In a late-morning visit today, I checked the Grubby Pond (really the
settling-pond put in to collect silt and rubbish from the drain which
enters the Swamp at its north-east corner). Blackberries were sprayed
recently and the Pond is now more visible. Something brownish was moving
on the far bank - binocs showed it was a Buff-banded Rail poking about
among the rubbish and leaf-litter in front of the Cumbungi plants. I was
able to sneak forward without disturbing the bird and took several
photos, though at extreme range for the camera. The Rail continued to
potter about and then it came right to the edge to stand on its
reflection - then it flew, disturbed by the sudden arrival of a young
Dusky Moorhen.
Visitors to Banyule Flats should get there very early on Sunday mornings
if they want to find a parking space at Somerset Drive, before herds of
young soccer-players invade the park. But if I hadn't had to park in
Banyule Rd, I wouldn't have gone to the Pond.
Anthea Fleming
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