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Hawkesbury Area (north-western Sydney) 10th March 2002

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Subject: Hawkesbury Area (north-western Sydney) 10th March 2002
From: "Edwin Vella" <>
Date: Sun, 10 Mar 2002 20:05:06 +1100
Spent a few hours today to check out what birds are about in the Hawkesbury area (about 50 km north-west of Sydney) 
 
At Pitt Town Lagon  there were fairly good numbers of waterfowl present which included 2-3 Hoary-headed Grebe, 30-40 Hardhead, 6 Pink-eared Ducks, 3 Australasian Shoveler, a pair of Swamp Harriers, a Yellow-bellied Spoonbill, 4 Plumed Egrets among other common waterbirds. In long grass in the north-western part of the lagoon, I had good flight views (side on) of 3 King Quail (a male and 2 females, where I could see quite clearly the black and white pattern of the males throat and chestnut belly contrasting with its blue-grey breast). Also saw a Peregrine Falcon nearby. Much has changed since my last visit in Oct/Nov 2001, with the water levels quite high and no longer suitable for many smaller waders though it could be good for Australasian Bitterns to be present, though I didn't see any today.
 
At Bushells Lagoon (near Wilberforce), saw 6 Hardhead, a Greenshank, 4 Pacific Herons, 8 Darters etc.
 
At Bush's Lagoon (in the Turf Farms at Richmond), there were 3 Hoary-headed Grebes, 5 Plumed Whistling-ducks (very few than usual), 90 Hardheads and a Brown Goshawk nearby
 
At McGrath's Hill STW, there was still a Freckled Duck present (which may be a male with a hint of red on the bill), 25 Hardheads, a Latham's Snipe etc.
 
Edwin Vella 
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