internet at

http://home.iprimus.com.au/scooney/index.htm

Regards,

Stuart

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