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Last Wednesday [14/11] a late but necessary
change of venue[the 4 guards on the gate at HMAS Cerberus wouldn't let us
in!] enabled Penboc branch of BOCA members to bird at Coolart.
Coolart, a blend of wetlands and woodlands is a National Park
Property at Somers, on the Mornington Peninsula, south of Melbourne, Vic.
The bush bird highlights were
Sacred Kingfisher, Fan-tailed Cuckoo,
Shining Bronze-Cuckoo, Mistletoebird, Grey Currawong and
Brown Goshawk. Honeyeaters seen were Red
and Little Wattlebirds, Yellow-faced,
White-eared, White-plumed,
Brown-headed, White-naped and New
Holland Honeyeaters.
From the bridge over Merricks Creek
Darter, Royal Spoonbill, White-faced
Heron, Chestnut Teal, European Goldfinch and a
Black-shouldered Kite were seen enjoying the sunshine along
with Superb Fairy-wrens in magnificent breeding
plumage.
The lagoon, which had been dry for 3 years
is now full of water and the birds have returned. Australian White
Ibis are breeding there again. Also observed from the bird hide
were Pied and Little Pied Cormorants ,
Blue-billed and Pink-eared Ducks, Hardhead,
Grey and ChestnutTeal, Black Swan, Australasian
and Hoary-headed Grebes, Purple Swamphens, Dusky
Moorhen and Eurasian Coot with their brightly coloured
young. The Swamp Harrier was patrolling as per
usual.
Despite the late start we managed 64
species for the outing without seeing the Rufous Fantail that the ranger had
told us was around the Visitors Centre.
Val Ford
Sorrento, Vic.
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