Birdline Victoria Weekly Update

Birdline Victoria

Published sightings for the week ending 9 Jan 2011.

Sun 9 Jan	Musk Lorikeet Gooseberry Hill, Dunolly Sighted four eating plums in an orchard at Gooseberry Hill, Dunolly (36 50S 143 40E) Michael Geraghty
	Brolga, Ruff, Pectoral Sandpiper, Terek Sandpiper, Stilt Sandpiper Western Treatment Plant, Werribee A two-hour visit to the Treatment Plant, T-Section and Western Lagoons to look for the previously reported Long-toed Stint. We didn't see that, but the other previously reported goodies are still present. The Brolga and Ruff were in the flooded paddock near the Western Lagoons. A single Pectoral Sandpiper was seen in pond 7 at T-Section. The Terek Sandpiper (with leg flag) flew into pond 7 from pond 5. The Stilt Sandpiper is still present and was seen in the Austin Road Lagoon in company of quite a few Greenshank. Paul Dodd, Ruth Woodrow & Richard Loyn (for Terek SP and Stilt SP)
	Pink-eared Duck Boort Cell 30 on northern side of Lake Lyndger. Also Hoary-headed Grebe, Grey-crowned Babblers and Restless Flycatchers. Malcolm Cousland
Sat 8 Jan	Elegant Parrot, Black Falcon, Regent Parrot Murray-Sunset National Park 8 Elegant Parrots including 2 juveniles seen on the Last Hope Track. Single regal looking Black Falcon perched then flying on Raak Plains near the entrance to Park. Regent Parrots in good numbers throughout the section of the park visited, easily 100+ birds seen Tim Bawden
	Red-backed Kingfisher Kiamal Single bird seen near the grain silo's at Kiamal 10km north of Ouyen Tim Bawden
	Bassian Thrush and Rufous Fantail Lake Elizabeth Forrest Vic About 150 metres clockwise of the lake jetty we saw and photographed the Bassian thrush. It was on the path before perching low on a branch just off the path. Rufous fantail seen but unable to photograph in the same area hedley and Irena Earl
	Ruff, Pallid Cuuckoo, Pectoral Sandpiper, Stilt Sandpiper, Long-toed Stint Western Treatment Plant, Werribee Pallid Cuckoo (Immature) Western Lagoons, Ruff and 3 Pect - wetland north of Western Lagoons, Long-toed Stint T5 (thanks to Chris Tzaros and others - who also later showed us the the Stilt SP in T7) Also Fairy tern and Red Knot on beach north of boat ramp. Dave Torr, Mike Kuhl
	Spotted Quail-thrush Fairley's Track, Brisbane Ranges Dave Torr, Mike Kuhl
	Peaceful Dove Birds Rd (North of You Yangs) Dave Torr, Mike Kuhl
Fri 7 Jan	Budgerigar, Mallee Emu-wren Hattah-Kulkyne National Park Mallee Emu-wren at a number of locations on Konardin and Nowingi Tracks. Tonnes of budgies all along Nowingi. Other nice birds around. The mosquitoes at Hattah Campground are insane!!! Tim Bawden
	Satin Flycatcher, Olive Whistler, Bassian Thrush, Rose Robin. Lake Elizabeth, Otway Ranges. Great views of active and vocal Satin Flycatcher (at least one male). Two Olive Whistlers near lake, at least two Bassian Thrushes along path and a pair of Rose Robins seen and heard high in a tree near where the track crosses the creek. Also Rufous Fantails and a pair of Grey Fantails with a nest, near the car-park, "almost overflowing" with 4 young. Also several Gang-gang Cockatoos, Forest Ravens and a young Brown Goshawk/Collared Sparrowhawk given a whingeing begging call from an unseen perch. Craig Morley, Jim Snedden, Susan Snedden.
	Tawny-crowned Honeyeater, Striated Fieldwren, Bald Hills Rd. Anglesea Heath. Several Tawny-crowned Honeyeaters seen and heard in song-flight and also on high prominent perches. Great views (photo taken) of two Striated Fieldwrens calling from heath. Also Wedge-tailed Eagle observed on high bare perch along Gum Flat Rd. Craig Morley, Jim Snedden, Susan Snedden.
	Rufous Bristlebird, Brush Bronzewing, Blue-winged Parrot Pt Addis Several individual Rufous Bristlebirds (~5) provided good views as they crossed the road leading up to the car park. A male Brush Bronzewing gave reasonable views calling (higher pitched and more rapid than Common Bronzewing) from cover along road. At least one Blue-winged Parrot heard and seen flying over and then dropping down to vegetation. Craig Morley, Jim Snedden, Susan Snedden.
