| Sun 9 |  | Beach Stone-CurlewGreat Otway National Park (Point Franklin) |
| Found the Beach Stone-Curlew on the rocks at the point.
Was very obliging allowing quite close approach for photos. |
| Warren and Cheryl Palmer 9/3 #216613 |
| | American Golden PloverPoint Cook Coastal Park |
|
| After walking along beach from skeleton creek, we came across the 17 pacific golden plovers on the rocks just east of the cheetham wetlands car park, 1 lone american golden plover was seen on its own about 20 metres towards the homestead, was able to get some average identification shots (picture attached) before heading around to let the other birders know it was not near the homestead. Bird seen well for a good 3 or 4 minutes and was able to ascertain the large white eyebrow and the definite splotching on the breast, such a beautiful bird |
| Philip Peel 9/3 #216611 |
| | Square-tailed KiteKangaroo Flat, 5696 - Calder Hwy |
| The bird was spotted out the car window only a hundred meters from the road and very low flying. Rufousy red belly, lighter wing colours, light tail with black line and "square-tailed" observed by all 3 birders. |
| James Mustafa, Owen Lishmund, Steve Lishmund 9/3 #216602 |
| | Beach Stone-Curlew, Hooded PloverCape Otway Lighthouse |
| Beach Stone-Curlew in its previously reported place (about 300 m east along the beach on the rock platform at the Point east of the access point from the Point Franklin car park - note that it is about 500 m from the car park to the beach access point). Also, 4 Hooded Plovers, including one juvenile, on the beach and 3 Shy Albatrosses and 2 Black-faced Cormorants off the beach. Lots of White-throated Needletails and a few Fork-tailed Swifts and a Beautiful Firetail with a Rufous Bristlebird calling. |
| Chris and Rosemary Lester 9/3 #216601 |
| Sat 8 | | Song Thrush, Nankeen Night HeronRoyal Melbourne Zoo, Parkville |
|
| A single bird under bushes near the Great Flight Aviary. Juvenile Nankeen Night Herons in various locations including one beside the pond in the Elephant enclosure. |
| Nick Talbot 9/3 #216597 |
| | Rufous FantailBelgrave Heights |
| Single bird seen in private garden flitting between trees and occasionally onto ground. |
| Andrew Williams 8/3 #216592 |
| | Black Falcon (possibly 8!), Little Wattlebird, Pectoral Sandpiper.Western Treatment Plant, Werribee |
|
| A great day for hawks at Werribee, with 10 species recorded. Highlight was number of Black Falcons. It is hard to say exactly how many I saw, but I saw 1 at T-section lagoons, 1 on the fence near the Little River crossing, 1 on the ground just east of Avalon Airport on Beach Rd, 3 together soaring and catching insects, probably dragonflies with around 10 Black Kites & 2 Australian Hobbies & 2 seen together with more Black Kites along the Geelong Road about 2 kilometres west of the first Werribee turnoff. I'd say I had at least 5-6 birds! Also 1 Little Wattlebird seen on the Point Wilson Rd, the first I've seen in the farm, also heard Striated Pardalote at same spot. 1 Pectoral Sandpiper in back pond of T-Sections. Other highlights were White-bellied Sea-eagle, Black-tailed Godwit (85W), Spotted Harrier (T-Sections), Kestrel (west of Avalon Airport), 1 Banded Stilt at Walsh's Lagoon. |
| Kevin Bartram 8/3 #216591 |
| | Grey GoshawkLinton |
|
| Seen in the Linton township on the south side of the Glenelg Highway in between the sports oval and the divided section of the main street. |
| Rowan Mott 8/3 #216583 |
| | Gull-billed Tern (race affinis)Stockyard Point, Westernport Bay |
| Reasonably large flock of gull-billeds that I accidentally flushed when I got too close. Eventually found the race affinis tern that was most noticeably petite in size and the only bird in non-breeding plumage. Exciting to find after dipping twice last week. Mud and conditions made approaching the birds very difficult. Around 30 gull-billed's |
| James Mustafa 8/3 #216580 |
| Fri 7 | | Noisy FriarbirdTalbotville |
|
| Around a dozen noisy friarbirds feeding on mistletoe on a eucalyptus in the clearing at Talbotville on the Crooked River north-west of Dargo. |
| Bob Carter 9/3 #216614 |
| | Cattle Egret, Nankeen Night Heron, Eastern Great EgretLillydale Lake |
| Two Cattle Egrets observed coming into roost in dead trees about 7.30pm. One of the birds was in full breeding plumage. An early escape from the kids perhaps...... seeing as they don't breed down this way.
Also a NNH and EGE were seen in a drying pond near the car park. 3 State or Federally listed species in the one trip, not bad for a lake in the middle of suburbia surrounded by walkers, dogs etc.
However, none of these were my bird-a-day, that was a Striated Thornbill :-) |
| John Harris - Wildlife Experiences 9/3 #216603 |
| | Spotlless CrakeCurdies River near Boggy Creek boat ramp |
| A pair of this species seen at very close range. |
| Trevor Lumb 7/3 #216570 |
| | Beach Stone-Curlew Great Otway National Park (Point Franklin) |
| At 1pm today located the bird approximately 300 metres east of car park.
Bird was resting near driftwood. Very placid BSC unperturbed by us taking photographs from less than 20 metres away. Best approach is to park at Pt Franklin car park then walk east along beach toward Parkers Hill. Also 4 albatross very very close to rocks gliding around fishing ketch attending nets. |
| Hedley and Irena Earl 7/3 #216563 |
| Thu 6 | | Rufous fantailWoodlands Historic Park (Greenvale) |
|
| Three rufous fantails observed just south of the dam in Somerton Road. Must be migrating through again as they did last year.
Not sure if photo came through on previous report so am repeating the notification. |
| Richard Arnold 6/3 #216534 |
| Wed 5 | | Lewin's Rail, Southern Emu-wren, Hoary-headed Grebe, Azure KingfisherFrenchs Narrows, Marlo, East Gippsland |
|
| Lewin's Rail (1) foraging near bridge on north side of lagoon. I have seen one here before, once only, on a similar dull day years ago.
Southern Emu-wren (2) at least two seen, including one adult male. Near bridge.
Hoary-headed Grebe (8) swimming on brackish lagoon close to beach, seemed to be collectively herding fish close to the bank. A Silver Gull was attending and also grabbing at fish as the grebes brought them close to water's edge. 2 in breeding plumage, rest in non-breeding.
