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About three weeks ago I received a third-hand
report that a little known observer had seen a White-rumped
Sandpiper at a new wetland wader site at Woodlands Industrial Estate
adjacent to Braeside Park. Apparently there is video of the bird, not yet
available. The bird has not been seen since.
Today, after Andrew Silcocks & I had
completed Birds Australia's monthly survey of the nearby Edithvale Wetlands,
(best birds Australian Bitterns, Latham's Snipe, Blue-billed
Ducks), we checked the site. See Melway page 88 C11. There were some
2,000 Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, a Ruff
(Reeve), a Pectoral Sandpiper, breeding Red-kneed
Dotterels & Black-winged Stilts. Having
turned right into Lakewood Blvd one can park adjacent to the lake after passing
some factories. The birds frequent the lake shores, three islands with
erections that look like flag-poles, and some shallow flooded grassland on the
east side, the site of the proposed Mornington Peninsula Freeway. One can walk
around on well formed gravel roads which encircle the lakes. The most westerly
lake is the most reliable site in the area for Great-crested
Grebe.
Mike Carter
30 Canadian Bay Road
Mt
Eliza VIC 3930
Ph: (03) 9787
7136
Email:
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