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Jerrabomberra Ck this afternoon:
- The nest I reported in early Sept.
(confirmed by Geoff D as Whistling Kite) appears to have at least one
chick in it. Two adult WKs were very active in the vicinity soaring
overhead and landing just above the nest or in trees about 50 metres
distant. A pair of Willie Wagtails and a pair of Magpie-larks having
a dispute were forced to call a truce and take evasive action when one of the
WKs either got hungry or took exception to
their noisy presence and decided to drive them off. It was quite a sight
to see the larger bird dodging thru the willow branches from tree top to ground
level, but I didn't see the result of the pursuit.
- Cygnets: groups of 5, 4, 3, 2
and a couple of singles, in the presence of adult Swans.
- Purple Swamphens: Nest about a metre
above the water in a clump of reeds, containing young. I could see one
small head and noise issuing forth indicated probably 2 or 3 more. I also
inadvertently bumped into another clump of reeds and disturbed a bird on a
second well camouflaged nest. The nest was much lower and a hasty peek
revealed 3 spotted eggs.
- Royal Spoonbills: One perched high in
a willow not far from the WK nest, another on the ground at the waters
edge.
- 30 Straw-necked Ibis
- 8 Aust White Ibis
- 1 Nankeen Night Heron
- 1 female Hardhead
- 4 Chestnut Teal
I also saw what I'm pretty sure were Pied
Cormorants, 5 of them, on the far eastern bank of Lake Burley G, based on size
comparison with the Great Cormorants and Darters assembled with
them.
Cheers
Rod
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