Azure Kingfisher (1) near bridge, seen twice. Sometimes landed on handrail and dived into very shallow water from there. Full list on eBird. Further information |
| Janine Duffy 8/3 #216576 |
| | Beach Stone-curlewPt Franklin, Cape Otway |
|
| Seen at Pt Franklin and the rock shelf to the east on 3, 4 & 5/3. Southern Emu-wren and Striated Fieldwren also seen in area. |
| Frank Pierce 6/3 #216537 |
| | Sacred KingfisherLismore township |
| One perched on power cable into a house. An uncommon bird in this area. |
| Bob Hughes & Tom Fletcher 6/3 #216531 |
| | Blue-billed DuckLake Rosine, near Cressy |
| Hundreds still present, difficult to count distant birds mixed in with Coot. |
| Bob Hughes & Tom Fletcher 6/3 #216530 |
| | American Golden PloverBeach west of Point Cook Homestead |
| Along with a small group of birders already at the site, we had beautiful observations of the AGM, amongst approximately six Pacific Golden Plovers and a few Red Necked Stints. This was approximately 11.30 am to 12.15 pm. Very satisfying after three previous failures. |
| Trevor Lumb, Warwick Remington, Warren Palmer 6/3 #216528 |
| | American Golden PloverPoint Cook Coastal Park - beach west of Homestead |
| The AGP was still present today at 1:45pm in amongst the rocks furthest west of the Homestead. Seven PCGs, a single Greenshank and a mixed flock of RNS and Curlew Sands were also present along the foreshore. |
| Paul Rose 5/3 #216524 |
| | Blue-billed DuckEastwood Golf Course, Kilsyth |
| A male and two females by dam next to first green surrounded by Pacific Black Ducks. |
| David Spicer 5/3 #216523 |
| | Freckled DucksEynesbury Forest and Grasslands |
| 9 Freckled Duck counted on the ornamental lake. Thanks to Nora Peters for the heads up. Further information |
| Chris Lunardi 5/3 #216521 |
| | Freckled DuckWoodlands Industrial Estate, Braeside |
| On the most northerly pond, viewed from Redwood Drive, there were at least 43 Freckled Duck (more may have been obscured by one of the islands in the pond). |
| Sean Dooley 5/3 #216519 |
| | Black Falcon, Blue-billed DuckYan Yean Reservoir |
| 1 Black Falcon flew south along dam wall. Many more Blue-bills than 2 weeks ago (now 100+) although there are thousands of bird on the east side too far away to identify. Presumed to be Coot and Hardhead. Further information |
| Andrew Corrick 5/3 #216517 |
| | Blue-faced HoneyeaterRoyal Park, Parkville |
|
| Heard calling from a tree opposite the main zoo entrance around 12.30 today, near the sports oval, and found the bird. Just had time for an id photo before it flew off towards the zoo grounds. |
| John Daniels 5/3 #216515 |
| Tue 4 | | White-faced Storm-Petrel Frankston |
| Bird found dazed in carpark and released same night. |
| Kim Croker 5/3 #216513 |
| | Ruff (Reeve), Pectoral Sandpiper, Red KnotT-Section Lagoons, Western Treatment Plant |
|
| Reeve seen at pond 3 in the T-Section Lagoons, it's getting bits of motley breeding plumage on it. 1 Pectoral Sandpiper in same lagoon. Highlight was around 50 Red Knots in the middle lagoon next to the road. I can't recall seeing this many Red Knots at Werribee, not for a long time anyway. Also 11 Freckled Ducks seen at south-west Lake Borrie Pond, next to the Beach Rd Lagoon. |
| Kevin Bartram 4/3 #216504 |
| | Black HoneyeaterWoodlands Historic Park (Greenvale) |
|
| Following reports from Con Baltas & Phillip Peel I went off to find the Black Honeyeaters at Woodland HP & found them rather easily around the reedy pond at the front entrance as said in previous reports. I can add that I saw 2 males (as seen in photo) & 1 female type. I may have even seen 3 males at 1 stage. Also saw an immature Shining Bronze-cuckoo. |
| Kevin Bartram 4/3 #216503 |
| | White-throated NeedletailSwan Lake, Phillip Island |
| Three birds observed flying above the canopy in the foresty section directly out of the car park at swan lake, Phillip island. Flying over as a trio, no more birds were observed through the visit or the day. |
| James Mustafa 4/3 #216500 |
| | American Golden PloverPoint Cook |
| Seen today, same location, most western rocks ( west of the homestead) with 16 Pacific Goldens. Seen between 2.00 and 3.00 pm which was about 3 hours after low tide. |
| Simon Starr, Tim Bawden 4/3 #216499 |
| | Black Honeyeater Woodlands Historic Park (Greenvale) |
|
| Following report from yesterday, went to the somerton road carpark and inspected the little dam. After an hour i was able to locate 3 black honeyeaters, one male ( photo attached) and 2 female/juveniles in different plumage colouration. All 3 were sitting in the 2 black wattle just north of the dam bank. Able to watch them preen themselves for a good 3 or 4 minutes before losing them into the larger River Red Gums |
| Philip Peel 4/3 #216491 |
| Mon 3 | | Spotted HarrierBuchan-Orbost Rd at -37.7091185,148.3978164, East Gippsland |
| single adult Spotted Harrier flew over low, giving good views, before disappearing over levee. At time there were loads of Welcome Swallows, Tree Martins and a few Fairy Martins insect-hunting like crazy over the farmland. Clouds of small midge-like insects everywhere. Harrier didn't appear to bother the swallows at all, they kept foraging without interruption. |
| Janine Duffy 8/3 #216577 |
| | Hooded RobinTerrick Terrick National Park |
| Surprising number of Hooded Robins seen. We saw them at 5 locations within the park. Quite a number of juveniles seen, which indicates that they have nested within the park. |
| Murray Chambers & Ian Mayo 4/3 #216501 |
| | Black Honeyeater Woodlands Historic Park (Greenvale) |
|
| At about 4.00 pm this afternoon, a lone Black Honeyeater came down to drink at the small reedy pond near the main car park / BBQ area of the park. ( This pond still has a bit of water left in it ). Bird appears to be a first or second year Male. |
| Con Baltas 3/3 #216488 |
| | Rainbow LorikeetSeymour |
| Sixteen Rainbow Lorikeets atop a dead ironbark across Wimble Street from my home. These birds were rare in town until a few years ago; this is the largest flock I've seen here. Further information |
| Val La May 3/3 #216476 |
| Sun 2 | | Western GerygoneBababi Djinanang /Jukes Rd Grassland, Fawkner |
| In woodland plantings south of fenced grassland around midday. Very confiding, singing and approaching closely to a large group of people. |
| Brian Bainbridge 7/3 #216564 |
| | Rainbow Bee eatersBobinawarrah |
| Flock of approx 20 birds hawking for insects and roosting in the trees. first sighting of the Rainbow birds at our property for almost 20 years. Only stayed around for about 1/2 to 3/4 hr. |
| Carl Fraser 6/3 #216532 |
| | Black FalconWest of Picola |
|
| A pair of Black Falcons seen perched in an eucalypt. One flew off, but the other was very tame & let me get right under it. |
| Kevin Bartram 4/3 #216505 |
| | 9 Raptor species in two hoursRowsley Valley near Bacchus Marsh. |
| Sighted Little Eagle, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Spotted Harrier, Brown Goshawk, Collared Sparrowhawk, Black Kite, Whistling Kite, Nankeen Kestrel and Brown Falcon in an incredibly exciting drive up the Rowsley Valley. |
| Horsham BirdLife Group with David Whelan and Bernie McRitchie 3/3 #216489 |
| | Broad-billed Sandpiper, Double-banded PloverWestern Treatment Plant, Werribee |
| 2 Broad-billed Sandpipers and 3 Double-banded Plovers In the last pond of the Western Lagoons (at the Murtcairn outlet) pond almost dry. |
| Angus Hartshorn 3/3 #216475 |
| | Black Honeyeater, New Holland HoneyeaterKillawarra Forest |
