Birdline Victoria Update No. 217
For the week ending: 28 August 2005
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Sightings
28 August
A flock of at least 2000 Fluttering Shearwaters massing in flight and on
water in very strong north winds off Altona Beach. Thanks George Appleby.
28 August
NO White-fronted Terns were seen at any of several expected sites in the
Altona-Pt Cook area on 28/8/2005. This appears to continue a trend this
winter of few or no individuals of this species being reported in Victoria.
Thanks George Appleby.
25 August
Don Greaves saw a pair of Swift Parrots flying over an oval at Geelong
Grammar School on Thursday 25/8/05. They were heading SW towards the Shell
Refinery. Thanks Russell Woodford
25 August
One Australian Kestrel seen flying northeast over Mayer Park, Thornbury is
the first recorded in nearly 3 years living in the area. Thanks Paul Peake.
22 August
One adult Australian Ringneck (probably Mallee, possibly Cloncurry
subspecies) seen along the Merri Creek in Kirkdale Reserve, about 30 metres
south of the elbow formed by the corners of Weigall and Victoria Sts, East
Brunswick. Thanks Paul Peake.
21 August
At least one Olive-backed Oriole calling at Melbourne Zoo (in the area
between the Giraffes and the Mandrills). Thanks Paul Peake.
21 August
There was a male Rose Robin singing at a box-ironbark site at Miller's Lane,
Rushworth State Forest, on 21 August. It was presumably on southwards
migration (it isn't typical Rose Robin breeding habitat), so it interested
me that it was singing. Rose Robins are regular and early migrants in
southern Victoria, and the first arrivals at their wet sclerophyll breeding
habitats are almost always detected in the last ten days of August. Thanks
Danny Rogers.
21 August
There was a Horsfield's Bronze-cuckoo calling in Richmond: the first record
the observer has had of the species in 16 years at this address. Thanks
Martin O'Brien.
21 August
A trip around North-central Victoria yielded a variety of interesting
species. At Kirwan's Bridge on the Goulburn Weir there was an early return
Little Friarbird and 5 Purple-crowned Lorikeets. At Reedy Lake there were 4
White-bellied Sea-eagles, a Black-chinned Honeyeater, and 2 Purple-crowned
Lorikeets. At Whroo Histroic Reserve there was a Singing Honeyeater and a
Peregrine Falcon. Along Two Tree Road at Carag Carag there was a Spotted
Harrier. Nearby at Green Lake there was a Caspian Tern. At Runnymeade Flora
Reserve there were 3 Purple-crowned Lorikeets. Finally at Heatcote a
Peaceful Dove was seen at Lady's Creek. Thanks Michael Ramsey.
20 August
An adult White-bellied Sea-eagle gracefully flew over the Coolart Wetlands
heading NW. Good views of Australian White Ibis incubating eggs at Minnsmere
Hide, Australasian Shovelers and a Blue-billed Duck. Also saw a very vocal
pair of Whistling Kites and four Royal Spoonbills in the adjacent paddock.
Thanks Fiona Parkin.
18 August
Eileen Collins of Chiltern has recorded (18 August 2005) a single Diamond
Dove adjacent to a wetland just south of the Murray Valley Highway about
16km west of Rutherglen, north east Victoria. The bird was in Jones Swamp
Rd. which is about 500m south of the highway. Other birds recorded were
Apostlebirds and a Swamp Harrier. Thanks Martin O'Brien.
18-19 August
Two successive excursions to the Cabbage Tree Palms Reserve resulted in
observations of a male Rose Robin, 8 Brown Gerygones, numerous Crested
Shrike-tits (heard calling), and an early Olive-backed Oriole. Thanks Bob
Semmens, Jacquie and Len Axen.
17 August
Over 100 Double-banded Plovers were observed on the Corringle ocean beach
adjacent to the mouth of the Snowy River. Many of them were in full breeding
plumage. Thanks Len Axen
16 August
There was a Southern Boobook at Truganina Swamp, Altona. Thanks Colin Clark.
16 August
The first 4 Latham's Snipe have been sighted at the Powling Street Wetlands,
Port Fairy. Thanks Jodie Honan.
16 August
A few highlights at Western Treatment Plant. Australasian Bittern at
conservations ponds. The bird was stalking on the far bank in full view for
approx 20 minutes during the middle of the day. 5 Black-tailed Godwits, 4
Common Greenshanks and a small flock of Whiskered Terns at Walshes Lagoon.
(eastern side of Little River). Juv Black-shouldered Kite with Adult near
the ford at Little River. Thanks Wendy Dunn, Audrey Goldburn.
Mid August
A late report from Ken Norris (last week) of a pair of Channel-billed
Cuckoos flying over his house at Mount Taylor (north of Bairnsdale) is most
unusual for this time of year. Thanks Len Axen.
14 August
Highlight of the quarterly BOCA outing to Pinkerton Forest/Bush's Paddock
(between Melton and Werribee) on a very cold and windy day was extended
close views of a Spotted Harrier hunting low over the native grasslands.
Other highlights included two pairs of Wedge-tailed Eagles, good numbers of
Jacky Winters and two Diamond Firetails. There were also a number of Tree
Martins present, which seems to be a rather early return? Thanks Dave Torr.
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
www.babblersnest.com/birdline
Regards,
Stuart
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