I arrived at 8.30 with chair (bung kneee) and binoculars
intending to stay until I had seen it. Many other twitchers there but it was not
being co-operative.
When everyone left for lunch I went through the gate and sat
down under the Iron Bark with the Tawny Frogmouth sitting on her nest above
me.
Marlene Lyell joined me just after 12noon and we scanned the
grubby pool in front of us. At 12.15 Marlene identified a bird in the dead
reeds. It was hunkered down behind that infamous green rubbish bag and the
tennis ball. It had a distinctive eye patch, long beak and a very white streak
that was almost camouflaged by the creamy-white of the dead reeds.
We watched it for 15 minutes and then it disappeared, finally
emerging out onto the mudflat providing excellent views for over 40
minutes. Others joined us, but not a 'scope to be seen!
For those needing specific details of how to get there
-
Park up on Banyule Road in one of the offcut parking
areas
Walk down the grassy hill to the fenced off "Grubby
Pool"
Go through the gate and follow the well worn track through the
grass to the log under the tree
Green rubbish bag and tennis ball should be opposite you at
the far end of the pool - knowing where it was Marlene tried to locate it from
the bike path above it but it was too steep, although Latham's Snipe on the
island can be viewed from this position.
Good luck!
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