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Yesterday (May 19) Chris Tzaros and I conducted Birds
Australia's monthly survey of Seaford Swamp for Melbourne Water.
It was a glorious sunny day that produced one of our highest
totals over the ten years the surveys have been going with 72 species being
seen.
The wetland is still in good condition- it is a pity it is not
January as conditions were ideal for migratory waders. The only migrant still
present was a solitary Black-tailed Godwit, an unusual bird for Seaford at any
time of year. Also late was a party of at least ten Fairy Martins hawking above
the water amongst the many swallows.
Other highlights were 25 Red-kneed Dotterel and 17
Black-fronted Dotterel. Of the 13 Blue-billed Ducks seen, ten were almost fully
grown young from last summer's brood. We saw one each of Spotted Crake and
Buff-banded Rail and heard two Spotless Crakes.
There was plenty of activity in the bushland buffer areas with
good numbers of smaller birds such as Brown Thornbills, Spotted Pardalotes and
Mistletoebirds. Other goodies included Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater, Golden Whistler
and a dark phase Little Eagle.
A top day's birding at a top spot.
Sean Dooley
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