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Hi All,
Following Robbie Brown's report
(30/3) we finally got down to the Powlett River to, hopefully, find the
Blue-winged Parrots which would be a new sighting for me.
East of Kilcunda, the turn-off
into the mouth of the Powlett River is well signposted.
Parking the vehicle on the
south-eastern side of the one-lane bridge, we walked upstream for all of 1
minute before the first 3 Blue-winged Parrots took to the air then landed on a
fence.
Walking slowly towards them, another group, then
another, took off. Setting up the telescope, I had excellent views
of the 50 plus parrots either sitting on the fence or feeding in the
area.
An added bonus were 3 Flame Robins (2m1f), Richards
Pipit, White-fronted Chats,Superb Fairy-wrens, Striated Calamanthus, Masked
Lapwing, White-faced Heron, Silver Gulls, Little Black Cormorant, Magpie,
White Ibis, Willie Wagtail, Magpie-lark and Raven all within 50 metres of where
we'd parked the vehicle.
Downstream from the
bridge a Great Egret, Little Pied Cormorant and a single Swan (imm) were
added.
Knowing the
area very well (Ian's been fishing here for over 40 years and I've been birding
for the last 15) we walked to the mouth of the river and searched for
Double-banded Plovers which arrive here every year over the winter
months.
Being a
Saturday, there were quite a few people with dogs, so we headed east along the
beach. The tide was out (12.30pm) and the rock platforms were
exposed.
Walking
for approximately 1 1/2k's we counted 11 Hooded Dotterels (8 adults 3
imm)
30+ Double-bandeds, 7 Pacific Gulls, Welcome
Swallows, Crested Tern.
Returning to the unnamed picnic area (Ti Tree is the other picnic area) the
bush birds also didn't disappoint. Brush & Red Wattlebird, Brown
Thornbill, White-browed Scrubwren, New Holland Honeyeater, Grey Fantail, Eastern
Spinebill, Yellow Robin, possible Brown Goshawk, Silvereye, Red-browed Firetail
whilst out in the paddocks Eastern Rosella and Black-shouldered Kites. A
great area.
GPS reading for the
bridge across the Powlett River: 38 34'26"S 145
30'40"E
Happy
birding
Marlene.
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