Birdline Victoria Weekly Update

Birdline Victoria

Published sightings for the week ending 27 Mar 2011.

Sun 27 Mar	Little Lorikeet, Lewin's Rail, Spotless Crake, Little Eagle, Cattle Egret & Great Crested Grebe Western Treatment Plant, Werribee Little, Musk & Purple-crowned Lorikeets (and also Grey Shrike-thrush & Dusky Woodswallow) on 29 Mile Road. Lewin's Rail at the back of The Spit; Spotless Crakes on pond to east of 15 East Outlet; and Buff-banded Rail in Western Lagoons. Little Eagle over freeway near Farm Road. Cattle Egret at Paradise Road. Large increase in waterfowl numbers, with Great Crested Grebe (plus Hoary-headed & Australasian) in Western Lagoons. Still large numbers of Terns (Fairy, Little, White-winged Black, Common & Crested). Good numbers still for Common Greenshank & Bar-tailed Godwit and a few Sharp-tailed Sandpiper & Curlew Sandpiper. 95 species for the day. John Barkla & Fred Smith
	Family of Little Eagles Seaford area Five Little Eagles in the one nesting area, parents teaching young ones from what we saw. Awesome sight and so graceful. Tracey Wood and Pete Mitchell
	Swift Parrots Muckleford 30 Swifties this morning feeding in Large Grey Box in flower, with lerp Debbie Worland
Sat 26 Mar	Wedge-tailed Eagle Sewage Station Patterson Lakes Observed one bird flying low over the area and dipping down to the ground in several spots before a final descend and out of my sight. Typical to see something so beautiful so randomly and not have my camera... Tracey Wood
	Blue-winged parrots, Flame Robins Ocean Grove State Park 5 Blue-winged parrots and 2 Flame robins. Also Golden Whistler, Grey, Pied Currawongs, Common Bronzewings, Red Rumped parrots, Musk Lorikeets, Eastern Rosellas, White plumed and New Holland honeyeaters, Eastern yellow Robin, Red Browed, Gold and Green Finches, Brown and Yellow Rumped Thornbills, Scrub Wrens, Grey Fantails (many!) Blue Wrens Angus Hartshorn
	Immature Kelp Gull Bluff, Barwon Heads A single immature kelp gull. Interesting to see this bird because most sightings of large gulls in our region are Pacific Gulls Brilliant close up photo opportunities for Bar-tailed Godwits at Ocean Grove Barwon River estuary today. Birds happy to feed within 20 metres of humans. hedley and Irena Earl
	Sanderling, Flame Robin & Arctic Jaeger Mud Islands The Sanderling was still present today on Mud Islands. Also 3 Flame Robins. An Arctic Jaeger was seen from the boat on the return journey to Sorrento. A variety of waders in breeding plumage added to the day and presented many photo opportunities. John Barkla & members of Bayboca
	Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo Strathfeildsaye A flock of about 30 YTBs flew around the Strath Transfer Station at app 10:00am Wayne Wignall
	White-backed Swallow, Turquoise Parrot, Leaden Flycatcher Cock's Dredge Eldorado Four White-backed Swallows seen along with two young Turquoise Parrots. A superb female Leaden Flycatcher was also seen up close in a Silver Wattle. Southern Whiteface, Little Eagle and White-fronted Chat some other nice birds around. Michael Ramsey
	Flame Robin, White-throated Gerygone, Satin Flycatcher, Turquoise Parrot Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park (Barambogie Range) A beautiful autumn morning in the park. The first Flame Robin for the autumn, a female was seen today. Other good sightings included a White-throated Gerygone, a female Satin Flycatcher (probably on migration) and a Turquoise Parrot. Some other nice birds about included many Scarlet Robin, Speckled Warblers, Olive-backed Oriole, Rainbow Bee-eater and Western Gerygone. Michael Ramsey
