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Hi All
After nearly stepping on a Red-bellied Black Snake
and whilst the adrenaline was still rushing, I got a very quick glimpse of what
I believe could only have been a Little Bittern. It "melted" ever so effectively
into the reeds and despite an hour of waiting and watching was not seen again.
The spot I saw it was if you walk around clockwise and go past the ramp where
people launch model boats etc and head to the first seat under a tree just
before Stan Parkes Memorial Grove, then back track to the first little inlet and
look across into the reed bed. I saw a buff-yellow neck and wing , dark cap and
yellow bill. The bird had an upright stance and colouring as in the Male
depicted in Slaters. It didn't freeze but oozed into the background. My
only doubts are from looking at Pizzey & Knight and also my Readers Digest
Video of 101 Australian Birds and the Little Bitterns look totally
different in colour and stance. I would not have described this bird as dumpy.
If anyone has any thoughts or is able to get and confirm my I.D. would be much
appreciated. I can't see what other bird it could have been.
Whilst waiting for it to reappear a Baillons Crake
was patrolling the mud between the reeds.
Other birds of note at Walka
Pink-eared Ducks 300-400
Great Crested Grebes x10
Hoary-headed Grebes x 2
Musk Duck x2
Latham's Snipe x 2
Also dropped into Bolwarra Wetland Reserve for the
first time today, not a bad spot. Saw two male Koels together in a Wattle
Tree and another one calling in the distance. Around the waters edges
were
Sharp-tailed Sandpipers x 2
Latham's
Snipe
x 1
Buff-banded
Rail
x1
Red-kneed
Dotterel x 2
Also 14 Australasian Grebes as well as the
common Ducks and Black winged Stilts and Black-fronted Dotterels.
Shortland Wetland Centre had 40 Glossy Ibis present
( including about 16 immatures amongst the adults), fabulous to look out
with the sun shining off their backs.
Also 12 Australasian Shovellers and about 70
Sharp-tailed Sandpipers.
Ash Island turned up 2 Australian Spotted Crakes
and a pair of Red-capped Plovers with 2 small chicks.
Regards
Dick Jenkin
Dungog NSW
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