| Sat 28 | | Lewin's Rail and Freckled Duck
The Briars- Boonoorong Hide |
| Lewins Rail heard calling in front of Boonoorong Hide. Heard both "Teck, Teck, Teck" advertising call and squelchy grunt calls. Also single Freckled Duck observed in pond, to left of hide. Further information |
| James Peake 28/2 #222388 |
| Fri 27 |  | Painted Honeyeater, Turquoise Parrot, White-throated Nightjar
Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park |
| Still great birding around Chiltern with lots of mistletoe in flower throughout the park. Great views of feeding Painted Honeyeaters, with single birds seen at both Magenta Mine and Tuan Campground. A group of three Turquoise Parrots was also seen feeding on the ground near the Bartley's Block carpark. A pair of White-throated Nightjars was observed hawking over the dam beside Tuan campground over two consecutive nights just after dusk. |
| Helenna Mihailou 28/2 #222373 |
| | Diamond Dove
North Geelong, Victoria Street in front and backyard of our property. |
|
| My wife Gwen spotted the Diamond Dove in the front yard at 9.30 AM this morning. We both observed dove for several minutes and took photos with our phones. The dove flew off. 5 Minutes later I observed it in our back yard in the vegetable patch. It has been there browsing and sunbacking up to now which is 12.15. I was able to take photos with a proper camera which produced better results. At first we thought it was an escapee but noticed a report up near the Murry River so it opens the sighting up to question. I hope the photo comes out on report. |
| Michael and Gwen Bird 27/2 #222364 |
| Thu 26 | | Oriental Plover
Western Treatment Plant (Werribee) |
| 1 oriental plover about 150 metres into salt marsh to the right of the road before restriction defence department gates. Loosely associating with red capped plovers. Almost 2x the size of red capped plovers with white breast and wide white brow. This is my first time seeing this species since moving to Australia. 2 brolgas and 1 blue-winged parrot also in salt marsh. As encouraged I shall start uploading lists to Ebird soon.
[Moderators' note: This report has been published so that other birders can look for this bird and provide confirmation.] |
| Lachlan Richardson 28/2 #222369 |
| Wed 25 | | Indian Ringneck
St Albans |
| An obviously escaped Indian Ringneck flew overhead at about 3:30 this afternoon. |
| Marc Freestone 26/2 #222357 |
| Tue 24 | | Superb Parrot
Wunghnu |
|
| At least 50 Superb Parrots were seen on the eastern outskirts of Wunghnu this morning at approximately 7:00am. The majority of birds were seen around the woodland at Graham St, most of which appeared to be females and juveniles eBird checklist |
| Tim Nickholds 24/2 #222344 |
| | Diamond Dove
Barmah National Park |
|
| A single Diamond Dove was seen near the Weir at Broken Creek in Barmah National Park this morning. Clear views of both red eye ring and white spots on the wings distinguishing it from the Peaceful Doves it was associating with eBird checklist |
| Tim Nickholds 24/2 #222343 |
| | Cockatiel
Guys Hill Rd, Strathfieldsaye |
| Lone Cockatiel sitting on the power line near corner of Ryalls Lane and Guys Hill Rd.
