Mulligans Flat - 4 January

[Marnix Zwankhuizen <>]

Another warm morning spent at Mulligans today.

Highlights at the large dam included:

• Whistling Kite (2) - calling and feeding on a kill high in a large dead euc
• Brown Goshawk (1) - over the past month I have recorded two Goshawk breeding events in the reserve plus a possible Collared Sparrowhawk nest.
  
• White-necked Heron (1)
• Pink-eared Duck (4)
• Musk Duck (1) - resident female
  
• Cattle Egret (1) - in breeding plumage
• Darter (1) - overhead
• Red-kneed Dotterel (3)
• Black-fronted Dotterel (3)
• Latham's Snipe (1)
• Sacred Kingfisher (1)
• Echidna (1)
  

No sign of the Freckled Ducks or the recently reported Blue-billed Duck.

It looks like the Rufous Songlarks which have been by the Gooroo gate in the far east of Mulligans for the past month have successfully bred. Two youngsters were being fed yesterday. Their Pipit neighbours also seem to have increased their number by 3.

Cheers
Marnix