| A lovely evening in the forest with a touch of autumn in the air now. At least 15 Black Honeyeaters recorded at 3 sites in the forest. Birds were seen hawking insects and foraging in flowering mistletoe. A New Holland Honeyeater also seen on North West Lane, a very odd bird here. Only seen once here before in the forest, and today it was in exactly the same tree as I saw it before! Also seen a couple of darker, buff-breasted Grey Fantails which were probably early Tasmanian arrivals. A pair of Turquoise Parrots, a few White-browed Woodswallows (most are gone now), a White-throated Needletail and two White-throated Nightjars after sunset were also some great birds to round off the evening. Further information |
| Michael Ramsey 2/3 #216470 |
| | Red-backed KingfisherMurray Valley Highway between Rutherglen and Yarrawonga |
| Single bird seen perched and then in flight along the Murray Valley Highway between Rutherglen and Yarrawonga near the turnoff to East Peecheelba |
| Tim Bawden 2/3 #216463 |
| | Square-tailed KiteTrentham Railway Station |
| One bird circling around near tree rows to the north of the old railway station in Trentham, c11am. Regular in Trentham/Blackwood area, but not common. |
| Lawrie Conole 2/3 #216461 |
| Sat 1 | | Beach Stone-curlewMotts Beach, Marlo |
|
| The Beach SC was on the inlet at 1930 hrs directly below the viewing platform from the Conran road just past the Motts Beach carpark. Very flighty and soon flew west toward the river mouth. Managed a shot. |
| Steve Davidson 1/3 #216446 |
| | Pilotbird, Cicadabird, Spotted Quail-thrush Mt Samaria State Park |
| Pilotbird heard then seen in thick understorey by the Mt Samaria Rd near the summit. I have visited Mt Samaria many times and this is my first record of this species here. Cicadabird also heard calling, somewhat late now. Great views of a female Spotted Quail-thrush as well by the road up to the summit. Further information |
| Michael Ramsey 1/3 #216443 |
| Fri 28 | | Black FalconCornishtown Rd, NW of Chiltern |
| Single Black Falcon seen from the roadside, perched in tree in cleared paddock |
| Alan Collins, Mark Newman & John Graff 3/3 #216484 |
| | Black HoneyeaterChiltern-Mt Pilot National Park (Bartleys Block) |
| 2 females seen around the northern half of the block. Not certain how unusual this is with them turning up all over Victoria at the moment |
| Mark Newman, Alan Collins & John Graff 3/3 #216483 |
| | Cape Barren Geese Mornington East |
| A pair of Cape Barren Geese feeding in a farm paddock located in the NW corner of the Bungower Road - Moorooduc Road intersection. The dam in this paddock is always worth observing as it also attracts Magpie Geese at times. First time that we've observed Cape Barren Geese at this location. |
| Keith & Judy Humphreys 28/2 #216438 |
| | Ground ParrotFrenches Narrows, Marlo |
| I flushed from edge of reeds/samphire. |
| Alex Kutt via Lawrie Conole 28/2 #216436 |
| | Beach Stone-curlewFrenches Narrows, Marlo |
| One BST observed this afternoon by extremely experienced observer. |
| Alex Kutt via Lawrie Conole 28/2 #216435 |
| Thu 27 | | New Holland HoneyeaterChiltern Mt Pilot National Park (Bartleys Block) |
| Single bird feeding in the trees around the gate at the entrance of the block. |
| Mark Newman, Alan Collins & John Graff 4/3 #216496 |
| | Spotted Quail-thrushChiltern-Mt Pilot National Park (Old Coach Rd) |
| 1 cracking male seen well along Old Coach Rd in a relatively rocky area just east of the turn-off to the Reference Area |
| Alan Collins, Mark Newman & John Graff 3/3 #216485 |
| | (Possible) Blue-winged ParrotChiltern-Mt Pilot National Park (Bartleys Block) |
| A single bird flushed from the ground in woodland along Bartleys Track, off to the NW of Bartleys Block itself. Very distinct blue line above lores, yellowish lores below blue line. Blue in wing not especially extensive but within range for Blue-winged . (Ed note. verification needed: very rare at this location, and similar to Turquoise Parrot.) |
| John Graff 3/3 #216481 |
| | Grey FantailsSorrento |
| A large number of Grey Fantails were in my garden for a short time. As I live 650 metres from Bass Strait I assume they had just arrived from Tasmania. |
| Val Ford 2/3 #216447 |
| | American Golden PloverPoint Cook homestead |
|
| Single American Golden Plover in company with two Pacific Golden Plovers around 3:30 pm (ie, fours after high tide on westernmost rocks past the homestead. thanks Paul D and Ruth W) |
| Dave Dickson 28/2 #216432 |
| | Fairy Prion(dead), Double-banded PloverBlack Rock Reserve, Barwon Heads |
| 1 beachwashed Fairy Prion, 1 Double-Banded Plover. Also 1 Ruddy Turnstone and 30 Golden Plover on the rocks and beach |
| Angus Hartshorn, Colin Foreman 28/2 #216424 |
| | Pectoral Sandpiper, Broad-billed SandpiperWestern Treatment Plant, Werribee |
|
| A good day at WTP. Located a single Pectoral Sandpiper in the easternmost of the Western Lagoons, which only has a small pool of water remaining. Searched for a considerable time in T-section lagoons, but no Pectorals or a Ruff. However, plenty of Marsh Sandpipers and Greenshanks and some nicely coloured Curlew Sandpipers. Also found a single Broad-billed Sandpiper roosting with Red-necked Stints just inside Gate 2. Several non-breeding Double-banded Plovers and one coming into breeding plumage seen in both T-section and Western Lagoons. |
| Ian Miles, John Hill, Graeme Wood (photo) 27/2 #216420 |
| | Double-banded PloverWestern Treatment Plant, Werribee |
|
| Single bird seen on Western Lagoons. A number of Red-capped Plovers were also present |
| Richard Arnold 27/2 #216419 |
| | Great Knot, Red knot, Ruff and Double-banded PloverWestern Treatment Plant, Werribee T-Section Lagoons, middle pond |
| With the company of several keen birders we managed to sort out 2 or 3 Great Knots with their larger bodies and longer bills from the Red Knots and other roosting waders in the middle pond. The Ruff was feeding for the most part in the same pond. A couple of DBPs feeding on the muddy fringes. |
| Hedley Earl 27/2 #216417 |
| | Asian Gull-billed TernStockyard Point, Westernport Bay |
|
| As reported by Tim last weekend there is an Asian Gull-billed Tern (race affinis) consorting with a large group of regular GBT (race macrotarsa) at Stockyard Pt. The bird was seen again this morning with 73 Gull-billed Tern on a rising tide. Smaller size and finer bill are obvious when compared to other GBT. Also there were 166 Far Eastern Curlew, a Whimbrel, 55 Aus. Pied Oystercatcher and 5 Caspian Tern. As I was walking back I also flushed a Lewin's Rail from under a lone mangrove out on the mud. |
| Steve Davidson 27/2 #216416 |
| Wed 26 | | Scarlet HoneyeaterMt Lonarch (between Beaufort & Amphitheatre), private property. |
|
| Two female or juvenile Scarlet Honeyeaters feeding on two successive days in flowering Drooping Mistletoe on Yellow Box, with other honeyeaters. Frequent 'squeaking' calls. |
| Ann and Bruce McGregor 28/2 #216431 |
| | American Golden-PloverPoint Cook Coastal Park |
|
| Following up previous sightings and tips from other birders we found the bird on the rocks in the coastal park close to the homestead. First observed on its own, we flushed it to the further western rocks where it joined a group of 20+ pacific golden plovers. Very average iPhone scoped photo attached. |
| James Mustafa, Owen Lishmund 27/2 #216411 |
| Tue 25 | | Plumed Whistling DuckPlenty Gorge Park (Hawkstowe Park) |
|
| Group of 9 Whistling Ducks parked on the bank of the north-east lake. Only there for a day and moved on. |
| Ron Spencer 7/3 #216559 |
| | Black HoneyeaterWirrate, west of Nagambie, Vic |
| Two males observed sallying for insects from atop a tall dead tree in the warm evening stillness. Follows on from my sighting of two females two days earlier |
| Manfred Ruff 26/2 #216402 |
