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g'day all,
I went out to Wide Bay ( on the western side of Lake
Moondarra) late this afternoon to record directions to it for the Birds
Queensland gazetteer of Qld birding spots. ( See http://birdsqueensland.org.au/ )
Within minutes of arrival I noted a silhouette that was a
little different from the predominant Grey Teal.
Setting up the scope I confirmed a single female Freckled
Duck.
For a while it paddled slowly along the waters edge with the
other water fowl, taking an occasional drink.
It then walked onto the grass edge and started feeding.
When I approached to about 40m it retreated back into the
water, ( rejoining the Teal, Pink-eared and Pacific Black Ducks ) started
paddling slowly and again took another drink or two.
This is my first sighting of a live FD at Mount Isa. I had
been shown a dead one found under power lines by Nicci Thompson from Toowoomba.
I have recorded FD (2m+5f) 14km south of Camooweal, which is 180km to the West
near the NT border.
Nearby was a Black-necked Stork (not uncommon in this area)
Do you remember the Birding-Aus thread on
Yellow-billed Spoonbills ?
About 2-1/2km around the shoreline were 2 Yellow-billed
Spoonbill being chaperoned by 7 Royal Spoonbills.
Question Re my observation of the FD drinking. Is
this unusual ? How often do other ducks drink ?
Regards, Bob Forsyth, Mount Isa, NW Qld.
ps for your info.
In a straight line, the Isa is .... kms from
783 Townsville
1300 Darwin
1565 Brisbane
1577 Adelaide (we are due north of
Adelaide)
1967 Melbourne
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