Birdline Victoria Weekly Update

Birdline Victoria Published sightings for the week ending 26 Oct 2014. Sun 26 Oct Banded Stilt (1800) Lake Tutchewop Large flock of Banded Stilt (1800) observed today at Lake Tutchewop. Large numbers of Whiskered Terns and waders (Marsh Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, red-necked stint) also present. Simon Starr, James Mustafa Eastern Koel Numurkah Have heard the Eastern Koel here from our garden for a few days , got to see it at a far distance tonight in the northern part of Numurkah close to the High School. Richard & Catarina Gregson Scaly-breasted Lorikeet Tanunda Wetlands, Mill Park Single bird with 4 Musk Lorikeet in Eucalypts on Plenty River escarpment. Crummy photo but identifiable. Heaps of birds about including Aust Hobby. Peter Bennet Fri 24 Oct Eastern Koel Peel St, Bendigo At last – it’s back again. Regularly heard for at least past 3 years in this area. We were missing it this year! KPleasants Satin Flycatcher Dandenong Ranges National Park Single vocal bird heard as it was moving through upper canopy, not seen. Corner of Nation Rd & Paddys Tk. First return for spring. Steve Davidson Thu 23 Oct Chanel – Billed Cuckoo Berwick A Channel- billed Cuckoo is back in the area where they have been seen for the last 4 years , east of Berwick avillagea on the way to Beaconsfield. My work colleagues saw it flying over Edrington Park R V at about 2.30 pm, harassed by Magpies it flew into the Moreton Bay Fig on the Princes Highway. Michael Collins & James Grant per Graham Beal Peregrine Falcon Bendigo Sacred Heart Cathederal The pair of Peregrines are back nesting on the upper platforms of the Cathedral again this year. Spotted today from Mackenzie Street side of the Cathedral. Greg and Janice McKay Eastern Koel Bendigo Originally heard from Booth Street chased call around the fenced off property eventually gaining access from Lily Street from employee on site. Sun had set so eventually spotlit bird for further views. Bird has been present in Bendigo area since last week and seen in it’s other spot on Peel St. James Mustafa, Simon Starr Wed 22 Oct Shining Bronze-Cuckoo. Rear yard of large suburban garden in Hoppers Crossing 3029. At 1620 hours, I heard and then observed a single Shining Bronze-Cuckoo perched in the rear yard of my home address. This is a first siting for me at this location, although I have seen and heard them locally, especially at the Werribee Park and River precinct. Peter Gibbons Pacific Golden Plover Black Rock Reserve, Barwon Heads A flock of about 25 sighted on rocks with a large number of Red-necked Stints and 3 Ruddy Turnstones. Ian J Llewellyn Magpie Goose Western Treatment Plant (Werribee) 3 Magpie Goose in 35E9 Conservation Pond, which is drying out nicely and looks good for Australian Painted Snipe at present. Steve Davidson Tue 21 Oct Turquoise Parrot, Painted Honeyeater Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park–Bartleys Block Male Turquoise Parrot found feeding on ground close to entrance gate. Painted Honeyeater heard calling from various points, but eventually located at the north end near the dam. Problem was Fuscous Honeyeaters were constantly harassing a pair. Also of note were Black-chinned Honeyeater, Speckled Warbler and Western Gerygone. Dave Torr, Mark, Iian, Trevor & Len Dollarbird Wilby First spring return. Calling by the creek at the reserve. Again always the last spring migrant to return. Michael Ramsey Channel-billed Cuckoo Dookie The strangest birding experience I have had for some time. While sitting in my office at work I heard the loud, bizarre and unmistakable call of a Channel-billed Cuckoo, I raced outside and saw it briefly flying off to the east chased by the local magpies. It was likely around later in the afternoon as many of the local birds were very agitated with many alarm calls. First record in these parts and very rare in Victoria in general. Michael Ramsey Mon 20 Oct Marsh Sandpiper Coliban Water Treatment Plant, Epsom, Bendigo Marsh Sandpiper seen today. Not sure if one has been recorded here before. Also White-browed Scrubwrens – haven’t seen these in 6 years of visiting the site. Ian Mayo & Murray Chambers Sun 19 Oct Southern Whiteface Glenhope At least two Southern Whiteface (others may have seen more) seen along Sievers Lane on a bird walk held by the Baynton-Sidonia Landcare Group on a property where a natural bush regeneration project is being undertaken. Sean Dooley Crested Bellbird Sullivan’s Track, Newstead Several birds calling from tree tops. Easily located by driving with windows down. Dave Dickson White-browed Woodswallow, Peregrine Falcon Newtown, Geelong Flock of at least 50 woodswallows moving rapidly to NW very high OH (14:15). Also some ahead of main bunch and a few stragglers. Warm N wind dropped in previous 30 min, replaced by cooler SE sea-breeze. Also Peregrine, seen well in binoculars, “shadowing” the woodswallows as it circled behind the main bunch. Craig Morley