I spent about 7 hours at "The Farm" today, my first visit since the gates
were locked at weekends and the complicated key system was introduced. I
saw 69 species, the same number that I saw at this time six years ago. Very
few Ibis and no Pink-eared Ducks or Avocets were seen. They seem to be
doing some excavation work near the Borrow Pit area (?) which will probably
destroy the regular (until 9 months ago) habitat of the Black-tailed Native
Hens. The Fairy Martins seem also to have disappeared from the usual spot
on South Road
Interesting birds were a Gannet flying off the coast, a Horsfield's Bonze
Cuckoo announcing the Spring in a bare tree, lots of Double-banded Plovers
at Paradise Road at high tide, a Great Crested Grebe in the Little River
and a mixed flock of House and Tree Sparrows.
Robert Berry's advice that the best way in is from the Point Wilson Road is
correct. The way out via 65 West Road in order to drop the key at the
Administration Building does have 2 locked gates and a closed gate. The G2
key does open a gate giving access to the top of the Werribee River
escarpment but this road leads nowhere, contrary to the indications on the
map. I did see in this area 2 pairs of Flame Robins.
I spoke to one of the employees, a friendly one this time, who thought that
the G2 keys would soon be phased out since "everyone in Werribee has one".
Regards,
Gil Langfield
Melbourne, Australia
Birding-Aus is on the Web at
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