Birdline Victoria Update - 21 April, 2002

["Stuart Cooney" <>]

Birdline Victoria Update No. 73
For the week ending: 21 April, 2002

---

It’s gone a bit quiet recently, although more Swift Parrots have been seen around the state.  And speaking of parrots, I almost got a new one the other day.  While at Werribee Sewage Farm with the intrepid Sean Dooley we drove along the spit, in the hope of seeing an Orange-bellied Parrot, when Sean pulled to a sudden halt with a cry of "Neophema!", we jumped out of the car to see a parrot tearing away from us, calling as it flew.  We checked the call and sure enough it was an OBP, not good enough for me to tick, and not good enough for Sean to include on his Big Twitch list either.  Looks like I'll have to go out to Werribee another time!

 

Sightings

---

Early April

Groups of up to 20 budgerigars have been seen on at least 5 or 6 occasions in the last few weeks by several observers including Barry Traill, mostly within 5 km of Chiltern in the quadrant to the north west of the town, thanks Paul Peake.

 

16 April

10-15 Swift Parrots were seen passing through Narre Warren on Cranbourne- Narre Warren Road, thanks Laurie Living.

 

14 April

An adult White-bellied Sea-Eagle was seen at the bird hide located at the mouth of Little River, in the Werribee Sewage Farm, thanks Joy Tansey.

 

12 April

6 to 10 Fairy Terns, in non-breeding plumage, were seen in front of the  Rickets Point cafe in Beaumaris by Alex Farias.

 

11 April

A male King Quail was flushed from Tankerton Rd, along the 'S' bends near Tankerton Creek on French Island, thanks Chris Chandler.

 

9 April

A White-fronted Honeyeater was seen using a native cut-foliage plantation, 12 kilometres south-west of Pyramid Hill, thanks Simon Starr. 

 

9 April

A breeding male Musk Duck was seen on Albert Park lake in front of the Carlton Crest Hotel, thanks Alex Farias.

 

6 April

A pair of Swift Parrots were seen along the creek that runs through Black's Walk, just behind the scout hall in Main Street Blackburn, thanks Trevor Kerr.

 

5 April

A juvenile Osprey was seen at Observation Point at the north eastern end of Phillip Island in Westernport Bay, thanks John Boyce.

Updates

---

The Ringed Plover was seen on the 5th on the Tern colony side of the Snowy River at Marlo.  Drive about 1km through Marlo to MOTS BEACH carpark.  From here walk down the steps to the backwater and cross.  Expect to get wet, possibly waist high depending on your & the tide height.  Then it is a short stroll to your Right to the Little Tern fenced area.

 

The Freckled Ducks could still be seen on the 31st at Lake Lorne at Drysdale.

---

Birdline Victoria is a service for birdwatchers to report and find out about rare and unusual birds in Victoria and is brought to you by the VicGroup of Birds Australia. Birdline can be contacted on (03) 9882 2390 or on the Internet at http://home.iprimus.com.au/scooney/index.htm

 

Regards,
Stuart

---

This update was sent to you on request or via the Birding-Aus mailing list. If you received this e-mail in error please reply to the sender to be removed from the recipient list.

---