[Moderator's note: this bird may well be an escapee considering the time of year and location.] |
| Phil Robertson 24/2 #222341 |
| Mon 23 | | Common Sandpiper
Hastings Boat Harbour |
| Sandpiper seen on exposed mud northside of boat ramp. Flew under jetty into mangroves. Low tide and many species of birds on mud. |
| Colin Mulvogue 24/2 #222337 |
| | Grey Goshawk
Pound Road, Hastings |
| Single white morph bird passing through old council depot property. |
| Dan Weller, Grainne Maguire 23/2 #222330 |
| Sun 22 | | Grey Goshawk (White form)
2 Jackson's Hill Road, Menzies Creek |
| Chickens were giving their out of sinc alarm call (reserved for extreme danger). Went down to their cage to see them huddled together in a corner and a white bird flew from the roof of the cage to an overhanging branch. As it landed I realised it wasn't a white cockatoo but a Goshawk. Third sighting in 13 years, previous one had the goshawk bouncing on the wire roof of the chicken's cage.@10.45am |
| Will Ashhburner with Simon Ashburner 22/2 #222320 |
| | White Throated Needletail
Boronia |
|
| Des and Adrienne Palmer 22/2 #222318 |
| Sat 21 | | Myiagra flycatchers and Fantailed Cuckoo
Seal Island, east of Wilson's Promontory |
| 2 flycatchers, best fitting Leaden in worn female and "unworn" female plumage, seen in scattered Shiny Coprosma bushes in mainly tussock vegetation and also hawking for prey in swallow-like fashion in a high shallow vertical-walled gulch on the south coast. With Satin Flycatcher being more likely on passage from Tasmania (but early) and very strong sunlight, I'm not 100% confident of Leaden Flycatcher. Also, immature Fantailed cuckoo flushed from a rock perch in dense tussock grassland and prob Wedge-tailed Shearwater seen at sea west of the island. |
| George Appleby 23/2 #222329 |
| | Swamp Harrier
Serendip Sanctuary |
| Observed a single Swamp Harrier over North Arm section of Serendip Sanctuary around 11:00am. Swamp Harriers are very rarely recorded at Serendip. |
| Paul Dodd & Bill Stent 22/2 #222316 |
| | Painted Honeyeater, Turquoise Parrot, Speckled Warbler, Bush Stone-Curlew
Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park |
| Four Painted Honeyeaters, four Turquoise Parrots and a pair of Speckled Warblers at Bartley's Block. A Bush Stone-Curlew at the Rutherglen Research Station. |
| Chris and Rosemary Lester and Jan Smith 22/2 #222314 |
| | Pectoral Sandpipers, Broad-billed Sandpiper, Peregrine Falcon
Western Treatment Plant (Werribee) |
|
| A total of 6 Pectoral Sandpipers seen today, 2 at Beach Rd Lagoon, 3 at the Western Conservation Ponds, & 1 at the Borrow Pits. 1 Broad-billed Sandpiper seen at the Beach Rd rocks. A nice juvenile Peregrine Falcon seen feeding on the side of the road between Lake Borrie & Little River. A party of Brown Quail at the Little River Ford & Beach Rd gate. |
| Kevin Bartram, Scott Baker 21/2 #222312 |
| | Regent Honeyeater
Marlo |
| Around 0930hrs this morning Jacquie noticed an unusual honeyeater being harassed by a number of Little and Red Wattlebirds as it was drinking and bathing in a birdbath at the front of our house. On closer inspection a male Regent Honeyeater was identified and for the next half hour we had uninterrupted views of it as it began feeding in the flowering Southern Mahogany in front of our balcony. Needless to say a most unexpected observation. Archival data and HANZAB suggest "vagrant" or at best "an irregular visitor" to this area of Far East Gippsland |
| Jacquie and Len Axen 21/2 #222311 |
| | Black-faced Monarch
RJ Chambers Flora and Fauna Reserve |
|
| One very observer-friendly bird, calling, flying around and sittiing on low branches. Along Lyrebird Track near the point where it crosses Toomuc Creek. The Reserve is off Bourke Creek Rd, less than 10 minutes drive from Upper Beaconsfield on the road to Emerald.
