I went to the southern side of the wetlands for a change, around Bill Friday Swamp and The Spit area. I was surprised to find the wetlands fuller than they were back in November, must have been all the rain in December. The roads were still fine, except I could not get out onto the point of The Spit.
Lots of great birds around. Brown Quail giving their upward whistling calls were commonly heard in the grasslands along with Golden-headed Cisticolas. A family of White-breasted Woodswallows buzzed overhead (above), Tree Martins and Welcome Swallows were common and a few Pelicans soared by. There were many ducks as well, of nearly every species expected. Plumed Whistling-Ducks were at Bill Friday Swamp, Australasian Shoveler and Grey Teal (below) both had ducklings as well. Black Swan pairs with cygnets were common too.
Raptors are often found here. Three Wedge-tailed Eagles, four Brown Falcon, an Australian Hobby, five Whistling Kites and a Nankeen Kestrel were all found today. There always tends to be a surprise at this site. Today I saw 3 Red-necked Avocets near The Spit. Very, very rare birds for north east Victoria, I have never seen them before in the district. Also found was a beautifully plumaged Intermediate Egret with red legs and bill (below). I wonder if they are breeding nearby. Whiskered Terns were also seen, though in lower numbers than last November when they were here in the hundreds. I think the water in the wetlands is too high at present for them. Some nice reed beds are beginning to form now as well, so hopefully some bitterns might make them their home.
71 species for a few hours.
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