Birdline Victoria Update No. 188
For the week ending: 19 December 2004
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Sightings
18 December
There was a Crested Shrike-tit beside Laverton Creek in West Altona Melway
Page 209 A2. Thanks Colin and Alex.
17 December
There was a Common Koel at 105 James Cook Drive in Strathfieldsaye, which is
about 12kms S.S.E of Bendigo on a bare branch of a Red Stringybark Eucalypt
at 7:30 am. The morning was clear and sunny and the bird stayed for about 2
min. calling several times before flying away to the south. This is a first
sighting for this bird in Central Victoria. Thanks Richard and Lesley
Hodgson.
16 December
Highlights of the monthly Birds Australia Edithvale Wetlands Survey include:
2 Australasian Bittern were still on the Northern section. This is only the
fourth year that this species has been recorded on the monthly surveys in
December, previously 1994, 1996 & 1997. A single Nankeen Night Heron was
flushed from the reeds on the Southern section, a species very rarely
recorded on the monthly surveys, but no doubt under-recorded as their
feathers are regularly found. The first Wood Sandpiper of the season was
also observed on the South. Large numbers of Whiskered Terns continue to
frequent the wetlands, but to date, show no sign of breeding. A flock of
several hundred Sharp-tailed Sandpipers were clearly looking for somewhere
to land, but only 7 were observed on the ground. Thanks Mike Carter.
16 December
There was a Barking Owl calling in Belgrave Heights for about half an hour
at 3:30am. This is not far from Lysterfield Park where local birders
recorded roosting Barking Owls recently. It would appear therefore that this
bird has a territory in the vicinity of Birdsland Reserve, which is just a
the bottom of the hill. Thanks Simon Mustoe.
17 December
A male Gang Gang Cockatoo in Ringwood North this morning. Unusual at this
time of year. Thanks Steven Creber.
16 December
7 Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo flew over the outskirts of Sunbury this
morning. They arrived from the West and headed off in an Easterly direction.
Thanks Roger McGlashan.
12 December
On the monthly BA-Vic Port Fairy Pelagic Trip the highlight was 10
White-chinned Petrels, however there was a dearth of other pelagic species.
Thanks Mike Carter.
11 December
Some interesting birds seen at Griffith’s Island, Port Fairy included: 1
Sanderling, 6 Ruddy Turnstone, a pair of Hooded Plover, and a Common
Sandpiper. Thanks Tim Dolby.
11 December
There was a Rufous Songlark (may have been more than one) at Euroa Arboretum
on Saturday. It is the first Barry has seen or heard in the area this
season - last Nov and Dec there were many, including at least one nesting
pair, on our property in Violet Town. In 2002 just one bird was seen, in the
first week of Nov. They have also had a Rufous Fantail (1st record - species
#121) in their woodland. Thanks Barry McLean.
11 December
A pair of Satin Flycatchers were seen at the Anglesea Heath. Thanks Peter
Fuller.
11 December
During the wader count at the Western Treatment Plant on 11 December, there
were 23 Glossy Ibis, 5 Cape Barren Geese and an Australian Spotted Crake at
Paradise Road, 4 Great Crested Grebe in the bay off Little River and 7
Freckled Duck in the lagoon near Beach Road. Thanks Tania Ireton.
10 December
At Braeside Park a Freckled Duck was seen. Along the Wetland Trail near the
hide, there's a sign reading "Waterfowl Refuge, Please Keep To Track". The
bird was seen on the water behind the sign. Thanks Ben Sinclair.
10 December
At lake Wyn Wyn north of Natimuk (36:40:54 S; 14`:58:39 E). A single
Dollarbird was seen hawking for insects. This is a long way south-west of
the normal range. Thanks Euan Moore.
9 December
At Braeside Park were 1 Intermediate Egret, 1 Buff-banded Rail, 1 Australian
Spotted Crake, 1 Magpie Goose. Thanks Ben Sinclair.
9 December
At Peninsula Grammar Outdoor campus, Macalister River, north of Glenmaggie,
there was a Rainbow Bee Eater. Thanks Peter Ware.
8 December
Highlights of the monthly Birds Australia Eastern Treatment Plant survey
include: 20 Glossy Ibis, 720 Whiskered Terns, 1 Marsh Sandpiper, 4 Common
Greenshank, 1 Pectoral Sandpiper, 435 Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, 200
Black-winged Stilt and 2 Pacific Golden Plover on the 7/12. Thanks Mike
Carter.
8 December
Two Singing Honeyeaters still around the Black Rock Life Saving Club and
probably defending a territory - but no signs of nesting yet. Thanks Michael
Norris.
8 December
At Baldry Crossing, Main Ridge, on the Outer circuit 2 Rufous Fantail
vigorously chasing each other and obviously intent on greater things. Thanks
Ian Dowling.
7 December
70 plus Long-billed Corellas seen feeding on the ground with Galahs early
morning at Burden Park Springvale. Thanks Wendy Dunn.
5 December
A single male Brown Songlark was seen on the side of Bulmans Road in West
Melton adjoining grassland. Thanks Micah Kawalek.
5 December
A Wood Sandpiper and a White-winged Black-Tern were together amid other
waders and Whiskered Terns at Hospital Swamp in Geelong. It is several years
since a Wood Sandpiper has been in this previously semi-reliable location.
Thanks John Newman.
3 December
In Heyfield there has been a Rufous Fantail and on the golf course at
Heyfield, for several weeks now, a small flock of Yellow-tailed
Black-Cockatoos. Thanks Peter Ware.
Updates
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18 December
There was a Ruff at the Conservation Ponds in the Western Treatment Plant
yesterday. Also seen were a pair of Australian Spotted Crakes feeding a
chick at the spit & Black-tailed Godwits, Banded Stilt & several hundred
Whiskered Terns at the T-section. Thanks Brian Johnston.
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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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