-----Original Message-----
From:
bette <>
To:
<>
Date:
Tuesday, 1 May 2001 11:42
Subject: [BIRDING-AUS] Southern
Mornington Peninsula (vic)
Our regular Hooded Plover counts along the
rugged coastline of the Mornington Peninsula National Park have proved
worthwhile this breeding season with 16 juveniles successfully raised.
This is a record number since surveying began 10 years ago so we are
delighted.
My section from Pt Nepean to Sorrento
on our last count produced the usual pair of Peregrine Falcon, undisturbed
by our presence at this time of year. What a different story in a couple of
months when breeding commences and the pair swoop and menace us until we
vacate their territory.
A Common Sandpiper was seen perched
precariously on the rock face. I see the C.S in the same spot every
year passing through on migration.
8 Sooty Oystercatchers were feeding on the
rock platform, a sign of the approaching winter as we only see Sootys here
in the non breeding season.
A Little Egret seen in the shallows at
Sorrento was an unusual sighting and is the first record of this species for
me.
I have some impressive "once only"
sightings in 9 years of surveying.
In my garden the Flame robins have returned,
always a joyous occasion for me! Spiny cheeked, New Holland and Singing
Honeyeaters are daily visitors to the bird bath and the Correas. I only
plant indigenous species and I find this keeps the balance between the
aggressive Wattlebirds(Red and Little) in check and there is no evidence of
bullying.
Grey Shrike Thrush and Golden Whistler are
resident here as are the family of Superb Blue Wrens that live around the
house.
The Grey Fantails are in pre migratory
flocks just now and I counted 10 a few days ago, a wonderful sight to see
them gracefully flitting through the bush. They move off in the winter ( I
would love to know where "mine" go!)
Willie Wagtails are here
all year and the occasional visit from a Brush Bronzewing is exciting given
that this species is declining on the peninsula.
A resident Brown Goshawk
is doing a good job in keeping the sparrow population in check. It is often
seen perched near a known roosting bush of the sparrows and one morning I
found it perched on an outside chair just inches from our window and we
eyeballed each other for a few seconds, awesome!! The Black- shouldered Kite
in the outer regions of the block is constantly patrolling and hopefully
keeping the House Mouse population in check.
Brown Thornbills and W.B. Scrubwrens bathe
every day and the Mistletoe bird is a regular visitor infesting a few of my
Acacias which in turn provides nectar for the honeyeaters.
This morning a Wedge tailed Eagle flew high
over the house heading for nearby Greens Bush where they are known to
breed.
A large group of Eastern Rosellas have taken
up residence for the winter and seem in a constant state of agitation
contrasted with the delightful family groups of Yellow rumped Thornbills
that pass through every day.
Magpies are engaged in daily aerial battles,
trying to sort out their territories.
Life is never boring as a
birdwatcher.!!
Bett Mitchell
