Birdline Victoria Weekly Update

Birdline Victoria

Published sightings for the week ending 24 Jul 2011.

Sun 24 Jul	Black-tailed Native-Hen, Zebra Finch, Red-browed Finch, Curlew Sandpiper (breeding plumage) etc. Western Treatment Plant, Werribee. One Black-tailed Native-Hen at 85WC (Austin Road) Lagoon, not seen at WTP for some time, a flock of 60 to 70 Zebra Finch and 12 Red-browed Finch along Austin Road. A number of Curlew Sandpiper(one in breeding plumage!) with Red-necked Stint and two White-necked Heron at Western Lagoon area. Lewin's Rail, Spotless and Australian(Spotted) Crake near the bird hide (observed with John Barkla, Fred Smith et al). Peter Gibbons and Dave Torr.
	Yellow-tail Black Cockatoos Napier Street, Fitzroy Big mob of cockies in trees around park at Alexandra Parade end. Near Fitzroy pool. Josh Henry
	Red-Rumped Parrot Melton Further to reports of large numbers of RRP's I was quite surprised to count 58 Red - Rumped Parrots feeding with House Sparrows on an approx 3.5 metre by 1.5 metre section of nature strip in Christopher Cres, Melton today. David Whelan
	Ground Parrot Mallacoota Airfield Ground Parrot (1) Found in long grass on the fence line of the aerodrome, on the northern side near the buildings. It was seen well away from the heath. Seen REALLY well for 10mins. Glen Pacey
	Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Rufous Whistler, Flame Robin Woodlands Historic Park (Greenvale) There was a large mixed species flock in Weerona today, including approximately 20 Flame Robin and surprisingly one Male and one Immature Rufous Whistler. There was also one Fan-tailed Cuckoo on the fence on Somerton Road on the border of the park. Nicole Spillane & Paul Jacobson
	Swift Parrot Teatree Close, Ocean Grove 10-20 Swifties on a daily basis in gums around my home. Denis Sleep
Sat 23 Jul	Buff Banded Rail Old Melbourne rd Marysville This bird has been seen for some weeks around a house in Marysville and they sent me a picture for ID and there is no doubt. It is around the house and even comes inside to get scraps which I said was a no no, also enjoys a bird bath. There are no dams or swampy areas nearby. ( There is a photo on email but I do not know how to send it to you) Bob Tate
	Red-rumped parrot. Yarra Bend Park, Fairfield. Melbourne. This male Red-rumped parrot is among the hundreds that I have been observing at Yarra Bend over the last few weeks. Is he a mutant? I have many photos if anyone wants to see more. (Moderators note: this bird does appear to have more yellow in its plumage than usual, which can be described as xanthochromism) Ruth Minifie
	Southern Boobook and 3 Wedge-tailed Eagles Jumping Creek section, Warrandyte State Park Initially one Wedge-tail circling late morning. It then headed off and joined two other distant birds to the south, possibly the two reported. I only noticed the very well hidden Boobook as a small mixed flock of honeyeaters flew in to feed among the foliage where it was hidden and they started to carry on. Still difficult to see from most angles. Sonja Ross
Fri 22 Jul	Sooty Oystercatcher Picnic Point, Sandringham At low tide today (1230) 4 Sooty Oystercatchers were feeding on the rocks - a record number for the City of Bayside. This is a prime Bayside (and Port Phillip?) site for them as there were at least six previous sightings of 1 or 2 this June and July and, last July, the previous record of 3 birds. Michael Norris
	Red-rumped Parrot Malvern East A pair of red rumped parrots on the nature strip. I saw a pair about 2 months ago on my garage roof. Never seen them before in 50 years of living here! Pam Gladstones
	Wedge-tailed Eagle Lilydale Wedge-tailed Eagle (2) mid-day, circling north-west of Maroondah Highway / Mooroolbark Road intersection. Peter Booth
Thu 21 Jul	Australian Wood Duck, Little Raven Fitzroy Gardens, Melbourne Male Australian Wood Duck observed at a tree hollow in the Fitzroy Gardens. Wood Duck have been present in the gardens for many months and are presumed to be nesting or contemplating it. Little Ravens have commenced nesting near the Swanston Street bridge in the city. John Barkla
	Swift Parrots Muckleford 30 to 40 swifties this morning, saw them bathing in a puddle. Debbie Worland
	Red-rumped parrot Yarra Bend Park, Fairfield. Melbourne. There are hundreds of red-rumped parrots to be seen feeding in large flocks in Yarra Bend Park at the moment. I saw them first about a week ago, there was one male amongst them who had no red but bright yellow all down his back onto his rump. I did not have my camera with me and have been back several times since trying to get a picture, but have not seen him again. I will keep trying. Ruth Minifie
