At last the wind has stopped blowing and it was most
pleasant in the sunshine at the Treatment Plant today.
It was exciting to see the Golden Plover back in their usual
spot at Kirk Point; I think there are 11.
Two have orange leg bands so I can only assume they were tagged in December
2001. Again I assume they are the same
birds that also returned last year.
Further east just after to mouth of Little River were two
Ruddy Turnstones, my first sighting of them this season. They seem to appear on the rocks there
each year and then later go to Kirk Point.
There were massed scenes of waders all along the coast; thus
far I have only identified Red-necked Stints, Curlew and Sharp-tailed
Sandpipers all in substantial numbers.
The Avocets have again returned to the Borrow Pit.
There were plenty of Pink-eared Duck on Lake Borrie,
Hardheads and Shelduck were also about, didn’t see Freckled Duck today.
The swans with the two cygnets on the Conservation Pond
could not be found, this happened last year, maybe the many Swamp Harriers have
to eat something! On the lagoons near the Bird Hide there
were twos swan with cygnets.
There is enormous amount of construction going on at the Plant,
I only hope the changes in the treatment of sewerage and storm water does not
effect the rich environment that supports so many birds.
Shirley Cameron
Werribee
03 9741 2997