	Powerful Owl Yarra Flats and Wilson Reserve Wilson Reserve: One juvenile in usual spot; the other juvenile at a semi-regular roost 400m away by Yarra, at a spot inaccessible when the river is up. Adults not seen. Yarra Flats: One juvenile in first copse of pines, about 400m east of Burke Rd. Nth; one adult in second copse of pines, about 200-300m further east again. I wonder where the territorial boundary exists between these two families. John Gray
	Red-necked Avocet, Intermediate Egret, Plumed Whistling-Duck Lake Mokoan/Winton Wetlands Three Red-necked Avocets in flight. Very rare bird in North East Victoria, I don't know of any other sightings at all. A beautiful Intermediate Egret in breeding plumage seen as well. Four Plumed Whistling-Ducks rounded up a great morning. Michael Ramsey
	Wedge-tailed Eagle Princes Hwy, half way between Werribee and Little River off ramps Smallish young Eagle matching the description of "Angry" seen flying over highway at 10.15am. "Angry" is the bird reported released on 29 Dec at Serendip after 7 months in care at Healesville Sanctuary for Pindone poisoning. She has distinctive missing/short outer primaries on both wings and a scruffy tail. Bird just seen matches this description perfectly. She was flying strongly, fairly high over the road. Roger Smith - reported to Janine Duffy
Thu 6 Jan	Sooty Oystercatcher Laverton Creek estuary One on sand bar Richard Loyn
	Terek Sandpiper and Ruff , Stilt Sandpiper Western Treatment Plant, Werribee 7 pm. Flagged Terek Sandpiper feeding vigorously with Ruff and Curlew Sandpipers on mud bank in second (lower) pond after Beach Rd gate. Earlier in the afternoon the Stilt Sandpiper was present at the T Section ponds. Caspian Tern on nearby shoreline rocks with the usual collection of other terns and waders. Peter Thomson and Mal Kidson
	Little Button-quail, Stubble Quail, Black Falcon Wilby Two Little Button-quail and ten Stubble Quail flushed in front of a header harvesting a wheat crop. A Black Falcon also swooped down near the header and preyed upon a quail. Michael Ramsey
	Sooty Owl, White-throated Nightjar, White-throated Needletail Bunyip State Park A magnificently pearlescent and pewteresque Sooty Owl was seen just before midnight along Link Rd high in a Mountain Ash, whilst earlier 7 WT Needletail flew high over the Helipad just on dusk and a single WT Nightjar graced us with its presence by perching and calling from a dead tree close by. A magic night in the forest. Lots of Grey-headed Flying Fox also present possibly feeding on Euc. cephalocarpa blossom that is abundant at present. Steve Davidson - The Melbourne Birder
	Ruddy Turnstone, Ruff Western Treatment Plant, Werribee Ruddy Turnstone seen with the Ruff on rocks, just north of boat ramp. The flagged Terek Sandpiper and a Spotted Crake were observed in nearby ponds. There were also two Wood Sandpipers, four Bar-tailed Godwits and plenty of Common Terns. James & Dave Dickson
	White-Throated Needletail Porepunkah Several flocks passing over heading South East following the Great Alpine Road down the valley towards Bright. 100+ birds in first flock followed be 3 more flocks of approx. 50 birds each. Observed over about an hour from 2pm Glenn Boyd
	Long-toed Stint Western Treatment Plant, Werribee One Long-toed Stint seen in inundated paddock north of Western Lagoon with a dozen Sharp-tailed Sandpipers (biggest count of those I've had at WTP this season!) and two Pectoral Sandpipers. Chris Tzaros
	Terek Sandpiper Western Treatment Plant Sighted at approx 0945hrs 200 mtrs east of Beach Rd. boat ramp. Harrased by stints Peter Bright
	Stilt S/P, Little Eagle, Pacific Golden Plover Western Treatment Plant, Werribee Stilt SP briefly on T-Section Pond 6 (a new pond!) around 1030. Dark morph Little Eagle over Pond 7. Golden Plover at Kirk Point Dave Torr, Joan Broadberry, Linda Ingram, Kev
	Tree Martin Westgate Park A single Tree Martin was seen perched beside a Welcome Swallow. This is the first record we have of this species in the park. Andrew McCutcheon & George Fotheringham
