Another interesting time at the Treatment Plant. Last year a couple of lagoons were
dredged out and now the water level in them is low enough for waders. These lagoons are on the left hand side
of the track as you are travelling east, towards Melbourne, and near to the 154
Outlet and the trig marker.
As we scanned the large group of Banded Stilts, the many Avocets
and the group of Black winged
stilts we were amazed to find at least 8 Godwits, some in bright breeding plumage, both Black Tailed and Bar-tailed (digital photos
show the markings). Are these
birds going to ‘winter over’ as most of the other waders have well and truly
gone north?
Around the edge of the lagoon were the ideal conditions for Red-necked stints and the Curlew Sandpipers to shelter from the wind. The Pink-eared
duck, swans & Chestnut Teal also congregated in these lagoons.
There were large numbers of Musk duck on the lagoons above the Borrow Pits, swimming out
in Port Phillip and more cruising up and down the Little River. They have started flicking water and
there are signs of some quite aggressive behaviour. We wonder where they nest?
As always there is always plenty to see on the Treatment Plant
even on a windy day.
I will be looking at very different birds over Easter as I travel
along the Murray River with Emu Tours , we have a few days at Glue Pot too.
May we all have great birding experiences over Easter.
Shirley Cameron
Werribee
03 9741 2997
