Jen Spry and I spent a warm day at the You Yangs (1
hour SW of Melbourne) chasing the mythical Black-eared Cuckoos reported last
weekend. Our highlight, and totally unexpected, was a White-bellied Sea-eagle
rising on a thermal over the western side of the You Yangs in company with a
Wedge-tailed Eagle. This was a beautiful grey and white adult bird and
provided great opportunities for size comparison. Also oddly, we recorded a
single Fork-tailed Swift flying north. Robins were out in force with Scarlet,
Flame and Eastern Yellow all recorded. Southern Whiteface were recorded in two
quite separate locations and not where I usually look for them. An Owlet
Nightjar provided good views as he checked out our approach, and the entrance
Tawny Frogmouths have re-located. The only cuckoos found (ignoring the numerous
drivers going the wrong way round the loop) were Fan-tailed, and one other
immature that we are seeking some clarification on. Full list follows for the
interested.
Cheers
Joy Tansey
Altona Meadows
Little Pied Cormorant
White-bellied Sea-eagle
Wedge-tailed Eagle
Collarred Sparrowhawk
Common Bronzewing
Galah
Crimson Rosella
Eastern rosella
Red-rumped Parrot
Fan-tailed Cuckoo
Tawny Frogmouth
Owlet Nightjar
Fork-tailed Swift
Laughing Kookaburra
Superb Fairy Wren
Spotted Pardalote
Striated Pardalote
Striated Thornbill
Yellow-rumped Thornbill
Southern Whiteface
Red Wattlebird
White-plumed Honeyeater
New Holland Honeyeater
Brown-headed Honeyeater
Black-chinned Honeyeater (heard only)
Jacky Winter
Scarlet Robin
Flame Robin
Eastern Yellow Robin
Rufous Whistler
Grey Shrike-thrush
Willie Wagtail
Grey Fantail
Magpielark
Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike
Magpie
White-winged Chough
Little Raven
Dusky Woodswallow
Welcome Swallow
Tree Martin
Red-browed Firetail
Diamond Firetail
Silvereye
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