Werribee Treatment Plant is not only a sewage farm but one of the best birding sites in Australia. And for a sewage farm, it is quite beautiful. Access is restricted with vehicles allowed on tracks surrounding the various ponds and secured by locked gates. Local bird watchers can apply for a key and if you are lucky, you might know one. So, this sunny morning I met up with Donna and we travelled around the area and typically for bird watching, we didn't see what we expected but we did have a great morning birding.
Right next to the car park, I found Striated Fieldwren as soon as I arrived. These are lovely little birds with fabulous streaks on the breast. When you are lucky enough to find them, they might just sit up and sing for you.
Striated Fieldwren (Calamanthus fuliginosus)
This is only the second time I have seen these fieldwren (the first being in exactly the same place, 3 years ago). I knew that whatever else, it was already a good day. This is the best thing about birding - you never know where it will take you. Who else goes to a sewage farm to find stunning scenery and rare animals?
Our next stop was a bigger pond to the west of the area where we hoped we would find some waders. Just ducks. Nice ducks - Australian Shelducks, but just ducks and swans. As we drove around, we saw a pair of young Brolga flying past. Then, a pair of them in the grass next to the water. We stopped and watched them all. It was like a David Attenborough documentary when a pair started displaying. Honking and crying, it was magnificent. Such a special experience.
Brolga (Antigone rubicunda)
Now, we headed towards the eastern side of the plant. We were quite pleased to be in the car when a snake crossed the track in front of us. I think it is a Tiger Snake. We don't think about how venomous it might be.
Tiger Snake (Notechis scutatus)
We did manage to get out of the car safely and walked for a while looking a more ducks and swans. As we returned to the car, we found a young falcon was sitting next to it. We tracked it for a few minutes, getting a few shots before it took off across the ponds.
Brown Falcon (Falco berigora)
And that was nearly it for the day. We checked the shoreline but still no terns or waders. Some days are just like that. At the car park, a cisticola sang for me as I left. Thanks Donna!
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