Hi, I live on the NSW North Coast and will be visiting the Western Treatment Plant for the first time this Wednesday. I have a General Access permit, which limits the areas I can access. I’m wondering if any birds of particular interest are there at the moment? Also, I’d be happy to receive any suggestions regarding good sites to look for waders generally, as well as southern/local specialties such as Australian Shelduck, Cape Barren Goose, Black-tailed Native-hen, Banded Lapwing, Blue-winged Parrot, Striated Fieldwren and Horsfield’s Bushlark. Many thanks, Hans Wohlmuth =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request@vicnet.net.au http://birding-aus.org ===============================
Hi Hans I was at WTP very briefly yesterday on the way to work – about an hour all up, driving in past Avalon Airport and back the same way. I didn’t see any of those birds, but I’ve seen them all except the bushlark in the last few visits. Shelduck – almost anywhere on the larger ponds, but they are often on the big lagoon on the right as you enter T-Section (some maps show this as Summer Lagoon). Cape Barren Goose often there as well – Paradise Rd is another spot for CBG. Banded Lapwing – most reliable spot is on the north side of Beach Road between the airport and Pt Wilson Rd, usually in the driest paddocks. I had a very quick look yesterday and didn’t see any, but they are usually there. BTNHen and Blue-winged Parrot can turn up anywhere. I’ve seen the parrots recently on Beach Rd near Pt Wilson Rd junction, and along 29 Mile Rd between there and T-Section gate (Gate 1). Fieldwren – again, found in most places, but often seen on fences along 29 Mile Rd, especially near Gate 2 (Western Lagoons) and beside the track going south from Kirk’s Point – this is very muddy at the moment and I wouldn’t attempt it in anything but a high 4WD. In fact all the tracks around the southern end of L Borrie were very muddy yesterday and I wouldn’t use any of the minor tracks in a 2WD. The wind today may dry things out but we may get more rain as well. There has been a Broad-billed Sandpiper around but I haven’t seen it. Pacific Golden Plover was seen at the Kirk Pt boatramp earlier this week. Hopefully some other can offer better tips! Cheers Russell Woodford Geelong On 28 September 2013 11:54, Hans Gmail < hwohlmuth@gmail.com> wrote: =============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) http://birding-aus.org ===============================