Also White-naped, Brown-headed, White-eared and Yellow-faced honeyeaters at the same spot, and three Lyrebirds congeregated on Bourke Creek road on my drive off. |
| Christian Doerig 21/2 #222310 |
| | Australian Spotted Crake
Boardwalk Hastings |
| One female bird seen working the edge of the wetlands, behind the motel along the boardwalk. Not seen here before. |
| S. King 21/2 #222306 |
| Fri 20 | | White-throated Nightjar, Speckled Warbler
Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park |
| Two Nightjars calling along Cyanide Road in the dusk. A pair of Warblers in the picnic ground at Honeyeater Dam. |
| Chris and Rosemary Lester and Jan Smith 22/2 #222313 |
| Wed 18 | | Pectoral Sandpiper, Fairy Tern
Western Treatment Plant (Werribee) |
| Pectoral Sandpiper in Pond 28, very close to track, gave excellent views for ID (bill colours, head shape, eyebrow, breast markings). No sign of the LTS that other have seen here. There were few waders in this pond, only Sharpies and a single Red-necked Stint. 3 Fairy Terns on a small rock in the usual area (a bit further north, still opposite Pond 24). Hundreds of Red-necked stints covering the rocks, plus gulls, oystercatchers, lapwings, etc. A few marsh-type terns as well. |
| Russell Woodford, Judy Roberts-Wray, Brian Cook 21/2 #222305 |
| | Little Eagle
Moonee Valley Racecource |
| A large, light-phase bird leisurely soaring directly over racecourse at around 12:45pm. Quite unusual, I would've thought! |
| John Gray 18/2 #222288 |
| Tue 17 | | Blue-faced Honeyeater
Melbourne General Cemetery |
| Single bird heard and then seen feeding in a tree. Seemed undisturbed by the 3000+ people present at the Melbourne Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday festival going on next door. This is yet another sighting in a long string of sightings from this general part of the Melbourne, Carlton, Royal Park district. eBird checklist |
| James Mustafa 18/2 #222280 |
| | Fluttering Shearwater
Tankerton, French Island |
| Single bird following ferry to Tankerton, 0800 hours. Flying very low to the water, even dipping a wingtip into the water a couple of times. Very few records of this species in Western Port. |
| Chris Chandler 17/2 #222278 |
| | Bassian Thrush
Surf Parade, Inverloch |
| In our bird bath, having a wonderful time.
Also Peregrine Falcon at Shack Bay and a couple of Latham's Snipe on private property near Mahers Landing. |
| Den Crosby 17/2 #222272 |
| | Magpie Goose
Lake Colac Bird Sanctuary |
|
| 3 Magpie Geese feeding in the front corner of Sanctuary. eBird checklist |
| Adam Fry 17/2 #222271 |
| Mon 16 | | Broad-billed Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper
Western Treatment Plant (Werribee) |
|
| 1 Broad-billed Sandpiper seen feeding at the 85W outfall to the NE of the Little River. No band, so not the bird the Wader Study group banded recently. 1 Pectoral Sandpiper at the Western Lagoons. Fairy terns with 4 young juvenile birds around the Beach Rd rocks. |
| Kevin Bartram 16/2 #222264 |
| | Magpie Goose
Barongarook Creek Catchment |
|
| Observed 1 Magpie Goose among 3 Swans on the south side of the Colac/Forrest Rd eBird checklist |
| Adam Fry 16/2 #222261 |
| | Red-capped Robin
Heritage Wetlands, Wonga Park |
|
| A female Red-capped Robin was found at the Henley section of the wetlands near the bridge, loosely associating with Superb Fairy-wrens. Rare locally, most likely blown here by the recent storms eBird checklist |
| Tim Nickholds 16/2 #222256 |
| Sun 15 | | Pallid Cuckoo
Altona Meadows |
|
| Dead bird found on pavement at south side of Central Square shopping centre (adjacent library). Probably collided with building or window while passing through on migration. My first for Hobson's Bay municipality in 8 years of residence. |
| P S Lansley 2/3 #222394 |
| | Long-toed Stint, Pectoral Sandpiper, Red Knot, Spotless Crake
Western Treatment Plant (Werribee) |
| Long-toed Stint and Pectoral Sandpiper seen inside gate 5 in first pond as previously reported, LTS showed well bathing out in open and was first bird i saw. Pectoral Was hiding in the glasswort but once seen was easy to pin point, Red Knots were seen at the Bird hide as the tide receeded wit thousands of other waders, and Spotless Crake was seen in Conservation Pond near borrow pits eBird checklist |
| Philip Peel, Simon Starr, Owen Lishmund +23 other birders 15/2 #222252 |
| | Double-banded Plover
Pond 3, T-Section, WTP |
|
| Single seen at Pond 3 though another had been observed across the road at the same time.