| | Wood SandpiperBraeside Park |
| Located late this evening feeding with Sharp-tailed Sandpipers. Viewed from platform on southern ponds along Governor Rd side. |
| Mel Mitchell & Joy Sanderson 25/2 #216398 |
| | Common SandpiperRacecourse Rd crossing of Kororoit Creek, Altona |
| In my experience Common Sandpiper has become a most uncommon species in the Melbourne area, This being my first sighting for some years. (This is a regular and well know spot for this species in Melbourne but we published it to inform the biridng community it is still at this locaton). |
| Richard Nowotny 25/2 #216396 |
| | Freckled Duck Kennington Reservoir, Bendigo |
| 52 Freckled Ducks sighted this morning at 8:30. |
| Phil Robertson and Richard Hodgson 25/2 #216386 |
| Mon 24 | | White-throated Needletail North of Benambra |
| Close to one hundred heading NW. |
| Steve Berry 25/2 #216399 |
| | Rufous FantailLower Glenelg National Park (Moleside) |
| A short walk into the forest from picnic area at Moleside provided a good 30mins of superb fantail watching. It was heard calling first, sounding very much like the alarm call of New Holland HE but on return to camp shelter we were rewarded with excellent views of a Rufous Fantail. |
| Samantha & Marlene Greiner 25/2 #216395 |
| Sun 23 | | Grey TealWinton Wetlands |
| Though not a rare species approximately 10,000 were seen in long lines hundreds of metres long in the drying Winton Swamp. Further information |
| Michael Ramsey 25/2 #216397 |
| | Black-faced MonarchBurnt Bridge, on Toorloo Arm near Lake Tyers |
| A group of four birds, including at least one juvenile being fed by an adult. |
| Ian & Jill Wilson 25/2 #216387 |
| | Black HoneyeaterWirrate (west of Nagambie) |
| Female bird observed on two separate occasions on same day feeding on flowering Mistletoe in Ironbarks |
| Manfred Ruff 25/2 #216383 |
| | Pectoral SandpiperWestern Treatment Plant, Werribee |
|
| After having dipped a few times in the past ten days, big thanks to the gent with Kev yesterday - Scott Baker(?) for calling me over to finally get my eyes on a Pectoral Sandpiper! |
| Michael Gooch 24/2 #216377 |
| | Pectoral Sandpiper (6)Western Treatment Plant, Werribee |
|
| Obviously lots of Pecs around! We found 6 birds around the farm: 2 at Western Conservation Ponds, 1 at Paradise Rd feeding in the flooded grass next to the road, 1 at Beach Rd Lagoon, & 2 at T-section Lagoons, one in the middle pond next to the road & the other on the end pond which overlooks the saltmarsh. Also Brown & Stubble Quail on the track between the T-Section ponds & the 29 Mile Rd, a few dark morph Arctic Jaegers chasing gulls at the eastern end of the farm & Beach Rd area, 5 Brolgas, 1 Black-tailed Godwit in 85W pond & 1 juvenile Peregrine in same area. Plenty of White-winged Black Terns around. |
| Kevin Bartram, Scott Baker, Merv Marsh 24/2 #216373 |
| | Beach Stone-curlewPoint Franklin, Otways |
|
| Rock platform between Pt Franklin and Parker River inlet. 1 individual seen. Sighted at around 9 am. |
| Michele Kohout 24/2 #216361 |
| | Banded LapwingWestern Treatment Plant, Werribee |
|
| Although not uncommon at WTP, it was great to see 19 Banded Lapwings together at Western Lagoons. I have never seen them here before and were showing very close views. They were located on the right hand side as you enter the gate(the short road in the middle of the ponds, not the one that goes by the fence line). |
| Bernie OKeefe and Glen Pacey 23/2 #216350 |
| | Pectoral Sandpiper, Ruff, Red Knot, White-winged Black Tern, Black FalconWestern Treatment Plant (T-Section Ponds) |
|
| A wonderful morning at T-Section this morning showing Glen Pacey our great WTP. Highlights included a very obliging Pectoral Sandpiper, a Ruff, a couple of Red Knots, White-winged Black Terns and a Black Falcon. These birds were all seen in the pond on the immediate left hand side of Pond 7. |
| Bernie OKeefe and Glen Pacey 23/2 #216349 |
| | Powerful OwlNelson Place, Williamstown |
|
| The previously reported Powerful Owl is still present in the plane trees outside the BAE offices in Nelson Place (to the east of the police station and Parks Victoria offices). |
| Paul Dodd & Ruth Woodrow 23/2 #216348 |
| | American Golden PloverPoint Cook Coastal Park |
|
| We located the (probable) American Golden Plover on the westernmost rocky point near the homestead. Seen about 4 hours after high tide. Photograph shows the bird with two Pacific Golden Plovers for comparison. |
| Paul Dodd & Ruth Woodrow 23/2 #216347 |
| | Black HoneyeaterGlenrowan West |
| A pair foraging in flowering mistletoe. |
| Kate Daniel 23/2 #216344 |
| | Singing HoneyeaterBoundary Gully, Moolort Plains |
| Single bird in mature Buloke (with flowering mistletoe) beside Carisbrook to Baringhup Rd. My first observation on the plains. |
| Geoff Park 23/2 #216343 |
| | Buff-banded RailYaringa marina, south wall (Tyabb/Somerville) |
|
| Around 2.45pm today I was sitting on the edge of the southern hardstand wall of the marina (which drops down to a muddy/tidalwater canal) when a BB Rail appeared out of nowhere and soon disappeared again into the undergrowth. I went to my car to get the camera and looked for it on the other side/underneath of the bushes. It stood around long enough for me to grab a couple of (not very good shots). This area is full of rats so I hope it doesn't hang around too long. I haven't seen one here before, nor did I expect to see anything other than the numerous Indian Miners. |
| Snez Plunkett 23/2 #216342 |
| | Intermediate EgretBraeside Park |
|
| A single Intermediate Egret showing yellow upper legs and plumes on front, together with up to 6 Great Egrets and a single White-necked Heron (for ready size comparison); located in ponds along Governor Rd at southern end of the park. No Wood Sandpiper seen this morning, but still more than 20 sharpies present. |
| Mel Mitchell and Joy Sanderson 23/2 #216337 |
| Sat 22 | | Black KiteDrysdale Resource Recovery Centre |
| Took a load of rubbish to the tip, while unloading I noticed a large number of Black Kites flying around. I counted 23, but sure there was more in another area not open to the public. |
| Peter Bright 24/2 #216378 |
| | Gull-billed Tern, Far Eastern Curlew, WhimbrelStockyard Point, Westernport Bay |
| Although a regular site for these species, reported for significant Victorian numbers. 42 Far Eastern Curlew came in on a rising tide. At least 60 Gull-billed Tern in breeding plumage aside from a single non-breeding bird that was noticeably smaller and finer with just a small smudge behind the eye - be worth a followup as possibly race affinis |
| Tim Bawden 24/2 #216362 |
| | Bar-tailed GodwitPort Phillip Bay (Mud Islands Reserve) |
|
| Leucistic Bar-tailed Godwit seen on Birdlife Bayside outing |
| Arthur Carew et al 23/2 #216332 |
| | Commom SandpiperHastings Pier |
| The bird was actually on the pier paddling and pecking about in a little pool of water. |
| Brian Thomas 23/2 #216330 |
| | Banded Stilt, Ruff, Freckled Duck(20)Western Treatment Plant, Werribee |
| 2 Banded Stilt in Walsh's Lagoon, first on the plant for some time. Ruff on T-section Pond 6, and up to 20 Freckled Duck out on Lake Borrie No 9 on the western edge of the dead trees. Also a small party of Striated Pardalote at the beginning of Paradise Rd was a sign that autumn is not far away. |
| Steve Davidson - The Melbourne Birder 22/2 #216322 |
| | Australian Ringneck Parrot. Lynnwood Parade Lower Templestowe Vic |
| Single bird. Appears to be a male in good condition. 1930 hours EDST. Eating flower seeds in our backyard. Moving freely on branches and ground. Not injured. Not sick. Many lorikeets feeding at the same time. No photo.