	Buff-banded Rail, Latham's Snipe Banyule Flats, Heidelberg At the Banyule Swamp, c. 9.30 am, one Buff-banded Rail skulking about on the western shore; also two Latham's Snipe, possibly three. The water has fallen to expose a narrow strip of mud. A pair of Silver Gulls have attempted to nest here repeatedly for the past two years; this time they have succeeded and are feeding a young bird in juvenile plumage. The resident pair of Black Swans are nesting for the third time, non-stop since March 2010. The five young birds from their last brood are still present, now acquiring red colour in bills and adult plumage. Anthea Fleming and Lynn Easton
	Plumed Whistling-Duck Dowdle Swamp Three birds roosting on a levee. On the north side of swamp near Geodetic Road. Michael Ramsey
Wed 5 Jan	Australasian Darter, Blue-billed Duck St Leonards Lake Reserve Australasian Darter: Female, observed in tree above deeper section of lake (1). Blue-billed Duck: 5 pairs observed, including one pair with five ducklings (10). Lauren Leviston
	Beatiful Firetail, Blue-winged Parrot, Southern Emu-wren, Olive Whistler Cape Liptrap Coastal Park, Walkervile Several Beautiful Firetail in coastal heath, along with Blue-winged Parrot (common), Southern Emu-wren (very common - literally everywhere along the tracks), Brush Bronzewing and Olive Whistler. Also Forest Raven, Black-faced Cormorant and Sooty Oystercatcher on the rocks at Walkerville South. Greg Oakley
	Pink Robin, Scarlet Honeyeater, Large-biled Scrubwren, Brown Gerygone Glen Nayook Some nice birding at Glen Nayook (Neerim Junction) today with a stunning male Pink Robin, Rose Robin, several Scarlet Honeyeater, many Brown Gerygone and a few Large-billed Scrubwren. Also Rufous Fantail, Satin Flycatcher. Greg Oakley
	White-throated Needletail, Flame Robin Bunyip State Park 15 White-throated Needletail overhead along Gembrook Tonimbuk Rd near intersection of Link Rd. Also a young female Flame Robin seen along Buttongrass Walk, several Brush Cuckoo present where there were none apparent 2 days prior, a pair of Red-browed Treecreeper near Buttongrass Walk, two flocks of Musk Lorikeet passing by along Camp Rd (not aware of any previous records here) and Scarlet Honeyeater heard in more locations than in previous weeks. Steven Davidson - The Melbourne Birder
	Pink-eared Duck, Grey-crowned Babbler Boort Cell 2 seen this morning on Lake Boort (Big Lake). Also 2 Grey-crowned Babblers. Malcolm Cousland
Tue 4 Jan	Dollarbird Porepunkah One bird sitting high up in a dead tree in township along Ovens River Glenn Boyd
	Spotted Harrier, White-backed Swallow, Cockatiel Lake Bael Bael (Koorangie Game Reserve) A yougn Spotted Harrier was observed on the east side of the lake. A White-backed Swallow and Cockatiel were also seen by some gypsum pits nearby on Fairley Rd. Michael Ramsey
	White-bellied Sea-eagle The Marsh (Koorangie Game Reserve) A pair seen in the early morning sun roosting by the water. Michael Ramsey
	Plumed Whistling-Duck Patho Cell In flooded paddock Highett Rd (80). Also Hoary-headed Grebe on various dams and small wetlands, Australasian Darter and White-necked Heron (nesting adults + immature) Malcolm Cousland
Mon 3 Jan	Buff-banded Rail Phillip Island In marshy swamp land at end of Silverleaves. Appeared behind clump of tall grass long enough for 3 headshot photos and one full body length. I was screened by the grass but once spotted, the rail left on foot quickly. Reported back to household of discovery but 3 fruitless attempts to locate this bird again have failed. (1). Richard Waring
	Pacific Golden Plover Fosters Swamp Kerang One bird seen roosting by a dead stump on the west side of the swamp. Not often seen inland. Red-necked Avocet, Australian Spotted Crake, Red-necked Stint and Red-kneed Dotterel also here. Michael Ramsey
	White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Latham's Snipe, Brolga Wilkinson's Swamp Kamarooka North Surprsied to see a young White-bellied Sea-eagle here. A pair of Latham's Snipe were also flushed from the side of the road and a Brolga was just south of the swamp in a paddock. Michael Ramsey
