On Thursday 20 December, Andrew Silcocks and I made the mistake of
conducting our regular monthly survey of the birds at the Edithvale
Wetlands. This is a Ramsar site managed by Melbourne Water embedded deep in
the suburbs just 27 km from the CBD (see Melway Map 93). It was a mistake
because we chose a bad weather day. We experienced torrential rain and
thunder storms. Thus we spent much time sheltering in the hide. We started a
little later than usual at 9.30 a.m. but at 2.00 p.m., our usual finishing
time, we hadn't even completed the southern part, the fenced area south of
Edithvale Road. I had to go so left Andrew to complete the count by himself.
Due to rain interruptions and the need to retrace steps he didn't finish
till 8.30 pm. But the good conditions, i.e. plenty of water and extended
time, meant more birds than usual were seen. And as the summer advances and
the swamp dries out, it should get better, especially for the waders. The
hide will be open at least from 2-4.00 pm, hopefully from 1-5.00 p.m. each
Saturday and Sunday until the ephemeral swamp dries. On Wednesday 16 January
there will be a twilight opening from 6.45 to 8.00 p.m.
The highlights on this count, 70 species in total, included 3 LITTLE
BITTERNS, 2 calling males heard and a female seen. We think they bred last
year and because up to 3 calling males have been around but not consistently
heard for at least the last two months, think they are breeding again this
year. AUSTRALASIAN BITTERNS regularly winter here and occasionally we see
one in summer but on this occasion there were 4. We had 1 Baillon's, 3
Spotless & 4 Australasian Crakes, 1 Glossy Ibis, White-necked Heron, Cattle
& Great Egret, 2 Nankeen Night Herons, 14 Royal & 3 Yellow-billed
Spoonbills, a Magpie Goose, Musk & Blue-billed Ducks, and nearly 100
Whiskered Terns. Wader numbers are building; 5 species (120 Sharp-tailed
Sandpipers). Swamp Harriers have bred, 1 of 2 pairs have reared 3 young. And
Andrew added a species to the list for the site with our first ever Rufous
Songlark.
Mike Carter
30 Canadian Bay Road
Mount Eliza VIC 3930
Tel (03) 9787 7136
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