Appears to be Race Zonarius (Port Lincoln Parrot) because no red frontal band over the bill nostrils. Well defined blue primaries. Well defined yellow chest. Black head. Yellow collar. Could not distinguish dark blue cheeks because of fading light.
First time I have seen this bird species. This is my first sighting report. |
| Russell Lee 22/2 #216321 |
| | American Golden PloverPoint Cook Coastal Park |
|
| One American Golden Plover located amid 11 Pacific Golden Plovers at Point Cook. The bird was located after following the track down to the beach from the tower at Cheetham Wetlands. Once on the beach, we turned right and found the bird on the point a few hundred metres up.It was great that Glen saw the bird after he travelled down from QLD especially. |
| Bernie OKeefe and Glen Pacey 22/2 #216319 |
| | Little Eagle Banyule Flats Reserve |
| Little Eagle seen overhead again about 10.30 am by members of Birdlife Melbourne Beginners outing.
Also single Latham's Snipe, single Red-kneed Dotterel, at least eight Black-fronted Dotterels (some immature), three Straw-necked Ibis. Also several Chestnut Teal, c. 5 Black Duck, one Wood Duck, two Silver Gulls, three Laughing Kookaburras, Welcome Swallows.
Little Corellas, Sulphur-crested Corellas and one pair of Galahs passed over.
Water very low in Swamp. |
| Anthea Fleming 22/2 #216317 |
| Fri 21 | | White Welcome SwallowWestern Treatment Plant, Werribee |
|
| In previously-reported location. Easly spotted in flight where it is frequently harassed by other swallows. Image compares this leucistic with a normally-coloured bird. |
| Mal Kidson 23/2 #216336 |
| | Powerful OwlNelson Place, Williamstown |
|
| Thanks to Steve "The Owl Whisperer" Davidson for the notification of the owl's roost which enabled me to get a new lifer!
I'm not sure if I can get half a tick for the decapitated Cormorant? ;) Thanks Steve. |
| Michael Gooch and Louise Nicholas 23/2 #216334 |
| | White-fronted Honeyeater, Black Honeyeater, Shy Heathwren, Chestnut-rumped HeathwrenJilpanger Nature Conservation Reserve |
| All along Sudholzs Road north of the Wombelano-Douglas Road. White-fronted Honeyeater - 2 seen, others heard. Black Honeyeater - 1 male seen. Shy Heathwren - 1 seen. Chestnut-rumped Heathwren - 2 seen together. The Shy Heathwren was less than 1km north of the 2 Chestnut-rumped Heathwrens. They also occur in similar close proximity in Mt. Arapiles-Tooan State Park about 20 km further north. |
| Steve Clark 21/2 #216312 |
| | Plumed Whistling DuckWoolshed swamp near Boort |
|
| |
| Malcolm Cousland 21/2 #216311 |
| | Arctic JaegerSeaholme Beach |
| Arctic Jaeger harassing gulls beyomnd the rocks at the east end of the beach at 4:30pm. |
| Colin Clark 21/2 #216310 |
| Thu 20 | | Little EagleBanyule Flat |
| A little eagle over billabong. Also a cockatiel on wires near the silos (unknown provenance), just one snipe left on main wetland. |
| Richard Loyn 21/2 #216308 |
| | Pectoral SandpiperLake Colac |
|
| There were 5 birds together but they took off before I could work out what they all were. Definitely not Sharp-tails. With a longer slightly curved bill and a distinctive border line across the breast from dark brown streaked head and dark throat to mid breast then completely white bellow. I got this photo. |
| Adam Fry 20/2 #216302 |
| Wed 19 | | Erect-crested PenguinThe Skerries, East Gippsland |
|
| Single bird observed on the rocks within the seal colony. A single Little Penguin also observed. |
| Tony Mitchell 24/2 #216366 |
| | Crested PigeonGreensborough Secondary College oval |
| Large flock (at least 120) feeding on Greensborough Secondary College oval. 10 yreas ago they were a rare sighting around here; they have gradually become more common and now their numbers far exceed the Spotted Doves with which they compete. |
| Peter Bennet 20/2 #216301 |
| | Peaceful DoveMallacoota Airfield |
|
| Was walking the perimeter fence of the airfield when I heard the familiar call of a peaceful dove. Very flighty and didn't stay for long. |
| Nick Bradsworth 20/2 #216295 |
| | Magpie GooseThoona |
| Two birds feeding in a stubble paddock along Jones Road. Possibly the last two remaining birds of the old Corowa colony. |
| Bill & Jackie Morecraft 19/2 #216291 |
| | Grey Goshawk (White Phase)Nelson, Victoria |
| Observed a White Goshawk flying towards me on the edge of a small flock of Galahs, then breaking away from them before disappearing into treetops. I presume this is one of their hunting tricks where they camouflage themselves in a flock of similar size birds to approach prey. |
| Trevor Lumb 19/2 #216289 |
| | Square Tailed KiteQuarry Hill, Bendigo |
|
| Single bird flying over our house 5.00pm today. Our house is in the middle of the Quarry Hill residential area and we observed this bird for 10 minutes hunting low over tree tops in and amongst the houses.
We did see it also last Saturday over the Quarry Hill golf course but got no photos. Last month seen 4 times in this are which suggest it may be roosting at QHGC where the back 9 holes are closed. |
| Janice and Greg McKay 19/2 #216285 |
| Tue 18 | | White Welcome SwallowSouth Rd, just west of 85W pond, Western Treatment Plant |
|
| Had nice views right next to my car of this odd, but beautiful-looking swallow. When I first saw it thought it was a Fairy/Little Tern, but obviously too small. |
| Kevin Bartram 19/2 #216281 |
| | Pectoral Sandpiper (4), Wood Sanpiper (3), Black-tailed GodwitWestern Treatment Plant, Werribee |
|
| Western Conservation Ponds looking really good, finally some edge showing & some birds feeding in the grass, mainly in the western of the 2 main ponds. 3 Pectoral Sandpipers, 2 in the western pond, 1 in the eastern & 3 Wood Sandpipers. A further Pectoral Sandpiper was seen on the Beach Rd Lagoon, making 4 for the day. 1 Black-tailed Godwit seen at the 85W pond. Also a juvenile Peregrine Falcon seen west of the 85 W pond. |
| Kevin Bartram 19/2 #216278 |
| | Southern Emu-wrenTootgarook Swamp, Boneo |
| Seen at two locations whilst conducting a survey on private property at southern end of Tootgarook swamp. Very rarely seen, this may be the only place on the Mornington Peninsula where they still exist. |
| Val Ford & BirdLife survey participants 19/2 #216271 |
| | Wood SandpiperBraeside Park |
| Single bird observed on edge of pond. Upperparts brown marked with buffish-white spots particularly on wings; head faintly streaked with a prominent eyebrow. Underparts white with breast marked buff. Legs longer than nearby Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, yellowish-brown. Straight blackish bill. When flushed white rump seen. A small amount of head bobbing and teetering only, unlike that of the Common Sandpiper. Have seen this species in Papua New Guinea in the 1970's |
| Matthew Heron 18/2 #216267 |
| | Common SandpiperGlenelg River 4 km upstream from mouth of River near Nelson. |
| A single bird bobbing furiously. Allowed approach within 2 metres from boat. Have seen this species around here before, always favouring very rocky areas. Also Azure Kingfisher present along river. |
| Trevor Lumb 18/2 #216262 |
| | African Collared-Dove (Barbary Dove)Newport |
| 1 bird seen on its on sitting on the power lines closest to the JT reserve. ID'ed from dark black beak and the obvious ring at the back of the neck - also pure whitey/grey unlike the spotted dove. Flushed the bird from the power lines and it landed in a tree in JT reserve. |
| James Mustafa 18/2 #216258 |
| Mon 17 | | Ruff (Reeve)Western Treatment Plant, Werribee |
| Found the Reeve in Pond 7 - T-Section lagoons after considerable searching . Seemed most interested in feeding in "knee" deep water alongside Curlew Sandpipers in the southwest corner. Birds quite flighty and once flushed tend to spend considerable time in the centre of the lagoon, making identification very difficult. After some time, they tend to disperse within the lagoon again. |
| Paul Rose 18/2 #216260 |
| | Ruff, Pectorlal SandpiperLake Leaghur |
| One of each recorded on this drying lake |
| Malcolm Cousland, reported by Simon Starr 17/2 #216255 |
| | Brolga, White-bellied Sea EagleTaylor's Lake Reserve |
| Two adult Brolga and one Juvenile seen at southern end of lake.