	Turquoise Parrot, White-backed Swallow, Pied Butcherbird, Hooded Robin Barambogie Bushland Reserve (Sandersons Hill) A beautiful autumn morning here at a terrific woodland bird site. Highlights were 2 Turquoise Parrots, 2 White-backed Swallows, Pied Butcherbirds (which seem to be spreading even further south and east) and Hooded Robins. Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Southern Whiteface, Diamond Firetail and Speckled Warblers also some other nice birds around. Michael Ramsey
Fri 25 Mar	Peaceful Dove Bagshot - Bendigo area About 6-8 seen on roadside along Old Murray Rd. Also Brown Treecreeper (6) in the same area along Bendigo Creek. Greg Cobern
	Satin Bowerbirds, Rose Robin Next to Wye River Cafe and Otway Fly Two females and one male bowerbird flying backwards and forwards across Wye River next to Cafe and Caravan Park. One male Rose Robin at base of Otway Fly Chris Worland
	Pectoral Sandpiper Western Treatment Plant, Werribee. One Pectoral Sandpiper in Pond 5 of the T-section lagoons. The Long-toed Stint and three Sharp-tailed Sandpipers are still present. Also, the two Sooty Oystercatchers are still at Kirk Point. Maarten Hulzebosch
	Painted Button-quail McKay street Brunswick Dead bird found near Brunswick road early this morning Scott Baker
Thu 24 Mar	Azure Kingfisher Echuca Wharf An azure kingfisher is using an old paddlesteamer moored to the wharf at Echuca for roosting and fishing. It sits on the paddle of the vessel or its mooring rope every day according to locals who work there. Walk along the wharf until you reach the Oscar W's restaurant. The paddlesteamer is directly below and the bird is not concerned by the human traffic. Gary Oliver
	Speckled Warbler Bartley's Block, Chiltern A single bird seen just inside the gate at Bartley's Block. Too wet and drizzly to look about unfortunately. Gary Oliver
	Brown Thornbill Elsternwick 3185 2 or 3 seen foraging in my garden. Kooyong and Glenhuntly Road area. Family group has been seen throughout the summer. Sighting today from my kitchen window at less than 1 metre at 4.45pm. Jennifer Bowman
Wed 23 Mar	Pacific Golden Plover Black Rock Today I noted the first PGP's in breeding plumage this year. The birds included some in mottled plumage. Ruddy Turnstones, gulls, terns, stints and Double-banded Plovers were also present. For anyone interested in viewing albatross sweeping over the Rip at Port Philip Heads they can do this with binoculars and scopes from the Point Lonsdale lighthouse. My previous post (Sunday) mentioned Royal Albatross but it may be that it was actually a shy albatross. hedley Earl
	Sooty Oystercatchers Flinders Ocean Beach 33 Sooty Oystercatchers congregated together at the highwater mark this afternoon as high tide approached. Venetia McMahon
	Flame Robin Federation Trail (Sneydes Rd) Werribee Several males as well as three females/imm. along the track. Most likely on there way to Point Cook and beyond. First sighting for the year. Paul Randall (wingsonwire.com)
Tue 22 Mar	Buff-Banded Rail Rail Trail Wesburn 3 Birds seen and photo'd feeding along Rail Trail approx. 500mts north of Station Road. Many Musk and Rainbow Lorikeets present from Yarra Junction to Wesburn. Colin Mulvogue
	Great-crested Grebe, Brolga Winton Wetlands and surrounds Pair of adult Great-crested Grebes plus two (possibly three) juveniles 500 metres east of the boat ramp. Single Brolga in dry paddock on South side of Lake Mokoan Road just east of the wetlands between Farnley Road and Benalla-Yarrawonga Road. Dan Pendavingh
	Blue-billed Duck , Yellow-billed Spoonbill Fishers' Wetland, Phillip Island Wetland looking great, ~150 Cape Barren Geese, many other usual residents. These two not so common. Jenny Skewes
