Ruth Woodrow, Tony Russell, Edna Pascoe, Russell Woodford and myself went to
the WTP this evening to look for the Yellow Wagtail. We initially caught a
brief glimpse of the bird on the south side of the gate near the outlet of
the 85WA lagoon at around 5:15pm. The bird flew off to the west on seeing
us. We drove along the coastal track from the white gateposts where Ruth and
I first saw the bird on Saturday to the eastern corner of the 85WB lagoon
and back several times before catching up with the bird again on one of the
rocky coves on the western bank of the 85WA lagoon near the outlet (about
10m from the gate) at around 7:00pm. We had good views of the bird on the
rocks and on the muddy shore for about 20 minutes.
If you don't have a map that names the ponds, then the easiest way to find
the spot is to cross the ford and head along the track parallel to Little
River, through the white gateposts directly opposite the hide. Keep
following the track and cross the rocky beach, then follow the track until
you reach a gate. The gate doesn't require a key. Once through the gate, you
will notice some white barriers and a walkway to your left - this is the
outlet to the 85WA lagoon which is directly in front of you. The wagtail
seems to favour the rocky and muddy shores of this lagoon, close to the
gate.
A good strategy for seeing this bird is to stay in your car as it is
extremely flighty. Drive slowly along the track from the white gateposts to
the far side of 85WA and back - checking the track and particularly the
shores of the lagoons. Only once you have seen the bird should you consider
getting out of the car. I managed to get out and carefully set up the scope
without scaring it, but I was very slow and quiet outside the car.
Paul Dodd
Docklands, Victoria
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