Birdline Victoria Update No. 189
For the week ending: 2 January 2005
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I hope most of you have had a happy and safe Christmas/New Year break in
what has been a tragic period for so many people. I also hope that you have
had a chance to check out the new look Birdline Victoria at its new home at
the Babbler's Nest (see www.babblersnest.com/birdline if haven't seen the
new site yet). Thanks again to all the supporters of Birdline who've kept
the service running over the past year. The service is really gathering
momentum and increasingly some really interesting birds are being revealed
to the birding public only through Birdline Victoria. Thanks again!
Sightings
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2 January
There was a solitary Nankeen Night-heron at the Moonee Ponds Creek
artificial "lake" at the commencement of city link Flemington. Thanks Susan
Collins.
1 January
A female Blue-winged Parrot was observed flying across the Cabbage Tree -
Cape Conran road approx. .5 kilometre north of the Marlo Plains road
intersection. Thanks Len Axen.
31 December
At Mitchell River National Park north of Bairnsdale there was a Black-faced
Monarch seen and another heard. Also minimum of three Brown Gerygones. Just
outside the Park there was an Emu with four young. Thanks Noel Billing.
31 December
Highlights of the monthly Eastern Treatment Plant, Boundary Road Wetlands
include 17 Glossy Ibis, 1 Marsh Sandpiper and 6 Common Greenshank. Thanks
Mike Carter.
29 December
At Reef Island, Westernport Bay were 19 Eastern Curlew, 7 Pacific Golden
Plover, approx 6 Fairy Tern, 1 Caspian Tern. Thanks Ben Sinclair.
27 December
There was a Restless Flycatcher at Moyreisk Nature Reserve, which is
situated near Redbank (between Avoca and St Arnaud) on the Sunraysia
Highway. There was also an Olive-backed Oriole calling in Avoca on 28/12.
Thanks Debra Saxon-Campbell.
27 December
There were approximately 50 Freckled Duck at Lake Lorne in Drysdale. Frecks
have been absent form this site for some time, but they seem to have
returned in good numbers. Also present were 6 Blue-billed Duck. There were
also 2 Little Egret at Edwards Point, near St Leonard, as well as a pair of
Sooty Oystercatcher at the point. Thanks Tim Dolby
27 December
2 Brolgas at Reedy Lake Geelong. Thanks John Newman
26 December
1 Common Sandpiper and 2 Barbary Doves seen at the Kororoit Creek mouth; a
juvenile of the latter has previously been seen at this site, possibly
making them eligible for twitching! At least 85 Common Terns on the reef at
Seaholme; 32 Common Terns at Point Cook with many more and at least 3 Arctic
Jaegers offshore; at least 3 Brown Quail heard in bracken north-west of
Point Cook. Thanks George Appleby.
26 December
3 Arctic Skua off Point Gellibrand Williamstown harassing Silver Gulls.
Thanks Michael Ramsey.
26 December
A Wood Sandpiper was seen at Ball's Dam, Colac. Thanks John Newman.
26 December
14 Glossy Ibis seen feeding at a lagoon, corner of Boundary/Rossiter Rd
Carrum Downs. Melways 98 C10. Thanks Audrey Goldburn per Wendy Dunn.
26 December
A pair of Little Corellas were observed quietly feeding along the roadside
in Old Marlo Road this morning. Thanks Len Axen
25 December
There was a Peregrine Falcon circling above cliff top over Mentone beach and
a Scaly-breasted Lorikeet with a Rainbow Lorikeet in a flowering tree in
Charman Road, not far from Beach Road. Thanks Tania Ireton.
25 December
9 Topknot Pigeons were observed flying through the canopy of the Cabbage
Palms Reserve in the late afternoon sunlight. Thanks Jacquie and Len Axen.
24 December
120+ Little Terns mostly in breeding plumage still occupy the spit adjacent
to the mouth of the Snowy River. Despite strong winds and high tides
spilling over the spit 20 nests were still occupied. Quite a number of them
contain 2 and 3 eggs. No chicks as yet. Thanks Tony Mitchell DPI per Len
Axen.
24 December
A flock of about eight Topknot Pigeons were seen flying over farmland close
to the Mitchell River, 5km North West of Bairnsdale, in the late afternoon.
Thanks Rohan Bilney.
23 December
Flock of about 200 Red-rumped Parrots, alongside road through Terrick
Terrick National Park (grassland section). Thanks Keith Stockwell and David
Ong.
19 December
5 White-throated Needletails over Kersop Peak at Wilson's Promontory NP in
gale-force south-west winds. Thanks George Appleby. 30/12
Updates
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Ruff
31 December
John Barkla found that the Ruff was still present at the T Section lagoons
at the Western Treatment Plant, where it had been joined by a Wood
Sandpiper. The second Ruff was still present in the Conservation Lagoon off
280 South Road (seen by Fred Smith the day before).
Cape Barren Geese
21 December
Latest sightings from the Western Treatment Plant include a Ruddy Turnstone
and two Spotted Crakes on the Borrow Pits, at least 15 Cape Barren Geese on
Paradise Rd and 8 more at the T-section. On my last visit (which I did not
report) a week ago I had 5 Banded Stilt, but could not find them today.
Thanks Dave Torr.
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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
Stuart Cooney
www.babblersnest.com
Birdline Victoria
www.babblersnest.com/birdline
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