Birdline Victoria Update No. 182
For the week ending: 31 October, 2004
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The Little Bittern at Bundoora is still showing well. It was seen most
recently, to my knowledge on Friday evening. Apparently the Moonstone Walk
ponds are going to be drained and limed after December 25 so obviously if
you want to see the bitterns, come before then. Thanks Ben Sinclair. Other
interesting birds there are a Blue-billed Duck (also nesting) and
Scaly-breasted Lorikeets.
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Sightings
31 October
A Black-tailed Native-hen was foraging with Eurasian Coots on grass around
wetlands below the dam wall at the Yan Yean Reservoir Park. Thanks Michael
Ramsey.
30 October
Jells Park on a BAYBOCA outing, male White-winged Triller, Nankeen Night
Heron, several Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos, 2 Pink-eared Duck, 2 Darter,
White-necked Heron, Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Shining Bronze-Cuckoo and Horsfield's
Bronze-Cuckoo. Thanks Tania Ireton.
30 October
At the Western Treatment Plant: White-breasted Sea-Eagle (1, sub-adult) –
Lake Borrie Cape Barren Geese (2, nesting on top of bushes) – Lake Borrie
Freckled Duck (3) – on the usual rock in the southern pond nearest to the
gate in from Beach Rd (first FDs seen for some months), thanks Richard Loyn.
29 October
At the Western Treatment Plant, the Brolgas are still present in the usual
place and there's a pair of Banded Lapwings with chicks in a paddock along
Beach Rd. It's the second paddock from the Pt Wilson Rd and Beach Rd corner
towards Avalon. Thanks Ben Sinclair.
28 October
At Mentone beach on Thursday morning after the storms, there were 90 Pacific
Gulls amongst the hundreds of Silver Gulls checking through the washed up
seaweed and other things. Thanks Tania Ireton.
25 October
A single male Brown Songlark was seen on a roadside fence along Greigs Road
at Truganina, 200 metres west of the Hopkins Road intersection. Thanks Micah
Kawalek.
24 October
A single Latham’s Snipe was seen at the Borrow Pits at the Western Treatment
Plant. Thanks Richard Nowotny.
24 October
A breeding pair of Buff Banded Rails with at least 1 chick seen in the
Mullum Mullum Valley behind Whitefriars College, Donvale VIC. Thanks David
De Angelis.
24 October
A pair of Peregrine Falcons was observed in aerial acrobats whilst calling
loudly over Kurrajong Crescent in Melton South. Thanks Micah Kawalek.
23 October
A Powerful Owl was at Dennis Reserve in Williamstown at 11.30pm. Thanks
Michael Williams.
22 October
A a single Peaceful Dove was seen flying along Faulkners Road at Mount
Cottrell, adjacent to the Motor Cross track. Singing Bushlarks were also
heard singing in adjoining native grassland fields. Thanks Micah Kawalek.
21 October
2 Rufous Songlarks, Seaford Swamp. Thanks Sean Dooley.
21 October
1 Glossy Ibis, Boundary Road Swamp, Carrum Downs. Thanks Sean Dooley.
21 October
On Thursday evening from about 5:45 pm through till dusk a male Little
Bittern was seen on the small ponds beside Moonstone Walk, Bundoora (Melways
map 19 J5). As with suggestions in previous years if you make a visit to see
Little Bittern(s?) here stay on the Moonstone Walk side of the lakes and do
not make any attempt to flush birds from the reeds. With patience they will
appear. Thanks Rohan Clarke.
21 October
On Oct 21 at the Western Treatment Plant were 20 Bar-tailed Godwit and a
Little Egret at The Spit, 1 Australasian Bittern and 17 Black-tailed Godwit
at the Conservation Ponds, no sign of the Ruff on Paradise Rd. Thanks Ben
Sinclair.
20 October
Highlights of a visit to the Western Treatment Plant included two chicks
with the pair of Brolgas, a Cape Barren Goose sitting on a nest at the South
end of Lake Borrie (near nest box 157 which is near the "webcam" - the other
goose was in the usual spot at Paradise Rd) and 21 Banded Lapwings at the
corner of Beach and Pt Wilson Roads. 7 Golden Plover at Kirk Pt and lots of
Ruddy Turnstones in that area. No sign of the Ruff today. Thanks Dave Torr.
19 October
At least 150 Glossy Ibis present at Hirds swamp near Cohuna, NW Victoria.
Also 1 Long-toed Stint, 2-3 Painted Snipe and 15 Blue-winged Parrots
reported there. Thanks Simon Starr.
17 October
An immature Blue-winged Parrot was at Ricketts Point on 17 October with
possibly the same bird at the same spot the next day. Thanks Michael Norris.
17 October
A Noisy Friarbird, found by Mark D., was photographed feeding in a street in
north Beaumaris on 17 October and was still there on 25 October. Thanks
Michael Norris.
17 October
There was a flock of 19 Glossy Ibis at the Bendigo STW. They were feeding
furiously and moved around the northern lagoon always together, sometimes
intermingling with about 30 Black-winged Stilts. Thanks Roger Standen.
17 October
There were approximately 40 Pacific Golden Plovers in the salt marsh on Pt
Kirk and there was also Singing Bushlark on Pousties Rd, on the edge of
Avalon Airport. Thanks Peter Fuller.
16-17th October.
At least 4 parties of Mallee Emu-wren, 10 of Chestnut Quail-thrush and
single records of Pink Cockatoo and Regent Parrot at Nowingi on the exact
site of the proposed toxic waste dump. Thanks Sean Dooley.
17 October
The Brown Gerygone is still in Ferntree Gully NP. On Tree Fern Gully Track,
just above the junction with Ramblers Walk. Very vocal and active.
Large-billed Scrubwren and Brown Thornbills nearby. Thanks Richard Case.
17 October
A single Black Kite was seen over the Geelong - Bacchus Marsh Road at
Parwan, 400 meters south of the intersection with Smiths Road. Thanks Micah
Kawalek.
17 October
Flock of 13 Gang-gang Cockatoos in Sugar Gum in a garden in Viewbank (very
unusual for suburbs in spring). Thanks Richard Loyn.
17 October
Painted Honeyeater (1, possibly 2) Bartley's Block. Chiltern-Mt Pilot
National Park. Thanks Michael Ramsey.
17 October
Pacific Black Duck (leucistic plumaged) Chiltern No.1 Dam. Same size, shape
and a strong flight as normally plumaged Black Ducks. However this bird was
off white on the upperparts, had a pale fawn eye-stripe and blotchy fawn and
off white underparts. Thanks Michael Ramsey.
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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 Birds Australia
Victoria. 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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