Birdline Victoria Published sightings for the week ending 7 Dec 2014. Sun 7 Dec Eastern Koel Hawkesburn/Toorak Just starting up for the evening at about 08:45pm Euan Moore Banded Lapwing Large Paddock in Williams Landing 3017 At 17:28 I observed twelve Banded Lapwings on the south side of a large recently slashed paddock, north-east of Palmers Road and Williams Landing Boulevard. I have had several intermittent sightings of this species at this location. Peter Gibbons Nankeen Night-Heron Drain near Elgar reserve Mont Albert North I haven’t seen one here before. It was in the afternoon and earlier this week I saw a White-faced heron on the cricket pitch staring at Galahs on the football field. Sabine Glissmann-Gough Black Falcon Carisbrook I witnessed an amazing sight this morning in a paddock behind my house on the edge of town. A pair of Black Falcons were hunting three Galahs. They took turns chasing the juvenile Galah while the parents circled overhead calling frantically. Eventually the young Galah fell exhausted into trees nearby and the falcons followed it in. Gary Oliver Eastern Koel Monterey Boulevard Reserve Woke to the call of a Koel this morning ,at 7am , Thankfully not any earlier. Bird heard but not seen , but call coming from large gums on eastern side of Reserve. A koel was heard in this area last year , passing through hopefully. Colin Mulvogue Sat 6 Dec Long-billed Dowitcher Lake Tutchewop Started at the southern end and worked our way around the western shore, located the group of waders and Matt managed to spot the Dowitcher amongst the group at 09:15. Owen Lishmund, Matt McCrae Long-billed Dowitcher Lake Tutchewop Still there. On North shore both 5th & 6th Dec during the morning – easily seen when separated but more difficult when with “clumping” Sharpies. Seems to sleep a lot. Mal & Janet Kidson Fri 5 Dec Eastern Koel Reservoir Area next to Mt Waverley Reserve Heard but not seen at approximately 7AM. Clearly audible from surrounding streets. Robyn and Nick Goode Cicadabird Bunyip State Park–Mortimer Picnic Ground Single male heard making “tuck-tuck” then cicada call, seen flying around treetops. Tom Tarrant Red-chested Button-quail, Little Button-quail Myall 2 Red-chested Button-quail and 1 Little Button-quail sighted in grassy woodlands on private property this morning. Eric Finder, Malcolm Eyles and group Thu 4 Dec Eastern Koel Backyard between Stewart St/Una St and Blue Hills Ave, Mount Waverley Melbourne Marina Harper Little Button-quail Wilby Tiny quail with whitish edges to the tail flushed from the edge of wheat paddock behind the garden. Michael Ramsey Rufous Songlark Bunyip River Road, Bayles Noticed bird on powerlines as heading north along Bunyip River Road from Bayles. It flew off towards the west into a large gum. Heard calling and then was joined by another bird. I took some pictures from about 500m away , then took some videos, more for calls than visual. I have seen this species in Pakenham and Officer over the last few years. Colin Mulvogue Striated Heron Croajingolong National Park–Sandy Point Striated Heron spotted on mud bank fishing in the morning from fishing boat. It flew when we approach. This is our first sighting since 2011 in Mallacoota Geoff Lane, John Harrison, Mark Theodopolous, Mark Broughton Black Falcon Exford Reserve Stopped for morning tea at the small park on Exford Rd by the Werribee River. Black Falcon flew around several times, being harassed by what looked like a Kestrel and a Hobby, whilst a Brown Falcon looked on! Dave Torr, Christine Shelley, Iian Denham, Mark Buckby Spotted Quailthrush Brisbane Ranges National Park Single bird seen, second bird heard near old slate quarry Dave Torr, Christine Shelley, Iian Denham, Mark Buckby White-throated Gerygone Lerdederg River at Pumphouse Track, west of Blackwood Two calling. Excellent views of one bird called in. Also Rose Robin, Bassian Thrush, Brush Bronzewing, Olive-backed Oriole, etc. Lawrie Conole White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Blue-billed Duck Moorabool Reservoir Park A juvenile (first year) sea-eagle observed to capture a Long-billed Corella from a tree, then to be dive bombed in return by a screaming Peregrine Falcon! Slightly unusual inland hill site for sea-eagle. Large rafts of water birds and me without a scope. The estimate of 150 Blue-bills is conservative. Also Great Crested Grebes, Shovelers, etc. Lawrie Conole Common Koel Morrah St Hastings A first for us here! A Common Koel heard calling at 6am in light rainy conditions! Bird chased off by wattlebirds. S and S King Wed 3 Dec Indian Peafowl Redbill Road, French Island 3 males seen on road during a bus trip to NW French Island. All birds within 200m of each other. An emerging issue for the island. Martin O’Brien Grass Owl (possible) Myall Suspected Grass Owl seen next to road after dark. Originally noticed on November 29, a dark barn owl with claws extending after tail. This is the 2nd observation this week. No button-quail seen today on farm property. Eric Finder, Malcolm Eyles and group Rufous Bristlebird Barwon Heads Golf Course I was waiting to tee off on the 14th hole when I heard the unmistakable calls of a a Rufous Bristlebird. This is the first time I have heard this bird in 7 years of playing golf here! Hedley Earl Cape Barren Geese Morrah St Hastings Lucky sighting…just walked out our back door to see 7 Cape Barren Geese fly over the top of our house. S and S King Freckled Duck Banyule Flats Reserve, Heidelberg Single bird feeding north end of Swamp with Black Ducks – then swam to fallen branches by dead tree, climbed out and preened – sharing perch with a Coot and a Long-necked Turtle. One Straw-necked Ibis also perched on timber Anthea Fleming Pacific Koel Mt Eliza Regional Park Heard calling from 5:17 this morning at the back of Claremont St Stuart Cooney Tue 2 Dec Long-billed Dowitcher Lake Tutchewop The Long-billed Dowitcher was seen by at least 5 people on 2 Dec (also seen 1 Dec). South end, at inlet 7:45 am then on eastern side. Angus Hartshorn Great Knot, Greater/Lesser Sandplover, Whimbrel, Bar-tailed Godwit Nooramunga Marine and Coastal Park Went out to Clonmel Island in hope of finding G/L Sandplovers but without luck. 10,000+ Red-necked Stints all over the island as well as great numbers of Red-capped Plovers, a few Sanderling and some Eastern Curlew. Hardly any other species of waders. Managed to find and then spook 7 Sandplover sp. that could not be relocated and unfortunately remaining unticked! 3 Great Knots found along the shore line of Sunday Island (private island) along with 20 odd Whimbrel, 200+ Bar-tailed Godwits and more flocks of Red-necked Stint. 8 Red Knots found along mudflats in Port Albert when returning to wharf. James Mustafa Scarlet Honeyeater Cardinia Reservoir, Spillway carpark Two birds seen clearly in the trees across the road from the carpark. Ian Wilson, Chris Purnell Great Crested Grebe Cardinia Reservoir, Spillway carpark Approximately 140 birds observed through the spotting scope this afternoon about 3.45 pm. Arthur Carew, Chris Purnell, Ian Wilson, Jill Wilson Mon 1 Dec Eastern Koel Inverloch Male calling day and night over recent few days. Sighted male being chased by wattle birds as well as female. Very fast flight. Tim Williams Red-necked Avocet, Common Greenshank Cairn Curran Reservoir 3 Red-necked Avocets on southern shore near Captain’s Gull Creek. A lone Greenshank in the same area – my first record for the site. Also a few Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, Caspian and Whiskered Terns. Geoff Park Sun 30 Nov Red-chested Buttonquail Myall (private property) south-west of Sea Lake Four birds found in dense grass when walking around friends property. Eric Finder and group Brush Cuckoo Warrandyte State Park–Jumping Creek Reserve Heard calling from the carpark when arrived, bird was on the opposite bank of the river, heard for about 3 minutes, bird was moving slowly upstream and eventually couldn’t hear it anymore as it moved out of the area. Jackson Airey Diamond Firetail Clarkesdale Bird Sanctuary A pair of Diamond Firetails were observed collecting and carrying nesting materials. Later verified by Ranger David Coutts and James O’Connor and family. David said it is only the second time in 18 years it has been observed nesting here. Jenny and Peter Sedgwick White-throated Gerygone You Yangs R/P. (West side of Circle Rd) Heard an unfamiliar call in this area. After spending 15 or so minutes searching, I finally located the source. A juvenile W/T Gerygone was begging and being fed by an adult bird. ” Note” It was the begging call that was so foreign! Denis Sleep Long-billed Dowitcher Lake Tutchewop The LBD was located at around 8am on the west side of the lake just north of the pump station near the large communication tower. It was amongst sharpies. This was to the joy of many punters who were able to get some great photos. It could not be located on Saturday despite the efforts of many birders. Bernie OKeefe Sat 29 Nov Eastern Koel Caulfield Sth Eastern Koel heard calling from large trees opposite Glen Eira College at 8.30am . Greg Thompson Thu 27 Nov Cockatiel, Plumed Whistling-Duck Lismore Six cockatiel in suger gum plantation north of Lismore and twenty eight plumbed whistle ducks on and around a dam in the same vicinity. hughy campbel per bob hughes Sun 16 Nov Major Mitchell Cockatoo Mount Arapiles 3 Major Mitchell Cockatoos seen at 36.783377, 141.823780 south of Mt. Arapiles. Mary French via Tim Mintern
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