The water level is now at, I'm guessing, 1.08m on the gauge. I can't believe
it's dropped 5cm in just 4 days, but there's at least some mud showing around
most of the visible shoreline now.
Tonight about 6.15pm I checked the north platform on the way in, just in case,
as I usually do, and immediately saw a Lewin's (I can't say "the" any more)
having a wash in the water near the furthest mud visible (maybe 12m away). It
continued for a minute or so then took off to the right.
Maybe 15 minutes later it and a Spotless Crake exploded out of the reeds. The
crake disappeared and the rail started sauntering around on the mud. Very
relaxed - just walking, not the usual run/walk - it worked its way towards me
until it was just 6m away. I'm guessing it was a female, having a darker crown.
Then I suddenly got the idea into my head that I should make sure there wasn't
another one following it, the furthest mud now being out of binocular view. I
lifted my binoculars just the tiniest amount and the bird suddenly started
acting wary, and turned around and sauntered a little more quickly back the
way it came and out of view.
Just for the record I was wearing a white t-shirt with the sun shining brightly
on it, so I'm surprised it was so relaxed. Seems like it doesn't matter if you
stick out like a sore thumb, so long as you don't move a muscle.
Another 15 minutes wait got me only a short, distant, very obstructed view.
At the south platform for another hour, I got a couple of glimpses and then a
long close look at it or another one on the southern edge, just to the left of
the platform. Best view of this spot is from the right hand side of the
platform. Nothing is normally seen there unless the water is very low.
No rails were seen opposite the south platform, which is normally the best
location, so it pays to look all around.
At least 5 Spotless Crakes were in full view at various times and places around
the pond.
With high temperatures forecast for the next few days, I guess we can expect to
see wide mud flats all around by the weekend if the showers due later in the
week don't refill it.
Peter Shute
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