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Nineteen (19) Freckled Ducks were seen on the 15th
June 2002 at Pitt Town Lagoon (approx 55 km north-west of Sydney CBD) by
myself, Lorne Johnson, David Vella and Johnny Greenhalch. They were in the
north-eastern part of the lagoon mixed in with a few Pink-eared Ducks,
Hardheads, Australasian Shoveler and Grey Teal. There were more Pink-eared
(alteast 200 in or close to the cambungi nearby). What was interesting was
watching one of the Freckled Ducks (a male with red in the base of the bill)
feeding not unlike a Black Duck and up-ending a number of times. It was
like another Freckled Duck I saw at McGraths Hill STW a few months ago in
March. We also saw a pair of Pink-eared Ducks displaying to each other jumping
from the water and moving their bills up and down.
We also checked the turf farms and Bushes Lagoon
and saw a fairly old male Swamp Harrier (underwing pattern superficially like a
Papuan Pied Harrier) but saw no Freckled Ducks here like last
weekend.
Edwin Vella
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