Spring is a popular time to go birding in southern Australia and for good reason as the local resident birds are joined by more migratory and nomadic species taking advantage of the excellent conditions as the weather warms up.
During a recent survey of private property on the northern plains of Victoria two adult female and one adult male Plains Wanderer were located and banded.
A recent report released updating the current state of play for this species in Victoria gives some cause for optimism, however the population, if it can now be called that, remains desperately low.
Winter in Victoria can be cold, wet, and some birds certainly have left the state for warmer climes, however there is still plenty to keep the keen birder interested.
With autumn in the air, many birds are on the move.
Victoria’s first confirmed Tawny Grassbird has been found at Edithvale wetlands in Melbourne’s south-east late this month. This bird has been extremely skulking, however it has frequented the same patch of rank grass, reeds and tree Lucerne for some days now, and has rewarded the patient birder with bits and pieces views. A great find!
Twitching fever causes closure of rare bird site.
Rare waders become common
Broad-billed Sandpiper
An exceptional summer for rare waders in Victoria.
Up to two Broad-billed Sandpipers regular at the WTP Western lagoons.
Two Long-toed Stints have favoured the western lagoon pond 9. Rarer still a "probable" American Golden Plover has been hanging around with a decent sized flock of Pacific Goldens at Cheetham wetlands near Point Coo
American Golden Plover
Up to six Pectoral Sandpipers have been found at WTP plus others in the west and north of the state.
3 or 4 sightings of Ruff have been reported, both at the WTP and Lake Leaghur near Boort. The first recorded Ruff in Australia was only in 1962 !
A report of an Oriental Plover also at the Cheetham wetlands, Point Cook.
Painted Snipe appeared at Mt St Joseph’s pond in Altona just before it completely dried up. This bird shared the space with Lewin’s Rail and Spotless Crake…..quite an incredible trio of impossible to see birds !
Long-toed Stint
A Cox’s Sandpiper, also at the WTP kept the run going. Cox’s Sandpiper is incredibly rare, and is considered a hybrid between Curlew and Pectoral Sandpiper.
And from further east at Mots beach near Marlo a Beach Stone-Curlew has appeared.
With Firetail Birdwatching tours done and dusted for 2013, it’s a good time to briefly look back before launching into the new year.
Nights were spent in Melbourne-Healesvillle-Cohuna-Ouyen-Little Desert-Port Campbell-Aireys Inlet-Melbourne.
A pair of Plains Wanderers have been seen together in the Terrick Terrick National Park grasslands.
Unprecedented numbers of Mallee fowl are being observed along roadsides in Victoria's north-west, feeding on spilt grain.