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Date: 4 Aug 2014 06:53:34 +1000
Subject: Birdline Victoria Weekly Update
Birdline Victoria
Published sightings for the week ending 3 Aug 2014.
Sun 3 Aug Double-barred Finch Black Dog Ck (Lilliput)
14 Double-barred Finch seen this morning (8am) near the structures on the
corner of Slaughterhouse Road and Rutherglen-Springhurst Rd. This seems
like one of the best spots in Victoria to see this species.
James Mustafa
Plum-headed Finch Bowser
Following up on Michael Ramsay's report of an adult male Plum-headed Finch,
I arrive at the Bowser Station this morning just before 7am. Site was
frozen, with frost and ice on the ground. After doing a lap of the area and
not finding any finches, I returned to path and located the PHF feeding in
the short grass and occasionally calling quietly. It was quite flighty if I
ever tried to approach but at one stage flew up close to me which allowed
for some photos. After watching it for a few minutes, it flew over to the
pond around 20 metres away and continued to call in the reeds. In terms of
the wild vs escapee debate - it was completely natural and relaxed in the
environment through feeding and other behaviours. Doing some research, they
have been some historic records of PHF in Victoria from areas across
central/north Vic. Seeing the area, as Michael reported, rural area with
paddocks, water/swamp, gums and lots of vegetation. Nearest town around
8kms away. According to the Morcombe app, PHF's range do just reach
Victoria and extends right through southern New South Wales. Other positive
thoughts for genuine wild bird is their tendency to travel distances and be
rather nomadic. It would also align with other number of northern birds
currently appearing Victoria (beach stone curlew, s drongo, t grassbird
etc). PHF also seen in Canberra in March and recently in SA. I have also
checked the Victorian Aviculture website and there have been no reports of
missing PHF
James Mustafa
Sat 2 Aug Beach Stone Curlew Screw Creek. Inverloch.
Observed by myself and another Member for in excess of 2 hours, over a
500-1000m stretch of Andersons Inlet. 700 habitat and behavioural images
photographed - eating blue crabs, preening, running across the sand flats,
resting with eyes closed and preening. Several locals engaged us in
conversation and one gentleman suggested there were 2 birds as one seen
farther West towards Point Norman. ( this of course may be the same bird ).
One lady believed it had sheltered on Friday night in the horrendous
weather, in her back yard, due to the loud calls.
Jenny Stephens. Member # 91013
Swift Parrot La Trobe University Bundoora Campus
A large group of Swift Parrots (up to 20 birds) is still located at La
Trobe University in Bundoora. They are still feeding in the flowering gums
in Car Park 8 - northern side. Watched and photographed for most of the
day.
Wilson Lennard
Bustard Yanac
Single female north of town
Dave Torr, Iian Denham, Mark Buckby
Plum-headed Finch Bowser
While riding back to Wangaratta on the rail trail I saw a small flock of
Red-browed Finches behind the Bowser Station and heard a different call I
didn't recognise among them. I quickly stopped and to my astonishment a
Plum-headed Finch flew out of the flock and landed in some wattles nearby.
The bird was clearly observed for a number of minutes as it flew between
the wattles and foraged in some short grass by the rail trail. A plum crown
and throat, barring on the breast and warm brown back were all noted and it
seemed slightly bulkier than the Red-browed Finches. It appeared to be an
adult male. I managed some very poor images on my iPhone. As for the origin
of the bird, wild vs aviary escape I can't be 100% sure either way. The
bird seemed wary and hard to approach. The area the bird was in was rural
with paddocks, large gums and revegetation plantings. It was happily
foraging on grass seed heads. Earlier in the year in March a Plum-headed
Finch was reported at Lake Ginninderra in Canberra. The closest other eBird
records from here would be Corwa across to Forbes and Lake Cargelligo in
NSW. There was also the Painted Finches north of Jerilderie by the Yanco
Creek a few years ago as well. I am not aware of this bird being on the
Victorian list, maybe there are some historical records.
Michael Ramsey
Beach-stone Curlew Screw Creek Inverloch
Observed at 8.00 am on beach near Screw Creek car park. Stood silently
while Curlew approached within 10 metres. Great viewing.
Brendan McDonald
Fri 1 Aug Double-banded Plover Lake Tyers, township and beach
A break in the wild weather this morning so I took a walk on Lake Tyers
beach. I found a male Double-banded Plover in breeding plumage with a
single female on the narrow beach dividing lake and ocean together with a
flock of about 25 Red-capped Plovers. A Black-fronted Dotterel in brackish
waters on the lake edge was an unusual sighting at this site.
Ken Sherring
Wed 30 Jul Barn Owl Monash City Council depot, Ferntree Gully Rd, Notting
Hill
Noisy Miners and Magpies alerted me to a Barn Owl in spotted gums out the
front of the Council`s depot.
Chris Gittins
Swift Parrot La Trobe University Bundoora Campus
Heard the chattering and clinking calls, then saw and heard around 5-10
Swifties in trees next to carpark 8. Good views, but they often flew
between trees and wouldn't settle for long. Reported to Dean Ingwersen.
Owen Lishmund
Little Buttonquail Yetmans Flora and Fauna Reserve
Whilst following a family of White-winged Chough's I suddenly noticed some
movement ahead of me in the scrub. Two Little Buttonquail exploded out of
the leaf litter and took off running into the grass and mallee scrub losing
me very quickly with their camouflage. Only one of the birds flew and it
only took off for a metre or so before returning to the ground and running.
