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Plans to go further afield went astray so found
myself at Kelly's Swamp late afternoon staring across the large pond at a
smallish wader picking it's way along the shore to the left of the resting log
in the middle of the pond. My 10x25 binos don't do really well for picking up
details at that distance so this is a plea for someone with a scope to go look
asap.
What I was able to pick up was that it is larger
than a BF Dotterel but not much and more slender (One BFD obligingly came by
briefly). Appears to have light green or yellowish legs (but may have been angle
of sunlight}. Is pale brown on wings and body though unmarked and lighter
underneath. Could not determine markings or not on chest but appeared to be
darker on crown and back of nape when probing water/herbiage. Bill was not
especially long or notable though longer in proportion to head than BFD. Does
not bob. Movements are graceful and unhurried. Did not seem disturbed by moving
past substantially larger Shovelers and Swamphens.
In crake alley saw both Baillon's and Spotless, the
former flying up from grassy mounds on viewing side and splashing down half way
to reeds affording good views as it stopped to survey the world on outlying
reeds. Based on my recent experience and other reports, is Baillons more likely
to feed amongst the grassy mounds only retreating to the reeds when feeling
unsafe? The Spotless was more raithlike, issuing from the edge of the reeds
after a strange guttural trill in that area (not necessarily connected). Almost
like one of the shadows at the base of the reeds had decided to move down a few
spaces...
One other observation was Goldfinches feeding with
Red-Browed Finches on casuarina cones. Seeds coming from these cones are pretty
small but then so are the birds.
Lots of the usual suspects. On dry land, Superb
Wrens, New Holland and Spinebill Honeyeaters with Grey Fantails, Willie Wagtails
and Golden Whistlers prominent though curious lack of thornbills. On
the water, Coots, Moorhens, Swamphens, Shovellers, Grey Teal, Black Duck
and Pink Eared Ducks, White-faced Herons all vocal but dominated
by Reed Warbler chorus.
Cheers
Shaun
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