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Freckled Ducks (Perth)

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Subject: Freckled Ducks (Perth)
From: "Wynton" <>
Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2005 09:13:40 +0800
Hi All,
 
Went to the Maurice Hamer part of Herdsman Lake (Perth)  on 21 Feb and located 17 Freckled Ducks resting in their usual locations of a water based paperbark and near a short walkway into the lake.
 
At least four of the birds were males in breeding plumage as they had the bright red base to their bill. 
 
Disappointingly at the Floreat Waters part of the lake a dredging barge was being commissioned for action. The past few years it has not been used and was colonised by over 50 Great Cormorants as an artificial but highly successful breeding platform.  To my knowledge this is the only significant breeding colony around Perth so it will be interesting to see where they attempt to breed in a couple of months time as they usually commence to breed in April.
 
Prior to the barge they use to nest at Booragoon Lake, but this lake, like numerous others, is now completely dry from mid summer to late autumn.It appears the combination of less rain, unregulated and free access to underground water and other factors are to blame for our coastal lakes now drying up during summer/autumn.   
 
Best Regards
Wynton Maddeford 
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