Hi Birders,
It was a year ago that we saw Buff-banded Rails at Lake Wallace
(Wallerawang, in the NSW central tablelands) so we were on the lookout for
them when I took a small group there again this morning. Shortly after we
arrived, one ventured out of the reeds onto the muddy edge of a pool and
after some persevering, my group got very good views.
Conditions there are currently ideal for crakes and rails with plenty of
exposed mud around the edges and between the reed beds. After explaining to
my group about the sort of places to look for crakes, just like magic a
Spotted Crake appeared, ran across the mud then disappeared, never to be
seen again! This is the first crake I've seen at Lake Wallace. I also
flushed a single Latham's Snipe.
The reedbeds were full of very vocal Reed-Warblers, Little Grassbirds and
Golden-headed Cisticolas. Other highlights included two Cattle Egrets and a
White-winged Triller. As usual, there were Musk Ducks and many Great
Crested and Hoary-headed Grebes on the lake.
We only visited part of the lake this morning but I got the feeling that,
with the current conditions, it might be worth a longer visit. I'll try and
get back there within the next few days and see what else I can find.
Cheers
Carol
Carol Probets
Blue Mountains NSW
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