	Diamond Dove Roadside reserve near Yaapeet Single Diamond Dove seen on road after stopping to check ducks in flooded paddock. Nicole Spillane & Paul Jacobson
	Collared Sparrowhawk Bentleigh East Showing more Sparrowhawk traits than Goshawk including squared tail. Was slowly flying over at 2:36PM at a very high altitude. James Bailey
Mon 21 Mar	Hooded Robin Rail- Trail, Alexandra. This is the second report only of the Hooded Robin in some 40 years in this area. The last colony was wiped out in the 1969 bushfires and only one abberant bird has appeared in a private garden that we know of since, and this bird tried unsucesfully to breed for a couple of years. Robert. F. Tate (Bob)
	Leaden Flycatcher Spadoni Reserve, Yering Female in Manna Gum at entrance (1). Alf forbes
	Red-capped Robin (f) Gorry Rd Red Lion 3371 First robin I've seen since 2009! Is this the earliest? Jenny Lacey A9316
Sun 20 Mar	Australian Hobby Near Sale Australian Hobby seen close to sunset along the road between Rosedale and Longford-Loch Sport Road. Great area for raptors in my experience. Andrew Martin
	Brown-headed Honeyeater Possum Gully road, nr Amherst In amongst a group of Brown headeds was a pure white one,it seemed to have a dark eye and had a yellow bill. No markings of any kind on it, just plain white. It was very striking to look at, and behaved normally with its peers. Jan Flack
	Olive-backed Oriole Squatters Reserve (west of Dartmoor, SW Vic) Single bird observed in remnant woodland Peter Barrand (Birds Australia SE Outing)
	Diamond Firetail Chiltern-Mt Pilot NP - Entrance to quarry on road to Honeyeater Picnic Ground. 4-6 Diamond Firetails seen foraging on ground. Also adult Yellow-tufted Honeyeaters feeding numerous begging young around upper folliage. Elizabeth Shaw, Lindy Damoulakis and ruth Minifie
	Australian Hobby Whroo Information Centre A juvenile Hobby seen dive-bombing White-winged Choughs & Australian Magpies. The magpies then chased it off. Kevin Bartram
	White-throated Needletail, Chestnut-rumped Heath-wren, White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike etc Bailleston A very nice morning up on the western ridge above Bailleston. About 20 White-throated Needletails feeding above area. 10 or so Rainbow Bee-eaters, including adults & juveniles. Dusky Woodswallows, Tree Martins & Welcome Swallows feeding above area. 1 light morph White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike, 1 adult male Hooded Robin, first I've seen here for a while. A Chestnut-rumped Heath-wren perched in a tree! Crested Bellbirds, both sexes seen & calling frequently. Other highlights: Collared Sparrowhawk adult; Black-chinned Honeyeaters; Peaceful Dove (heard); Fantail Cuckoo; Horsfield Bronze-cuckoo; Brown Treecreeper; Restless Flycatcher; 1 Rufous Songlark. Kevin Bartram
	Spotless Crake, Great Crested Grebe, Little Egret (Egretta garzetta garzetta) Western Treatment Plant, Werribee Spotless Crake: Crossing track alongside coast as we approached hide. Great Crested Grebe: In pond between hide and Lake Borrie. First we've seen at WTP in more than a year. Little Egret: Many seen including one with yellow feet (Egretta garzetta garzetta), compared with black-footed Australian sub-species (Egretta garzetta immaculata/nigripes). Paul Dodd & Ruth Woodrow
	Royal Albatross Port Phillip Heads This afternoon whilst on a fishing vessel approximately 3 kms outside the Heads a Royal Albatross made several landings right next to our fishing vessel and tried to attack a floating lure some 20 metres from the boat. Unfortunately we did not have our camera but the sighting was unmistakeable. Hedley and Irena Earl