Moderators note: published as this is a still an early arrival date eBird checklist |
| Tom Tarrant 15/2 #222249 |
| | Azure Kingfisher
Organ Pipes National Park |
| Single bird in dry undergrowth. Very unusual perching position. |
| Robert Schaap 15/2 #222247 |
| Sat 14 | | White-throated Needletail
Elsternwick Golf Course |
|
| What a spectacle! From about 2:30pm to 3:45pm over 50 swifts could be seen wheeling around the golf course, often below tree height. Their shadows zipped over the lawns and there was an audible whoosh as they passed. |
| Gio Fitzpatrick 14/2 #222234 |
| | Pilotbird
Dandenong Ranges National Park |
|
| On the track to Sherbrooke Falls, about 200m from the Sherbrooke Forest car park.
(Apologies for the quality of the picture, the light was very poor --included just to ascertain species identification) |
| Christian Doerig 14/2 #222233 |
| | White-throated Needletail
Reservoir |
| 15-20 birds lowish over my place for a few minutes at 3:30pm. |
| John Gray 14/2 #222232 |
| | White-throated Needletail
Gresswell Forest Nature Conservation Reserve |
|
| A small flock of about six were observed at midday flying over houses and then over the Reserve before disappearing in the distance. |
| Reza Mohammed 14/2 #222230 |
| Fri 13 | | White-throated Needletails
6km north of Alexandra, Victoria |
|
| About 10 White-throated Needletails sighted in front of an approaching storm. They stayed around for about 10 min and then disappeared. |
| Julee Hosking 25/2 #222349 |
| | White Throated Nedletail
Anglesea Heath |
| 200+ flying in heavy rain no2 road Anglesea Heath. Feeding on swarming termites |
| Garry Cheers 14/2 #222237 |
| | Brolga
Koreans Bridge Nagambie |
| Two Brolga at a small dam in a dry paddock on the Naambie - Kirwans Bridge rd |
| Alisa Bunbury and Stuart Dashper 14/2 #222229 |
| | Spotless Crake, Latham's Snipe, Freckled Duck
Mill Park Lakes |
|
| Visited the Lakes at around midday with great views of Latham's Snipe and Freckled Duck in the 'middle lake' as well as an immature Spotless Crake.. Also present were Royal Spoonbill, Shoveler, Black-winged Stilt and the regulars. |
| Jason & Jo Caruso 13/2 #222227 |
| | white-throated needletails
Murroon |
| approx. 12 wt needletails flying towards the storm and rain in the distance, quite low |
| Brett Roberts 13/2 #222226 |
| | white-throated needletails
Malvern East |
| 6:30pm a dozen birds flying at a few hundred feet high at intersection Waverley and Burke Roads following direction of a storm front. |
| Fiona Parkin 13/2 #222223 |
| Thu 12 | | Topknot Pigeon
Mitchell River National Park |
| Group of at least 8 Topknot pigeons seen on Mitchell River walking track between Angusvale and Rock Creek camping areas. |
| Anthea Stubbs 24/2 #222342 |
| Wed 11 | | Indian Peafowl
Bullock Road, French Island |
| Half a dozen birds seen at the northern end of Coast Road. |
| Marc Freestone and Tom Schmidt 11/2 #222205 |
| | Common Koel
Mangan's Hill, eastern outskirts of Lilydale |
| About 11.20am, heard a male Koel call four times, coming from further up the hill. Treed suburbia, mix of Messmate/ Long-leaved Box and garden exotics. |
| John Bond 11/2 #222204 |
| | Rufous Fantail
Distillery Creek pond, Aireys Inlet |
|
| Early morning visit with many bush birds coming in waves. |
| Ian McConchie 11/2 #222193 |
| Mon 9 | | Masked Owl (1), Pacific Swift (6)
Bunyip State Park |
| Single Masked Owl located around 11.00pm. At least 6 Pacific Swift seen along Gembrook-Tonimbuk in the later afternoon heading North with White-throated Needletail. eBird checklist |
| James Mustafa & Leo Skowronek 10/2 #222185 |
| | White-headed Pigeon
Berwick, Akoonah Park |
|
| In our backyard this morning at 08:30, looking for seeds in the feeder. Then took off to Akoonah Park, just across the road.
First time we see this species in the area since we arrived 3 and a half years ago! |
| Guillaume and Christian Doerig 9/2 #222184 |
| | Long-toed Stint, Pec Sand
Western Treatment Plant (Werribee) |
| Both birds on same rock with a Sharpie in Beach Rd Gate pond.
