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On Sunday I was doing a tour with Denis Vernier (as
mentioned in an earlier message in a trip report to Werribee). I met him
at Cranbourne station and had a great day finding about 75 species including
about 10 of the 12 he hoped to see with me. Many of the 'specials' he wanted to
see around Phillip Island were just where I hoped they would be first time e.g.
Hooded Plover, Cape Barren Goose, Black-faced Cormorant, Kelp Gull, Little
Penguin and Eastern Curlew. He appeared well satisfied by the time I took
him to catch the ferry back the mainland and train to the city.
As we drove onto Churchill Island there were about
10-12 terns fluttering over Fisher's Wetland, the relatively new freshwater
wetland created on Phillip Island at the entrance to Churchill Island aabout
three years ago. This is proving to be a great birdwatching resource with
many species rarely seen on Phillip Island becoming regular at Fisher's.
Denis identified these terns (which were new to me and as far as I can work out
new to Phillip Island) as Whiskered Terns - he knew them well from France!
I returned to Fisher's today to check whether they
were still there. Yep! So I was able to show them off to a friend/fellow
WESBOC birder.
Last Summer I saw my first good view of a Latham's
Snipe there and Black-tailed Native Hens, another rare record for Phillip Island
and all within full view of the carpark!
Elizabeth Shaw
Phillip Island
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