Folks,
Just wondering if the Little Bittern is still to be seen at Bundoora? I was
thinking of getting up early on Sunday morning to go and have a look if
there's some chance of a sighting. Any news would be most welcome, and much
appreciated.
I've responded direct to Shirley regarding her query about Freckled Ducks at
Lake Lorne (Drysdale, Bellarine Peninsula, about 60 km south-west of
Melbourne but closer to 100 km by road). For the interest of the list, I
dropped by there last Tuesday morning and saw at least a couple of dozen,
mostly loafing on the water amongst other ducks (Grey and Chestnut Teal and
Hardheads) and Coots. However, there were also some on the banks of one of
the islands, well concealed in the shade and partially behind drooping
foliage, so I wouldn't claim to have made an accurate count. I also saw
immature Shining and Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoos (one of each, which seemed
to be quite intrigued by each other) and lots of Yellow Thornbills, as well
as plenty of common species.
I've had a couple of recent sightings of up to 14 Long-billed Corellas in
Glen Waverley (suburb 20 km east of Melbourne), and while at the MCG last
Friday for an interstate day-night cricket fixture saw a solitary
Straw-necked Ibis, which circled the ground several times and seemed to be
close to landing once or twice, and a single female Darter which flew
purposefully across in the direction of the Royal Melbourne Botanic Gardens
late in the afternoon. On Sunday, in hot, sticky but not stormy conditions,
a loose flock of at least 40 White-throated Needletails made their way over
Glen Waverley at treetop height and above (to binocular limit). They were
mooching generally in a south-eastwards direction, with lots of swoops and
circling, presumably foraging, and there were from one to half a dozen or so
birds in sight at any given time over a period of about ten minutes from 2
pm.
Good birding. Regards,
Jack Krohn
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