Birdline South Australia Weekly Update

Birdline South Australia Published sightings for the week ending 21 Dec 2014. Wed 17 Dec Lewin’s Rail Black Swamp (Currency Creek Winery) 6 individuals heard calling within a 50m area where the trail crosses the watercourse by the rail bridge. Thomas Jaensch Mon 15 Dec Banded Stilt Lake Robe Game Reserve 500 Banded Stilt in two groups – south side and further north. Malcolm Cousland Sun 14 Dec White-necked Heron Highland Valley On 14/12/14 I saw a White-Necked Heron flying southwest from a neighbour’s dam at Highland Valley on the s.e. slopes of the Mt Lofty Ranges SA. I observed the bird through binoculars for about 45 seconds until it disappeared over a ridge. The species was clearly identified by its folded neck, dark back & wing plumage, white front & white spots on the leading edges of its wings. This is only the second sighting of this species I’ve had in 27 years here, the last being in September 1994 after a very wet winter & before an extremely wet December. Currently, we’re experiencing a very dry December after a very dry spring so I’ve observed the species in two weather extremes. Adrian Watkins