Birdline Victoria Update - 1/7/01

[Stuart Cooney <>]

Birdline Victoria Update for the week ending 1/7/01

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The regular winter sightings of Australasian Bitterns are dominating the species reported in the last couple of weeks, taking over from the Gang Gang Cockatoos.  I guess it goes to show that there is always something different about to keep one interested.

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1 July
An Australasian Bittern was seen near a narrow drain or soak running across the big block of grassland between Shell Parade and the old Corio tip, thanks Russell Woodford

1 July
The Peaceful Dove reported in May has returned to Hamilton, thanks David Cameron

30 June
A pair of Whistling Kites around a large Red Gum tree on the shore of Lake Cairn Curran near Newstead in central Victoria, thanks John Alexander

26 June
2 Spiny-cheeked Honeyeaters in trees alongside Yarra River south-west of Westgate Park,  Port Melbourne, thanks Richard Nowotny

26 June
2 Gang Gang Cockatoos were seen at Wheatsheaf Rd Glenroy, thanks Joy Tansey

26 June
A Bush Thick-Knee was seen on a bush track 8 kilometres north of Bealiba, central west Victoria, thanks Simon Kennedy

25 June
A Singing Honeyeater was seen at Blairgowrie on the Mornington Peninsula, thanks Margaret Bell

24 June
A Great Crested Grebe was seen on the north-western arm of Greenvale Reservoir, Greenvale, thanks Richard Nowotny

23 June
A southerly sighting of a Pied Butcherbird was reported from Kellalac between Horsham and Warracknabeal, thanks Steve Clark

23 June
A single European Greenfinch in riverside vegetation on the Avon River at Bushy Park near Boisdale, thanks Duncan Fraser

23 June
On the regular survey of the Eastern Treatment Plant in Carrum the now regular winter visitor Little Eagle was seen with some unusual winter visitors in a White-winged Triller and 4 Fairy Martins, thanks Mike Carter

23 June
3 individual Grey Goshawks (white phase) were seen on the Cobden-Warrnambool Road, Ellingamite (AM), the Cobden Warrnambool Road, Allansford (AM) and the Great Ocean Road, Nullawarre (late PM), perched on powerlines or in trees adjacent to roads, thanks Charlie Pascoe

22 June
A large 'francolin' type bird with large red bare patches on each side of face, pale yellow bill and legs, dark head and rich brown complexly patterned plumage. Described as a juvenile male Common Pheasant, possibly a tame escapee, on the Cressy - Rokewood road (about 5km north of the Hamilton Hwy), thanks Charlie Pascoe

22 June
In the 3 weeks leading up to the 22nd, initially 6 but now 12 Gang Gang Cockatoos have been reported from gum trees at Nunawading South Primary School, Mt Pleasant Rd and in Edith St near the school, thanks David Cunnigham

20 June
An Australian Bittern can be seen at Braeside Wetlands in the southern section, on the main wetland, along with Blue-billed Ducks and a Magpie Goose, thanks Bob Berry

18 & 19 June
A Lewin's Rail was seen at the Bendigo Sewage Plant, a first record for the region, thanks Chris Tzaros

17 June
Crescent Honeyeaters have been reported from north of the Valencia Creek at Mt Angus Creek, they were feeding in heavily flowering Red Gums, thanks Duncan Fraser

11 June
On the Queens Birthday long Weekend a trip to Glenelg National Park in south-western Victoria netted some impressive birds including a Powerful Owl, Beautiful Firetail and an Azure Kingfisher, thanks Steve Clark

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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