On the way over from Wilby I was very surprised to find a Bush Stone-Curlew by a small Red Gum woodland near Nathalia. Close to Mathoura, just over the Murray River near Barmah were a pair of Emu feeding by the road and many Long-billed Corellas.
As soon as I arrived at the reed beds (5 minutes east of Mathoura) the excitement began right away. I could hear an Australasian Bittern booming and hundreds of ibis, Great Egret and Nankeen Night Heron were streaming overhead, probably heading out into the flooded forests to feed from their nest sites. A few Intermediate Egrets were also seen and an Australian Little Bittern was also heard giving its weird croaking call. Bush birds were about as well with Southern Whiteface, Fan-tailed Cuckoo and White-winged Triller highlights. Great Crested Grebes which were here last time, were also still about, still with young. Swamp Harriers, Dusky Woodswallows, Little Black and Little Pied Cormorants were also some other birds breeding.
Intermediate Egret (red bill) and young Swamp Harrier in the background.
Royal Spoonbills were also breeding at the reedbeds.
A drive to Picnic Point was worth it for a female Leaden Flycatcher in willows by the Murray River. By Pollys Bridge at Mathoura itself, Dollarbird, Red-browed Finch, Buff-rumped Thornbill, Crested Shrike-tit and Azure Kingfisher were some nice sightings.
Red-browed Finch on seeding grasses.
Immature Dollarbird. Note the dull, not red bill.
On the way I stopped at Barmah and had a great, close sighting of a Nankeen Night Heron of which I managed some great photos.
This Night Heron was very close.
100 species exactly for the morning.
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