Werribee Visit 2

                         

Check my birding map for specific location. 

Just before leaving Geelong, Donna and I revisited Werribee. Last time it was all ducks and swans but we did get great views of the Brolga so I was optimistic about returning. We started at the western end, known as the T section. As soon as we had a view of one of the ponds, we could see hundreds of waders. The water level had fallen and there they were. I was so thrilled to finally see good numbers. 

Photography was difficult as it was often cloudy and the birds were just a bit far away. Nevertheless, we scanned the pond to see what was there. The most numerous bird was the Curlew Sandpiper, easily identified by its downward curving bill. Waders are always tricky in non-breeding plumage so it is helpful to have a feature to help sort them out. Smallest of all is the Red-necked Stint, noticeably smaller than all the other waders. 

Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea)

Red-necked Stint (Calidris ruficollis)

Next up were the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper with their distinctive rusty cap.

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (Calidris acuminata)

Best of all were numbers of Common Greenshank and Marsh Sandpiper. The greenshank have a slightly upturned bill and the marshie has a really fine bill. However, I can never identify them clealy when they are apart so it was great to see them next to each other. Easy now.

Common Greenshank (Tringa nebularia)

Marsh Sandpiper (Tringa stagnatilis) and Greenshank

In a nearby pond we also found terns. I assumed they were whiskered, not sure why. Not great photos again but clear enough to tell they are White-winged Black Tern, again in non-breeding plumage.

White-winged Black Tern (Chlidonias leucopterus)

On the way out of this area, we saw a couple of Brolga fly in. They settled in a ditch and we were able to get some head shots. 

Brolga (Antigone rubicunda)

Back over to Kirk Point and we began to explore the long stretch of ponds running eastward along the coast. It was pretty quiet with an occassional interesting find. Close to the entrance, we found a young Black Kite looking absolutely stunning.

Black Kite (Milvus migrans)

On the far end of the ponds, near the Borrow Pits, we saw good numbers of Fairy Martin. This is a young bird.

Fairy Martin (Petrochelidon ariel)

Last up, on the way out, we found a White-fronted Chat sitting in plates of drying mud. The bird is a female, she has less colour in her plumage.

White-fronted Chat (Epthianura albifrons)

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