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At Mildura Sewerage Pond on Thursday, 15th. I
missed these earlier this year when they left a couple of days before I got
there. This time, they have just arrived in the last few days.
Around 6 p.m. last evening I counted between 190 and 200 Freckled
Duck, about 3/4 of them in one group very close to the edge from where
I was observing.
Also on the (very crowded) pond were 100's of Grey
& Chestnut Teal, 100's of Hardhead, more than 1000 Coots, around 150 Black
Swan - some with chicks, a few Mallards and PB Ducks, three Pink-eared and a
solitary Blue-billed looking a bit out of place. Several Musk Duck also
reported there this week, but I couldn't find them.
There were about 50 of the ubiquitous Black-tailed
Chooks, a few Black-winged Stilts, several Whiskered Terns, Swamp Harrier, pair
of Whistling Kites and a solitary (probably Great) Egret. Also an
inquisitive Brown Snake!! I only got to scan about two thirds of the pond,
missing a lot of the shallower margins, so you can extrapolate from the above
figures to get indicative totals.
This is a great spot - if you can get there - Les,
the caretaker, is very friendly (only cost me a six-pack of Fosters to get
in!).
Bob Cook
Mildura Vic
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