	Black-eared Cuckoo Kamarooka Park Observed on the north side of the forest just off the Bendigo-Tennyson Road. Other good birds around in the morning Variegated Fairy-wren, Purple-gaped Honeyeater, Gilbert's Whistler, Tawny-crowned Honeyeater, Brush Bronzewing, Shy Heathwren and Crested Bellbird. Michael Ramsey
	Black-faced Woodswallow, Plumed Whistling-Duck, Black Falcon, Banded Lapwing, Brolga Corop District Some great birding around the Corop area during the morning. At Gaynor Swamp 4 Black-faced Woodswallow seen. Plumed Whistling-Ducks on a dam near Corop town and at Wallenjoe Swamp along the Midland Highway. Two Black Falcons and pair of Brolga on Bell Rd. Nine Banded Lapwings in a bare paddock near One Tree Swamp. The area is still very wet with many roads blocked or boggy. Michael Ramsey
	Ruff, Common Terns Western Treatment Plant, Werribee Stopped by briefly at T Section in the evening hoping for Stilt Sandpiper, had to be content with a handsome Ruff. The photo is of a Ruff with a Black-winged Stilt for size comparison. John Watson
	Terek Sandpiper Western Treatment Plant, Werribee One Terek Sandpiper seen amongst hundreds of stints on the beach adjacent to 85WB lagoon. Margaret and Richard Alcorn, Sonja Ross, John Stirling
	Pectoral Sandpiper Western Treatment Plant, Werribee, T section lagoons Seen in late afternoon light while looking for the Stilt Sandpiper (not seen). The Ruff was there, and one Sharp-tailed Sandpiper. John Stirling and Sonja Ross
	Sanderling Western Treatment Plant, Werribee One bird seen on gritty beach south of the 85WB lagoon, immediately west of the recently constructed sewage outfall. Seen with large number of Red-necked Stints, one Grey Plover and one Terek Sandpiper. Eight Grey Plover and one Grey-tailed Tattler seen earlier on south end of North Spit. Chris Tzaros and Dean Ingwersen
	Little Corella Kent Park, Ferntree Gully. 3/1, feeding on fruit of Sorbus trees corner of Burwood Highway and Scoresby Road. Peter Booth
	Sanderling Western Teatment Plant On gritty beach south of 85WB lagoon, immediately west of newly constructed sewage outfall. Seen with a large number of Red-necked Stints, one Grey Plover and one Terek Sandpiper. 8 Grey Plover and 1 Grey-tailed Tattler seen earlier on south end of North Spit. Chris Tzaros and Dean Ingwersen
	Blue-winged Parrot Anakie Gorge Two birds spotted on a walk through the gorge, looks like one adult and one young bird. Also spotted an escaped blue Budgerigar on Beach Rd on the way down to the WTP gate. Paul Randall (wingsonwire.com)
	Eastern Rosella, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Galah, Australian Magpie, Little Eagle Logan Cell Eastern Rosella: Sitting on shoulder of road not far from galahs that were eating spilt grain. (2). Sulphur-crested Cockatoo: Eating spilt grain on road (20). Galah: Eating spilt grain on road (50). Australian Magpie: Various sightings. (20). Little Eagle: Pale morph. Flew in low and landed in paddock on debris mound. (1). Michael Geraghty
	Spotted Quail-thrush Fairleys Track, Brisbane Ranges Nat Park Single bird, probable adult male, flushed & disappeared. Same site as reported by Lewis's & Dave Torr, about 100m from Thomson Rd end of the track. Bob & Sadhana Cook
	Hybrid Rosella Wilson Reserve, Ivanhoe Not sure if this is a hybrid Crimson-Yellow Rosella or an Adelaide Rosella. The Rosella was on the track from the Chelsworth Park carpark towards the scout hut, associating with a pair of Red Rumped Parrots. Also Little Lorikeets (heard and seen flying, but they didn't stop for a look) and heard a Crested Shrike-Tit on the other side of the Yarra in the gold club. Didn't see the Powerful Owl though, but did run into Karen Pearson. Bill Stent
Sun 2 Jan	White-headed Pigeon Mallacoota, Double creek nature walk Also seen, Crested Shrike-tit, Scarlet Honeyeater,Black-faced Monarch, Rufous Fantail, Lewin's Honeyeater, Superb Lyrebird, Brown Gerygone, Brown Goshawk, Azure Kingfisher. Giles Daubeney
	Little Grassbird McLeod's Waterholes, Drysdale Our first record for this site. In grassy reeds at the south-west corner of the north-western waterhole.. Paul Dodd & Ruth Woodrow
