Now the waders (Sharp-tailed,
Curlew and Marsh Sandpipers, Red-necked Stints, Green shanks) are back and
finally the wind has stopped blowing so birding at the Treatment Plant is an
absolute delight.
We have been averaging 72
species each visit.
There are plenty of Red-necked
avocets, Banded and Black–winged Stilts.
The usual raptors, Black-winged
& Whistling Kite, Brown Falcon, Swamp Harriers and even a Hobby were all
there today 28th. November.
There is a plentiful supply of
insects for the many Whiskered Terns to catch.
Red-kneed Dotterel and
Red-capped Plover are down in the Borrow Pits.
Today there were at least 30+
Freckled Duck on Lake Borrie South, counted by Jon & Anne King, visiting
ornithologists from U.K..
Most duck species were there
and Jon counted 25 Blue-billed duck too.
At last I have seen a Baillon’s Crake in company with at
least 3 Spotted Crake in the 1st of the Conservation Lagoons.
There are thousands of Shelduck
and many are in moult.
There is an increased number
of Black-tailed Native Hens
scurrying about.
The Cape Barren Goose was back
at Paradise Road Ponds.
14 Golden Plover were roosting
in the grass at Kirk Point and there was a solitary Ruddy Turn-stone sitting
out on the rocks. We have seen a couple of Striated Field Wrens in that area
too on our last couple of visits.
Remember the Treatment Plant is
about 45 minutes from Melbourne and is well worth a visit.
Shirley Cameron
Werribee
03 9741 2997
