Hi all,
We went down to the WTP today, just for a look around after all the rain. When Joy spoke to the WTP office on Friday she got the message that it was very wet and parts of the plant are closed. The same message is on their answering machine today, when I booked in.
When we arrived we found that all the “T” section ponds are full of water, so no waders, and the Austin Rd ponds have flowed out over the adjoining paddocks. We did not attempt to go into the main part of the WTP but were told by another birder that all roads are very wet and/or closed, even the ones near Lake Borrie and the hide.
For the good news, it is still possible to drive into the Western Lagoons area, through approx 150 mm of water on the entrance track before the gate, and walk to the “flooded paddock”. We were told today that the Stilt Sandpiper had been seen in this area this morning and we saw the Ruff and plenty of Marsh Sandpipers. I got one quick look at the Long-toed Stint in the Western Lagoon pond before it went behind some grass and did not come out the other side, as they do. We did not go looking for the Stilt Sandpiper.
It was a beautiful sunny day and so nice to get out after the wet week. It is worth going down, even just to see all the water lying around, but at the moment don’t expect to get much further than the Western Lagoon and Spit area.
cheers
Jenny ===============================
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