On the road to the Nesting Ground campsite, from the north was a narrow but very well constructed road structure through an area of wetland. There was a really small pull in towards the middle and there I spent the best part of several days. As you drive through this part, there are hundreds of birds (herons, cormorants, spoonbills, cockatoo), which immediately take off. So, using the van as a hide, I sat pointing out at the side where the sun would shine the most. Unfortunately, all the herons etc, were over the road on the other side.
Not to worry, I sat and watched. It could have been frustrating at the wetlands as I was just not getting any photos because the birds were so flighty. But I was happy to sit and just watch.
My first day sitting here, only yielded a flash of a Buff-banded Rail and lots of fly-bys. But I had arrived mid-morning so I wasn't surprised.
The next day, I got there from the campsite at 7am. As I pulled the van in, I flushed a Buff-banded Rail and Latham's Snipe so I was immediately more hopeful. As I was setting up my solar panel at the back of the van, I turned around and saw an Australian Spotted Crake.
Not even time for a cup of tea, I crept out onto the firmer ground and waited. The crake was totally unconcerned by me and ran around, practically at my feet. I was amazed.
Australian Spotted Crake (Porzana fluminea)
As the crake pottered about, it seemed to give the rail some confidence and it came out too.
Buff-banded Rail (Gallirallus philippensis)
In a short respite from furious snapping of these wonderful birds, I looked up and saw the snipe a short distance away. It disappeared as soon as it saw me but I got a couple of snaps.
Latham's Snipe (Gallinago hardwickii)
Once the crake, snipe and rail had retired for a rest, I had a look further around and found nesting grebes. These birds are so gorgeous.
Australian Grebe (Tachybaptus novaehollandiae)
When I was further south in Victoria, I heard the Little Grassbird a lot and got used to hearing its melancholy piping call. I haven't heard any futher north but I thought I caught a single note. I sat in the van and concentrated. I heard it again and whistled a poor imitation back. The bird flew right out and into the grass in front of me. Learning bird calls is starting to pay off!
Little Grassbird (Poodytes gramineus)
The smaller birds became less active and quiet during the morning and I started to pay more attention to the birds flying over. There were plenty of them. I stood in the shade of the van and tried to shoot them. Check the raven image, it is carrying the head of a duck. Brutal.
White-necked Heron (Ardea pacifica)
Australian Raven (Corvus coronoides)
Little Pied Cormorant (Microcarbo melanoleucos)
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita)
White-faced Heron (Egretta novaehollandiae)
eBird Lists
No comments:
Post a Comment