	Swift Parrot Nagambie 10' Cell Swift Parrot (1) Possibly 2 Flew into Gum adjacent to Sailing Club , chased off by aggressive Red W'Birds Colin Mulvogue
	Buff-banded Rail Wesburn Buff-banded Rail (1) mid afternoon, overcast weather, scuttling into reeds, north of rail trail, just east of station platform, not far from last month's sighting. Peter Booth
Wed 20 Jul	Australian King Parrots. Through road, Camberwell. I saw four King Parrots on the 18th and again on the 20th at the corner of Through road and Netherway street Camberwell. In the area also were, Galahs, Rainbow Lorikeets (of course), Musk Lorikeets and Eastern Rosellas. Ruth Minifie
	Swift Parrots Muckleford Still at least 20 Swifties this morning, with White-plumed, White naped, Yellow faced ,Yellow-tufted ,Fuscous and New Holland Honeyeaters. Large numbers of aggressive Red Wattlebirds as well. Debbie Worland
	Common Greenshank Murtnaghurt Lagoon Common Greenshank (7) in shallow water near last houses in west Barwon Heads. Alarm call clearly heard Angus Hartshorn
	Southern Giant-Petrel Melbourne Zoo via Chelsea Beach The Southern Giant-Petrel that came to the zoo on the 08/07 from Chelsea Beach was successfully nursed back to health by a wildlife carer, apparently loved it's day old chickens. It will be released probably this week off the Nobbies at Philip Island. So nice to hear a success story Deb Crosby
	Striated Pardalote (substriatus), Swift Parrot Newport Lakes Park Confirmation of the substriatus Striated Pardalote presence today, striatus bird from Monday not seen or heard. Also 5 Swift Parrot flying through to north. Steve Davidson
	Fan-tailed Cucko Clarkesdale Bird Sanctuary Linton Victoria Fan-tailed Cuckoo calling beautifully at 7.30am this morning in cool, still, overcast conditions. David Coutts
Tue 19 Jul	Brown Falcon Abandoned Meat Works South Kingsville / Altona North A pair of Brown Falcons feeding at the abandoned meat works in Mills Road Altona North. Raoul Symons
	Crescent Honeyeater Brisbane Ranges National Park Aqueduct Tk - 1 active and very vocal male - other species at this site ... White-eared Honeyeaters, Eastern Spinebills, New Holland Honeyeaters, Yellow-faced Honeyeaters, Grey Fantails and Buff-rumped Thornbills and at a second site - Lower Stony Ck Picnic Ground - at least 1, possibly 2 more male Crescent Honeyeaters. A rare winter visitor to this location. Grace Lewis, Craig Morley
	Royal Spoonbill Williamstown Royal Spoonbill (1) am. wading, foraging, close offshore, in shallows Peter Booth
Mon 18 Jul	Lewin's Rail Village Glen, Rosebud West It turned up in the Village Glen on the 18th. Celia M. Browne per Mike Carter
	Swift Parrot Boggy Creek, Bullumwaal via Bairnsdale An unprecedented 100+ Swift Parrots were observed feeding in eucalypts at Boggy Creek this morning. Such a large number has not been recorded by EGBOC members previously and follows on from earlier but much smaller numbers noted in the same area late last week. 12 EGBOC members per Len Axen
	Wedge-tailed Eagle (pair) panmure victoria Resident pair, investigating an already dead beast. Lisette Mill
Sat 16 Jul	White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Painted Button-quail Brisbane Ranges NP - Cooks track White-bellied Sea-Eagle (1) flying over private land, then Cooks tk, then northwards along Eclipse Rd. Cackling loudly. Looked like a sub-adult, but light wasn't good and it was moving fast so sighting was brief. Very large. Painted Button-quail (6) or more, in group in forest. Moved away on foot at first, in all different directions. Another two flushed from behind a big tree when I approached. A wonderful sighting - I've never seen so many together before Janine Duffy
	Buff-banded Rail Chesterfield Farm, Scoresby Buff-banded Rail (1) 7.40am, heavy frost, foraging near Lomandra longifolia (Mat Rush), 20 metres north of cycle bridge, at south-east corner of farm, near Eastlink Peter Booth
Fri 15 Jul	Inland Dotterel Neds Corner Station 10 birds observed on the saltbush plains. Doug Robinson
	Little Penguin, Australian Crake, Buff-banded Rail Western Treatment Plant On a flat calm afternoon at Beach Rd, peered out to sea & noticed a distant object. I immediately thought Little Penguin, which was confirmed when I scoped it up. A scan produced 6 penguins on the water! These are the first I've seen here! Also saw a pod of Bottlenosed Dolphins. On LIttle River just before where road forks with Lake Borrie track saw 3 Australian Crakes & 3 Buff-banded Rails. About 20 Red-necked Avocets flying out to sea at Little River mouth. Kevin Bartram
Wed 13 Jul	Caspian Tern Lake Walla Walla, Murray Sunset National Park Seven birds present. Doug Robinson

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