Wet Lagoon Reserve (16/10)

As there is plenty of water around at
the moment on Sunday I drove to Wet Lagoon Nature Reserve by the Hume Highway
north of Collector for a look. As I expected it was full of water and I
counted at least 5 White-necked Herons on the fringes. What was
interesting was the many breeding pairs of Black Swans among the
dense sedge and floating vegetation. I counted a total of 20 cygnets from
4 pairs which were constantly being flown over by the resident Swamp
Harriers. The Harriers were showing all the signs of breeding. One
bird displayed in its undulating style before landing in the sedges. Another
bird had caught prey and also landed on what was probably its nest just
before a second bird took off from the same spot. Although I counted 6
birds, I suspect there were more. The only other species seen within the
wetland was the Purple Swamphen. This is a great spot to spend a
few hours relaxing in an easy chair just over a half hour's drive from
Gungahlin.

Stopping on the drive home at Lake George
I saw a single Australian Shelduck at the Wheatley Rest Area and
a Great Egret on another dam.

Cheers
Marnix

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