Hi all,
Yesterday evening from about 5:45 pm through till dusk I watched a male little
bittern on the small ponds beside Moonstone Walk, Bundoora (Melb. Vic. Melways
map 19 J5). Initially it was seen foraging amongst the reeds on the far
left-hand corner of the left-hand lake where it caught a large yabby. Then over
the following hour it travelled the length of the lake working its way along
the front of each reed patch with short flights across each section of open
water. It arrived at the far right-hand patch of reeds towards sunset where it
sat on the top in full view. It was still preening there when I left. All
observations were made from near the small gazebo next to Moonstone walk. Also
present was a (long staying?) male Blue-billed Duck. Chestnut teal and Wood
duck had young while Dusky Moorhen and Purple swamphen could be seen sitting on
nests.
As with suggestions in previous years if you make a visit to see Little
Bittern(s?) here stay on the Moonstone Walk side of the lakes and do not make
any attempt to flush birds from the reeds. With patience they will appear. This
is the third year in a row that the species has been reported to Birding-aus
from this location and it would seem likely that the species is breeding here
again (as long as a female is present!). I'm sure it wouldn't take much to put
these birds off if people are tramping around the lake edge and reeds on the
far side. Also be considerate of the residents in Moonstone Walk. This is a
short narrow dead-end street and if there are already few cars parked there it
might be better to park out in Grange Bvd and walk the 50+ m to the gazebo.
Regards
Rohan
Dr Rohan Clarke
Threatened Mallee Bird Project
Zoology Department
La Trobe University
Bundoora 3086
Ph: 03 9479 1672 Mobile 0408 947001
--------------------------------------------
Birding-Aus is now on the Web at
www.birding-aus.org
--------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message 'unsubscribe
birding-aus' (no quotes, no Subject line)
to
|