Black Falcon on Beach Rd
40+ White-wing Terns on Con Ponds
13 Freckled Ducks on Borrie
Banded Lapwings on Beach Rd have chicks |
| Dave Torr, Christine Shelley, Iian Denham, Mark Buckby 9/2 #222183 |
| | King Parrot, Female
Wonthaggi |
| Seen in Graham St this morning, an unusual bird for this neck of the woods. |
| Terry Allen per Deb Crosby 9/2 #222178 |
| Sun 8 | | Long-toed Stint, Pectoral Sandpiper
Western Treatment Plant (Werribee) |
|
| The Long-toed Stint was eventually spotted tucked away behind some grasses, keeping company with two Sharp-tailed Sandpipers and one preening Pectoral about 6pm. Well away from the main groups of Red-necked Stints and Sharpies. I managed a few shots before a Swamp Harrier swept in and put the entire pond up in fright... perfect timing! Beach Rd pond, Port Phillip Bay side. eBird checklist |
| Michael Gooch 9/2 #222180 |
| | Long-tailed Jaeger-2
Port Fairy Pelagic |
|
| 2 birds seen together on the edge of the continental shelf. Seen several times, both in flight & on the sea. Diagnostic light upperparts contrasting with black trailing edge, pale shaft streaks on base of upper primaries, small compared to near by Flesh-footed Shearwaters, dark underwing with no pale bases to primaries, long tail, but neither had elongated central feathers beyond the rest of the tail etc. Also very good numbers of Flesh-footed Shearwaters, & White-faced Storm-petrels, 1 Buller's Albatross. |
| Kevin Bartram, Scott Baker, Neil McCumber 8/2 #222173 |
| | Square-tailed Kite
Eltham |
| Adult flying north east over Eltham town centre |
| Danny Rogers & Wendy Ryan 8/2 #222167 |
| Sat 7 | | White-throated Nightjar
Bunyip State Park |
| White throated nightjar, dead at side of road, probably struck the night before. On the Gembrook-Tonimbuk road, 150 M east of the Tynong North Rd junction. |
| Giles Daubeney 8/2 #222169 |
| | Koel
Barrabool Rd Belmont |
| heard and observed at about 7pm, |
| brett roberts 7/2 #222158 |
| | White-throated Needletail
Highbury Park, Burwood East, Vic |
| Very humid with storm clouds. Two birds only at 6.20pm flying North.
No further birds by 6.45pm. |
| Graeme Hosken 7/2 #222155 |
| | Square-tailed Kite
5km NW of Bairnsdale |
| 1 bird hunting over orchard trees, near Mitchell River. In heavy wing moult. |
| Roger Bilney 7/2 #222147 |
| | 3 Wood Sandpipers, Australian Spotted, Baillons and Spotless Crake
Dandenong Valley Wetland |
|
| There are currently 3 Wood Sandpiper together at the Dandenong Valley Wetlands. They are located in the ponds adjacent to the concrete path that runs from the footbridge over Dandenong Creek to the Service Centre on Eastlink. Other species being seen regularly in the same area are Australian Spotted Crake, Baillon's Crake and Spotless Crake. |
| Luke Shelley 7/2 #222144 |
| Fri 6 | | Nankeen Night Heron
Lake Weeroona, Bendigo |
|
| Reports of NNH nesting on the creek side of the small island at Lake Weeroona. Up to four adult birds and as many juveniles sighted. Photograph attached. |
| Barrie Cooper via Adrian Martins 11/2 #222197 |
| | Marsh Sandpiper
Cairn Curran Reservoir, Joyce's Creek |
| Single bird feeding in shallows under Railway Bridge |
| Geoff Park 7/2 #222157 |
| Thu 5 | | Fork-tailed Swift
Greater Bendigo National Park |
| A single bird floated leisurely overhead in clear skies with little wind in the vicinity of Shadbolt's Picnic Ground. |
| Sean Dooley 6/2 #222137 |
| | Greater Crested Tern (2)
Melbourne |
| Two birds flying around and fishing with Silver Gulls from Southbank in the Yarra. eBird checklist |
| James Mustafa, Clancye Milne 6/2 #222135 |
| Wed 4 | | Scaly-breasted Lorikeet
Ventnor Common, Phillip Island |
|
| A well-disguised Scaly-breasted Lorikeet was observed feeding in a profusely flowering Eucalypt on a corner of Ventnor Common. We last recorded a pair near here in June 2011. The more usual Rainbow and Musk Lorikeets were also around. |
| Alan and Hazel Veevers 5/2 #222131 |
| | Crested Pigeon
Rhyll |
| First time we have seen a Crested Pigeon on Phillip Island. Lone pigeon on grass land above Rhyll yacht club.