Two adult White-bellied Sea Eagles seen near nest - one was feeding on a carp on the bank. |
| Tim Mintern and Ian Morgan 17/2 #216254 |
| | Freckled DuckLake Natimuk |
| At least 300 Freckled Duck seen mainly on west side of lake. |
| Tim Mintern 17/2 #216253 |
| | Black Honeyeater, Rainbow Bee-eaterYou Yangs Regional Park |
| A good morning in the eastern flats area (and adjacent fields). Clear views of single male Black Honeyeater on the last stretch of Toynes Rd before the eastern park boundary (perhaps the same one reported yesterday). Many Rainbow Bee-eaters seen in different locations with 15-20 also seen circling together at one time. Also Rufous Songlark, White-browed Woodswallow, Diamond Firetail, raptors, cuckoos - great morning. |
| Michael Noble 17/2 #216249 |
| | DollarbirdOld Bridge Heathcote-Nagambie Rd near Nagambie |
| A Dollarbird perched high on the top of a dead tree on the edge of the billabong and hawking for dragonflies. Further information |
| Margaret & Richard Alcorn 17/2 #216246 |
| | Powerful Owl'Birremathool', Bailieston |
| While camping overnight we were woken by the distinctive 2 note call of a Powerful Owl. Earlier we had heard several long screeches which may indicate that the bird was a juvenile. Birremathool is a Trust For Nature covenanted property of remnant and regrowth Box Ironbark woodland to the west of Nagambie. Further information |
| Margaret & Richard Alcorn 17/2 #216245 |
| | Hooded PloverMouth of Powlett River near Kilcunda |
| 2 adults with 2 chicks right at mouth of river. |
| Steve Blume 17/2 #216243 |
| Sun 16 | | Black HoneyeaterYou Yangs Regional Park |
|
| At the top of a dead branch in Gravel Pit, quite a distance away. A series of photos were taken and although heavily cropped together they showed all features. |
| Gaham Dixon 17/2 #216257 |
| | Pacific Golden Plover, Sooty Oystercatcher.Barwon River Estuary |
| Lots of birds actively feeding among the basalt rocks at low tide (7:00pm). 30+ Golden Plover, 3 Sooty Oystercatchers, 400+ Red-necked Stint. 120+ roosting Crested Terns, Australasian Gannet diving, plus cormorants and Pacific Gulls. Earlier in the day, a massive flock of Short-tailed Shearwaters could be seen out to sea. |
| Barry Lingham and Geelong FNC group. 17/2 #216256 |
| | Azure KingfisherWilson Reserve, Ivanhoe |
| 1 Azure Kingfisher seen at about 11.30am. First seen on dead tree in middle of Yarra River, then watched for 5-10 mins as it perched and dived before moving upstream out of view. |
| Emma Bond 17/2 #216232 |
| | 8 Whimbrel,1 Eastern Curlew,60 Bar Tailed GodwitRhyll Inlet, Phillip Island |
| |
| Des and Jeremy Palmer 16/2 #216223 |
| | Sanderling (480+), Ruddy Turnstone (60), Freckled DuckBelfast Coastal Reserve, Killarney |
|
| Over 480 Sanderling seen on rocky point approximately 2km east of Killarney Beach today near end of Basin Track; thjs is a significant number for Victoria. Also there was a flock of 60 Ruddy Turnstone. T'was a magnificent sight to be sure as the birds then all drifted past us in dribs and drabs to commence feeding back west along the beaches towards Killarney Beach.
In the lagoon back on the corner of Mahoneys Rd & Basin Track was a trio of Freckled Duck, several Pink-eared Duck and heaps of Shoveler amongst the scads of other waterfowl. |
| Steve Davidson - The Melbourne Birder 16/2 #216218 |
| | Black-eared CuckooMoranghurk via Lethbridge |
| At a Birdlife Bellarine outing to above property an adult Black-eared Cuckoo, seen by all eight of us, was seen actively feeding in and around the eucalypts. |
| Peter Bright, et al 16/2 #216219 |
| | Welcome swallow whiteWestern Treatment Plant, Werribee |
|
| The leucistic white welcome swallow is still at the WTP. Seen today on 280 Sth rd at the second gate after you enter the restricted area.
Also numerous Cape Barren Geese and 3 Brolgas. |
| Greg and Janice McKay 16/2 #216210 |
| | Black HoneyeaterYou Yangs Regional Park |
| It was a small honeyeater with black head and wings and a narrow black front with white sides. A white underside to tail, a black tail. A characteristic bill, down curved but a subtly different shape than other honeyeaters. I observed it for about 5 minutes from a distance of about 4 meters (I got slowly closer to about 3 meters) it was in the top of a dead tree about 3 meters high so was not masked by branches or foliage. (Ed note: at the end of summer (especially a long hot one such as this one) Black Honeyeaters can disperse widely, for example there are quite of number of sightings in the box-ironbark forests on NE Vic at present and one was reported at Newstead recently as well, this sighting in the drier woodlands of the You Yangs would seem to fit with the current dispersal of this species so keep an eye out in drier woodlands, especially where there are flowering gums or mistletoe). |
| Angus Hartshorn 16/2 #216208 |
| | Southern Boobook, Collared SparrowhawkMoonee Ponds Creek, Strathmore Heights - near Strathnaver Grasslands |
| Southern Boobook being mobbed by Red Wattlebirds, Collared Sparrowhawk plucking a still dying Spotted dove, all around 9 am along the creek. |
| Greg Hunt and Carolyn Layton 16/2 #216200 |
| Sat 15 | | Pomarine JaegerBreamlea end of Bancoora Beach |
| Harassing Crested Terns briefly before settling on the water presumably to indulge in whatever the Terns were on to - a number of Gannets soon arrived to join in. |
| Dale Tonkinson 17/2 #216234 |
| | (Possible) Bridled Tern, White-throated Needletial, Tree MartinBreamlea end of Bancoora Beach |
| Late morning. Loose flock/s low over the waves of 50++ Welcome Swallows with a scattering of Tree Martins and a dozen or more White-throated Needletails at least 400m offshore for 20-25 minutes. Amongst them all appeared a small-medium sized tern with deeply forked tail, mostly dark head and dark grey-brown upperwing. The bird twisted and turned for 15-20 seconds, apparently pursuing something Jaeger-like but the only other bird nearby was a Needletail. A later review of Field Guides suggested either an immature Roseate Tern or a Bridled Tern with a leaning toward the latter due to asuggestion of a dark trailing edge to the underwing. Neither ID could I countenance until I saw Jenni Milligan's report/photo from the other end of the beach! |
| Dale Tonkinson 17/2 #216233 |
| | Fork-tailed SwiftPt Cook |
|
| 50+ overhead in loose flock provided great views, ~11:00, Homestead. Very warm and humid conditions. Many birds were quite vocal. Photos by David. Also numerous Tree Martins in vicinity and low number of Welcome Swallows. |
| Craig Morley, David Tytherleigh, Rob Ganly. 16/2 #216212 |
| | Black HoneyeaterCemetery Road, Newstead |
| Five birds observed near the cemetery. Good views by all observers.
