What is happening on the Western Treatment Plant?
The Oriental Pratincols have ensured many people have made the
journey to the Plant and it has been great to meet fellow ‘birding-aus’
members.
We did not see the Pratincol today, but were delighted by 6
Glossy Ibis on the Paradise Road Ponds.
Today seemed to
be Spoonbill day, there were many Yellow & Royal along the banks of Little
River. There are still
White-winged Black Terns about in full breeding plumage. Musk Duck patrol the Little River and
were in the company of 4 Great Crested Grebe the other day.
The duck are all in breeding plumage and are no doubt hoping
the inland lakes will have some water in them so they can go north and breed. The Blue-bills are living up to their name;
the Freckled Ducks’ bills are becoming red, the Aust. Shovellers heads are a striking
slate blue.
There was still Godwit at Paradise Road and plenty of Banded
Stilts mixed up with the Avocet; thank goodness they have different coloured legs
so identification is simplified.
There were numerous Whistling Kites about and on two
occasions we saw Swamp Harriers harrying grebe, I was barracking for the Grebe.
There were very few birds on the Borrow Pits, it no longer
attracts the many species since it was drained and now refilled. I assume the food supply was
altered.
Plenty of Pelicans, Swans, Cormorants, Silver gulls, Chats,
Stilts, Wrens, Raptors, 10-11 species of duck are all there.
Last week there was very little wind, even the birds seemed
to be more relaxed, the conditions were such that with the fog, clouds, reflections and still water ensure some great
photos.
Regrards
Shirley Cameron
Werribee
03 9741 2997
