Birdline Victoria Update - 18/6/01

[Stuart Cooney <>]

Birdline Victoria Update for the week ending 18/6/01

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No news of the Drongo at Wantirna, however there are some other excellent sightings coming in from some of our regular contributors.

Speaking of regular contributors, we now recognise our regular contributors through the awarding of stars for levels of contribution.  The first two people to be awarded stars, for helping Birdline Victoria to be so successful, are Mike Carter and Chris Coleborn.  Thanks to you both for your input in the last 9 months.  For more details follow this link http://home.iprimus.com.au/scooney/star_contributors.htm

In last weeks posting I inadvertently wrote Grey Goshawk, when of course I should have written Grey Falcon, a far more impressive sighting!  (I think the fact that I still haven't ticked a GG is getting to me, someone help!)

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15 June
1 or 2 Bell miners were seen at Castlemaine, just north of the intersection of the Midland Highway and Sawmill Road, on the way towards Harcourt opposite the 129 km post on the adjacent railway line, thanks Jack Krohn.

11 June
A sub-adult White-bellied Sea-Eagle at Lake Borrie in the Western Treatment Plant, thanks Richard Nowotny

10 June
6 Slender-billed Thornbills were seen at Tallageira Scrub in Desert Banksia in the north of the park.  This is a rare and restricted species in Victoria and is the first record outside either Little or Big Deserts, thanks Lawrie Conole

10 June
Numerous White-fronted Honeyeaters seen feeding on banksia flowers (both Silver and Desert), Flame Heath and Yellow Gum at Tallageira Scrub, west of Horsham, which is well south of their normal range, thanks Lawrie Conole

10 June
A Masked Owl, only the second reported for the Wimmera, was heard calling at Tallageira Scrub, west of Horsham, thanks Lawrie Conole

10 June
Crested Pigeons appear to be resident in modest numbers at Kooringal Golf Club, Altona, is there anywhere in Melbourne now that is not home to this expansionist species?  Thanks Richard Nowotny

9 June
A Brown Goshawk and a Little Eagle were both seen at Westgate Park (alongside the Westgate Bridge in Port Melbourne), neither of which is on the Westgate Park List, thanks Richard Nowotny

6 June
A Whistling Kite was seen over the Banyule Flat, this is a bird that was once a regular visitor but is now rare, thanks Richard Loyn

6 June
A Buff-banded Rail was seen at Cheltenham Park, on mulch near the highest point and well away from water, this is the first record for the park of BBR, thanks Michael Norris

6 June
3 Pied Currawongs were seen at Cheltenham Park near the South-eastern corner, these are the first Currawongs seen at this park, thanks Michael Norris

5 June
A Spangled Drongo was seen at the Winton Wetlands on a BOCA walk near Koomba Park in Wantirna Melway Ref 63 D4, it was perched in a dry tree, providing good views before flying away.

24 May
A Grey Falcon was seen at Kow Swamp on the western side, on powerlines beside Kow Swamp Rd, thanks Dean Woodford

7 May
A Letter-winged Kite was reported to the Geelong Field Naturalists Club from the Geelong area, thanks Brian Attwood

Birdline Victoria is a service for birdwatchers to report and find out about rare and unusual birds in Victoria and is brought to you by the VicGroup of Birds Australia. Birdline can be contacted on (03) 9882 2390 or on the Internet at

http://home.iprimus.com.au/scooney/index.htm

Regards,

Stuart

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