For Bruce Donaldson and the Woodend Birders. |
| Roger McGlashan 16/2 #216209 |
| | Powerful OwlNewstead |
| Two birds observed, one with a possum in it's talons. At a day roost on the banks of the Loddon River.
For Bruce Donaldson and the Woodend Birders. |
| Roger McGlashan 16/2 #216206 |
| | Bridled TernBlack Rocks end of Bancoora Beach. |
|
| |
| Jenni Milligan 15/2 #216195 |
| Fri 14 | | Blue- billed DuckBaxters Wetlands (Wonthaggi) |
| 2 Male b-b d's 2 pairs of Australian Shovelers + 1Royal Spoonbill doing their things at Baxters Wetlands. |
| RohanBugg 16/2 #216198 |
| | Marsh Sandpiper, Latham's Snipe Cussen Park, Tatura |
|
| With Anne Finlay. One Marsh Sandpiper feeding near dotterels and stilts. Weather muggy and smoky. Impressive numbers of teals, lapwings, dotterels and stilts. 15 Latham's Snipe. Further information |
| Val La May 15/2 #216184 |
| | Pink Eared DuckBelmont Common |
| Observed a lone pink eared duck 3 times recently at Jerringot at the back section of the wetlands. It isn't the same one that I've observed multiple times at Balyang. I haven't seen it at this location before |
| Jade Craven 15/2 #216183 |
| | White-throated NeedletailGlen Waverley |
|
| Flock of easily 50+ White-throated Needletails were circling around our residence in Glen Waverley near Scotchman's Creek trail at 6pm tonight. Flock slowly moved further east over about half an hour. |
| Nick Bradsworth 14/2 #216178 |
| | White-throated NeedletailYarra Organics / Petty's Orchard, Templestowe |
| At 2.30pm a flock of more than 100 Needletails was seen circling low on the east side of Petty's Orchard, near the Yarra River, in Templestowe, Victoria. The day was warm and calm with a thick cover of cloud and smoke haze. |
| Merrilyn Serong 14/2 #216175 |
| | Wood SandpiperWestern Treatment Plant, Werribee, T Section |
|
| This beautifully graceful sandpiper was observed mid afternoon at the northern most end of pond 4. This is a great location for anyone needing a close photo of this species. |
| Hedley Earl 14/2 #216171 |
| | White-headed PigeonWillis Avenue, Marlo |
| A White-headed Pigeon was observed quietly perched on power lines near the intersection of Argyle Parade at 1635hrs today. |
| Len Axen 14/2 #216170 |
| | Beach Stone-curlew (update)Mots Beach |
| No confirmed sighting of the Beach Stone-curlew has occurred since last Sunday when smoke filled cloud and ash descended on Marlo and areas immediately to the east. Smoke haze has continued throughout the week with visibility at times down to 300m along the coastline. Scoping every day has failed to find the Beach Stone-curlew. Locating it further east along the coastline around Mallacoota remains a possibility with a number of suitable locations in the area. |
| Len Axen 14/2 #216169 |
| Thu 13 | | White-throated NeedletailWatsonia |
| Heaps of Needltails around the 4-4.30 mark in the afternoon, some coming very low. About 50-100 seen, but proabably more |
| Kevin Bartram, Katrina Bragge 14/2 #216165 |
| | Lewin's Rail, Latham's Snipe, Pink-ared Duck Liverpool Rd Retarding Basin Kilsyth South |
| Lewin's Rail, 2 Latham's Snipes, 2 Pink-eared Ducks and 2 Black-fonted Dotterels |
| Sophie and Des Palmer 13/2 #216160 |
| | Freckled DuckKennington Reservoir, Bendigo |
| 32 Freckled Ducks feeding this afternoon. Fantastic sight to see them all upending with pointy bums in the air.
|
| Phil Robertson 13/2 #216159 |
| | Australian MagpieTram Road, Sunbury |
|
| Leucistic Magpie. |
| Chad Browning 13/2 #216158 |
| | Fork-tailed (Pacific) SwiftWilby |
| A loose flock associating with Tree Martins quite low over the garden and nearby reserve. The second record this week, on Sunday there was a flock of 4 birds. Further information |
| Michael Ramsey 13/2 #216157 |
| | Grey Goshawk (white morph)Jan Juc |
|
| Great Ocean Road, bird waiting for a bus |
| Geoff Gates 13/2 #216151 |
| Tue 11 | | Scaly-breasted LorikeetViewbank |
| Two flew into conifer trees near pony club. Musk and rainbow lorikeets common as usual, also heard little lorikeets. |
| Richard Loyn 21/2 #216309 |
| | Diamond FiretailSunday Creek |
| Early morning 6.30 am having a cup of tea watching the birds in an aviary. One just coloured diamond firetail landed on the wire fence not three feet from me. Answering the call of Diamonds in the cage. This is only the third time in twenty years that I have seen a Diamond Firetail at Sunday Creek, Broadford |
| Wayne Osland 20/2 #216299 |
| | Wood Sandpiper, Ruff (Reeve), Pectoral Sandpiper, Black-tailed GodwitT-Section Lagoons, Western Treatment Plant |
|
| The first large lagoon is running hot at the moment with heaps of bird to go through. In the south-east corner I had great views of Wood Sandpiper, 1 Pectoral Sandpiper & the Reeve. The Black-tailed Godwit was in the middle of this pond. Also half a dozen White-winged Black Terns. Had 2 Brolgas on the track running along the spit on the most easterly of the Western Lagoons. Almost ran over a Stubble Quail next to the Austin Rd Lagoon on the 29 Mile Rd. |
| Kevin Bartram 12/2 #216143 |
| | American Golden PloverCheetham Wetlands (Altona Meadows) |
|
| Thanks to the keen eyes of Hedley Earl, the suspected American Golden Plover was found and photographed. The small party of Pacific Golden Plovers and the lone AGP were found in the saltmarsh of the left hand side after entering the gate from the tower. |
| Bernie O'Keefe, Hedley & Irena Earl 12/2 #216142 |
| | Olive-backed Oriole29 MIle Rd, Point Wilson |
|
| One first immature bird seen twice & photographed |
| Kevin Bartram 12/2 #216141 |
| | Pink-eared Duck, Red-kneed DotterelCoolart wetlands, Somers |
| Pink-eared Duck have been seen in ones and twos since July 2013. Nov, Dec, Jan saw them increase in numbers peaking today at 52. Only seen here intermitently before in very small numbers with one breeding record.
