Lifa on a Vespa

["Alastair & Clare Smith" <>]

This morning I ventured out birding in Canberra for the first time in 2005 on my mid life crisis, a canary yellow vespa scooter. The aim was to renew my acquaintance with Kellys Swamp and find the reported crakes.

I went first to the inlet channel and was rewarded with great views of all three crakes, Baillon’s, Spotted and Spotless – the first a lifer for me. With all three in one bino view, any potential identification difficulties were thwarted. It was particularly gratifying to observe the size difference between the Baillon’s and Spotted – indeed the Baillon’s was about the size of the Clamorous Reed Warblers moving about in the reeds overhead.

While I saw neither sandpipers nor Freckled Duck, I did see at least one Black-winged Stilt, one Red-kneed and 5 Black-fronted Dotterels.

On my way back I again went to the inlet channel where I was joined by Kathy Walter and John Goldie and was able to enjoy crakes with them.

It’s great to be back in Canberra, unpacked and out birding on a Vespa.

Cheers

Alastair