	Lesser Sand Plover, Grey-tailed Tattler, Terek SP, Red Knot, Ruff Western Treatment Plant, Werribee The aim was to see the Stilt SP but too hard for me! In compensation, WTP produced a Lesser Sand Plover found on rocky point north of Point Kirk/boat ramp in group of many Red-necked Stint, 2 Red Knot, 6-8 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 C. Greenshank and various Tern species. Terek SP further N before birdhide, Grey-tailed Tattler in Cons. pond 35E and Ruff in T-section. Thanks to Maarten and Ian and his wife for scope use and advice (and laughs). 7 new birds for the day a good start to 2011, even without the Stilt! Jackson Airey
	Red Knot, Ruff Western Treatment Plant, Werribee The Ruff was seen to visit both pond 5 and pond 7 a number of times. The photograph is of a Red Knot. Vik Dunis
Sat 1 Jan	Little Black Cormorant, Australian Reed-Warbler Lakewood Reserve am. Little Black Cormorant: (3). Australian Reed-Warbler: (1). Peter Booth
	Little Corella, Masked Lapwing Wantirna South Peter Booth
	Australian King-Parrot Heathmont am. female, singing from dead branch atop a gum tree (1). Peter Booth
	Eastern Spinebill Boronia early am. sharing shrub with 2 currawongs on Scoresby Road just north of Boronia Road (1). Peter Booth
	Little Eagle. Pale morph. Flew in low and landed in paddock on debris mound. Logan cell Flew in low and landed in paddock on debris mound. Gower East road, late afternoon. Michael Geraghty
	Stilt Sandpiper, Red Knot, Ruff, Grey-tailed Tattler & Terek Sandpiper, odd egret Werribee, WTP Stilt Sandpiper sharing Western Lagoon pond 7 in early morning with with Curlew Sandpiper, Red Knot (2), Common Greenshank & Marsh Sandpiper. Ruff (1) giving excellent views. The Terek Sandpiper was located on 5W - 9. A Grey-tailed Tattler originally located toward eastern end of the Borrow Pits was relocated later on the eastern Conservation Pond. An odd all white, yellow-billed egret observed distantly through heat haze at Paradise Rd - too fine for cattle, too small for Great, too far to be positive of Intermediate. Joy Tansey & Jen Spry
Wed 29 Dec	Wedge-tailed Eagle Serendip Sanctuary, Lara Young (estimated 1yo) eagle released at Serendip after 7 months in care at Healesville Sanctuary/Beechworth Prison. Originally found on ground not flying at Serendip on 16 May 2010 by myself (JD), captured same day by Ranger Mick Smith, myself and Echidna Walkabout Guide Martin Maderthaner. Diagnosis was Pindone poisoning, probably from eating a rabbit carcass. Poisoning was treated at Healesville, but further care was required to return her to full flight fitness so she was sent to Beechworth Prison's large flight aviary. On release she flew immediately away to the north and has not been seen again. She has distinctive short outer primaries on both wings and a scruffy tail (see pics from Geelong Advertiser). It was not confirmed that she was a female - her weight was deemed to be on the overlap between males and females. Vet Anne Fowler has details - I think she said the bird weighed 3.9kg on release. Janine Duffy, Martin Maderthaner, Paul Hackett
Tue 28 Dec	Barking Owl Lakes Entrance, North Arm Barking Owl heard calling at night near house at edge of forest, heard again later on at a distance, and on 30/12. In rainforest gully nesting Black-faced Monarch, Rufous Fantail, Brown Gerygone and Lewin's honeyeater all with dependent young. Crested Shrike-tit seen in forest and Australian Koel heard. Little Corella seen in Lakes Entrance township. Anthea Stubbs
Sat 25 Dec	Brown Goshawk Callaghans Lane Gordon Pair of brown goshawks observed nesting in abandoned Magpie Nest in a Manna gum since late October 2010. On Morning of 25 December observed succesful attack/kill of a young Brown hare (leveret), a great Christmas present, then 2 nestlings observed in the nest on 2 January 2011, mosly covered in down but some dark pinfeathers seen. They are being fed (Mostly young rabbits) and are practicing flight. On a cold (10 degrees C) morning, 3 January 2011 parent observed covering the nestlings with wings outstreached revealing a mottled pattern on upper wings which creates significant camouflage in the trees dappled light. Darren Bellingham

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