5 Red-kneed Dotterel |
| Brian Thomas 11/2 #216132 |
| Mon 10 | | Square-tailed KiteKings Billabong |
| One adult Square-tailed Kite was seen soaring over Black Box woodland near the levee of the Nature Walk , near the main billabong. It was sunny with a light breeze. Its head was very white in the sunlight. Photos were taken and analysed to confirm the sighting. A raptor expert was consulted, who also confirmed the observation. |
| Pauline Follett & Jayna Podgorski 16/2 #216211 |
| | Rufous FantailMount Samaria State Park |
| Single bird seen along the Wileman Track near Camphora campsite. An unusual sighting for us this far north in the ranges. |
| Bill & Jackie Morecraft 11/2 #216124 |
| | Welcome SwallowWestern Treatment Plant, Werribee |
|
| Leucistic white Welcome Swallow near gate 8. I'm sure I saw two separate ones unless it flew 500 m. |
| Lachlan Manley 10/2 #216121 |
| | Freckled DuckBendigo: Kennington Reservoir |
|
| 17 Freckled Duck on receding eastern shoreline. Dispersed to deeper water into two groups when approached. Also 15 Pink-eared Duck, 4 Chestnut Teal, 12 Little Black Cormorant, 1 Great Egret and several other waterbird species. |
| Adrian Martins 10/2 #216120 |
| | Australian PratincoleMirranatwa Hall Wetland |
| Single bird actively hunting along dry swamp edge closest to Mirranatwa Hall, keep watch on for approx’ 10mins until magpie and mudlark ‘tiggy’ scared it further into the wetland. Knocked me socks off as I was about to leave after counting up all the White-faced Herons, Grey Teal, Magpies, Swans, Masked Lapwings and Shelduck. Also present two Brolga. |
| Samantha Greiner 10/2 #216109 |
| Sun 9 | | White-browed Woodswallow You Yangs |
| I went for dawn chorus walk around the east flat at the Youi's (my old stamping ground) Sunday morning and came across a flock of 50+Wbws and 3 Rainbow Bee-eaters. On the way back to my car the
Woodswallow flock flew east out over the paddocks. I also came across 3 Diamond Firetails 1Jacky Winter and 1 Restless Flycatcher. |
| Rohan Bugg 10/2 #216115 |
| | Fork-tailed SwiftBeaumaris |
| Adding to all the reports, at least seven birds over Beaumaris before the change arrived. |
| Sean Dooley 10/2 #216110 |
| | Oriental Plover Cheetham Wetlands (Altona Meadows) |
|
| Same bird as reported earlier seen later in afternoon. Quite nicely coming into breeding plumage. |
| Kevin Bartram, Scott Baker, Tim Dolby & Merv Marsh 10/2 #216108 |
| | Fork-tailed SwiftCanadian/Ballarat East |
| 8 struggling hard against strong NE winds prior to the wind change around 7.30 am. |
| Dale Tonkinson 10/2 #216105 |
| | Fork-tailed SwiftPhillip Island |
| Hundreds moving north and east before the change - sample count of 250 in 20 mins plus one needletail |
| Guy Dutson 10/2 #216102 |
| | Fork-tailed SwiftSerendip Sanctuary |
| At least 12 seen around 8:30am in front of the first weather front that moved through. Our first record of this species for Serendip. |
| Paul Dodd & Ruth Woodrow 9/2 #216101 |
| | Spotless CrakeBegola Wetlands, Ocean Grove |
| 3 Spotless Crakes on the mud beside the island in the main lagoon, 1 on beach side, 2 on town side. Also 8 Latham's Snipe well out in the open. Further information |
| Russell Woodford 9/2 #216100 |
| | Fork-tailed SwiftClaremont St, Mount Eliza |
|
| At least 20 in front of the wind change from a northerly to a south-westerly at 12:10 today. New for the house list! |
| Stuart Cooney 9/2 #216094 |
| | Lewin's RailMt Eliza Regional Park on Balcombe Creek tribuatory |
|
| Three birds (2 seen, additional 1 heard) in a little, puddley, drainage line leading to Balcombe Creek. |
| Stuart Cooney 9/2 #216093 |
| | Oriental Plover, suspected American Golden Plover, Fork-tailed Swift.Cheetham Wetlands (Altona Meadows) |
|
| Birdlife Survey for Melbourne Water. Oriental Plover seen very well, appears to be moulting into alternate plumage. Suspected American Golden Plover also seen well, with 29 Pacific Golden Plover. 450+ Fork-tailed Swift seen from 8am onwards over Pt Cook & Cheetham, last seen around 11. |
| Steve Davidson & David Richardson 9/2 #216091 |
| | Fork-tailed SwiftSanctuary Lakes Estate at Skeleton Creek Ford |
|
| A small flock of swifts came in very close to enable detailed photos this morning despite the brutal hot northerly winds. Photos takes from the boardwalk. |
| Hedley and Irena Earl with Bernie O'Keefe 9/2 #216088 |
| | Fork-tailed SwiftMcCrae |
| 100+ in a number of groups from 10:00-10:20. All flying ENE (ie from Rosebud towards Dromana) parallel to the coast 0 to 300m inland. Warm (30ish) at the end of a heat wave. Brisk northerly (45km),partly clear sky, patchy cloud. BoM forecasting a SW change within a couple of hours. |
| Russell Thomson 9/2 #216080 |
| | Black KiteAllanvale, Alexandra |
| One black Kite circling overhead with a Wedge Tailed Eagle. 1st recording on this property in 20 years of records, and a rare visitor to this district. |
| Bob Tate 9/2 #216079 |
| | Fork-tailed SwiftLake Colac |
|
| 8:45am Driving along the dirt track off the Corner of Flaxmill Rd and Clark St. Suddenly noticed maybe 100 swifts hawking their way along the lake edge. |
| Adam Fry 9/2 #216073 |
| | Spotless Crake, Fork-tailed SwiftJerringot wetlands, Belmont, Geelong |
| x2 adult Spotless Crakes observed in rapidly drying main pond. One directly opposite bird hide, other along Barwon Heads Rd margins. At least 6 Fork-tailed Swifts overhead at various altitudes in considerable wind. |
| John Newman 9/2 #216065 |
| Sat 8 | | OspreyGipsy Point |
|
| Bird seen perched in dead tree just north of boat jetty on Genoa River at end of Mattsson Street. Dark stripe through eye clearly seen. Bird took off and chased a White-necked Heron. In flight could see barring on wings, and clearly an Osprey |
| Martin Maderthaner 9/2 #216090 |
| | Black-tailed Godwit, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Glossy IbisLake Connewarre Wildlife Reserve (Reedy Lake) |
|
| 1 White-bellied Sea-Eagle, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 63 Great Egrets, 12 Glossy Ibis, 13 Magpie Geese and 6 Marsh Sandpipers highlights among the many wetland birds seen from Moolap Station Rd approach to Reedy Lake at Moolap Geelong |
| John Newman, Craig Morley, David Tytherleigh 9/2 #216064 |
| | Spotless CrakeBanyule Flat |
| One adult Spotless Crake feeding in open at grotty pond (small pond near playground). Main wetland drying rapidly: 10 Latham's Snipe feeding far from cover, also 2 Red-kneed Dotterels, many Black-fronted Dotterels, a Yellow-billed Sponbill, etc. |
| Richard Loyn 8/2 #216063 |
| | Fork-tailed SwiftOcean Grove |
| Near top of Bonnyvale Road in Collendina. 76 Fork-tailed Swifts in a 45 minute period from 6.45 pm, mostly in the first 20 minutes. Ahead of storm front after 35º day.
I'm about 1 Km inland, and most of the birds were overhead or a little towards the coast, so it's possible there were higher numbers beyond my view along the coastline. |
| Russell Woodford 8/2 #216059 |
| | Fork-tailed Swift, White-throated NeedletailMarengo |
| > 100 Fork-tailed Swifts over Marengo bay and adjacent streets between 1230 and 1600 hrs, much vocalisation. Previous day there were 30-40 White-throated Needletails in the same area. |
| Andrew Isles per Peter Menkhorst 8/2 #216057 |
| | Oriental Plover, Fork-tailed SwiftCheetham Wetlands (Altona Meadows) |
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| Previously reported Oriental Plover found by Scott and Michael on a nearly dry mud pan north of Skeleton Creek. 15+ Fork-tailed Swifts overhead. |
| Scott Baker, Michael Healey, Tim Bawden and James Mustafa 8/2 #216056 |