Observation point - Mar 2014

The next day I set off to Observation Point. The tide was just starting to go out and it was a fairly tough slog along soft sand for about 3kms. 

Along the way I came across a Red-capped Plover, Hooded Plover and it wasn't until I got home that I discovered I also had a Double-banded Plover (1st new tick for the day).

Red-capped Plover, Charadrius ruficapillus

Hooded Plover, Thinornis rubricollis

Doubel-banded Plover, Charadrius bicinctus

Because the tide was only just heading out there was less sand at Observation Point for the birds to hang out on, making it easier for me to see them.

There were huge flocks of Red-necked Stints and Crested Terns. With smaller groups of Caspian Terns, Pacific Gulls, Masked Lapwings and Bar-tailed Godwits amongst them.

Caspian Tern, Hydroprogne caspia

I had seen a Caspian Tern from a distance a few years ago near Welshpool but the photo was terrible. I was really happy to get a much closer shot with these ones.

Caspian Tern, Hydroprogne caspia

Crested Tern, Thalasseus bergii

Crested Tern, Thalasseus bergii

Pacific Gull, Larus pacificus

I had first spotted the Bar-tailed Godwits the previous day but the position of the sun and the distance made the shots useless. Today a group flew in and landed quite close to me on the point. Another tick to the list!

Bar-tailed Godwit, Limosa lapponica

It was interesting to see that a lot of the birds had been tagged.

Bar-tailed Godwit, Limosa lapponica

I just caught the end of an interesting show put on by a trio of Masked Lapwings.

Masked Lapwings, Vanellus miles

I also discovered when I got home that I had also found a small group of Double-banded Plovers at the point. These guys would have just finished breeding in New Zealand and will now hang out in Australia over the winter.

On my way home I stopped in at the Shearwater Estate wetlands and happily watched a Spoonbill wade around, sweeping the water for food.

Royal Spoonbill, Platalea regia

With 2 new species ticked, my tally has slowly risen to 190. Looking forward to getting the next 10 ticked off!

Rhyll - Mar 2014

This weekends trip to Philip Island was to include a walk from Rhyll around to the Rhyll inlet and also from the other side to Observation Point. Both places were new to me.

With so many flocks of birds flying about it was also a good time to practice some action photography. This ended up being hit and miss with the focus and the subject actually being in the frame! Multiple shots were quickly adding up and sorting through them later on the computer was quite a task.

These photos are from the Rhyll side of the inlet.

Pied Oystercatcher, Haematopus longirostris

Red-necked Stint, Calidris ruficollis

White-faced Heron, Egretta novahollandiae

There were lots of flocks of birds flying past us but unfortunately we were facing into the sun so all we got was silhouettes. It was only when I got home that I noticed this flock was a bit different. Instead of straight bills they were down curved. These Whimbrels were my first new spot for the day.

Whimbrel, Numenius phaeopus

Heavily cropped photo of the Whimbrels

Australian Pelican, Pelecanus conspicillatus

It was quite interesting to see a pink patch of skin on the underside of the wing when the Ibis was in flight. Apparently it turns from pink to deep scarlet during breeding season.

Australian White Ibis, Threskiornis molucca

My 2nd new spot for the day were these Bar-tailed Godwits. I managed to get some better shots the following day from Observation point.

Bar-tailed Godwit, Limosa lapponica

Pacific Gull (immature)

Later that afternoon we popped out to Swan Lake and found a pair of Australian Shelducks. The Female having the white eye ring and the Male having the white ring around the neck.

Australian Shelduck, Tadorna tadornoides

Male

Female

Welcome Swallow, Hirundo neoxena

Hampton Park field trip - Mar 2014

Last week a friend and I signed up for a free field trip to the River Gum Creek Reserve, Hampton Park, run by BirdLife Australia. The area boasts a list of over 160 bird species which is amazing considering how built up the surrounding areas are.
Our group of 4 was accompanied by 3 birding experts and a scope.

Purple Swamphen (juvenile), Porphyrio porphyrio

Little Pied Cormorant, Microcarbo melanoleucos

Royal Spoonbill, Platalea regia

Red-rumped Parrot (Female + Male), Psephotus haematonotus

Great Egret, Ardea alba

We wandered around for roughly 2hrs and managed to tick off 43 species which was fantastic, but unfortunately no new spots for me.

We continued driving to Phillip Island and I went for short walk in the afternoon. It was quite hot and although I could hear lots of birds they were keeping well out of sight. Instead I found this damselfly and caught a quick glimpse of a European Goldfinch peeking out from behind a branch.

I'm fairly certain this is a Slender Ringtail Damselfly, Austrolestes analis.

European Goldfinch, Carduelis carduelis