Julian Reid, well known for his contributions on arid zone waterbirds (remember ‘Boom and Bust’?), passed on a report that were 26 Plumed Whistling Duck on the in-construction ponds at Dickson. Just checked, and so there were. Will count them from a photo later. There is no obvious explanation for such a number turning up at such an unlikely concrety spot.
It seems possible they are feeding on the newly-spread lawn seed on the bare slopes. They seem to favour the slope near the fence on the south (Hawdon St) side, and they might be taking up an overnight roost there, where they will be liable to be disturbed if you walk up to the fence on that side.
