Birdline Victoria Update No. 157
For the week ending: 18 April, 2004
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Sightings
15 April
Observed at close quarters a male Turquoise Parrot 1km North of Cabbage Tree
Creek Palms Flora and Fauna Reserve in East Gippsland, thanks Bryan Walsh.
Mid April
Excellent birding over the last two weeks at Ricketts Point (2nd-16th April)
includes:
- 130-140 Common Terns (as per Michael Norris' record for 12/4) many
attaining full B.P. by 16/4
- c.1500 Crested Terns on 2/4
- 2 definitely, maybe 8-10 White-fronted terns on 9/4 and 16/4
- A possible non-breeding Arctic Tern on 7/4 and 16/4 -slightly smaller
stature, extensive white forehead reaching to behind eye, shortish bill,
tail streamers equalling primaries at rest, different jizz to Commons. Was
chastised by Commons on several occasions. Did not, however, appear to have
shorter legs than Commons, and prominent dark trailing edge to primaries
when in flight was not obvious. Would appreciate corroboration on this
matter if at all possible by interested parties.
- 2-3 Arctic Jaegers offshore harassing terns on 9,13,16/4
- At least 1500 Short-tailed Shearwaters just offshore on 8/4
- One Eastern Curlew on 8/4, chased by Silver Gulls
- One Red-necked Stint on 8/4, thanks Steve Davidson.
12 April
There were about 8 Flame Robins at Point Cook at the Carpark to the 'Tower';
4 fully flame red ones and 4 females, thanks Vin Lam.
12 April
One of the first Swift Parrots for the season were seen just south of the
Paddy Ranges State Park (near Maryborough). Only a few Ironbarks in full
flower but plenty to keep the many Musk and Little Lorikeets happy, thanks
Alan Flack.
12 April
A couple of hours at Lysterfield Park there were abundant Spotted
Pardalotes, Striated Pardalotes, Gang Gang Cockatoos, Yellow-tailed
Black-Cockatoos, Crescent Honeyeater, Mistletoebird & White-eared
Honeyeater, thanks Michael Williams.
12 April
There were 25 Magpie Geese flying over Lara probably from Serendip, thanks
John & Sue O’Malley.
11 April
Lyrebird Track, King Lake National Park there were Flame Robins, 10
Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos (feeding their young), 3 Superb Lyrebirds (2
female, 1 male), 1 male Satin Flycatcher, White-eared Honeyeaters, a Golden
Whistler and very friendly Eastern Yellow Robins, thanks Michael Williams.
10-11 April
A trip from Adelaide to Ellis's Crossing at the southern end of the Wail
State Forrest (via Dimboola) brought the following highlights: a
Black-chinned Honeyeater and a White-bellied Cuckoo-Shrike, thanks Michael
Dolan.
10 April
Greenvale Reservoir Park. Double-banded Plover, an immature spotted on a mud
spit on the western side of the reservoir, thanks, Michael Ramsey.
10 April
More than 130 Common Terns were seen at Rickett's Point, Beaumaris, three
times the previous highest count, also in the Bayside area a Spiny-cheeked
Honeyeater in the foreshore, a Richard's Pipit at Sandringham's Picnic
Point, seen by Ian Parsons, a Rose Robin at the Love St car park a week ago,
and a Buff-banded Rail at Elsternwick Golf Course where one stayed for 6
weeks last year and 5 months in 2002, thanks Michael Norris.
10 April
A Little Eagle was seen high above Ballarat Road Sunshine, just east of the
McIntyre Road intersection and a small group of Fairy Martins were observed
over Greigs Lane Mount Cottrell, just to the east of the Butlers Road
intersection, thanks Micah Kawalek.
9-12 April
On a Birds Australia Victoria Easter Campout in the Little Desert highlights
included Slender-billed Thornbill, Western Gerygone, Shy Heathwren and
Southern Scrub-robin. Honeyeaters included Purple-gaped Honeyeater,
White-fronted Honeyeater and Tawny-crowned Honeyeater. Overall woodland
birds were high, with good numbers of Peaceful Dove, Purple-crowned
Lorikeet, all 8 species of Victorian thornbill, Southern Whiteface, Hooded
Robin, Red-capped Robin, Scarlet Robin, Restless Flycatcher and Diamond
Firetail, thanks Tim Dolby.
8 April
There was a pair of Hooded Robin and 20+ White-throated Needletail in the
Wartook State Forest, Northern Grampians, thanks Tim Dolby.
7 April
At the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne from a bridge over the Lake, an
Australasian Bittern was seen, thanks John Carpenter.
7 April
50+ Brolgas in a burnt stubble paddock between Glenthompson and Willaura,
thanks Steve Clark.
6 April
At the Latrobe Uni. Wildlife Reserve best birds were a Brown Goshawk hunting
just over treetops, and a Little Eagle which flew over the Native Plant
Nursery, found a thermal and went up in wide circles, gradually decreasing
in size for 10 minutes or more, till almost invisible, never moving its
wings. A solitary Musk Lorikeet was feeding in a gum tree - possibly on
lerps, thanks Anthea Fleming.
5 April
One of the first Flame Robins for the season in vacant land at the end of
Docklands Drive next to the Moonee Ponds Creek, near where it meets the
Yarra River, thanks Alan Flack.
Birdline Victoria is a service for birdwatchers to report and find out about
rare and unusual birds in Victoria and is brought to you by Birds Australia
Victoria. Birdline can be contacted on (03) 9882 2390 or on the Internet at
http://home.iprimus.com.au/scooney/index.htm
Regards,
Stuart
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