It is the middle of winter so I thought a BirdLine report may be of
interest - however I wonder how many winter birds hang around in the Mallee
as I saw a variety a good numbers of cuckoos whilst in the area also.
James Mustafa, Clancye Milne
Tue 29 Jul Black-tailed Native-hens, Banded Stilts Cheetham Wetlands
(Altona Meadows)
Viewed from boardwalk, Native-hens at first drain along boardwalk and
Banded Stilts feeding in lagoon east of boardwalk.
Colin Mulvogue
Swift Parrot Davey track (northern section) Mandurang block Greater
Bendigo National Park
One Swift Parrot flying south and calling this morning. Two Swifties seen
in the same location, but flying eastwards, last Saturday morning.
Phil Robertson
Beach Stone-curlew Anderson Inlet, Inverloch.
On a cold + blustery day, the Beach Stone-curlew was initially located
hunkered down in the dead trees on the small beach behind Rotary Park along
the Esplanade. It later flew out and walked along the beach and into the
grassed area.
Philip Jackson
Mon 28 Jul Blue-winged Parrot Belchers Lane, Connewarre
At least 310 observed dropping into paddock on private land, near the end
of this lane, before then heading off to roost, late last afternoon (27th
July); see Eremaea eBird=S19232382. Returned this morning, before dawn, to
see many Blue-winged Parrots dropping into same area. Total of at least
350, possibly 400, wheeling about and then dispersing within 1-2 hours.
Thanks to Guy Dutson for originally tip-off of dusk activity of high
numbers of Blue-winged Parrots in the vicinity.
Craig Morley
Ruddy Turnstone Mushroom Reef, Flinders
8 Ruddy Turnstones still present along with 9 Double-banded Plovers, 2
Hooded Plovers and 7 Red-necked Stints. High Tide and plenty of birds
offshore.
Colin Mulvogue
Australasian Bittern, Pink Robin Seaford Swamp
Once a regular at Seaford each winter, this is only about the third record
of Aussie Bittern in last 10 years. Seen hunting frogs (Crinea signifera)
in southern section of wetlands. Pink Robin a probable female (based on
call and bill base colour)- only the third bird recorded in 20 years of
surveys. Also 185 Blue-billed Ducks, the highest number recorded at this
site.
Sean Dooley
Noisy Friarbird Price Park, Viewbank
The bird is still present along Lyon Rd below the toilet block, it's been
there for about a week now if anyone wants to have a look, mostly vocal and
active around mid morning from what I have seen and heard.
Greg Cobern
Olive-backed Oriole Great Alpine Road Tarrawingee
An early return.The birds have been about for a few days now. They usually
arrive here in the middle of August. I have not seen or heard them this
early before. (Moderator's note: the idea that Olive-backed Orioles (and
many other birds we perceived as spring-summer migrants) is not completely
correct with some birds not migrating at all, or birds from further south
being migrants as well possibly in this part of the state. Orioles have
been seen at Chiltern and Killawarra in NE Victoria throughout winter, and
although not as common as in spring some are still around).
Micheal O'Sullivan
Swift Parrots Muckleford
Numbers have increased to approx. 20 birds. Watched them for about an hour
this morning feeding in Sugar Gums.
Debbie Worland
Sun 27 Jul Brolga Western Highway, between Beaufort and Ballarat, near
Brewery Tap Rd.
Two Brolgas approached flying from the south and passed over our car, about
1.40 pm.
Anthea Fleming
Regent Honeyeater Chiltern Box-Ironbark NP
At least 1, possibly 2 birds on Ryans Road. Great views of a banded bird
and fleeting glimpses of a second bird in the same area. (Banded bird had
an orange band - I would be interested in whether this was a captive-bred
individual). Interesting that the several previous recent sightings at this
site were of an unbanded bird. (Moderator's note: the banded bird is
orange/white a captive bred female released in 2010!)
Greg Oakley and Tom Evans
Marsh Sandpiper Western Treatment Plant (Werribee)--T Section Ponds
Saw 2 very worn-plumaged Marsh Sandpipers in the southernmost pond next to
the road at the T-Section Lagoons. I haven't heard of any of this species
overwintering here, & it would be unusual for Marsh Sandpipers to winter
here, so I'm wondering if they could be early arrivals? I can't remember
seeing this species in winter before. Also present hundreds of Curlew
Sandpipers, Red-necked Stints, about 50 Double-banded Plovers, & quite a
few Banded Stilts.
Kevin Bartram, Scott Baker
Crested Shriketit, Grey Shrike-thruah, Golden Whistler etc Western
Treatment Plant (Werribee)
In the late afternoon we found a puddle on the intersection of Point Wilson
& Beach road on the east side with a bit of bird activity. We flushed a
number of birds from the road, including 1 Crested Shriketit, 1 Grey
Shrike-thrush, 1 adult male Golden Whistler, at least 3 Flame Robins. Also
present were Red-browed & Zebra Finches, & Silvereyes. I've never seen the
Shriketit or the Shrike-thrush at the WTP prior to this. Also had
Blue-winged Parrots at the Borrow Pits, heaps of Swamp Harriers, & 1 adult
Spotted Harrier around the Austin Rd area.
Kevin Bartram & Scott Baker
Sat 19 Jul Australasian Bittern Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands--Edithvale
1 adult bird observed in a gap between thick reedbeds standing totally
motionless with its head tilted upwards and in the 10 minutes I observed it
it did not move, it finally flew into some dense reed thickets when a Large
Egret landed nearby. It was near the observation deck in the wetland area
on the left side of Edithvale Rd around 3.30 pm.
Greg Thompson
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