Moderators note: There are only a few previously published records of Crested Pigeon on Phillip island, |
| Sally Whitehead 5/2 #222122 |
| | Brolga
Lake Murphy |
| Quick stop over to observe Brolga pair on the north side of Murphy. Also pair of White-bellied Sea Eagle, Whistling Kite, Brown Falcon and Swamp Harrier. Plenty of water fowl, minimal waders with exception of Black Winged and lesser number of Banded Stilt. |
| Adrian Martins 4/2 #222113 |
| | Square-tailed Kite
private property, Earlston |
| One adult flying over Green Mallee patch this afternoon. Also hearing 1-3 Bush Stone-curlews calling near house most nights at the moment |
| Doug Robinson 4/2 #222112 |
| | Freckled Duck ( 1 ) , Pink Eared Duck ( 1 ) Blue Billed Duck ( M + F + 4 hatchlings )
Lakewood Reserve , Knoxfield |
|
| Des Palmer 4/2 #222107 |
| | Brolga
Blackwood Lake, Penshurst (restricted access) |
| Over 100 Brolga at the 'lake' this morning visible from from Woolsthorpe Rd. |
| Jane Hayes, Susan Mason, Mollie Herrmann 4/2 #222105 |
| Tue 3 | | Cape Barren Goose
Overpass Road, French Island |
| 273 feeding on short pasture. This is the largest flock recorded on French Island. This paddock is where the largest flocks are usually seen, the previous biggest being about 160. |
| Chris Chandler 8/2 #222166 |
| | Peregrine Falcon
Quarry Hills Bushland Park |
| One Peregrine Falcon flying low and in circles around the power lines (near Bradman Terrace Gate). |
| Aleks Arsoski 3/2 #222093 |
| | Freckled Duck, Blue-billed Duck
Lake Murphy |
|
| 8 Freckled Ducks, 14 Blue-billed Ducks, a Musk Duck and 2 White-bellied Sea-eagles among the sightings this morning. eBird checklist |
| Malcolm Cousland 3/2 #222092 |
| | Long-toed Stint, Pectoral Sandpiper
Western Treatment Plant--Beach Rd Boat Ramp (restricted access) |
|
| Long-toed Stint seen with Sharp-tailed Sandpipers. Also one Pectoral Sandpiper seen in the same pond area. Best viewable from the Port Phillip Bay side of the "wader pond" to the right inside Gate 4. Good scope views of the Stint (but mediocre photos). |
| R. Bruce Richardson, Carol Lynn Richardson 3/2 #222088 |
| | Grey Goshawk
Ringwood North |
| Single Grey Goshawk first heard and then seen flying over houses and then into Norwood Reserve. Have almost expected to see this species in this area. Still a good record for such a built up suburban area. White phase. A pair of gang-gang flying around also of note. |
| James Mustafa 3/2 #222087 |
| | Lewin's Rail
Kororoit Creek Mouth (Williamstown North) |
| Skulking in mangroves opposite the "fishing huts" off Maddox St. Also Caspian Tern on the mudflats |
| Dave Torr 3/2 #222086 |
| Mon 2 | | White-belled Sea Eagle x 2
Yarra Flats Billabong (Yarra Glen) |
| An adult pair were on the edge of a drying up dam opposite the Yarra Flats Billabong. Not far from the road, I was able to pull over and have a quick look through binoculars without disturbing them too much. Maybe they were down to drink or catch some easy Carp? |
| Greg Cobern 2/2 #222084 |