	Red-lored Whistler Murray-Sunset NP 2 birds on Bambill Track 6.2 km north of Pheeny's Track, and another RLW on Pheeny'sTrack, 2km west of Bambill. Also Chestnut Quail-Thrush, Striped Honeyeater, Shy Heathwren, 10 Regent Parrots, Brown-headed Honeyeater. Over 1000 White-Browed Woodswallows massing on the northern end of the Park, near the junction of Bambill and Settlement Road (I only saw one Masked WS). The Mallee is looking good after many lean years. Michael Mack
	Little Egret, Royal Spoonbill Eastern Treatrment Plant Hightlights of Birds Australia Eastern Treatment Plant survey included Little Egret (x2 juvenile), Royal Spoonbill (x20), Red-kneed Dotterel (x20), Pied Cormorant (x1 - only 2nd record for site). Mike Carter an David Stabb per Tim Dolby
	Great Crested Grebe, Caspian Tern, Plumed Whistling-Duck Lake Mokoan/Winton Wetlands Great Crested Grebe: three adults and 6 juveniles at the boat ramp, must have bred here which is good news. Caspian Tern: seen at the old boat ramp flying west, expected here eventually. Plumed Whistling-Duck: six birds roosting on dead logs in front of the boat ramp. Michael Ramsey
Sat 19 Mar	Striated Heron Gypsy Point Seen about 250-300m WNW of Gypsy Point Boat Ramp from track leading along shore. Bird flew off across the little inlet to opposite bank and not seen again. Martin Maderthaner and Paul Hackett
	Brown Cuckoo-Dove Double Creek Nature Walk, Mallacoota Road Heard bird calling, followed up and had good clear sighting of dove. Unmistakeable. Just across the bridge over the creek near the start of the rainforest walk. Paul had seen the species just one week before at Ku-rin-gai Chase N.P. Martin Maderthaner and Paul Hackett
	Jacky Winter, Dusky Woodswallow, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Diamond Firetail, Yellow-rumped Thornbil Tarrawingee Rail trail, lots of Red Box and River Red Gum. Jacky Winter: (1). Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike: (1). Diamond Firetail: perched at middle story, flew higher when approached, accompanying a Willy Wagtail (1). Peter Booth
	Crested Pigeon, Nankeen Kestrel, Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Black Swan Myrtleford Nankeen Kestrel: (1). about 2.30pm, east of town, seen from bicycle path, alighted on fence post then took off. Peter Booth
	Regent Honeyeater, Speckled Warbler, Turquoise Parrot, Horsefields Bronze-cuckoo Bartley's Block, Chiltern Regent Honeyeater preening itself, lots of other birds in a mid-morning stroll through lush herbage. Dams full. Elizabeth Shaw, Ruth Minifie and Lindy Damoulakis
	Pied Butcherbird McGann Hill Rd, Chesney Vale. 36 24 22 S 146 04 33 E A single pied Butcherbird was present along McGann Hill Rd this morning, just south of Goudie Rd. Steve Davidson - The Melbourne Birder
	White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike, Great Crested Grebe, Grey-crowned Babbler Lake Mokoan/Winton Wetlands White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike: dark-hooded bird with light barring on breast and belly, in red gums at main picnic ground. Great Crested Grebe: appeared to be 5 juvenile birds and two adults feeding along shoreline of L. Mokoan. Grey-crowned Babbler: in roadside woodland along edge of lake near Glenrowan-Boweya Rd (2). Steven Davidson - The Melbourne Birder
	Plumed Whistling-Duck Lake Buloke, NW Victoria Another photo of illegally shot duck Debbie Lustig
	Plumed Whistling-Duck Lake Buloke, NW Victoria Illegally shot on first morning of duck hunting season. Three ducklings (possibly Pink-Eared Ducks) can be seen to L of bird. Debbie Lustig
	Brown Goshawk Wimmera Highway, east of St Arnaud Debbie Lustig and P. Berbee

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