Hi John
Martin the caretaker whom I've known for decades often warned me about his
dogs. They weren't wild but would attack any one near his property. There
are wild dogs as well, and they're large. I often saw their footprints, and
so only ever went with a companion. Wherever I think dogs might be a
problem I carry a piece of chain. Swung around one's head it keeps
attacking dogs at bay.
I've seen 3 m. crocodiles in that drain just outside the fence (on the
southern side). And they weren't the only dangers. Once we came upon a
crocodile of that size that had been shot and partly skinned. Not that I'm
suggesting this might happen to birders, but people do go shooting there and
some aren't particularly careful about aiming.
But you're right - it is a nice walk. Mangrove Golden Whistler can
sometimes be seen in the Avicennia marina growing along the drains. One can
sneak up on the males when they're singing; however, birders need to be
careful nothing else is stalking them.
Zitting Cisticola inhabit the short grasslands plus occasionally buttonquail
(Red-backed and Red-chested), and Swinhoe's Snipe. I remember once a
suspected Baikal Teal turning up in that area.
One should also check out the orange-flowered Helicteres isora growing along
the main track, for honeyeaters.
Denise
On 24/1/14 10:13 AM, "John Rawsthorne" <> wrote:
> Hi All
>
>
>
> Nick Leseberg is right - now that the Leanyer Ponds are closed to visitors
> you can access the southern fence of the ponds via Hodgsons Dr and birders
> yesterday were able to get tickable scope views of the phalarope from near
> the inflow pipe. It is a very nice walk in with lots of cool birds in a
> range of habitats, but there are many potential hazards as you walk in -
> mud, dehydration, mozzies and midges, car break-ins, wild dogs, crocs etc,
> so take care.
>
>
>
> And based on past experience of local birders, please do not walk around the
> boundary fence to the northern side of the ponds, as there is an unmarked
> property boundary somewhere along the pond perimeter fence that, once
> crossed, places you IN the property rather than OUT if you do this.
>
>
>
> Happy birding
>
>
>
> John
>
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