I spent a few hours today at the sewage ponds at Fyshwick and at
Kelly's Swamp. Nothing terribly unusual at either spot - in fact, not
really a lot of anything except for Common Starlings (literally
hundreds), Welcome Swallows and Australasian Grebes - but some
interesting sightings nevertheless.
Signs of successful breeding activity continue: at Kelly's, an about
half-grown Purple Swamphen being fed by an adult, four quite small
Dusky Moorhen chicks also being fed by their parents (or, at least, by
2 adults) and at FSP, on Pond 1, a Pacific Black Duck with 9 very
small ducklings. Like those reported earlier today at Tidbinbilla,
these could have been only a few days old at the most.
Amongst the 60 or so Australasian Grebes were 5 juveniles, still with
the stripey heads. They were begging food from adults and also diving
themselves. I'm not too sure if they would be classified as dependent
young but they are, however, more evidence of recent successful
breeding for the species.
As usual, Blue-billed Ducks (3 male, 2 female) were on Pond 6. The
other "specials", as far as ducks go, were all on Pond 1 - 2 Hardhead,
5 Australasian Shoveler and 4 Chestnut Teal (1 male, 3 female). There
were a few Grey Teal and Pacific Black Ducks scattered around but most
were also on Pond 1.
No Pink-eared Ducks or Hoary-headed Grebes.
A flock of 16 Red Wattlebirds flew over FSP heading towards the
Jerrabomberra Wetlands area, as did about 20 Little Corellas. At
Kelly's there were 3 Black-faced Cuckoo-shrikes and 11 Dusky
Woodswallows.
Bruce
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