Birdline Victoria Weekly Update

Birdline Victoria

Published sightings for the week ending 23 Mar 2014.

Sun 23 Mar	Tawny Grassbird, Red-capped Robin Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands (Seaford) Successful with unobstructed views of the grassbird at eye level at 10 metres range in Tree Everlasting after 4 hr 40 min of observation. Earlier heard three times, and seen well by SB, in first half hour after sunrise. Heard again at roughly hourly intervals by several observers until finally showing well at 11:55. Same place as previously reported on east side of grassy track. RCR easily seen along fenceline next to bike track north of primary scoolboval and cricket nets. P S Lansley, Scott Baker et al.
Sat 22 Mar	Freckled Duck Lake Wendouree, Ballarat 2 individuals sighted amongst water lilliies with small flock of Pacific Black Duck and one White-faced Heron. Quite close to walking track and not concerned with human presence Kerryn Ryan
	Rainbow Lorikeet Tungamah Weir A pair seen foraging in and flying around a red flowering Yellow Gum, an odd record here, the first in my local area. This species is established in Shepparton to the south and maybe spreading further east and north with this record here now and a few sightings in places such as Wangaratta, Chiltern and Wodonga over the last year. Michael Ramsey
	Tawny Grassbird Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands (Seaford) Following up on yesterday's report I went to Seaford in search of the Tawny Grassbird. I flushed the bird from pasture grass into a Tree Everlasing for good views. Paler then a Little, rufous crown, long tail and undulating flight, this observation was confirmed by Tim Bawden before it took off into the grass calling. Those wishing to see the bird should follow the grassy trail heading north east located just north of Seaford North PS, follow the trail until it forks, the bird was found along the first 60 or so metres on the track to the left of the fork Tim Nickholdds
	Lewin's Rail, Long-toed Stint. Pectoral Sandpiper and Ruff MW Western Treatment Plant, Werribee 2 or 3 Lewin's Rails at the back of the Spit, 1 Long-toed Stint and 2 Pectoral Sandpipers at the first pond off Beach Road and a Ruff at the T-Section lagoons - a good day's birding. Chris andRosemary Lester
	Ruff, Long-toed Stint, Pectoral Sandpiper. Western Treatment Plant, Werribee. At 1133 hours observed a Ruff at the southern end of Pond 5 in the T-Section. Long-toed Stint along with Pectoral Sandpiper/s observed by many birders, mid-afternoon in the first pond inside Beach Road gate(Gate 4). Other birds of interest: Two Black Falcons in the T -Section, Peregrine Falcon overhead on Paradise Road, 15 Great Crested Grebes together on Lake Borrie (Pond 9 South), 5 Banded Lapwings in paddock north of Beach Road. Thousands of ducks present, especially Pink-Eared Duck, Australian Shelduck, Hardhead and best numbers of Australasian Shoveler I have observed at the WTP. Good numbers of Waders, predominately Red-necked Stints, still present on a very low tide. Peter Gibbons.
	Asian Gull-billed Tern, Broad-billed Sandpiper (1), Terek Sandpiper (12) Stockyard Point, Westernport Bay With 50 or so Aust. Gull-bills, a few Far Eastern Curlew, a Whimbrel and 6 - 8 Double-banded Plover at high tide roost, around 17:30-18:00. P S Lansley, Scott Baker & Mikey Healey
	Long-toed Stint, Reeve, Pectoral Sandpiper Western Treatment Plant, Werribee Great afternoons birding. Watched Lewin's Rail bathe in first pond inside Beach Rd gate. Watched Jaeger fight seagull over Lake Borrie. Long-toed Stint and several Pectoral Sandpipers in same pond as Lewin's Rail along with a BaIllon's Crake. Reeve seen in south east corner of T section pond 5. Overall though there were relatively few waders throughout the various ponds. All special species were photographed. Hedley and Irena Earl
	Tawny Grassbird Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands (Seaford) Further to previous report, the bird has been seen again today. Occupying area about 150 metres along the grass track that leads north east from the Seaford North Primary School boundary. The habitat is a mix of paddock grasses, stands of native rush and Tree Everlasting (Ozothamnus ferrugineus) about 2-3 metres in height, adjacent to the Phragmites reed bed of the wetland proper. The bird is extremely furtive and very difficult to get sustained views of. It was initially flushed from a dense stand of juncus but has been sighted most often in the lower branches of the Tree Everlastings. Has retreated several times to the phragmites but always seems to return to the Tree Everlasting area. Obviously larger and bulkier than Little Grassbird (which occurs in the reedbeds adjacent to this site) with large tail at times evident when flying off. Plain underparts, a sort of off-white colour, seemingly paler on the throat. Noticeable rufous cap and strong black markings on wings and back. Has been calling as well- a distinctive metallic buzzing type of call, typical of the species. Has reacted only once to playback, however. There were plenty of other birds using this habitat, including Grey Fantails, White-plumed, and New Holland Honeyeaters, Red Wattlebirds and Goldfinches. The combination of call, size, shape, rufous crown, bulky tail, plain (totally unstreaked) off-white underparts rule out any other possibilities previously observed at the wetlands such as Little Grassbird, Striated Fieldwren or even Rufous Songlark. Very wary bird and difficult to get on to for anything but the briefest of views. Andrew Silcocks et al per Sean Dooley
Fri 21 Mar	Red-capped Robin Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands (Seaford) Overshadowed by the sighting of the Tawny Grassbird, there was a also a female type Red-capped Robin hanging around the boundary of the wetland with Seaford north Primary School, in the vicinity where the track to the Tawny Grassbird site veers off. First record of this species for Seaford Swamp. (Photo by Andrew Silcocks) Andrew Silcocks, Sean Dooley
	Tawny Grassbird Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands (Seaford) Found by Andrew Silcocks on the BirdLife Australia monthly survey for Melbourne Water, the bird has been seen again today (Sat 22nd). Attached is one not great photo but the best Andrew could get of this extremely furtive bird. Will post another shot soon with more details, which combined with this photo is enough to be confident it is this species. If accepted, will be the first confirmed Victorian record. Andrew Silcocks, Sean Dooley
	Pectoral Sadpiper Western Treatment Plant, Werribee Four Pectoral Sandpipers together on the first pond inside the gate at Beach Road, in addition to the Ruff, Long-toed Stint & Broad-billed Sandpipers (all of which are still present) reported by others. John Barkla & Elizabeth Lloyd
Thu 20 Mar	Plains Wanderer Gunbower. Private Property. Very pleased to find a male Plains Wanderer after many hours of searching. Warren Palmer, David Baker-Gabb, Warwick Remington.
Wed 19 Mar	Grey Goshawk Braeside Park, SE Melbourne Some English visitors reported seeing a White morph. from the hide overlooking the lake. Their somewhat blurred photograph seemed to confirm this. Aidan Sudbury
	Crimson Rosella Beebe Street Flora Hill 3 sub-adult/juvenile birds flew into a street eucalyptus and quickly hurried on by the local magpies. First recording of the species here for us. Adrian Martins
	Black-tailed Godwit Western Treatment Plant, Werribee Single bird at Walsh's Lagoon. Richard Nowotny
	Broad-billed Sandpiper, Black Falcon Western Treatment Plant, Werribee Single sandpiper with a single Greenshank as the only waders in Western Lagoon Pond 4. 3 Black Falcons seen during the day. Nice Curlew SP in breeding plumage in T-Section Pond 4. Dave Torr, Christine Shelley, Mark Buckby
	Azure Kingfisher, Buff Banded Rail Liverpool Rd Retarding Basin,Kilsyth Sth Extended views of this gorgeous little Kingfisher using dead tree in the water to dive for small fish(hopefully Gambusia which are a big problem up there).Also good view of BB Rail which is a striking bird too. Des and Sophie Palmer
	Spangled Drongo Bemm River settlement Spangled Drongo seen at the location known as Dolly's Garden. Ground Parrots and Southern Emu-wren seen in coastal heathland habitat along the Pearl Point road. Keith and Judy Humphreys
	Rose Robin Beaumaris A female Rose Robin seen in a suburban garden this morning only about 300 metres from Long Hollow Reserve where a Pink Robin was reported 2 years ago. Sean Dooley
Tue 18 Mar	Leaden (or satin ?) flycatcher (female) Rippon Lea House and Gardens (National Trust), 192 Hotham Street, Elsternwick, 3185, Perching and flitting over lake for a protracted period. No call. Regret I did not have handbook with me and I am an 'intermediate' rather than expert! Peter Lower
	Asian Gull- billed Tern Stockyard Point, Westernport Bay As reported by Steven Davidson in late February, the tern is still at Stockyard point, in company with 20 plus Gull-billed terns and 12 Royal Spoonbills. Derek Whitehead
	Fork-tailed Swift Seymour River Walk Near New Crossing Place. At first glance I thought they were Welcome Swallows, but had a then I had closer look. First time I've seen these birds here. Val La May
Mon 17 Mar	Double-barred Finch Mahon Lane, Osbornes Flat (Yackandandah) A single bird observed feeding on roadside - I managed to 'heard' it onto Mahon Lane where it sat on the fence, called briefly and returned to feeding. Similar habitat to the Felltimber Creek birds - however over 30 km away from this population. Matt Weeks
	Hooded Plover Cape Bridgewater and Bridgewater Bay 15 Hooded Plovers on beach, mixture of adults & young Chris, Deb & Allan Worland
	Lewins Honeyeater Black Spur Caravan Park, Narbethong. Chris Cobern
	Rufous Fantail Warranwood One turned up in my front garden this morning, seemingly tagging along with the Brown Thornbills which come through each day. First I've seen here in 15 years, so they may be around the suburbs in good numbers. Steven Creber
Sun 16 Mar	Southern Boobook Barkly Street, Brunswick Large owl was spotted flying down the street as we were getting out of the car. It landed in a large tree and upon getting out the torch we could ID it as a Boobook. It eventually flushed and disappeared over the properties. Was exciting to see this bird in the middle of brunswick. James Mustafa
Sat 15 Mar	Common Sandpiper Laurimar Parks and Wetlands A single bird feeding on the mud flats with Red-kneed Dotterel and Black-fronted Dotterel. Corner of Hazel Glen Dr and Flaxen Hills Rd. aleks arsoski
Thu 13 Mar	Wedge-tailed Eagle Mt Rothwell Park northern grasslands At least ten, possibly up to 14, Wedgetails soaring at a low level and settling in trees at Mt Rothwell. All appeared in great condition. Other raptors attracted by the numerous rabbits included Black and Whistling Kites and one Little Eagle. Anthony Hunt

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